YACHTING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1431, 4 May 1912, Page 12

YACHTING.

[Bi Mainbheet.] THE SEASON CLOSING. Waitangi Collides With Hulk. Wellington's largest yacht, Waitangi, mot with an accident last Sunday, this resulting in her bowsprif being smashed. It appears that tho yacht was making up to Evans Bay against the southerly galo which raged in tho afternoon, when a portion of the lashing on the main trisail carried away. As'soon us this happened tho sail began to rip, and it was not long before it had torn pretty badly. It was "piping hard" at the time, and tho skipper (C. Jenkins) deemed it advisable to make for an anchorage near the Thorndon Baths. The yacht was moving along at a fast pmce under headsails and jigger. When the yacht arrived in amongst tho coal hulks, the captain was about to put the yacht about, when the jigger carried away. It seems that someone on board must have lost his head, for the yacht "took charge." and collided head on with a hulk. Tho force of tho impact smashed the bojvsprit, and Hie small winch for'ard was knocked from its position. The occupants on the hulk threw down a line, and the vacht was mado fast for the night, the crew sleeping on board the hulk. On the Monday morning the crew effected repairs to tlio jigger, and got under way for their anchorage in Evans Bay. The "Wai" will probably be. slipped on the Evans Bay slip, where sho will have a new bowsprit shipped. Smashed Bowsprit. Whilst the yacht Nancy Stair was manoeuvring in Mahanga Bay on Sunday last she collided with the wharf anu smashed her bowsprit. The Party on Ward Island. Tho fact that a picnic party had been marooned on Ward Island for some hours en Sunday last was in no timo tho subject of discussion, not only amongst yachtsmen, but amongst the general public. Somebody quite unnecessarily spread a rumour round town to tho effect that tho yacht concorncd was the Waitangi, and naturally this under the circumstances had the effect of making the owno- somewhat irate. The party who were left on th« island were quite comfortable, and in no risk whatever. The yacht concerned—tlio Ethel—returned to town, and upon informing other yachtsmen of their predicament, tho Siren left for the island, and rescued the party. Tho owner and crew of Siren deserve credit for turning out on such a wild night and rescuing a party who thought that they would i have "to see tho night out" on the little island. Although the weather conditions were not at their best, tho party thoroughly enjoyed themselves although it is not likely that they will forget tho incident in a hurry. End-of-Season Thoughts—Not Very Successful for Racing. Another yatchine season has almost drawn to a close. The past racing reason lias not been, marked by any striking event, and generally sneaking, has not very successful. The weather conditions'! during tho summer hnvo not been of the best, and consequently, yachtsmen have not had a very pleasing season. Tho fact of an unsuccessful season is without a doubt due principally to the simallness of entries, which are probably, in some instances, the lowest on record. Tho general opinion is that some of tlio yacht owners are losing interest in the club. Perhaps tkev are. Well, for what reason? Possibly the lack of attention on the part of the officials. Smallness of prise money and trophies, is in all probability, another solution. Anyhow, the racing season went through in a half-hearted -sort of way, and a number of tho owners did not seem to know whether to race or not. The yachts that did not race in the P.N.Y.C. events are in the majority. During the season the P.N.Y.C. held a regatta, which was a success, but very little public interest was centred in it.

It is to be hoped that next season will open in a much more enthusiastic manner than did the past one. Coming to the point: Some decent trophies and prizes should be offered, and then it will be seen that the owners will all enter thcirytiehts. There has been talk to the effect that the reason the P.N.Y.C. gives for not offering decent trophies is because they are saving up for a clubhouse. The idea of a clubhouse is an excellent one, but, at the same time, members of the club Bhoukl not suffer, as far as racing is concerned, through this action by the club. Perhaps we shall hear something about the clubhouse in ,the near future. Recent Alterations in Rig. During recent years some of the yachts have had their rig altered in such a way that (in most cases) it has proved beneficial. For instance, take Siren. This packet has raced for some time as a yawl, but, last season, her owners thought fit to alter her rig to that of a cutter, and it is surprising what a difference it has made to her speed. She stands to-day in the ranks of tho crack first-class yachts. Some Harbour Packets. It cannot be truly said that Mahina has improved "out of sight" sinco she has been in the hands of her new owners. Tho present-day Mahina seems quite a different craft to the Slahina which Dr. Fell used to handle. Certainly her new owners havo gone to no end of trouble in improving ner looks both insido and out, but, unfortunately, they havo not been able to keep up her past roputa"'i'lie owner of tha smart yawl Muritai Has everv reason to be proud of her, for sinco she has been, converted into a yawl she has been displaying her racing abilities to a great advantage. Her performances for tho past season are no doubt n record, in as much us she has defeated most of the crack first-class yachts if the fleet. Siren .and Mahina have been the most consistent performers during the past season. .Since Taipnri has been in the hands of her present owners she has been very much more conspicuous in the racing Held than before. Although her skipper has not been credited with many wins, he still retains a good deal of confidence in his little packet. It was thought that- now W aitungi is in'the hands of (tn enthusiastic yachtsman, that we would see a little more of this 'ya,=ht> but alas! as far as racing is concerned she has contested very few races durini' the past seasrn. Old retired va'i'h'tsmp'i take :i delight in seeing the '•old timers" cruising round tho harbour, for it lakes llieni back (o the olden days.