YACHTING NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10597, 18 February 1896, Page 6

YACHTING NOTES.

(By Yachtsman.)

A considerable amount of work has been done .during the last week or two to the vessels of the squadron, and given anything like decent weather on Wedneodsy we may expeot to sea them render a good account of themselves at the regatta. The Thelma, Trilby, Leader, and others have all been up in order to be put in racing order, and all have received a complete overhaul and preparation for the coming event. I look for some smart work at to-morrow's events, bat I do not care to attempt, anything in the way of " tipping," as bo ranch depends upon the weather experienced. I ftm looking forward to a close and^citing straggle in the First-class Rice between tha Leader, Thelma, and Trilby.

The inscription which has been approved of by Lord Danraven and which appears on the plinth forming the base of the silver model of Valkyrie 111, which has been presented to the late challenger for America's Cup, is as follows :—" Publioly presented at Cardiff, November 21, 1895, to the Earl of Dunrsven, X P., by his neighbours and friends in recognition of his gallant efforts to bring home America's Cup."

Among the many orders received durJßg the month of November last by the famous yachtbuilding firm of Fifes, of Fairlie, was the design of a 20-ton yawl for Australia, to be bunt at Melbourne. ■ .

In America Dext season there will bs r. hbw class of boats—3o footers. These will be of the ci-uiser-raeer description, and already a nurr.bur of the leading yachtsmen in that country havo entrusted the HervshofFs with orders to build, including Mr E. D. Morgan (ex-oommodore of theNew'Yorir. Yscht Club), Mr C. Oliver Is&Mm, Mr Royalpnilps Carroll (of Nav&hoe fame), Mr Herrmann Dureya, and Mr Aagustua B«!lmoct. It is expected that at; least a score of the«« boats will take part in the leading regattas next season. The boats will carry about 900 square feet «f canvas.

In connection with the question of how many hands should be allowed in races, the Victorian Yachting Association have agreed to the following regulations as to toe number of hands to bs carried on board each yacht during a rtcs :— In yachts not exceeding 20ft, fire hands ; 22ft, six hand*; 24-ft, teven hands: 26Ft, eight hsmis ; 28ft, nice hands ; 30f r, 10 hands. An additional hasd is to be permitted for every 2ffc aDd fraction of 2ft. . .

In Britain, after a lengthy discussion, it wss resolved to amend the present " luffing" rulft as follows—viz. : A yacht overtaking another ma? p»ss to windward or leeward, and'a yacht may luff as she pleases to prevent another passing to windward, uutil tho bawapit or stem af t-e_ overtaking yacht shall overlap any portion of the hull of the leading yacht, when the latter must immediately give way and allow *h« former to paas to windward on her coarse. But & yacht canst never bear away out of her course to hinder the other psssiDg to leeward, &c, as laid down by rule 21 of the Yacht Racing Association. > The yacht Gipsy, which met with an acoident come three months back, has now been renovated, the following repairs having been effected : —New kprl and garboards, sevoral new floors and timbzrs, also relined, and raSra lead ballast added iv an up-to-date fin keel; considerable inside alterations, have been made in tbe way of accommodation, which makes this favourite yacht second to none in the harbour as a comfortable cruiser. I understand she is for sale at a' very reasonable figure, as her owners are inclined to build a craft of a more modern design. She has been out for a trial spin, and senned to get along very fast in the light wind which prevailed, also staying like & top. ■