BOATING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19001, 25 October 1923, Page 4

BOATING.

Bt Ruddeb. Twelve. months ago the Labour Day week-end was an unpleasant memory for boating men. The weather was, putting it mildly, not good and many boats got into difficulties in the boisterous gale. This year the gale arrived late, the conditions from Saturday to Monday remaining ideal. The result, was that everybody had a good time and a pleasant memory is retained. The gale which followed Labour Day and blew well into Tuesday morning was responsible for a considerable amount of mischief. At Ravonsbourne Valmai. Experiment, and Kia Ora (the skimmer) all “turned turtle” at their moorings. A follower of the sport who is also interested in wireless was up at 2 a.m. in the morning attending to his aerial, and he described tlie Bay as a seething, smoking mass of corkscrew squalls which had a most uncanny look in t lie bright moonlight. Macandrow's Bay also felt (tie effects of the gale. Several boatowners were up during tae night to see how their boats were faring. Tiki broke from her moorings and was driven on to the beach, sustaining considerable damage, .while the launch Gloaming was also stranded at Company’s Bay. Broad' Bay and Port Chalmers, though feeling the fury of the gale, experienced no damage among the boating fleets. The North-East Harbour Boating Club celebrated its opening last Saturday afternoon. The 14ft boat race proved a formidable counter attraction, and the function settled down to practically a meal affair. The weather was dull, but a pleasant afternoon was spent by all present. Some visitors journeyed to Maeandrew’s from the city, but few faces of the boating fraternity from other parts were to be seen. Commodore M'Hutchon gave a cordial welcome to all. Speeches were made by Mr H. E. Moller (president of the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association), Commodore Waters (Otago Motor Boat and Yacht Club), Commodore Wiseman (Port Chalmers Sailing Club), Commodore Galbraith (Broad Bay Boating Club), Mr P. Young (Ravensbourne Boating Club), and a representative of the Queen's Drive Boating Club. Captain M‘Donald and Messrs Bewlev and Macandrew spoke a few words on behalf of the local club. Mr Moller expressed himself freely, advising the officials of the club that now that the club was well established they should pull together, sink any little differences that might arise, stand strongly for .unity, and ail would be well. As an old and experienced yachtsman he thought that perhaps nis advice would be listened to and their club would continue to prosper. Tlie function was a success in every way, and reflected credit on all concerned. As usual the cnergeti csecretary (Mr C. Hook) was un sparing in. his efforts. At the speechifying at Macandrew’s Bay on Saturday, Mr Moller said that the reason why the associaton had decided to face the Sanders Cup trials on the Otago Yacht Club’s course was because they were positive that it would prove to be far more satisfactory than by having the trials on various courses, as had been done last v©ar. If at any time it was decided to make a change he would be the first to advocate that the Macandrew’s Bay course should have one of the test races.

Pleasant surprise was expressed on aft sides at the presence of that old yachting enthusiast Commodore Wiseman of the Port Chalmers Sailing Club, at the opening of the North-East Harbour Boating Club. During his speech ho referred to the first test race, regretting that he was not at the tiller of a 14-footer that afternoon, but he had had reluctantly to wrench himself away to officially represent his club at their opening. He considered that it was a pleasant duty to be present. His remarks were greeted with hearty applause. Miro and Jewell were kept busy taking visitors out for a trip at Macandrew's Bay on Saturday afternoon. These outings are always appreciated by the friends and supporters of the sport. The first test races in the series of Sanders Cup trials revealed the continued interest of the public in the sport. On each occasion the attendance was large and the racing was good. The next race will be held on Saturday afternoon, starting at 3 p.m. from the Boat Harbour. The following will be the starters and their class letters ; —Eunice A, Squib B, Heather C, Valmai D, Kia Ora E, ■ Winifred H, Agnes K, June J, Mona L, and lona M. The skippers in the 14-footers in the first test were;—Heather (W. J. P. M'Culloch), Kia Ora (“Togo” Watson), Mona (W. Wat«on), Eunice (C. French), Juno (F. B. Francis), lona (A. Percy), Valmai (M. Field), Winifred (G. Kellett). In the second test race on Monday C. French exchanged places witli F. B. Francis, ‘while A. Wiseman took the helm of lona.

