YACHTING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19333, 20 November 1924, Page 5

YACHTING.

Bt Rudder.

COMING EVENTS. Otago Yacht Club, first scries club races, November 23; Sanders Oup trial race (Ravensbourne course), November December 6, 13, and 20; Otago Yacht Club, cruising race. December 13; Macau drew s Bay Regatta, December 26; Broad Bay Regatta, January 1; Otago Yacht Cub. Orphanage picnic, January 10; Port Chalmers Regatta. January IT; Otago Yacht Club, second series club races, lebruary 7; Otago Motor Club, harbour race for motor boats (Moffatt Cup). February 23; Otago Yacht Olub, youths’ 14-footer race, March I. The Sailing Committee, and also those who profess to know, should now he firmly convinced that there are only_ two boats in the Sanders Cup trial competition that are in proper racing trim to represent Otago in the way of sails. Ono other boat, however, that stands out proniinently with a combination crew is Winifred, and there appears to bo a general opinion \v imfred’s entire crew be put aboard Kia Ora for the race on Saturday. Then to demonstrate that Kia Ora is a faster boat than lona, which many declare she is, lona s crew could be changed into Kia Ora ou tho following Saturday. Some say, of course, that the skippers would not sail their best if tho crews are changed, but “Rudder s opinion of Alf. Wiseman, with whom ho is well acquainted, is that the Port Chalmers skipper has only ono idea in mind, aad that is to bring the Sanders Cup back to Otago, irrespective of what boat ho sansAnd that opinion is shared by many others closely connected with the sport. At tho last meeting of the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association one of the delegates said that some improved method for the quick rescue of crews which occasionally come to grief should be adopted. He said that the follow-up launch m the Banders Cup trials should be provided with a rope stretched the full length of the craft on both sides in the Wrm of loops. It was often found difficult task to haul a heavv man from the "water into the launch, flnd sometimes this -was practically impossible if a heavy sea was running. If the launch was equipped in the way he suggested, the crew of a capsized boat could hold firmly to the rope and haul themselves on board the rescuing boat. Tho suggestion was considered to be an excellent one, and the meeting agreed to ask Mr Henderson to place the rope in position. Mr F. Goodwin intimated that he would supply tho necessary length of line. June, the 14-footer which represented Otago in the Sanders Cup contest at Wellington in January last, was out sailing on Wellington Harbour on November 8 and Saturday last. The boat has been thoroughly overhauled. What does this look like, for Otago’s crew to sail the boat selected, to represent the province at Auckland at the end of January—Alf. Wiseman, H. Watson, G. E. Kellett, and P. Hunter? Wiseman, in anything up to a two-reef breeze, is the daddy of all the skippers in Otago at the present time. In a two-reef breeze and over, Watson, a much younger skipper, is one full of dash and one who would take the neoes- ■ sary risk in a blow. Hunter, with his long experience, knows exactly what is required as the centre man in a boat; and what Kellett does not know as a for'ard hand nobody else can teach him. Mr D. Wall, formerly of Port Chalmers, informed a Wellington reporter last week that the syndicate promoted at the end of last season for tho purpose of raising funds for thp building of a Rona designer had materialised. Kir E, Bailey, boatbuilder, of Wellington, has been instructed to commence building the 'boat. With Eynin, June, and the new boat taking part (n the Sanders Cup trials, some interesting racing should bo seen on Wellington Harbour this season. Captain 3V. Ross, well known in shipping circles throughout New Zealand, who has been away on an extended trip to England, will return to Auckland a week before the Auckland Anniversary Regatta. He hopes to see all the southern 14-footers racing for the Ross Cup on regatta day. This cup has been raced for twice. The first time it was won by Murihiku, and last year by the Auckland boat Nyria. It is to be hoped that the Southland boat will compete again this season. That Aucklanders are keenly watching tho performances of Otago’s 14-footers is shown by the following paragraph which appeared in the Auckland Star on Saturday, November 1: “Dunedin yachtsmen are in real earnest in their endeavour to try out all their likely 14-footers for a possible Sanders Oup winner, as they, are very keen to hold the contest in Dunedin waters in .1026. Up to the present time, Dunedin is the only centre which has held any trials.” Viscount Jellicoe’s interest in tho Sanders Cup contests has always 'been very keen. Chatting with an Auckland yachtsman recently, nis Excellency inquired about each boat and who would be sailing her this season. Lord Jellicoe expects to bo in Egypt when tho 1925 contest is sailed on the Waitemata, and he requested that tho result he cabled to him as soon aa it is concluded. An effort is to be made to hold an ocean race for launches from Auckland to Tauranga. A former member of the Tauranga Regatta Club has been asked to obtain on expression of opinion from Auckland launch owners regarding the proposed race. It is suggested _ that the event should start at the same time as the ocean race for yachts on Christmas Eve. Speaking at Auckland recently, when