Whangarei Yachts And Launches

Northern Advocate, 21 October 1938, Page 8

Whangarei Yachts And Launches

The past few weeks have seen everincreasing activity on the part of members of the Whangarei Cruising Club and other local yachting and launch enthusiasts in preparation for the new season. Several Whangarei pleasure craft have already taken to the water for the 1938-39 summer, and given fine weather the coming holiday week-end should see preliminary work completed on the majority of the craft and a large number of boats out. Busy Season Ahead. A meeting of the committee of the Cruising Club was held last night, and a busy season is anticipated. In addition to the usual club races, a regatta will be held at Onerahi on Anniversary Day. January 30. when the senior and junior yachting championships will be decided. Launch and outbo.ard races are also to be held, including a launch championship.

Another popular event will be the Christmas race from Auckland to Whangarei for boats of the mullet class. Among The Yachts. Although no new yachts have been imported to Whangarei this summer, club members can present an imposing array of canvas, and some interesting encounters are expected, apart from pleasure cruising. Prior to his departure with the South African ketch-rigged yacht Land's End, Mr Des. Ashton disposed of his 16ft. mullet boat Muni to a Tutukaka yachtsman. The little craft has now been purchased by Messrs T. H. Stewart and sun, .and will be again seen on the Whangarei harbour. There will be keen rivalry between the Muru and the Charm, the craft of the same class which Mr F. Ching purchased from Mr S. Bell when that gentleman acquired the 22ft. keeler Kotiro from Auckland. New 18-Footer.

One new 18ft. yacht which should be seen on the water by Christmas is Mr S. Mogford’s 18ft. V class, now under construction. Extensive alterations to the Priscilla, 18ft.“mullety,” have been carried out by Mr Laurie Parkes, who has partly remodelled the hull, cutting down the height of deck and cabin. Mr J. Quick has remodelled the Waima, a 22ft. mullet boat, providing new ribs and a. false keel. The vessel should be taking the water this week-end. Mr Bill Deamer’s McCushla has been completely re-rigged, with a new mast and sail, and her sailing qualities have been considerably improved. The keeler Avoca . has transferred her moorings to Onerahi, but will be playing a prominent part in this season’s racing. Notable New Launch. There has been high activity among the launching fraternity, and the majority of the local craft are already on the water. This season will see a notable addition to Whangarei’s fleet of powered pleasure craft in the new 42ft. bridge-decked cruiser now under construction for Mr A. Walker.

Embodying the finest of materials and workmanship of the highest class, this beautiful little ship will be the largest of Whangarei's pleasure craft, and will be powered with a 40 h.p. Diesel motor. It is expected to take the water about Christmas. Fast Importation, What will bo a fast importation is the 20ft. launch recently brought from the North by Mr A. Wilkinson, and now being remodelled on modern lines as a sedan cruiser. A 40 h.p. Grey engine is being installed and should give the craft a fine turn of speed.

Mr Keith Howes has put in a lot ox work during the off-season on his 3Gft. cruiser Naranui, carrying out improvements to both internal and external fittings and to the motor. It has only recently been put down, and in addition to looking well, is quite fast.

Mr Copeland's Lady May, a 28ft. cruiser, is being provided with n new Victory diesel engine. Mr Copeland does r. lot of outside fishing, and the new motor should be of benefit on long-cliftanre running. Messrs C. R. Lovatt and Go’s Silens, which ha? already been men-

tioned in these columns, has been imported from Auckland, and is a fine addition to the fleet of pleasure craft. It is understood that Mr O. Mann. owner of the 36ft. Bernice, is contemplating purchasing a larger cruiser. Speed Launch Has New Motor. Notable among those launches which have been improved and overhauled during the winter is Mr Len Adams', speedboat My Girl. Now powered with a lOC h.p. Scripps marine engine the craft was taken for a trial run last week-end and showed an unsually impressive turn of speed. Mr Sid Guest’s Meander is a fine bridge-decked cruiser which is now looking spick and span inside and out after the winter overhaul. A 12volt lighting plant has been installed.

Mr R. Fisher’s fast 35ft. cruiser Orari is now on the water after a complete overhaul, and has also been fitted with a 12-volt lighting' plant. Mr A. R. Pickmere’s Winsome and Mr J. Reynolds’ Florence have been in the water all the winter and have hardly missed a week-end's cruise and fishing. The Ranoni, owzied by Mr Matthews, is having a new engine installed and will soon leave the slip. Mr W. Reynolds Senior’s bridgedecked cruiser should be on the water shortly. She is 35 feat long. Mr F. Reynolds’ 35ft. cruiser Ko • puru should also soon be off the slip. Another well-known craft, Mr Cyril Powell’s bridge-decked cruiser The-

resa May, has been cruising and fishing throughout the winter. Mr C. Hoey’s launch will have a new 6-cylinder Studebaker to push her through the water when she leaves the slip,, possibly this weekend.

The Bluebird, Mr E. Ryante,cruiser, has been on the slip all winter, but is now almost ready for the water and is looking well. .

Mr King’s 35ft. cruisef- Valerie has, just reached the launching stage after her annual overhaul.