YACHT BUILDING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22949, 29 January 1938, Page 24

YACHT BUILDING

IMPORTANT INDUSTRY BUSY YEAR ON CLYDE KEEN DEMAND FOR LABOUR [FRbM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] LONDON. Jan. 1 Yachting is normally regarded in Britain as a luxury sport which becomes interesting only during the summer season, states the Glasgow correspondent of the Times. In reality it is the mainstay of a very important industry, which, even in mid-winter, is busily engaged ensuring that the needs of yachtsmen will be adequately supplied in tho coming season. At present the yacht-building industry is about as busy as it can be; indeed, if even only, a few moro orders are placed with tho Scottish builders, there will bo an acute scarcity of skilled labour in an industry that calls for the highest measure of skill from the artisans engaged in it. As it is, some of tho best-known builders and designers can scarcely get sufficient skilled labour to meet all their requirements. More Than Last Year At present Scottish builders have 40 privately owned yachts under construction, or ten more than they were building rit this time last year. These craft include 18 power cruisers, aggregating 511 tons and 11357 horse-power. These figures indicate that yachtsmen are going in for more high-powered units than formerly, and that most of them arc impressed with the necessity for having an adequato reserve of power tq meet all emergencies. In addition to these power cruisers, nine .auxiliaries are building, representing 241 tons and 219 horse-power. Thirteen sailing yachts, totalling 58 tons, arc also under construction. The exceptional building just now is duo to tho anxiety of owners to secure delivery in the summer, when the yachting season is in full swing.

In view of the difficulty that builders are experiencing in obtaining adequate supplies of raw materials, and particularly metals, these early orders are essential if tho new craft are to be ready for the opening of tho season. Overseas Race Competitors Tho industry received a definite stimulus from tho recent Scottish Motor Exhibition, of which the marine section was probably tho most popular portion. The Clyde yachting season this year will also bo of peculiar importance, as special fixtures are being arranged during the run of the Empire Exhibition. It is hoped to attract a record number of entries for these events from tho Empire and from foreign countries.

During 1937, 66 yachts, totalling 1230 tons, were built in Scottish yards. Of these vessels, 45 had an aggregate horse-power of 2390. Naturally this meant an exceptionally busy year for tho makers of engine units. While the bulk of the yachts were constructed for home owners, many of the engines built on Clydeside were intended for installation in foreign yachts. Early in the New Year this building activity will be greatly increased by the overhaul and refitting of old yachts. Practically all this yacht-building is done on Clydeside at Bowling, Roseneath, Sandbank; Clynder, Fairlie, Renfrew, Bute, and at Tarbert (Loch Fyne).