YACHTING AND BOATING

Evening Star, Issue 18399, 6 October 1923, Page 9

YACHTING AND BOATING

NOTES AND COMMENTS. [Bx Flxixo Jib.] [Secretaries of clubs and others interested in aquatics are requested by “ Flying Jib ” to forward any items of news or comments to this office not later than Wednesday afternoon of each week.] The Ravcnsbournc Boating Club will hold its first committee meeting on Monday evening, when matters in connection with the opening of the season on Saturday, October 20, will bo arranged. Tiro spell of fine weather has enabled boat owners and crews to make good progress with the work of overhauling and refitting. Eureka, which was launched on Saturday last, looks well in her new coat of paint. It was expected that several other boats would bo launched to-day.

Mr B. S. Irwin lias purchased the sister boat to Juno. Both of these were built to tho Rona- one-design plan by Mr J. MTherson, and both are splendid examples of Mr MTherson's art, which should bo prominent in the next trials to choos* the Otago challenger for tho Sanders Cup. Mr Irwin’s boat was taken to Port Chalmers last week-end. It is understood that “Togo" Watson, who sailed Mona and Eunice with marked success last season, will sail Mr Irwin's new boat this season, which accounts for her being taken to Port Chalmers. It is very pleasing to know that such an experienced yachtsman has been placed in charge of tho now boat. Most of the Ravcnsbounio boats are now afloat. During the week Experiment, Ripple, .Seagull, and May were launched from tho slip. All look well in their new coats. Winifred and Heather are now being overhauled at Mr Bolton’s shed, and will ho launched shortly. Tho crew of tho Heather are determined to give the new fourteen-footers of the Rona class a

fair taste of their qualities. Juno, MV F. B. Fiance’s new fourteenfooter, and Eunice sailed over the \acht Club course last. Saturday afternoon. Eunice had the better of the trial. Juno carried Valmai’s old sail, hut it does not appear to be at all suitable for the new boat. Mr France expects to have a new suit of sails to hand almost immediately, and when equipped with these it is expected that June will show her mettle. A crew's faith in a boat is hard to dispel sometimes. I have been informed that, the Winifred’s crew are so satisfied with the boat that they have refused an offer of a now boat. They arc determined to giro her another trial in tho scries of races to ho sailed during the season. Commodore MTlutchon presided over a meeting of the committee of the Northeast Harbor Boating Club., held on Wednesday evening. It was decided to open tho season on Saturday, October 20. The club intends to charter a launch to convey its city members and friends to the bay, and also a band. Tho committee is quite confident that the opening of tho 1923-24 season will bo most successful.

The 10ft sailing dinghy race for tho FJliott Cup will bo sailed on Saturday, October 27, starting at 3 p.m. This race should bo most interesting, as it will be the first event of its kind Held on Otago Harbor. The youthful owners of the Spray and Chloo have spent considerable time'in refitting thoir boats, and both are looking spick and span. The Chloo is of the pram stylo, and should give a good account of herself.

In connection with the Sanders Cup contests, it may bo mentioned that the championship of New' Zealand, which will bo a separate race, will bo sailed at the same time at Wellington. The conditions for this race are that only boats built after tho Bona onc-dcsign plan was issued can take part'. Sp far, therefore, Mr France’s Juno and Mr B. S. Irwin’s new boat are eligible to represent Otago in tho championship. These two boats are also eligible to compete in the Sanders Cup contests. The youthful crow of the small Chloo visited the yacht harbor on Sunday last, presumably to inspect two of their opponents —Seaspook and Mascotte. Both are very good boats. The 'Macandrew’s Bay Orphans’ Club intends to institute a week-end drive with the object of raising funds for the regatta on Boxing Day. Should this spirit continue amongst tho residents they will soon be in the front rank in the matter of regattas. Tho Programme Committee of the Mncandiw’s Bay regatta met recently, and selected what appears to bo a very attractive programme of sixteen races, not including the. swimming events. The programme will bo confirmed at the general meeting of the committee to bo held on Saturday, October 20. A meeting of the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association will bo held on Tuesday evening, when the annua.! report and balance-sheet will bo presented and officers elected. Arrangements will also bo made for the scries of races to chooso a Sanders Cup challenger, and other important business connected with the opening of tho season will bo transacted. There appears to be a general desire to have the trials completed before the New Y ear, as tho contest will bo sailed at Wellington about, tho end of January.

