Yachting

Northern Advocate, 6 September 1939, Page 2

Yachting

(By Bowsprit.)

With September here, the yachting season looks very close. Most of the beating crews were busy during the week-end with the Labour Day holiday as their objective. Angus Henderson lias put some new coaming on the Sea Ace also a new deck canvas.

Big alterations are going on up the river at Skipper Ryan’s shed.

The launch owned by Tom McEwan has been purchased by Syd. Griffiths, and extensive alterations are in progress.

She has been stripped to bare hull. The deck forward is also being dismantled. A new forecastle head has been built, with the cabin top running back ten feet, where a streamlined sedan top takes off, running back 12 feet to form the main cabin. This ship will be very comfortable indeed, and a great improvement over past years. The engine will be a Continental and this should send her along at a good turn of speed. The Wairangi, another new 22footer to us, has been purchased by Skipper Ryan, junior, and is being prepared for the coming season. This ■boat will be with Ihc fleet on opening day, and, by the number of boats we have now, our opening day should be very successful. The Melita arrived from Auckland on Saturday evening after a journey marked by calms and storms. She is very similar in appearance to the Waialae. and I can see some keen rivalry between these two ships. Unfortunately the Melita’s trip from Auckland cannot be given fully this week, as the ‘‘log book” has not yet come to hand.

On Sunday the Mehta's crew had a busy day dismantling their boat and getting her into her winter quarters. When next she comes out she will be carrying the colours of the Priscilla. On Monday night, at the Harbour Board’s offices, the meeting convened by Mr Whimp, the chairman, to form a harbour area committee was well patronised 1 by Cruising Club members. The men elected to that committee include a good muster of club members.

The response from boat owners was exceptionally good. The offer of the services of those who are not boat owners was freely given.

The shadow of war hangs heavily over us. and the prospects for a good boating season .arc not so bright, but one must hope for the best. The petrol shortage at present being felt may. by the summer, be alleviated, and cur launches again grace the river.