YACHT BUILDING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22209, 9 September 1935, Page 11

YACHT BUILDING

AUCKLAND ACTIVITY - £20,000 BEING EXPENDED WORK BY AMATEURS NUMEROUS NEW CRAFT A dcfinHe and significant sign of returning prosperity is reflected in the boat-buildiag industry of Auckland. A total of £20,000 is an estimate of the amount being spent at present in the construction of new yachts and launches for the pleasure fleet of tha Waiternata.

The clatter of hammers, the rip of saws and the pungent aroma of frcsbcut woods go to make up the atmosphere in practically every boat? builder's yard in the city. The slim hull o!t a new first-class keel yacht is rapidly taking shape between two largo luxury motor-cruisers, practically completed. Here is £7OOO represented under the same roof. There is similar activity in several other builders' yards. "It is definitely a record season for boat-building in Auckland," ;said Mir. A. Logan, a well-known builder and designer of yachts who has been interested iin tlie sport for the past 40 years. "I remember as many as nine or ten boats being built in the one season some years ago, but I recall nothing to compare with the present activity."

Wide Variety and Thought The new craft comprise a wide variety and thought, both modern and conservative, is displayed in their desigia. They range from what will be one of the largest A class yachts to fast; "fourteen-footers." One of the mopfc surprising features of the building in the large amount of work that is being; undertaken by amateurs. Imbued with the one ambition t<> own and sail a boat of their construction, there are scores of young mum devoting every minute of their leisuro to the highly skilled and often arduouu tasks connected with boat-building. This methods and devices contrived; by theso amateurs to accomplish work really necessitating special machinery reveals a wealth of ingenuity in itself. Even to the layman it makes an appeal, bub to the professional it brings forth nothing but admiration. Transformation of Garden The garden at the rear of one house, at least, in Auckland has been completely transformed. Wooden trestle:;, gaunt and ugly, surround an almost shapeless skeleton of hardwood—the embryo of an auxiliary cruising yacht. About the trestles, the very centre of all activity, is the paraphernalia no typical of a shipwright. Saw horseß, 1 boxes, wedges, scantlings and various timbers and tools litter what was formerly a neatly-trimined lawn. Even the house itself has not escaped. Protruding; from a window is a tin pipe, its paint blistered smd burned, and covered ! with packing. It is connected on the inner side with an adapted boiler healed from the gas stove. "For steaming wood—a very efficient apparatus," its inventor proudly explained. There are many possible explanations for the marked revival iu yachting, but it is probably a result of a number , of indirect factors. It may be a :rei flection of tho increased popularity of the sport in England this season, which was attributed largely to the recent contest for the America's Cup and the desire tif every British yachtsman to be present at the great mival review held at Spithead in July, or it is, p;rhaps, the return of prosperity making more money available. Thei everlasting romance of ocean cruising, stimulated by the periodical visit of ismall touts engaged on leisurely voyageis round the world, must also be a contributing influence.