YACHT RACING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22864, 20 October 1937, Page 24

YACHT RACING

REGATTA AT HOBART f LOCAL BOAT TO ENTER r FOURTEEN-FOOT CHAMPIONSHIP r BY SPINDRIFT Providing sufficient funds are available, Auckland will be represented at the Royal Hobart Centenary regatta celebrations in February. Mr. W. Rogers, builder and owner of the 14ft. T class boat Vamp, has decided to enter his craft for tho 14ft. Australian and New Zealand championship, which will be sailed in three heats and a final. For this particular event all the Australian States and also Tasmania are expected to bo represented by one or more boats. The first prize is £l4. Mr. Rogers has chosen the following as his crew: —Messrs. ]). Rogers, B. Rogers (brothers), F. Rogers (cousin) and R. Wilson. All have had"considerable experience in small boat sailing and are regular members of Vamp's crew. The restrictions governing the race for the championship are that the working sail area must not exceed 220 square feet. Two hundred and fifty square feet may be carried in the spinnaker, and 150 square feet in tho baloon jib. The length of the boat must be 14ft., but tliero is no restriction as to her beam. Other events on the programme include races for trading vessels, the first prize for which is £IOO, A class yachts (£37), and B class yachts (£25). Thore are also numerous rowing races. The centenary celebrations will be commenced on February 19, and will extend over four days. POWER BOAT ASSOCIATION AFFILIATION WITH AMERICA The New Zealand Power Boat Association, which is now affiliated with the American Power Boat Association, us an honorary foreign member, has received some interesting particulars concerning the American association at New York. The writer of the letter is Mr. F. V. P. Baker, a former resident of Auckland, and a member of the council. "Being an old Auckland hoy 1 take more than great interest in the small paragraph that in the news 'bulletin concerning the, New Zealand Power Boat Association," states Mr. Baker. "Although I have been away from New Zealand for nearly 50 years I still remember the names of the officials of the Auckland Yacht Club (now the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron) who wore in charge of affairs in those days. "In 1939 we are having our exposition and are going to have a number of International cruisers of 40 to 45ft. long with speeds from seven to ten miles an hour. We intend to have both long and short races as well as offshore races. This style of racing is now being carried out in San Francisco Bay. In the Bay all the motor boats of various yacht clubs to an association known as the Northern Californian Power Cruiser Association. We hold about six races a year, and they range in length from 30 to about 150 miles on dead reckoning. In 1940 you will have your big regatta. We want all yachtsmen to visit ns in San Francisco Bay in 1939. A number who propose; coming from different parts of the world will most likely-visit Auckland on the occasion of its centennial anniversary on January 29, 1940." Mr. P. Hamlilin, _ secretary of the association, lias received a letter from the Delaware River Yachtsmen's League. Camden, NM., commenting on the Auckland association's news bulletin. "We certainly regret that the miles between us make it impossible for ns to ever see you," states the letter "but please be assured that in our mind and spirit of sportsmanship, we go with von on your fine cruises in a delightful climate and the world's queerest country as to animals. And so we extend to you our sincere greetings and trust' that some time luck and fortune mav permit ns to go from dreams to actuality in catching marlins and mako sharks."