YACHTING

Evening Star, Issue 19723, 25 November 1927, Page 15

YACHTING

[By Fob’akd Hand.] FIXTURES. November 26. Opening Ravens* bourne Club; O.Y. Club races; first Paterson Cup race. December 3.—N.E.H. Club races; 14-footcr and Takapuna class trial. December 10.—Ravensbourne Club races; 14-footer and Takapuna class trial. , , ' December 17.—11-footer and lakapuna class trial. January 2.—Broad Bay regatta. January 7. Ravensbourne Club races; N.E.H. Club races; cruising race; second Paterson Cup race; Ohphant Cup race, Broad Bay. January 14.—P.ort Chalftiers Club races. , ' _ , January 21,—-Port Chalmers LadiesDay. January 23.—Port Chalmers Club races. , , ~. , February 18.—0. Y. Club races; third Paterson Cup race. February 25.—Strang Cup race. February 25.—Strang Cup race; Port Chalmers Ladies’ Day. March 3.—Port Chalmers Club races*. March 17.—Moffat Cup race. April 16.—Broad Bay Club races.-WEEK-END TIDES. The following times are according td summer time Saturday.—Dunedin, 5.41 a.m., 6.04 p.m.; Port Chalmers, 5.1 i a.m., 5.34 p.m.; Heads, 4.31 a.m., 4.3 p.m. Sunday.—Dunedin, 6.27 a.m., 6.02 p.m.; Port Chalmers, 4.57 a.m., 5.22 p.m.; Heads, 5.17 a.m., 5.42 pm. CORNWELL CUP COMMENTS. MR OSCAR HOLLER’S DEFENCE. From Mr Oscar Holler, of Auckland* the editor of the ' Star ’ has received a. defence of “For’ard Hand’s” comments on the future of the Cornwell Cup and the Takapuna one-design class.The letter has been handed to the writer for a reply. “Sir.—As a reader of yachting notes in your paper, I w’ould hike to draw attention to tho palpable inaccuracies of your writer, ‘For’ard Hand,’ in your issue of November 11, wherein he states the Auckland representatives promised to defend the cup at Stewart Island. As the Auckland delegate to Christchurch, I say authoritatively, no promise was given or implied. Indeed, had, I known such a desire existed, I am confident of Auckland’s decision, as our desire is to encourage the sport, and particularly tho Cornwell Cup contest for boys. ' For’ard Hand’s ’ opinion of past contests is, I feel sure, not shared by yachtsmen. As proof of this, the coining contest hero has already seven challengers. His obvious want of knowledge in connection with tho Takapuna, 12ft 6in one-design <class is misleading, to your readers, and unfair to those 1 citizens who have the yachting welfare of ilew Zealand boys at heart.—l am,etc., O. Holler (Auckland delegate tod Christchurch Conference) “For’ard Hand ”, witnessed hotn| series of races in tho South Island. As ' one of the founders of the class, Mr; Moller would naturally watch tho races, through rose-colored glasses, _ while, “For’ard Hand” claims that his view, was dispassionate and unbiassed. Bufc s Mr Moller is one of the few yachts-) men who have seen both, contests andi still believe that they were successful.-) The past two contests have been fan-( ures, and that at Lyttelton in Fchru,,; ary was Gilbertian. So far, the clo-j minion races have' neither shown the) desirability of the Takapuna design as| a class for youths, nor have they been! productive of great skill in the boys J The rules are at fault, for what interest will any youthful skipper have ifij ho draw's such slow boats as were rac-j

