YACHTING

Evening Star, Issue 20055, 21 December 1928, Page 13

YACHTING

[By Pob’ibb Hmtf.3 , YACHTSMAN’S CALENDAR. December 26,—Macandrew Regatta. December 27.—Karitane Regatta. January I.—Broad Bay Regatta, January 12.—Otago Yacht Gtab races. February 9.—Moffatt Cap raoa, February 14.—Sandets Cup contest, at Akaroa. February 23.—St. Leonards Regatta; Otago Yacht Club races. March 23.—Otago Yacht Club bour race), WEEK-END TIDES. Saturday.—Heads: 10.55 a.m., 11.21 p.m. Port Chalmers: 11.35 a.m., 0.1 p.m. Dunedin: 0.5 a.m., 0.80 p.m. Sunday.—Heads: 11.48 a.m., 0.26 p.m. Port Chalmers: 0.28 a.m., 0.33 p.m. Dunedin 0.31 a.m.,: 0.58 p.m. SANDERS CUP CONTEST. When the Sanders Cup contest* were inaugurated the intention was to make the contests open to young men. From tho beginning older hands have participated, but there is now a move from Auckland to coniine the contests to youths under twenty-one years of age. The proposal deserves hearty endorsement, particularly as it is in keeping with the wishes of the donors of the cup, and also because the scheme, if put into operation, would do much to revive interest in the fourteen-footers. The boys are deserving of every encouragement, and in tho Rona boats they have every chance of developing into quickwitted yachtsmen. There is a dauger, however. Tho Rona boats arc very tricky to handle, and it is debatable whether danger would not be courted by permitting youths only to sail in them. CORNWELL CUP CHALLENGE. Tho North-east Harbour Club pleads that it does not desire to run counter to the association. Have its actions been consistent with that pleading? No I Clearly the club has made up it* mind to have tho last word, and any advice to make a graceful withdrawal of the foolishly-inspied challenge has boon rejected. The letter which was tent to the association, and has since been published nt tho request of the club’s executive, to vindicate its actions in the public eye, was inaccurate in several important passages; but the (president of tho association has already made a fitting reply to that letter, and further comment is not needed. Last week the club was asked by the association to reach an early decision. So far no decision has been announced. Again, the club is pleasing iteelf. And yachtsmen can expect no announcement till after the regatta at Macandrew’s Bay. According to general information, tho Takapuna Club has not yet rejected tho club’s challenge, and the belief in some quarters is that it will be accepted. To do this, some juggling with the rules will be necessary, but if the challenge is accepted the action will be a standing subject of discredit to the officials concerned, and the Otago yachtsmen who would be agreeable to their challenge being accepted under that method. The complaint from North-east Harbour is that the association has not treated the club fairly. It is an unfair; suggestion, as tho decision not to compete was made some time before tho club’s desire to challenge wa# madp known. GENERAL JOTTINGS. Pacific was launched at the Boflft Harbour on Sunday. She has not had her power plant installed yet, as she having been laid up on the hard since May, her owner wished to give her a good soaking. She, however, made very little water, and in all probability will have her engine put in during the week-end. Ugie has been launched, arid should be in running order for Christmas. Sunday was a perfect day, and most of the small yachts, whoso moorings are at tho Boat Harbour were out sailing. Marowa, as usual, visited Lower. Portobello. Her owner, Mr H. A, Robinson, gets a lot of enjoyment oat of this reliable launch. Rover went as far as the Heads, but did not have much luck with tho fish. Tho littlo Ness was out on Sunday, and seemed to bo moving through the water very well. The Carina went to the Kaik on Saturday, returning to town on Sunday evening. This boat had a thorough overhaul during the winter, and is showing a marked increase in speed this season. Motor boat owners are not favouring the declared speed system for handicaps, and the Broad Bay Club has had to change tho conditions of nominations for the race® at the regatta. Owners do not now need to send in their speeds. The attention of yachtsmen is drawn to an article which appeared in the ‘ Australian Motor Boat and Yachting Monthly Journal.’ A footnote to the Yacht Racing Association of Great Britain rule No. 31 reads as follows: “ If there is any doubt as to whether the inside yacht is entitled to claim room under rule 31, tho outside yacht must give room and protest if she thinks fit. in which case the onus of proof will lie upon the inside yacht,” As tho Sanders Cud contest is hold under Y.R.A. rules, it is necessary that this rule should bo made known.