YACHTING

Evening Star, Issue 21078, 15 April 1932, Page 15

YACHTING

[By The Bailer Boy.] THE JELLICOE CLASS. At a recent meeting of the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association the sub-committee’s report on the plans of the Jellicoe one-design class were considered, and were finally ordered to be sent to each centre for criticism. The report on the plans stated that the only alteration to the present one was the suggestion that one end of the centre-board casing be extended along the keel to prevent the boat losing the designed camber (states the Auckland ‘Star’). , The present plans will be drawn on a big scale to avoid mistakes, and everything done to make a really one-design boat as far as possible. The decision of the dominion conference to provide steel moulds was approved, and Mr M, Smith, of the Canterbury Association, was thanked for his practical suggestion for making and testing them. . Mr H. Kirkham asked the chairman if it was proposed to prevent leading jibs being carried on the wind. Mr Palmer stated that in the new plan the exact size of all sails would be shown, including the round. He thought that a leading jib was never intended to be used on the wind, and if they were made strictly to the sail plan that they would come too far aft to be much good on the wind. When the proposals are sent back by the southern centres they will be submitted by the Auckland Association to three boatbuilders and one sailmaker. Their decision will be made known as soon as possible, and the completed plans adopted and copies sent to each centre Vfery favourable comment was made by delegates in the interest shown in the class by the southern associations and their assurance that four new boats would be built for next contest as soon as everything was finally settled. Two were to be built in Wellington and one each in Otago and Canterbury. One delegate raised a laugh by stating that the letters were not so "rusty” as they were a few years ago. The Otago Association has shown itself particularly interested and prompt in replying to all correspondence. > No. alteration is proposed in the original lines and dimensions of the boats or the sail plan. The matter of making them more watertight and impossible of evasion by would-be rule cheaters is one that has been found necessary by experience, and meets with general approval. The question raised by Mr Wilkinson that a clause be inserted making it compulsory to have all sails made in New Zealand was not favoured. It was pointed out that Auckland sailmakers had the advantage in experience, and it would not be fair to other centres. Mr Wilkinson pointed out that British sailmakers had still more experience, but it added to the cost of the boat. The point was referred back to the subcommittee for consideration. It was agreed that the weight of calico to be used and the width of cloths should be specified.' It was also decided to notify local sailmakers that all sails made for the class be measured and checked before delivery.

etiquette. In all branches of sport there are rules, both written and unwritten. The written rules are quite simple and easily followed, but the unwritten ones are those which have become recognised through long usage, and are simply “ not done ” by those who take any interest at all in the matter. In yachting there are rules governing the rule of the road and to meet all contingencies before, during, and after a race, but there is none to say that a boat shall make straight for the finishing line during the race; it is left to the skipper to play the game and make the fastest time possible. One motor boat skipper competing on the harbour last Saturday had no such qualms of conscience when he turned his boat in a complete circle before crossing the finishing lino to take first prize. This may, of course, have been done in ignorance of the unwritten < rule, or, again, it may have been done’ to show off the speed of his craft; but it failed to do more than make him lose a little of his prestige with those yachtsmen who are thoroughly versed in the rules, both written and unwritten. It also showed a lack of appreciation of the work of the handicapper’s task, as it upset his times, which are useful for comparison with the times in future races. THE PAST SEASON. Now that the season is drawing to a close it is natural for one to look back and after weighing the pros and cons designate the season as having been good, bad, or indifferent. As has been the case with the majority of sports and pastimes the economic depression has been felt in yachting circles, but in spite of this yachtsmen may be congratulated on having experienced a most successful season. There appears to be a reawakening of the sea sense in a number of young men. and the various regattas and club functions have been well attended. Throughout the year there has been a strong spirit of comradeship between the members of the different clubs, a spirit which was strengthened by the combined picnic of all the clubs on the harbour. Another avenue which could well bo exploited would be functions which would tend to keep chib members together during the “ off ” season. As usual the Macandrew Bay regatta was first on the list, being held on Boxing Hay. There was a good attendance of the Various classes of craft, and the general public also attended in force. On the whole it was a well-run function. , The Broad Bay fixture was held on New Year’s Day under rather boisterous conditions, which did not please a large number of the skippers of sailing craft. The Port Chalmers regatta was held in a very light breeze about the second week in'January. The conditions were ideal for the rowing and motor boat races, but the lack of weight in the wind made the sailing events disappointing, though picturesque. Very different conditions prevailed for the Burkes-St. Leonards regatta early in February. There was a nasty chop in the channel when the tide commenced to ebb against a fresh north-

easterly breeze. It was due to this fact that the rowing races were abandoned. A flat calm, or nearly so, was tho lot of the Vauxhall regatta during the first week in March, and some fine racing was seen in the speedboat and outboard section. The wind, unfortunately, was not heavy enough to make the sailing interesting. Heavy rain caused the postponement of the Ravcnsbourne regatta from February to March, but the fixture lost nothing as far as the weather was concerned. except' that there was little weight in the wind. Keen interest was manifested in the Sanders Cup contest again, and though the local crew did not bring home the trophy it gave a fine exhibition of sailing. Otago sent an old ship and a young crew to the contest, and the experience gained, by the latter will stand them m good stead in the future. The officials of the various clubs carried out their work well, and though their tasks were not easy ones, there were few. if any, grounds for complaint. As this will be tho last issue of these notes till next season, the “ Bailer Boy ” wishes to thank all those club officials and others interested in the sport fop their assistance during the past season, NORTH-EAST HARBOUR CLUB. The Macandrew Bay Girl Guides will be the guests of the local boating club to-morrow, when a trip will be made to the Marine Biological station before the biologist (Mr Graham) leaves. The Joss of this scientist will be, felt very keenly by the many yachtsmen. He'has spent much time in explaining the mysteries of the deep to them. The prizes won during the season will be distributed at a function to be held in September. This club seems to have done ■ tho right thing in appointing a ladies’ committee, which is always well to tha fore at any of the functions held by the club. The fortnightly club dances were successful in every way.