YACHTING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7336, 14 January 1911, Page 7

YACHTING

(By "Spinnaker.") FIXTURES FOR THE SEASON. Saturday,' January ' 14th:—Handicap races for Ist, 2nd, and 3rd class yachts, over No. 1 course. Monday, January 23rd.—P.N.Y.C. Anniversary Day Kegatta. Saturday, January 28th.—P.N.Y.C. picnic. Saturday, Pebruary 4th.—Ocean race and harbour races. Saturday, February 11th—Ladies' Race. Saturday, Pebruary 18th— P.N.Y.C. Picnic and Motor Boat Club combined. Saturday, February 25th.—Handicap races for Ist, 2nd, and 3rd class yachts. Saturday, March sth.—Handicap races for Ist, 2nd, ami 3rd class j-achts. Easter Monday.—P.N.Y.C. Picnic:

The racing for the coming season of the Port Nicholson Yacht Club commences this afternoon. For to-day there are to be races for first, second, and third-class yachts, the course for all three classes being No'. 1 course. For the benefit of those interested, and not acquainted with the courses, it may be as well to mention that the course (No. 1) over which to-day's races are to bo sailed, is from the starting line at Clyde quay, to and around buoy off Point Halswell, thence to and around buoy off (Corokoro, thence back to and around buoy at Point Halswell, and from there back to the starting line. Amongst yachtsmen great interest is being taken in to-day's races, as, since the classes have been re-modelled and a new handicapper appointed, there aro sure to be some surprises among .the placed boats.

ANNIVERSARY DAY. Next Saturday will see most of the yachts up "on the'hard,-" and the crews working zealously in readiness for Anniversary Day (January 23rd), which this year is being held on the Monday. The following is the programme of events for the day : No. 1. —Third-class yachts, to start 10 a.m., couTse No. 1, once round. No. 2.—Second-class yachts, to start 10.15 a.m., courso No. 1, once round. No. 3. —First-class 3*achts, to start 10.30 a.m., courso No. 1, Oitco round. No. 4.—Fourth-class yachts, to start 10.45 a.m., course No. 2, onco round. No. 5. —Half-decked and centre-board boats, 16ft and under, to start 11 a.m., courso No. 3, once round.

No. 6.-—Motor . boat race, for trophy provided by Motor Boat Club, to start 11.15 a.m.. motor boat course, twico round.

No. 7.—Third-class yachts, to start 2.30 p.m., courso No. 2, twice round.. No. 8. —General handicap race for first and second-class yachts, to start 2.45 p.m., courso No. 2, twice round. No. 9. —Fourth-class yachts, to start 3 p.m., course No. 2, once round. No. 10.—Motor boat race, for P.N.Y.C. prizes, to start 3 p.m., motor boat course, twice .round. No. 11.—Half-decked centre-board boats, 16ft and ur-der, to start 3.15 p.m., course No. 3, enco round. No. 12. Naval cutters' sailing race, to start 3.30 p.m., course No. 2, once round.

THE SIREN'S CRUISE. A blustering nor'-west blow prevented the yawl Sirm from' leaving Wellington harbour for the Sounds cruise till 8 a.m. on Monday, December Situ. A very light eou'-oast breeze was encountered. The breeze came from the right direction, bat being light the yacht prepared for a slow passage. Wellington Heads was reached at 10 a.m., and when the Siren cleared them there were sis other pleasure craft ahead, all making for the Sounds. The south-east wind gave the yachts a lead to Terawhiti, which the