The Roya.l Port Nicholson Yacht Club hones to open the. season on Saturday next.

Tho Wellington yacht Wairerc I. will be in commission again this season. The boat did not sail last year owing to the absence, in England of the owner. Mr Buehniz.

A handsome silver cap hasjicen dona toil to the Olago Yacht and Motor Boat Club by Mr B. IS. Irwin for competition. Ibp enp has not yet been allotted, but life question is bring considered. General satisfaction has been expressed by tho Port Chalmers Club in regard to the design decided on lor the Handers Cup contests. The Port Club is in favor of asuggestion that, the association .arrange the season’s programme of dub events. This would obviate a clashing of dub race dates, and would probably result in an increased number of entries lor all (lie dubs.

The Woolwidi Amateur Club (Sydney) opened the season on September 15, and, notwithstanding tho bleak sou’-west wind, a .splendid contest was put up by Kthd 12ft) and Cornstalk (10ft). The pair raced together a!! round the, course, ami at the finish tho judge was unable to separate them. Mclrah ennm third, five minutes later.

Signs of notable activity arc being shown by Hie members of the Broad Bay Boating Club. On Tuesday there were fifteen members of the committee present, at a meeting of the club, and tho question of the erection of a club-house at Broad Bay was again advanced. The proposal is to build on the tee of the wharf, and to provide suitable accommodation for dinghies. It is hoped that with the support of others the club will be in a. position to commence the erection of the building, to which £7O has been promised by the committee. Mr J. Hudson was appointed to the position of honorary secretary, as Mr L. T. Paul has resigned. Mr 0. Martin was elected assistant secretary. At the meeting appreciation was recorded of the retiring secretary’s work in the interest of the dub and regatta. Delegates appointed to represent the club on the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat. Association were Mr I/. T. Paul and Mr K. Davys.

The eighteenth animal meeting of i-he New Zealand Power Boat Association was held at. Auckland on Wednesday evening, September 26. Mr F. Chapman, in moving tho adoption op'thc ‘annual report and balance-sheet, stated that the racing last year had been curtailed largely, as an experiment, to develop the social side of the club, and a number of cruises in company had been held, and these had proved a great success. It was the aim of the association to develop speed boat racing in Auckland this year. The sport had been taken up very enthusiastically in Sydney, whore iive classes Jiad been formed, including the open speed class. A number of boats wore being built in Auckland, and there was every indication of some interesting contests being held there during the coming season. Mr Chapman also mentioned that a letter had been received from a Wanganui resident asking

•under what conditions be could come to Auckland and race his fast hydroplane. The annual nicotine: of the Wellington Yacht and Motor Boat Association was held last Thursday evening. 'this meeting had an important bearing on yachting in’Wellington for the coming season, for the question of tho Sanders Gup was fully discussed. Referring to (ho subject, “Norms,” the aquatic writer for the ‘ Dominion. ’ rays that it is interesting to note that in a recent letter to the Auckland Yacht .and Motor Boat Association Mr J. A. MacDonald, secretary tor the "Wellington Yacht ami Motor Boat Association, gave it as his opinion that the offer of the Auckland Association to change the venue of tho Sanders Gen contest would be taken up enthusiastically by Wellington yachtsmen. Should the contest be 'derided on Wellington Harbor, H is hoped that every yachtsman will do his level best to make the 1924—-it would be held some time in January—battle for the cup worthy of Wellington. Claire, livnin, and Peggy are the three boat? in Wellington eligible to compete for the Sanders Cup. Mr Berkeley Clark’s Claire did not sail last .season, and if another boat is not built she will have an excellent chance of representing Wellington next year,