YACHTING NEWS

Evening Star, Issue 23122, 23 November 1938, Page 5

YACHTING NEWS

[By Spinnaker.] FIXTURES. November 26.—North-cast Harbour Club’s opening, Fulton Shield and Nicholas Cup, harbour race. December 3.—Otago Yacht Club races. December 10.—Ravensbourne Club, Bowie and Shamrock Cups. December 17.—Ravensbourne Club, junior yachtmen’s race. December 26.—Macandrew Bay regatta. January 7.—Yauxhall Club, Oliphant Cup. January 14. Broad Bay Club s races. January 21.—Nees Memorial Cup. January 28.—Port Chalmers Club races. February 4.—St. Leonards Regatta. February 5. —Combined picnic. February 11.—Port Chalmers Club races. February 18. Ravensbourne regatta. February 25.—Port Chalmers Club races; Ravensbourne Club, Ross Cup. THE SAFETY RULES DUTY OF 0.Y.M.8.A. NEGLECTED OBSERVATIONS AFTER WELLINGTON TRAGEDY It was impossible to expect Jellicoe class yacht skippers to venture out of the boat harbour or away from their moorings on such a day as last Saturday, on account of the risk of damage to their expensive gear. No doubt there were none who would not have turned up at the starting line had it been decided to hold the fourth Sanders Cup trial, but there was a high wind whipping spray from the white caps, and it was coming in sweeping gusls that spelt danger. Yet at least three of the fleet turned out, one to compete if necessary, and Val met with disaster after going as far as the steamer basin.

For her skipper to have taken her that distance on such a day should not have been necessary. Though in other respects the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association’s organisation of the cup trials has been excellent, therehas been one aspect that has not received the consideration it deserves above all else. This is the personal safety of the crews. In the first trial there was not a follow-up boat within effective distance in the event of a eapjizc. The second was rather better from this point of view. Last Saturday, however, though most skippers exercised their common sense and stayed away or received information that the race had been abandoned, one at least set off for the starting line rather than lose the chance of representation. It was the duty of the association to formulate some scheme whereby all likely participants in the trials should be informed at tbe earliest "possible moment of any decision to abandon a race. The mode of so doing is not an extremely difficult one, and could be arranged after a little consideration had been given the project (e.g., Y.R.A. rule 8). This would obviate the necessity for running the gauntlet in' such weather as prevailed last Saturday, and make the possibility of disaster—even loss of life—practically nil. Their jurisdiction over those who have a desire to try their skill under adverse conditions not existing, the association has no responsibility under such circumstances, but the members certainly have a definite duty to perform in this respect for those who intend to compete in trial races under their control.

Some attempt was made to notify all those likely to compete on Saturday that the race had been abandoned. It was not good enough, however, that some boats should have had time to leave the boat harbour before the decision to abandon the race for the day could reach there. Such a decision should have been made earlier. There is plenty of time to sail the trials, even allowing for attenuated competition, and the loss of one Saturday would not make much difference to the time of the conclusion of the series. The Otago Yacht, and Motor Boat Association desires that all boats under its jurisdiction should comply with its regulations; in turn, they should be fair to all competitors. Val’s capsize on Saturday has stirred the association to belated action over life ipreservers. Now they have decided to enforce more strictly the regulation that all yacht crews must carry life preservers. As far as this is concerned, there is room for a general and sweeping offensive by all clubs in their races_ against the highly dangerous practice of setting sail without them. Most yachtsmen realise the necessity for this rule, and abide by it, but there are others do not think that such a precaution _is very necessary, and most of the time they have been condoned by officials in their action or have been permitted to get by undetected.

Any serious catastrophe on Otago Harbour in a yacht race would do the sport a great deal of harm, at a time when it is beginning once more to enjoy popularity. Rules are made to be observed.