acknowledging the presentation of a minia- : ture of Iron Duke, Lord Jellicoe paid a * tribute to the manner in which the crews bf the losing boats always cheered the winner. That was the spirit he greatly admired. The contest for the Sanders Cjip would again be fought out in the course of the next few months, and he sincerely hoped the best 'boat would win. Auckland had the cup. and no doubt would do her best to retain it. The experience gained in the small boats was undoubtedly the best one could get, and fitted yachtsmen to take their places on the larger yachts later on. The yacht racing on Sydney Harbour on Saturday, November 1, was conducted in a sou’-west squall and choppy sea, worked up by an ebb tide. There were many thrilling contests, and George Press’s H C. Press, sailed by Chris. Webb, added another title to her credit, the ch'ampionBhip of the Sydney Flying Squadron. The Woolioomooloo boat now holds the blue ribbons of Australia, New South Wales, North Coast, and the Sydney Club. The performances have never before been equalled. Lord Jellicoe s keen personal interest in yachting, and especially in the class which now bears his name, has done more than we think to popularise tho sport throughout the dominion (says “Speedwell’ in the Auckland Star). His Excellency will bo greatly missed, but the interest he has aroused in the Sanders Cup contests will live long after he has gone from these shores. The idea of presenting a model of the Iron Duke was a very happy one. The model was to ari half-inch scale, being seven inches over all, and was complete to the smallest detail. It was ihe work of Webster Bros., of Parnell. The sails, on the mainsail of which XlO is plainly visible, are especially good, and called 'forth the remark from his Excellency that Lapthorne would be envious of their set. His Excellency also referred to the six-metre class, and said he hoped it would become popular in Auckland, and that at some future date ho should hear of an Auckland-built boat and her crew winning laurels in the international contest for the six-metre class held annually between England and America. The Napier yachting season was opened on Saturday last, when the Napier Sailing Ciu|> held a successful function. Mr A. M'Carthy, vice-commodore, after officially declaring the season open, said that the 14-footer Konini had done well at tho Sanders Oup meeting on Wellington Harbour last season, but it was hoped to do better this year. Already a crew had been picked and would go into training now, while everything would bo done for the boat’s chance in lifting the cup. In last Saturday’s race brains and not tho boat again landed the winner. Kia Ora was sailed to win, but Wiseman’s craftiness was too much for Watson. Kellett and Watson on this occasion allowed another boat to win tho race while they were trying to demonstrate who knew the most about the rules of racing. A good skipper has only ono object in view, and that is to win a race and then discuss the rules if ho wishes with all and sundry afterwards. Harrington Point last Sunday presented quite a lively appearance. A very large number of cars were parked there, and motor boats carried additional persons, which helped to make tho beach look well. The Stella, Marewa, Matai, Joyce, Noll, and Silver Fern were amongst the launches which made the trip. The Nell's crew secured a good haul of red cod. The owner of Heather has at last come to reason. The officials controlling the trials received a telegram from Mr M’CulIcch from Christchurch on Saturday asking the • ssoeiation to put the best man available in charge of his boat and sail her in the trial that day. The telegram, however, arrived too late for the association

to take any active steps in the matter. Mr F. B. Francis then filled the breach, ami sailed Heather with a scratch crow. Mr F. Percy, one of tho judges in connection wtih the present Sanders Cup trials, has evidently forfeited that position, as ho was one of lona’s crew in last Saturday’s rate, and a very excellent for’ard hand he made., The judges who will now recommend to tho association what boat will represent Otago will bo only Mcssr» Davys and Smith —rather a small number for the important duties involved. The .Otago Yacht Club has placed model yacht races on the syllabus this year, and its success will depend entirely on the efforts put forth by the youths who own models. It is the club’s wish that sufficient, entries will be forthcoming to malje the races a success. The course selected on the Leith estuary has been spoilt by tho sand-pump discharging spoil on the embankment, which overflowed into tho estuary. As it will he tiigh water at noon on Saturday it will be necessary to start tho race not later than I p.m. Boys can get access to the Yacht Club’s pavilion if they wish to stove their models on Fri day night by making application to tho Slip Committee—namely : Messrs R. Cahill, J. Jardine, and W. Henderson. It is more than probable that the course will be a dead beat to windward, and handicaps will be allotted before the race. It would be a considerable help to tho club if any ox-members of the Otago Model Yacht Club could assist on Saturday. AUSTRALIAN 21FT RESTRICTED CLASS. A movemet is on foot in Australia to secure the curtailment of expenditure on the 21ft restricted class in order to bring tho costs of the building of the boats more in touch with the pockets of the average yachting enthusiasts. For the last three seasons prices have gone ahead by leaps and bounds, and it nas been asserted in Queensland that ‘The restricted class today has become a rich man’s boat, and the prices asked by builders are prohibitive.” Consideration has been given to the question by tho Victorian Yacht Racing Association, and tho following recommendations have been submitted to Lord Forster as commodore of the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria and Royal Sydney Yacht ■.Squadron; 1. That one mast, two mainsails, and two sets of gaffs and booms shall bo used. 2. That tho minimum ballast of these boats shall be lOcwt. This will not apply to boats already built or under construction at the time of conference. 