YACHTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18547, 3 November 1923, Page 15

YACHTING.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. J OPENING -DAY DETAILS. ; ; The racing details lor the official opening of the yachting season in Auckland which takes place on Saturday, November 17, were decided upon by the Auckland Yacht and . Motor-coat Association this week. As previously announced, V the function will take the* form of combined cruising races,! the larger yachts and launches to Islington Bay and combined harbour races for half-decked and open boats. Each club will declare its own handicaps and provide its own prizes. . The course for tlf keel yachts and mullet boats is from starting line off Jhe Kings Wharf, thence round the Bona buoy off Birkenhead, round the saltworks beacon in Rangitotio channel, finishing at Islington Bay, keeping channel side of the sandspit beacon and the red beacon off Islington Bay. The course, for the launches is from the Kings Wharf, thence round the Eastern Pile beacon, thence direct to Islington Bay. The starting times are aro follows :— Keel yachts, 2.30 p.m. ; 26ft mullet boats, 2.40 p.m.; 20ft and 22ft mullet boats, 2.50 p.m.; launches, 3 p.m. The course for the small classes is from off tho King's Wharf, thence round the Rona buoy off Birkenhead, round the •Sandspit beacon, round the Resolution buoy, finishing between the markboat and King's Wharf, all marks to be kept in starboard. The starting times for theso events are:—Classes M and V (18ft) 3.10 p.m.; class 8 (16ft) 3.20 p.m. ; class . X (14ft one design) 3.30 p.m. ; class Y (14ft square bilge) and class Z (12ft G.) 3.40 p.m.; class T (14ffc handicap) 3.50 p.m.. All the races will be started under the ' five flag system, from "the tower on the King's Wharf, the starting lino being between the tower and launch Speedwell moored north. Tho officials for the day will be: starter, Mr. A, Deacon; judge for harbour races, Mr. W. A. Wilkinson ; timekeepers, Messrs. E. Culhane and H. R. Arthur; judge and timekeeper for cruising races, Mr. E. J. Kelly. The 14ft championship of Australia will be Failed on Sydney Harbour on February 23, in conjunction with the eighteenfooters' race. To date the 18ft clubs of Sydney have distributed £120 in prize money. Mississippi heads ihe list with ££2 It has been decided to sail the annual races for the Forster Cup and 21ft championship of Australia in Victorian waters on February 22, 23, and 25. The Albert Gold Cup will also be raced for on Hobson's Bay, the date allotted being February 16. The five flag system of starting, which has been in use in Auckland for many years, was introduced at JDunedin last week and was very favourably commented uncn by owners and the general public alike. The new keel yacht Prize is expected to make her Erst appearance under canvas j during tho week-end. She has been allotted A 15 as her racing and registered number. The question of the number of crew to . be carried in the mullet boat and smaller classes, which has been before the various clubs for some time, was finally dealt with by the Auckland Yacht and Motor Association this week. It was pointed out that under the association's rules the I 26ft mullet boats were compelled to carry a crew of six in all harbour races. In several instances last year boats could not secure full crews and therefore could not start. If provision were made for maximum and minimum crews, boat owners would have a better opportunity of taki.ig nart in more races and thus further help to popularise the sport. After the matter had been thoroughly discussed the follow ing rule was agreed upon: for harbour races, keel yachts unlimited crews; classes H and I (26ft and 24ft mallet boats) maximum 6, minimum 4; Class L (22ft mullet boats), 5 and 4; class N (20ft) 5 and 4 : class S (16ft) ' 5 and 3; class X (14ft jellicoe) 4 and 3; class T (14ft handicap) 4 and 3; class Y (14ft square bilge) 4 and 3; classes M and V (16ft.) 5 and 3; Z class (12ft 6in) 3 and 2. The number of the 'crew allotted to the mullet boats are exclusive of fairplay men. The Auckland Yacht and Motor-Boat Association has abolished the recall code flag system, and has substituted the number scheme of recall, which was used for many years by the Akarana Yticht Club (then known as the North Shore Club). In the event of 6, boat being over the line the starter will exhibit her registered number, and her attention to this fact will be called by either a whistle or a fog-horn. Boats failing to return when requested will be disqualified. Tho Ponsonby Cruising Club held the first of - its monthly smoke concerts on Thursday evening. There was a large attendance, and a very enjoyable time was spent. In response to a request from a.number of boatowners the Akarana Yacht Club has decided to allow the 16ft. and 18ft. boats to take part in the club's cruising races to Awaroa and Cowes Bay. ■'■-■"' '•• .An order for an 18ft. patiki, similar to the Mawhiti and Matarere, has been placed with Messrs. Bailey and Lowe by Mr. G. Hodgson. A start lias already been made on the new boat. The same firm has also received an order from the Napier Sailing Club for a 14ft. . onedesign boat of the Rona type. This craft will represent Napier in the forthcoming contests at Wellington next January.