In connection with the matter of life preservers, and safety generally, evidence after a yachting fatality in Wellington, given by the commodore of the Evans Bay Yacht Club (Mr G. H. Tanner), is or interest. “ Boys will be boys, whether young or old, and a little thought and knowledge on the subject would prevent a lot of these accidents, whether the persons concerned are engaged in boating, fishing, or duck shooting,” he said. He stressed the fact that, while the main essential was that all the persons going on water should be able to swim, it was frequently found that even .swimmers on occasion were not sufficiently competent fo overcome circumstances such as arose from cramp or heavy clothing, or unconsciousness due to various causes.

“To parents generally,’ he continued, “ we appeal to take a special interest in their children’s activities, and where it is found that they show a tendency to go near the sea or rivers, encourage them to swim. By doing so they will early learn what not to do, and what are avoidable dangers. “ Yacht clubs nowadays take a special interest in the young boys, and they are taught not to go in boats that will not float when full of water. The clubs have fostered the development of a small boat known as the Tauranga type, which has watertight compartments, and cannot sink. If boys or adults, using any boat which is not sufficiently buoyant to float when full of water, would take the precaution to secure some buoyant apparatus, such as two sugar bags full of corks, or sealed small oil drums, to be placed under the seats, they would ensure the boat and thereby have something to hang on to until saved.”

As an extra precaution yachtsmen had designed and made available for nse a type of lifebelt, or life jacket, that would have saved the lives or many who had lost them when duck shooting in lagoons or lakes, he said. The jacket was simple to make, and not inconvenient to wear. It was much like a large shirt of oil silk with the chest and the shoulders padded with kapoc. In addition to being a float, it bad the advantage of being a warm garment that kept out the cold wind and rain. Its use did not interfere with movement of the arms when sailing in a boat or when shooting from a punt. The younger members of the yachting fraternity should realise these facts, and consider them carefully. There is a lot of sound advice contained in the remarks, and the manner of their delivery should assist in driving them home. They were the aftermath of a capsize, in which life was lost. “ Spinnaker ” would advise—as would any yachtsman of experience—youngsters just entering the sport to delay participation in sailing until such time as they have obtained for themselves a life jacket. Though it is not infallible it gives them that additional safety that might mean the difference between a ducking and a fatality. NORTH-EAST HARBOUR OPENING. On Saturday, the North-east Harbour Club will hold its opening day for the season, when it is expected that there will be a good muster of boats. There will be two races, for yachts and motor boats. Beginning at 2.45, the Commodore Cup race will give all comers among the engined craft a chance to make good use of their handicaps, while the sailers will be competing for the Fulton Shield, also under handicap, from 3 o’clock. The opening ceremony will be conducted at the Club’s shed after the racing has ended. RULES ARE IMPORTANT. There is quite a lot for the young skipper to learn about the sport of sailing after he has built or bought a boat, and a few practical hints may be timely, as racing will be under way shortly. The first and paramount rule of yacht racing is that the boat on the port tack i.e., with the wind blowing on the left side of the boat when close hauled, must always give way for a boat close hauled on the starboard or right-hand tack. If a boat on the port tack fouls a boat on starboard tack, or causes her to luff or in any way alter her course to avoid the port tack boat, then the latter will be disqualified. This is a fundamental rule of the road, and applies to all sailing craft, whether racing or not, and should he the first one to be learned by heart. Another universal rule is that a boat sailing free, that is, not close hauled on the wind, must keep clear of a boat which is sailing on the wind, no matter which tack the close hauled boat is on. A third rule is that when boats are sailing the same or nearly the same course, the boat to windward must keep clear of the others. When by the rules one boat has to keep clear, the other shall not alter her course to prevent her doing so. When approaching a mark in the course, the boat nearest to it has the best position, for'all others that may be overlapping her must give her room to round it without fouling the mark. If you foul a mark, except where you are pushed on to it, you should retire from the race, after