NEW PLEASURE BOAT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20811, 2 September 1929, Page 6

NEW PLEASURE BOAT.

LAUNCH QF THE THETIS. MODERN AND STRIKING CRAFT. In the presence of several hundred people, including many prominent citizens, motor boat owners and yachtsmen, Mr C. W. Sundstrom’e fine new motor boat Thetis was launched from Mr J. MTherson’s boat-building shed near the old cement works on Saturday afternoon. The presence of Mr J. T. Paul’s fine boat Aoroa and several other launches added to the gaiety of the scene. , The Mayor of Dunedin (Mr R. S. Black) said it was indeed a pleasure to be present to assist in the launching, of the Thetis. The new cruiser showed them what local boat-builders could ac- ■ complisb, and he congratulated Mr Sundstrum on his enterprise, and especially the builder for turning out such a fine Piece of work. To all yachtsmen the beautiful lines of the Thetis must ba like a bouquet to ladies—everything that 1 was perfect and pleasing tor the eye. The Thetis was certainly a speedy launch, and should be very comfortable. She. would be fast, as well as being graceful, and her draught would ensure her travelling in shallow water. Others would, no doubt, follow Mr Sundstnun’a example, so tljat before long there would be a fine fleet of high-speed cruisers in the harbour; Mr Sundstrum had tried to break away from tradition, but the call of the sea had proved too strong, and he had come back to the water. The launching of the' Thetis that day. was an example of the call of the sea. ■ Being a son of the late Captain Sundstrum, it was only to be expected that Mr Suudstrum would take this ,course. No matter how_ swift and convenient motor car driving was, there were not the exhilaration and sense of freedom experienced that were felt when piloting such a- fine boat as the_ Thetis. Several sea captains, including the masters of the Manuka, Mataroa, and Northumberland, had inspected the Thetis when she was nearinff completion on the stocks, and they had stated that the boat was the finest piece of work turned out in the Dominion. ; He commended the sea to tho citizens instead of the motor car. One reason for this was that they could build tne boats here, and help to support local industries, instead of sending the monev out of the country to import motorcars, ■it was to be hoped that many lovers of tae sea would be seen at the helm of up* to-date cruising launches like the Thetis. He hoped that Mr Sundstrum would boat many P^ hours with his new Mayor of Raycnsbourne (Mr H. J2. Moller) said it was very pleasing to sea ? a £ b a l arge B* tte nng. The most pleasing feature was the presence of such a la £ g l n , umber grev-headed yachtsmen, who had come from all parts of the harbour to do honour to Mr'Sundstrum and , They had to remember that Otago had one of the best harbours harwlT 7 v. ea -u D v‘ It - was a harbour, built by engineers and by the brains of the members of tie . Harbour Board. The harbour had been termed a w C «T i • by ma . ny P eo P le « the north. oppression had been dispelled a Ni r . d ~a n{i other northern yachtsmen had sailed on these waters in banders Cup contests. Mr Sundstrum ~* d a 7 e ry serviceable pleasure cruiser, acid such boats as the Thetis added presrSpt 4 ® tb ? harbour. The builder (Mr MTherson) had excelled himself, and it ZITJ™ I** 1 ** he. had shown Irfp. lntere «t m the work, because Air MPherson was a stickler for hie own designs, and the Thetis was not of his strum Ing ’ He MrSundwEf,- on P^S 8 ® 111 ? a fine «aft. Mr Sundstrum had always been a keen yachtsman, and 'had done a great deal -\ lt ™ ba SSd that eanf llls fan *} ly spend many pleadaya in the Tehtii. the Rh^ het «-i.l ay on r the cradle outside water h T, lthl fi 5 v 6w yards of the v at *Vi d hw fi . ne , hues were admired 4, few ™inutes after 2 Black called upon Miss Valmai Sundstrum to perform the christening, hnfl? y breakin g the customarv TheH« on the bow of the inetis. The boat then moved down the J fK and y hen sbe Shded ini? the th f ee cheers were given for Mr bundstrum and ‘Jus craft. The Thetis te ma u de 4 £ bort rum to the Boat Yiafbour, where Tier splendid appointments were inspected by a large number of enthusiasts. Most of the visitors were afterwards entertained by Mr and Mrs Sundstrum and Miss Yalmai Sundstrum. DESCRIPTION OF THE THETIS. Tho Thetis, which is the Greek name for sea nymph, is Built on the V-bottom K lpe J r w 4 eßl 5 nB . and specified- • tions of Mr W. H. Hand, jun., New Bedford, Americas foremost designer- of motor boats, and the originator of the Vbottom type. She is 35ft 3in long, Bft Xin beam, 2ft 9m draught, and will be driven with a Chrysler Imperial six-cylinder marine motor developing 80 h.p. at ' 800 r.p.m. The motor is fitted with watercooled reduction gear, which brings down the propeller revolutions to 1400. The very latest ideas in ignition and lubrication are* incorporated in the motor, and extras, such as an electricallyi driven bilge pump and Cunningham air whistle, are ntted. The engine is very compact, and a table is fitted over it. The launch has a. large cockpit aft, with a substantial aodger over the canvas side screens. A raised, rabin top runs- well for’ard, giving tull head-room. Even the main cairn and raised cabin have full head room A novelty is a small cockpit at the for’ard end of the cabin-top. which neats three, it is also handy when picking up tho moorings, A galley,’ with petrol stove, smk With fresh water laid on. -and other conveniences, is fitted in the engine room, ihe mam cabm is 7ft long, and is "upholstered m moquette. All controls are led to the wheel m the after cockpit, where a pioneer vompass is fitted. It is needless to say that with Mr Sundstrums lone: boatmg experience all fittings are of the beet, . and such items as ground tackle'are on a liberal scale. Ihe room fittings are veryelaborate, the walls being of bird’s-eye maple, with teak trimmings. The mam cabin is a perfect example of the shipbuilder s art, the walls being of white enamel, with cedar trimmings, upholstered side bunks, centre tables,, electric light, and striking bold ana blue curtains. AU the metal work about the launch is silver-plated. A noticeable feature is the limsh of the decks, the planking being all screwed and dowled, which makes practically invisible fastenings. The panels and seats are of kauri, and all trimmings surrounding these are of teak. .There are two petrol tanks, one in the cockpit with a capacity of GO .gallons and one in the engine room, which has. a capacity of 10 gallons. All the exposed metal parts are chromium plated. The engine room is ntted with the necessary sanitary arrangeand a serviceable galley is situated just forward of the main cabin. A special feature of the new boat is her round sterh, which is an entirely pew design for -such a large craft in* this harbour. The round or cruiser stern greatly enhances the general attractive appearance of the Thetis. The Thetis is equipped with a short mast forward of the cockpit. 'The hull, ironi the water, line is painted white, with a narrow gold band; and, this alone gives the , boat a striking appearance. ' •lb®; pilot is provided with every facility at the control platform in ,the cockpit, and will be able to steer the boat with e y ery comfort in all weather. The Thetis will be used as a fast day runabout, and should develop a good turn of speed. With her flaring bows : and gO -?i i! IDes throughout her V sections she will be a very dry boat in a seaway, as boats of this type usually are, and she should be as quick and responsive as a good car. Mr M’Pherson has excelled himself m the building of the Thetis, and he has again proved that pleasure boats can bo built in Otago which can compare more than favourably with any such craft turned out by boatbuildera In other centres. The Thetis is undoubtedly one of _ the smartest and most attractive and ship-shape craft in Dunedin waters, and one of the best-appointed pleasure craft afloat in any part of New Zealand.