3. An alteration of clause 9 of tho Forster .Cup deed of gift—viz., “That the sailing committee shall appoint some person ro check tho measurements of competing yachts, and ho shall so chock these, measurements." ' At present the attitude of tho Sydney Yacht Racing Association is not definitely known, but it is understood that the South Australian body is in favour of the above proposals, except that one mainsail instead of two is advocated, while the original recommendation from Brisbane proposes one mast, ono set of sails, and one set of gear. NOTES FROM MACANDREW’S BAY. The launches Jewel and Isabel were out last week-end at tho bay. It is pleasing to see Air F. J. Carter about again after his illness. The concert held last Saturday evening in aid of tho regatta funds was a great success, and tho dance which followed was also a success. The Regatta Committee intends to make the on Boxing Day the most attractive aquatic function ever held at the bay. There will be additional races this year, while the prize money has been increased by £lO. . Spray now looks in fine trim after her overhaul, and she has lost nothing as regards speed consequent on the alterations effected to her hull. , . The skippers of Mona and Mavis have decided not to sail further in the Sanders Gup trials, hence their absence from the 14-footor race at Broad Bay on Saturday last. These boats will compete m all the North-East Harbour Club’s races during the season. , , ~ , Hugh Riddell had charge of Mona when tho boat was out for a spin on Sunday last. Ho had a youthful crew, whose ages ranged from 10 years to 16 and tho lads managed the boat in good style. All the boats were out during the weekend, and made an imposing spectacle. At one stage, all the craft were closely bunched, and the youthful crews appeared to enjoy themselves to the limit. Most of the boats were reefed, and all sailed tho usual course as far as Grassy Point and back to MacUl fiam Elliott handled Chloe very well in Saturday’s race. Sam is only a wee lad but all the same he knows something .about sailing a boat. lie is one of the most popular lads at the bay, and spends most of his time with his boat. The bay’s young yachtsmen no sooner tie up their boats than they take to the water. They spend all their spare time swimming and sailing. l.he hoys are happy and contented, and it is to he hoped that they will not cruise far from home for many years. „ ~ „ . ’The North-East Harbour Boating Club held the first club race for yachts ((16ft and under) last Saturday afternoon. The weather was suitable for such a race although tho breeze was somewhat light at tho start, but ifc freshened considerably later The race was commenced at 3 nrn the following boats facing the starters:—Tiki. Mona, Mavis, Elsie Spray, and Chloe. A good start was effected the boats getting away fairly oven. On rounding the buoy off Company’s Bay Mona had a slight lead from Mavis, but on the run down to Chalks’s Mavis took charge and rounded the buoy half a minute ahead of Mona, with the smaller boats a good dis-tance-astern. From this time the interest in the race centred round the two 14-footers, which had things pretty well their own wav, Mona finally finishing a few seconds ahead of Mavis. Considering that the 'boats were sailed by the youngest members of the club, the handling of the craft was in every way a creditable performance, and called forth very favourable comment among the. older hands present. ,The contest for third place between Elsie and Spray was also interesting, the latter crossing the line a few seconds in the lead of the former, which, however, gained third place on her handicap. Chloe and Tiki finished some minutes later. The officials during tho afternoon were Messrs S. F. Grigg and S. Brown (judges). 11. Macandrew and C. J. Hook (starters and timekeepers), while the secretary (Mr W. H. Riddell) had everything carefully arranged. Mr B. S. Irwin’s 14-footer Mona w-as at a disadvantage owing to a badly-fitting spini naker, but a now set of sails will lie fitted, which will enable her to be seen at her best. All the boats taking part in last Saturday’s race were sailed by their young owners, who had not participated in many races before. The lads showed that thev were of the right mettle, and although the light nor’-easter made things easy for them at the start they were called upon to show their abilities in the later stage of tho race, which was finished in a stiff son’-woster. The handicapping was all that could be desired, as was proved by tho close finish between Mona and Mavis. Spray was the first of tho smaller boats to finish, and just missed third place on handicap. It was a good race, with a spectacular finish. The club’s officials are pleased with (he way the lads handled their respective boats.