YACHTING

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 131, 27 February 1929, Page 8

YACHTING

by

“NEREUS"

After the Battle. Possibly it is not too much to say that this year’s Sanders Cup contest has been one of the most exciting since the origin of the events. The remarkably good performances of Avalon and Clyde left so little to choose between them that either might quite easily have been the victor. As it happened, the Auckland boat was favoured by fortune and won, the cup by the narrow margin of 4Ssec. No yachtsman will begrudge the Avalon her success, and her crew deserve their fair share of the praise. Akaroa Harbour has a good reputation, but it sadly belied all that has been said about it during Sanders Cup week. When it is remembered that Clyde was especially selected to compete on account of her extraordinary sailing powers in very light weather, her showing in the heavy fourminute blows encountered down south is all the more meritorious. This year the coveted trophy has come nearer to going to Wellington than it has ever done before. Who knows but that., next year ? Neil Rountree and those who sailed with him are to be heartily congratulated on their maiden effort in this contest.

Cup Trials Amendment. “AJI members of the crews of yachts taking part in the trials must be financial members of the affiliated clubs nominating them before the trials commence, and shall not be’ unfinancial with any other elub.” At Thursday night’s meeting of the Yachting Association the above amendment was Incorporated in the rules in order to prevent yachtsmen financial with one club but unfinancial with another from taking part In either Sanders of Cornwall Cup trials. Another long-needed recommendation was the following, which it was decided to forward to affiliated clubs for addition to their rules: —"That no person shall be eligible to become a member of this club If he is in arrears with any other afilliated club or clubs, and he must produce evidence of . his financial standing with such club or clubs.” Worser Bay Notes. Two races were sailed at Worser Bay during the week-end for the Lang and Collie trophies. Results for the former are:—Maru (5 mln.), 1; . Kakariki (scr.), 2; Spitfire (5 min.), 3. The Ngaroma capsized. In the latter event Maru (smin.) win with Kakariki (scr.) second. Spitfire and Ngaroma did not finish, the Ngaroma experiencing rudder trouble and withdrawing. ; Mn Lang’s launch was brought up on the laud. for eleaning purposes, and a coat of copper paint applied to the bottom. She was floated off on the next tide. Mr. F. .Tames is spending the week-end at Plcton, inspecting a crude oil engine, which, if successful, will be Installed in the Mizpah. • A dance was held In the clubhouse on Saturday, and proved a great sucoess. . "Five-hundred” parties are held in the clubhouse every Wednesday evening and are proving themselves quite popular.

In the Bay. On Saturday afternoon three events were got off by the Evans Bay Yacht and Motorboat Club, a centre-boarder, a keeler, and a launch race. Several mishaps occured among the centreboard craft as the northerly was falrlv fresh. Following are the results:— 18ft. and Under Race.—Southern Maid (smln.), 3h. 54min. 14sec„ 1; All Black (scr.), 3h. 5-lmln. 32sec., 2; Klo (2imin.), 3h. 57inin. 27sec„ 3. Also started: Jul (4}min.), Nautilus (1J mln.),.- Illinois (Simla.), Little Haste (Imin.) Cappy Ricks (13min.), Mira (scr.), Kewpie (17min.), Irex (4mln.), Banshee (5J min.), Dusta (12m1n.), Runa (14jmin.). Keelers’ Race.—Romp (7mln.), 4h. 29min. 30scc.,-l: Walrere I (3min.), 4h. 30mln. 46 sec., 2; Viola (scr.), 4h. 33m1n.. 28sec.. 3. Launch Race.—lsobel (9min.), 3h. 48mln. 16 sec., 1 Felix (scr.), 3h. 52min. 50sec., 2. New Use for Outboards. Known as a “skiboard,” a new type of aquaplane has recently been introduced In America. The device consists of a board 7ft. long and 3tt. broad, to the aft end of which is attached an outboard motor by means of a special bracket (writes “Spln- • drift” in the “New Zealand Herald”). The skiboard will support a 3001 b. rider, but it has been successfully demonstrated in the United States by two people together, who weigh a total of 2031 b. The rider stands on the fore part and holds on to reins, the boat being made to turn by shifting the weight of the body. When the motor is accelerated the board comes to tha suxfaoe and planes aa wel Im anv

aquaplane, and, with a class B motor, it is capable of about 30 m.p.h. The skiboard will bounce a foot off the water if there Is a ripply surface. It is said to be non-sinkable and to be capable of negotiating rough water impossible to a normal type of light outboard hull. Racing at Paremata. Racing was confined to the first-class yaehts during last week-end, a heavy nor'wester, with a strong tide, making conditions unsuitable for the second-class boats. Result, with actual sailing times, is as follows:—First-class handicap: Ariki II (lOmln.), Ihr. 40mln. 50sec., 1; Josephine (IJmin.). Ihr. 33min. 26sec., 2: Oreroa (2j inin.). Ihr. 35min. 14sec.), 3. Also started: Kewpie (4min.), Ihr. 29min. 44sec.; Kotuku II (l)mln.), Ihr. 36min. 27sec.; Kunlni (scr.), Ihr. 34min. llsec. Ariki II led throughout, but was severely tried out over the concluding stage, going on to win by just over a minute from Miss Josephine, i with Bi—aaa aloao w- SUumL,