ing at Lyttelton, while another crew is racing away in front in a fast boat like Gadfly? Only a breach of the rules' would prevent a crew- from winning in. Gadfly. The provinces should be allowed to take their own boats to thoj contest and race iu them. j. Mr Moller claims that ho made n<*j promise that the next contest would be 1 * sailed at Stewart Island if Canterbury, allotted the Sanders Cup contest to Southland. It has not been stated that . Mr Moller made the promise. It was implied by other Aucklanders at the commencement of the contest, when it was quite ou the cards that a southern province bight win the Takapuna class races. “Those citizens who have the yachting welfare of New Zealand boys at heart ” will have to decide on another class of boat if tho annual contests for boys are to be held, for tho Takapuna class has not proved itself. A perusal of the ‘Star’ yachting notes during the past tw r o seasons would show, that at all times has activity on tho part of the future yachtsmen' been urged and helpful advice has been given. Air Moller is mentioned in a recent issue of the Auckland ‘Sun,| in which “ Keelson,” the yachting writer, refers to “ For-ard Hand’s ” comments on tho future of the Cornwell Cup. He says: “ This season’s contest will decide the fate of the Cornwell Cup races.” This rather strong and certainly dogmatic opinion was expressed recently by a Dunedin yachting writer; nevertheless there is a degree of soundness in his outspoken views. “ Keelson ” _ would ho glad to hear opinions of Waitemata men on tho subject, as southern men. if the Dunedin writer is a faithful .sounding-board, are certainly taking a gloomy view of the future of tho contests. On November 3 an amendment was made to the rules by the following ad-

ditiou:—'‘.That each competing bout shall carry its own-sails and spinnaker throughout the races, such sails to conform to measurements and weight of canvasses, and to be made in New Zealand.’;- ■ Why did not the club take a bigger step "and permit each province to bo represented by its own boat? ■ ' •

OUTBOARDERS FOR RUSSELL. An Auckland man has given an order to Mr A. C. Paterson, the outboarder enthusiast of Dunedin, to build a Heath ’ planned boat. This will make the fourth boat which Mr Paterson has built this season. Caille 1., Aloha, and Miss Whippet were at the boat harbor on Saturday afternoon, but Miss Whippet,.the latest boat, was r not given her launching and first spin owing to the rough weather. Caille I. was the first boat built, being strictly to Heath design, with a flare in the forward plane. She weighs 801 b. Aloha was altered as an experiment, the tumble home forward plane being adopted, and the boat is not so wide forward. The weight is 901 b. No rear skegs were provided on the Heath plans, but Mr Paterson put two three inches iu from either side on Aloha. She has proved to bo a much bettor sea boat thau Caille, and does not skid so much on the water. Miss Whippet is a neat craft, a replica of Caille 1. As an. experiment, nor owner-builder fitted the Sin x Sin bronze rear skegs both lOin in from the sides. Miss Whippet was to have been given a trial with Aloha and Caille 1. on Saturday, as Mr Paterson did not then know "which was the faster boat, Aloha or Caille I. The Auckland buyer of the now boat is taking Caille I. for the championship regatta at Russell at tlio end of next month, while Mr Paterson is proposing to travel north with Miss Whippet and Aloha. Mr Paterson, who weighs 12st 41b. will steer Aloha, while Jos. Paul (who tips the scales at list 21b) will hold the tiller of Miss. Whippet. However, the Otago men have not yet definitely decided on making the trip, as the regulations appear to be too stringent. The championship course is seven miles, and the regatta committee will allow of no extension of the one gallon tank capacity. /The 4 h.p. engine swings an Sin blade 3,500 revolutions a minute when racing full out, and consequently the motor literally sponges up the petrol. ,A gallon of juice will fast for only five and a-half .miles when travelling at top speed, and if the present regulations'are enforced skippers will have to replenish their tanks when racing. 'Phis is most dangerous, as the exhaust is open. Petrol •could easily bo spilt over the tank and become ignited. , Then the regatta would bo marred by a tragedy. When in America, Mr Paterson found that the outboarders with one gallon tanks raced only over three-mile courses. Tlio outboarders, however, will run for two and a-half hours at cruising speed. At Macandrews Mr J. M'Pherson is making good progress with his Heath designed boat, which is to bo powered with a Caille 4” h.p. He expects to have the boat in the water at the end of next week. OH, THOSE FLAGS! Bunting and flags made a gay display at the Otago Club’s opening on Saturday, but once again flag etiquette was neglected At the entrance to'the boat harbor a Union Jack was unfurled. Only a few yachtsmen noticed the mistake, but sticklers there were, and they were amazed at tlio parent club of Otago disregarding the flag conventions. But that wa not all. On the clubhouse, with the club’s pennant and the Red Ensign, was the Blue Ensign. But tl yachtsman who flew the, •Royal Standard of Scotland from the sidestay of his launch would have taken the prize. The three rampant lions helped to make a show on the ruffled waters of the boat harbor, but it was bad taste. Patriotism did not actuate the hoisting of the Scottish Standard, as the skipper went aboard later in the afternoon wearing. a glaring green blazer! CLASSIFICATION OF LAUNCHES. Following on the decision of clubs to classify boats on a speed rating, and not on horse-power, the launches in the fleet of the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Club have been reclassified. The only alteration is that Silvocea and Jewel drop from the big class to the lower-speed class. The classifications ax - c us follow: Seven and a-half miles per hour: Doris, Iris, Nell, Joyce, Daphne, Jewel, Silvocea, Arawa, Ugic, Southern Star, Silver Fern. Eight miles per hour: Eclipse, Marewa, Ngaio, Cobra, Aotea, Tui i.L, Stella, Miss Bruce, Spitfire, Islay, Laura. Immediately a boat in the lower classes touches a speed of eight miles it will be promoted to tlio higher class. The owners of boats not already classified are asked to make application to the handicapper for a position. PICNICS OR RACES. A regatta is a race meeting, and not a picnio gathering. The recommendation' of the conference of club delegates last week com-