reporting it to the officers of the day. If you are overtaking another boat it is your duty to kefcp clear of her until you have passed clear ahead. When you start in a race keep clear of the other boats, and do your best to win on your merits or not at all. liemember that the boat ahead of you needs more watching than all the boats astern. ' \ By learning the_ rules thoroughly you cannot be bluffed into giving way when it is the other fellow’s duty to keep clear. When you are sailing on the wind, keep the boat going, don’t “ pinch ” or “squeeze ” her too close to-the wind. Another important point for the skipper to watch is the course and starting times. • Also get familiar with your club rules, such as number of crew allowed, time and place of starting, method of rounding marks, and where to flnisji. These are all problems for the amateur skipper, but they oan be learned by heart. Just-one more hint in . the interests of the racing officials as well as beatowners. Be sure to put your registered number up as provided for in the rules. NEW AUXILIARY YACHT. A fine type of ocean-going ketchrigged yacht has been built at the yards of Mr S. .F. Ford, of Ellerslie, for Messrs W. Hampton and G. Little, of Auckland. The new vessel is 38ft overall, with a beam of lift and a draught of sft 9in. She has a spoon bow and a counter stem and has been built on the diagonal principle, with three skins. Three tons of lead' are moulded on the keel and one and a-half tons carried as inside ballast. The yacht has a selfdraining cockpit, under which an engine is housed. Full headroom has been provided throughout the vessel. The forward cabin is sft in length, and the main 14ft. Four bunks and two settees are built in the main cabin, where provision has been made for water tanks with a capacity of 150 gallons. Aft of the main cabin is a sft galley. Two 75-gallon tanks for fuel have been fitted under the cockpit. Further nft is a storage locker with a hatch opening on the deck. The motive power is a 24 horse-power Diesel engine, which is expected to give a speed from seven to eight miles an hour. The vessel _is Bermudan rigged, the mqin mast being 47ft overall and the mizzen 37ft. She has a 6ft bowsprit and two headsails. The total sail area is 648 square feet, 364 ft being carried in the mainsail, and 179 ft in the mizzen. It is the intention of her owners to make a cruise of the ■Pacific and other islands, extending from four to five years. YACHTSMEN’S DICTIONARY. Bend.—A knot used for certain purposes, as distinct from a hitch. Sails are bent to their spars. Berth. —A place where a vessel lies. A sleeping place on board ship. Bight.—The bend of a rope; a bay in the coastline. Bilge.—The round of a vessel’s side which rests in the ground when she takes the bottom. The inside of this position is also called the bilge, hence bilge-water. Bite.—The anchor bites when the arm grips the holding ground on which it has been dropped. Bitts. —The posts to which the heel of the bowsprit is fixed. To bitt the cable is to take a couple of turns round the bitts. . Binnacle.—The case or bos in which the compass swings. Bluff. —Round and short, as a bluff bow. Board.—Denotes the distance a vessel sails on each tack when beating to windward. Bring Up.—To anchor. NOTES. The next Sanders Cup trial will take place on Saturday, at 2.30 p.m., over the triangular course, four times round. The Takapuna trial has been

transferred'from Ravenshoume to For# Chalmers owing to the unsuitability of the tide at Ravenshoume. Though capsizing in Saturday’s gala Val, it is understood, did not suffer any damage beyond what was easily repaired. Cyril Pettit gave a good displav of seamanship in his run under such conditions. It might prove useful against Eileen in the rough at a later date, while M’Lean should benefit from his experience, unenviable though it was. . It is pleasing to note that the Boxing Day regatta under \the control of the North-east Harbour Club is to be kept running this season, and not abandoned, as has been rumoured. Perhaps the opportunity for a good day’s sport nearly lost to them will bring aquatio enthusiasts to support it in better nuinThe weather misbehaved itself at Bluff over the week-end and thus the first Southland Sanders Cup trial race ha* yet to be sailed. Given a return of les* stormy winds, the little yachts will probably be started away on the momentous first race next Saturday after* noon. Now that one week-end has goria by without a trial being sailed, thera must be at least two days on which two races will be staged. Westerly winds of varying force had prevailed through! Foveaux for 10 days, when Saturday broke with the storm lashing over Bluff with increased fury. It had been planned that the initial trial should synchronise with the opening of the Bluff Yacht Club season, but the unprw pitious weather made this plan impost sible.