Siren reached at about mid-day. From I there the yacht squared away for Tory Channel with the breeze dead aft. No rip was met with on the trip across, but the sail being empty as tne yacht swims to the jooble made things for those on board anything but comfortable. Olf Wellington Heads (that is, on the north side of Tory Channel) .the breeze lreshened nicely and enaDled tno channel entrance to bo. made on dead slack water. Hbio the Siren,passed the Maori on her, way back to 'Wellington with excursionists. Tho breeze remained fresh until out ot Tory Channel, when a drift set in, Whatainonga being made for at 2.15 p.m. The yacnt remained at anchor here for the night. Next day was spent up tho head of tho Sound, and in the evening anchor was dropped in Picton harbour, the oceangoing steamer Upawa Ueing spoken to by semapnore en route. Leaving Picton on the. Wednesday morning, a course was 6et for" Ship Cove. On' Humbug Point the Siren caught up to tho Ngaira, which had only just arrived from Wellington. Botn yachts continued on to Suip Cove, which, the Siren, reached at 4.20 p.m., it being 6omo two hours later before the Ngaira dropped her pick. Thursday, December 2Sth, broko with a drizzling rain and southeast, nind, so sail was hoisted and a journey commenced for Deep Bay, Endeavour Inlet. Here the Siren stayed until the Friday morning, snugly tied up to trees, while out'siao in tne open sound white squalls weie blowing. The next place to wnich a visit was paid was Peach Bay, where the crew were welcomed at tne homestead. On Saturday a picnic party was taken aboard, and for that day Pig Island was tho rendezvous. In tho inlet the steamer Mokota was observed. On, Sunday (January Ist) tho crew dined ashore, but owing to a chango in. the wind to north-west they had to leave rather hurriedly. Shelter was sougnt in the Bay of Many Coves, and hero anchor was dropped for the night. Picton was again visited on January 2nd, but the day was spoiled by rain and a fresh nor'-west wind. Tuesday was spent m a cruise to Double Bay and Boot Cove, where the yacht remained until Friday night. On the Wednesday another picnic was arranged, and on tne Thursday the crew spent the day ashore by walking to Port IJnderwood, wnere from tho top of the ranges a magnificent view of the Sounds and tho port is to ,be obtained. Tho next day was mostly spent on shore with the settlers.- Just before- dusk a start was made down the sound to tho northern entrance, but the wmd falling away when off Humbug Point necessitated the anchor being dropped close inshore. January sth broke with every promise of a good north-west breeze, so anchor, was weighed early, and a start made for Wellington. At 12.35 p.m. Cape Kaumaru was rounded with a brisk breeze, which freshened all the way across, blowing, thus enabling the Siren to reach Pencarrow in a little over four hours' sailing. Considering that the Siren was towing her dinghy, which was partly filled with water, the performance was satisfactory, and quite puts in the shade the same yacht's trip last year, when it took her thirty hours (with a towthrown in) to come from Tory Channel to Wellington, after her rather miraculous escape from disaster in Tory Channel. '

The crew- of five consisted of: Chisholm (skipper), "W. D. Rough, N. G. Paterson, R. Aslin, and. N. Batchelor. Mr P. Tattle, not being able to arrange the necessary extended leave, was unable to accompany the Siren on this trip. GENERAL NOTES. The "White Heather, Kotiri, Siren, Mahiiia, Swan, Ngaira and the launches Vida and Milba, which left on December iiGtU for the annual cruises to the Sounds and Port Underwood, have nowall returned. The Wairere, which was n little late in starting oat ou her trip to Picton sad the Sounds, is still in those waters. It is the intention of Mr Bucholy to bring her back to "Wellington about the end of the present'month. The Ethel' (Messrs Salmon and Cole), which has been on the slip in Martin's Buy, was brought off last Wednesday evening, after having received an overhaul preparatory to making her debut in local racing circles this afternoon. Probably the Ethel will be making a trip across to the Sounds some time next month.

Messrs Powell and Alexander's launch Milba, and Mr L. Palmer's launch Vida, arrived back at their moorings in Evans Bay, after spending a fortnight's cruis-

ing in company, in tho Sounds. eaT T ly all the bays of note were visited, and a very enjoyable time was spent. 1 heowners say they cannot speak too highly of"the hospitality shown them by the different settlers throughout the Sounds. The run home across the Strait was ac-< complished in good time, both boats using their sails to advantage during a steady northerly breeze. It is worthy of mention thai the engine installed in. the Milba is the work of Mr Alexander, a promising young mechanic. During the whole cruise the engino worked without a hitch.

Mr Jack Barnard hopes to be able to put his new foul teen-foot boat in tha water in time to allow him to compete in the races for half-decked boats on regatta day. Tho third race of the season under' the control of the Te Aro Club, will be held this afternoon for a trophy presented by Mr C. J- Ward (vice-president of the club).

The positions of the boats, for the cup presented by Mr G. Winder to the To Aro Sailing Club, for the yacht obtaining the highest number of points in a season are as follow: Red Wing, Lotus,, and Winifred, 16 points each; Kaiteie, 14; Nan, 12; Rival, 7; Valeta, 6; Doreen 5.