pels the reiteration of that declaration in reply to short-course promoters last year. "The conference decided to recommend regatta committees to shorten courses and make them uniform—rtwo miles for the lower classes and lour miles for the higher classes of motor ! boats and yachts. Happily the proposal has only readied tho recommendation stage, and tlio Various clubs would bo wise to give an hour or two of thought before adoptiug the recommendation. Time was when the regattas provided the boats from other clubs to meet and show their mettle, and short courses are no tHal of racing ability. Two 1 miles -for a motor boat! Why, it would take the fastest boat in the lowest class only 20 minutes to dash over % course. That would bo no test of engine efficiency. The small yachts, it is suggested,, "should also sail two miles. Tho triangle is tho only course for a regatta, and the boats would be asked to sail only two-thirds of a mile on and off tho wind and on a lead. Over such a short course the boats would not have to contend with w-"change in weather conditions, which always call on the best showing, for skippers. Then yachts like Tucnna and launches .like Miss Bruce or even Ngaio would he 1 asked to cover only four miles. The shortness of the courses looks as if the regattas will bo no longer race meetings, but purely social gatherings for boat owners. The various clubs hold their picnics, at which tho social side is fostered, ami the regattas should be reserved for racing-proper racing, in which-boats and skippers arc, given acid tests. HOUND THE CLUBS. ' —North-cast Harbor. — Sunday saw quite a number of craft cruising in the vicinity of Macandrew Bay. In addition, to the local boats, • Colleen, BeCly, Bute, and Mavis, there wove Experiment, Lassie, Minnow, Sea I Hawk, ami Viking, while the launches ‘Dolphin, Waiata, and Nomad were there ! during the week-end. | Heathcote is in the shed to have the 'hull burnt oil' prior to painting. .In tho heavy northerly wind on Thursday morning Miti parted her motoring chain and drifted up towards Wavcrloy. The crew of the Harbor Board’s launch Tairoa, however, saw her predicament and managed to pass a lino aboard and low the yacht back. Sho was then put on Thelma’s moor- ) ings. the latter cruft being on the slip. On Monday after noon tlio Takapuna punt Betty also carried away her'moorings at Macandrews, and piled up on the beach in front of the store. She was soon refloated, however, and is none ‘•ho worse for tho incident. —Broad Bay.— The yachts cruising about the hay I during tho week-end were Eileen, liia j Ora, Vera, Ngyra, Minnow, and hex, ' On Sunday morning tho latter earned I away her throat block, but a repair was effected without the loss of much time. Ivan Penrose'S new outboard dinghy was out during the week-end, and appeared to have a good turn of speed. With only one person aboard she seemed to bounce a good deal, but with a crow of two, one for’ard and tho other amidships, she was steadier and appeared to bo doing about 15 m.p.li. After a long spell on the beach, MaJmna is again in commission, and was out for a spin on Sunday. Rewa has been slipped for repairs, and good progress is being made. Her owner expects to have her afloat again in about a.fortnight. —Port Chalmers.— Sea Shell has been thoroughly overhauled, and is to bo Tenanted Shirley. A Chrysler engine has bceh installed in the Lure, which should give the launch a good turn of speed. Her owner is only waiting for a new reverse gear before putting the boat into commission. The Port Club syllabus is to hand and makes provision for throe series of club races aiid two ladies’ days. The club races are open to all yachts and motor boats, and .visitors may bo sure of a warm welcome from tlio Port boys. Tho launches will bo started on the, Mark Foy system, while the yachts will race under open handicaps. U.Y.C. Despite tho boisterous weather on Saturday last there was quite a good turn out at the opening of tho Otago Yacht Club’s season. Those boats whoso crews braved tlio elements received a severe dusting in the heavy sea that was • running. It is to be hoped that the presence of a member of the City engineering staff at tho function is a sign that the approach will receive badly-needed treatment in tho near future. There was a good clearing from the slip just prior to opening day, and most of the fleet is in the water by now. Minnow was to come up on the slip on Thursday for a scrub before the race on Saturday, Tlio entries for the various races tomorrow are very satisfactory, and good competition is expected iu all classes.

