YACHTS ACROSS COOK STRAIT

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 80, 28 December 1940, Page 14

YACHTS ACROSS COOK STRAIT

Favourable Weather Experienced Yachts and launches that left Wellington on Christinas Day made a good crossing of Cook Strait, with a fresh southerly wind and a choppy sea. The threatening weather on Christmas Eve, when the southerly blew up, caused the cancellation of tlie ocean race to Tory Channel, and those cruisers which had planned to leave by the night tide postX>oned' their departure till next day.. A large number of boats left ou Christmas morning, by which time it was evident that the southerly was abating. Another contingent left on the morning of Boxing Day, experiencing a strong northerly wind and a joggle of sea in the strait. All boats that made the crossing are reported to have done so without incident, however.

The crossing has been made somewhat longer, particularly for sailing craft, by the defence regulation forbidding vessels to make use of Chaffers Passage. This may entail a long beat into wind and sea when entering or leaving the heads. Apart from this, the only restriction upon the movements of yachts is the slight one of having to report to the examination steamer on entering the heads. A large number of the keel yachts having gone away on cruises, and many of the centreboard crews with them, there will be no yacht racing at the main harbour clubs for the next two weekends. The Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club will resume its programme, on January 11, the Evans Bay Yacht and Motor Boat Club not till January 18- _____