THE YACHTING SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9927, 17 September 1895, Page 6

THE YACHTING SEASON.

It is very gratifying to learn that Auckland 1 is still maintaining its reputation as the ' premier port 'in the colonies, so far as"' yachting is concerned. The number of yachts is steadily increasing, while the interest taken generally in the pastime is rapidly extending. - It is especially pleasing to note the interest displayed in the pastime by the young men of the city, and that each year finds the field extending, and it is a good healthy sign to see so many of them engaged in such a class of sport, which should be carefully nurtured and given the utmost assistance to. For what is more exhilarating or healthy than a cruise in. the waters, of our beautiful harbour, and the adjacent gulf,' with fits many picturesque bays, and places of call, all within a few hours' sail of the city, and with comparatively smooth water? A great deal of credit is due to those few enthusiasts who have engaged in -yachting hsre for so many years for the highly satisfactory condition in which the pursuit is now placed, and the ; rising generation should for ever feel thankful to them for their earnest endeavours in fostering a sport which is far and away above all others in many ways. The affairs of the Auckland - Yacht Club are in a very flourishing state at present, the number of yachts on the Club's; Register amounting to 50, of from 1 to 33 rating, which is a larger number than on any other yacht I club register in any of the colonies. This number will, be increased this season, there being several new boats already turned out by the local builders, while several more are in process of construction, which are to be ready for the ensuing season. The number of members of the Yacht Club is 140, but this does not give anything like an idea of the number engaged in yachting pursuits, there being quite a numerous body outside of the club who follow up the sport very keenly. The club has a fine lot of true yachtsmen conducting its affairs, and they do not stint i their time in an effort to make the club itself a success, but give valuable prizes for competition so as to engender a true spirit of rivalry amongst yachtsmen generally. _ The finances are also in a very sound condition. In this connection it may be fairly claimed that our local yacht-builders have created quite a name for themselves and the port for turning out boats of high-class workmanship, as well as first-class sailors, a fact which has now become largely recognised all over the colony and the islands of the Pacific. Last year several new boats were built for partiesin the South and at the Islands, all of which have given every satisfaction to their owners, not only on account of the workman ship and material used in their construction, but of their capacity for speed. Taking it altogether Auckland, may justly claim that for workmanship, the class of material used, and general finish, the work of the local builders is equal, if not superior to that turned out in any of the colonies. A good deal of discussion is at present takin? place in local yachting circles over the proposal to alter the rating rule during the present season on lines similar to that of the Yacht Association of Great Britain, which is claimed to be as nearly, perfect as can be made. Some time ago an amendment was carried to sailing rule 14 of the Auckland Club debarring yachts with bulb or fin keels from competing in races run under the club's rules. Several yachts have been built, or are in course of building, for the coming season, which have been constructed in accordance with the amended rule, and it is asserted that it would be a great hardship to the owners of these boats if any further alterations were insisted upon during the present season, inasmuch as the proposed new rating rule might possibly be against them. When the last amendment was made to the rule it was thought it would press unduly hard upon the steel yacht Thetis, aud a resolution was carried that so far as existing yachts were concerned the new rule should not apply. In regard to the further alteration proposed it must be evident to anyone that it would press a good deal heavier this season, as instead of having only one boat, as in the case of the Thetis, to be considered, there would be about half-a-dozen. It would be only fair, therefore, to let the rule stand as it is for the coming season, and so give yacht-owners and builders timely notice that they will have the amended rule to face the next season. A movement is also on foot to have the rule of the Yacht Club so altered that any person can sail a yacht iu the races contested under the club's rules. This is evidently done with the idea of introducing the " professional'.'element, and itis to be hoped that all yachtsmen will firmly set their faces against such an innovation, as there is no doubt if it -were permitted that it would do the greatest possible injury to true sport, iuasinuch as young yachtsmen (who should have every consideration shown them in the matter)_who now take a large amount of pride and interest in handling their own boats when pitted against other amateurs, would be compelled, if they expected their boats to have any chance of success in contesting a race, to hand over their yachts to some professional, " while they stood idly by._ That would be a most position for owners, who take auy keen interest in the matter to be placed in ; and on that ground alone yachtsmen should give their answer to the proposal with no uncertain Sound. The following is a description of the yachts that have been built in the local yards during the winter, and of those in course of construction :— Mr. R. Logan, North Shore, has in hand a. two and a-half rater of the following dimensions : Length overall, 38 ieet; load water line, 26 feet; draft, 5 feet 6 inches. The timber used is kauri throughout, and she will be rigged as a pole master. She will be about as fine piece of work that has yet been turned out here. The Messrs. Harvey of the North Shore have purchased this yacht. I Messrs. C and W. Bailey have a two-rater j centre-board cruiser on the stocks for Mr. W. Swinnerton, of Devonport, her dimensions being : Length overall, 33 feet; load water line, 23 feet; beam, 7 feet 6 inches; draft, 3 feet 6 inches. She is fitted with a cabin top, with cedar skylight, forescuttle, and large cockpit. She has very nice lines, while room and comfort have been the chief aim in her design. * The workmanship is all that could be desired, and she will be a' handsome little craft when placed in the water, and should prove a welcome addition to our large fleet of yachts. This firm have also an order in hand for a five-rater for some Auckland gentlemen, work on which will be started shortly. ' Last week we gave a des- j cription of the handsome two-and-a-half rater Thelma, built for Mr. Moodie, of Dunedin, which is to be sent down to-day by the Tarawera. Messrs. Logan Brothers have just completed a fine two-and-a-half centre-board yacht for Mr. A. L. Wilson. She is built on the diagonal principle, with three skins on the bottom and two on the top sides. _ She is to be rigged with a pole-mast, carries two head sails, and is fitted throughout with patent blocks, and carries all her ballast inside. She has a coach-roof cabin, and is very roomy. Her name is Mizpah, and she should be a speedy craft. They have also ready for launching a splendid two-and-a-half rater keel yacht for Messrs. Chatfield, Cossar, and Moore, which is on the diagonal principal also, and will be rigged with a polemast. She is intended for both racing and cruising,is beautifully fitted up inside, and has a coach roof and small cockpit. She has been named the Mahaki. Messrs Logan have just started on a five-rater for Mr. W. R. Wilson, which is to be ready for the coming season. She is to be on the diagonal principle, with two skins, will be rigged as a polemaster, and have about five tons of lead outside. All the deck fittings are to be of teak, and she will be fitted up in the usual manner, with seats inside. Messrs. Seagar Brothers, builders of the steel yacht Thetis, the first ot her kind constructed in the colony, have at present in hand a two and a-half rater of the following dimensions :—Length, overall, 39 feet ; waterline, 25 feet 6 inches ; beam, 7 feet 6 inches; draft, 6 feet 3 inches. She is very fine in appearance, and has been constructed to comply with the amended rule of the Auckland Yacht Club regarding keels. Judging from her looks she should be very fast, and her builders incline to the opinion that she will take a lot of beating. Messrs. W. Graham and Gash, of Ponsonby, are building a one-rater of the bulb-fin type. She is on the same principle as the two and a-half' rater Seagar Brothers are building, but more extreme as regards the bulb-fin.