More White Wings Make Whangarei Their Rendezvous

Northern Advocate, 30 December 1938, Page 6

More White Wings Make Whangarei Their Rendezvous

HTHREE MORE AUCKLAND YACHTS HAVE TIED UP AT THE WHANGAREI TOWN WHARF BASIN. THEY ARE THE 36FT. KEELER QUEENIE, THE 22-FOOTER HUIA, AND THE NEW 18-FOOTER LANAI.

With Mr Tom Hill as skipper, the Queenie arrived late last night, after having visited Tutukaka and the Poor Knights. It was hoped to proceed to Russell, but plans were upset by unfavourable winds.

Revisiting Whangarei. < Mr A. D. Jack, former town clerk at Whangarei, is a member of the crew. The Queenie is scratch boat in the 36ft. Cl class at Auckland. The Huia made a leisurely trip up from Auckland after leaving on Saturday night. Her skipper, Mr A. Johnson, also tried to make Russell but was becalmed within 40 miles of his objective. The little vessel experienced a variety of weather, and at one stage both staysail and mainsail were carrying three reefs, while the gaff slipped and added to the troubles. During the height of the gale the weather was bitterly cold. The boat was trailing a spinner just to see what would happen. The crew caught no kahawai, but were greatly surprised to haul in a schnappcr by this unusual means. Crooning Upsets Shark. A shark followed the boat, but when the crooner of the crew started singing this proved too much for the denizen of the deep, which disappeared quickly. The Lanai is one of Auckland's newest 18-footers, and is scratch boat in her class.

Designed especially to beat the Australian 18’s in February, it incorporates many new features. It is essentially a racing craft, and is an open boat with only a temporary deck fitted for the present cruise. Mr C. A. Armstrong and his youthful crew have earned the admiration of .all brother yachtsmen by their performance in bringing up an open vessel under difficult weather conditions. Rough Weather,

The Lania left Auckland on Saturday and raced at Mahurangi on Tuesday, finishing first and gaining second place on its time. Coming on to Whangarei yesterday, they struck strong winds at Leigh, and hove-to to take in three reefs. Even under this short sail the crow had their work cut out to hold their vessel.

They shipped a lot of water and all gear .and supplies were saturated. As a result, when they tied up at the Basm last evening they were glad to accept the hospitality of other boats for the night. Unique Features.

The Lanai carries the biggest sail .among the Auckland 18‘s, her mainsail being 420 square feet in area. She has a 36 feet holow mast, with a' hollow track to carry the sail, and a T-section boom, which is much lighter, stronger and more flexible than the ordinary equipment. She has a 36 feet hollow mast, with six-foot centre-board plate. First home in the cruising race from Auckland to Awaroa, the Lanai is designed by Mr Alan Couldrey, who has been responsible for the plans of many crack 18-footers in the past.