That the popularity of both Mr W. J. P. M'Oulioch and Heather has not by any moans waned was emphasised when his boat once again succeeded in crossing the line first in the test race on Saturday. Cheer after cheer went up until he had brought his craft right into the Boat Harbour. TCia Ora, with “Togo” Watson at the helm, and Mona, sailed by W. Watson, also received a handsome ovation.

Skippers French and Watson, of June and Kia Ora, are to be congratulated on their first and second positions in the last test race. The two boats of the Rona design scored by hugging the wall opposite Ravensbourne in the second round, ultimately getting the advantage of the good lead of wind which enabled them to weather lona, Heather, and Winifred, and by this means win out.

Yalmai had trouble after the first test, the rudder gudgeon breaking away while out cruising. Her skipper (M. Field) made a temporary one of iron on Monday morning. The job was a hurried one, but it “filled the bill” for the race in the second test.

Mona carried a crew of three in the second teat race. All the other boats were manned with the maximum number —four. When it is remembered that the rudder of a 14-footer has a depth of 18in below the water-line, it will be readily understood what a leverage is exerted on this important part of the craft’s gear. During last week-end Winifred, Heather, and Yalmai were all in misfortune with their gudgeons. In one of the test races on the Otago Yacht Club’s course last year lona, while in a good position in the last round, capsized through her rudder gudgeon snapping just off Waverley Point in a stiff nor’east breeze. A new method of using the minute signals before the start of the 14-footer race last Saturday was utilised for the first time. Five flags of various colours were held aloft and dropped in turn. The old method of using discs has now been discarded. At the Boat Harbour the officials have always been at a disadvantage when officiating during the various races. This defect is now to be rectified to a certain extent, as a start was made yesterday by Messrs Miller and Tunnage to construct a shelter shed for the officials at the entrance. Next Saturday afternoon the opening of the Eavensbourne Boating Club will be held. Commodore Holler and that keen yachtsman Mr A. Grant (secretary) and an energetic committee have everything well in hand for the day. The club fully expect a big attendance, as tbo second test race on the Otago Yacht Club’s course will be an extra draw to bring many visitors from town, as the race can be seen well from the vicinity of the club’s shed. The members of the Eavensbourne Ladies’ Hockey Club will dispense afternoon tea, and launches will be available to take visitors for an outing on the harbour. A band has been engaged for the occasion. An innovation for an opening day will be model yacht racing for boys at Eavensbourne. Messrs A. Miller and A. Grubb will be in charge of these races. There will be two events which should prove to be very interesting, as the course can easily be kept clear in front of the club’s shed. Over 30 boys have expressed their intention to compote. There is nothing like starting with the lads so that a love for the sport can be instilled into them at an impressionable age. Miti spent- most of her time cruising about the Lower Harbour last week-end. Tucana arrived at Broad Bay from Maeandrew’s on Saturday night and spent the holiday in the bay taking a sail to town on Monday afternoon to see, the second test race. Sprat visited Broad Bay at the week-end and anchored in Smith's Bay. Gleam was launched on Labour Day at Broad Bay. Lennox I ass was not ready in time for the week-end, but her crew got her off the slip on Labour Day. Kia Ora. the well-known skimmer yacht, was launched last week-end, but had the misfortune to be submerged at her moorings by the gale on Monday night. The Auckland Yacht and Motor Ijoat Association has decided to open the season on November 17. The wet weather of the last few week-ends has kept preparations back, and Auckland is later than usual. Mr Noel Campbell, of Birkenhead (Auckland!, has had a 50 h.p. Kermath installed in Valeka. and she was out for her trial spin recently. The new power plant has die latest improvemonst in marine engine practice embodied in it. and runs very smoothly. A WELLINGTON VIEW. Now that the announcement of the Wellington Yacht and Motor Boat Association's decision to have the 1924 contest for the Sanders Memorial Chip fought out on the