FLOATSAM AND JETSAM. The 14-foot Bona boat built by Mr E. Leach, at Ravensboumo, is to be launched at the club’s opening tomorrow. The name has not yet been made public, but one suggested is Otakon. It is an excellent name, as tho boat will bo representative of Otago if selected for tho Sanders Cup contest. The Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Club is sailing on smooth .seas and doing good work. The conference cal-i led last week was productive of some good. It is how up to the clubs to give the decisions every consideration. Uniformity at regattas is much to be desired, and tho association is acting wisely in calling conferences from time to time. After plunging through tho bog on the land at the foot of Union street and returning to town by tho “ rocky ” road to the Highway, “ For’ard Hand ” strongly supports C.” C. H. Hayward in his recommendation to the City Engineer (Mr Alexander), at the opening of the Otago Club’s season, that something should be done to the read giving egress to tho club’s harborside property. However, a better road does not loom on tho horizon. The road would be of little public benefit, and the cost for the long road would, at present, be out of all proportion to its value as a highway. Owing to pressure of space, the concluding instalment of Mr Knewstubb’s yachting reminiscences have been held over till next week. “ For’ard Hand ” understands that “Togo” Watson is to sail ■ Winifred in the 14-footer trials.' It is to be hoped that the weather will be fine for the various fixtures tomorrow. Tho first series of club races is being conducted by the 0.Y.C., while the Ravensboumo Club will officially open its season. > The first Sanders Cup and Takapuna class trials were also to have been held, but as tho new 14-footer cannot possibly be launched before then, the O.Y. and M.B. Association wisely decided to postpone both events for a week, in order to give Mr Leach and his gs-’ sistants an opportunity of finishing their work. The latest news from tho north states that the ex-Dunedin launch Norana is to have a new’power plant, her owner, Mr A. R. Brett, having disposed of tho Standard engine to a Taurauga boatman. It is understood that Norana will be without .an engine®for some little while, as the new plant is not duo for some weeks yet. _ The only entries for the first Batterson Cup race, to be held to-morrow, are Miss Whippet and Aloha, while Shadow, Vera, Experiment, Sea Hawk, May, Scud, and Colleen have entered for tho sailing race.