YACHTING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20962, 27 February 1930, Page 4

YACHTING.

By Rudder. FIXTURES. March I—Vauxhall Club's races. March 15.—Otago. Yacht Club races.; vauxhall Club’s regatta.

, The severe blow last Sunday week home to several launch owners tne_ weakness of the motor car type of engine for boat propulsion. In nearly every case this type of engin. failed when put to the test of driving the boat against heavy seas and winds. This, of course, bears out the general opinion of experienced men that a slower-running and heavier type, of engine is desirable for boat work.

n Tucana has been hauled out at Port Chalmers, as it was found that she was rather badly chafed when she went ashore on Sunday, and repairs are necessary.

The Ripple went down to the Heads on Saturday to pick up the Ugie and tow her back to Broad Bay. It is understood that the Ugie's engine is seriously damaged, and- her owner is considering the replacing of it with one of a heavier model. Both Ripple and Ugie have now met with accidents, but their owners may rest assured that they have the sympathy of all 'boating men. They are both genuine old-time yachtsmen, about in all weathers, and always ready to give a helping hand to anyone needing assistance. The sport would be better for more of their type. Thetis and Ngaio paid visits to Broad Bay during the week-end, but. generally speaking, things were quiet on the hay, most owners having work to do as a result r • the blow.

The visiting Cornwel Cup delegates ..ad crews were the guests of Mr J. T. Paul last Saturday, and enjoyed an exhilarating afternoon on the water. The cruise embraced both the Upper and Lower Harbour, and was much enjoyed by all.

Mr J Harkness, the Lyttelton delegate, and .one of Canterbury’s foremost yachtsmen,' had Dawn placed at his disposal, and with a slashing north-east wind blowing found the new boat very much to his liking. Mr Harknees is the owner of Waimana, one of the most successful of Otagobuilt yachts. He now talks of converting her ' into Marconi rig, and there is some talk of a friendly match between the two boats. It would be a splendid attraction if it could be arranged to suit in with one of the local regatta fixtures. VAUXHALL CLUB. The officers of the Vauxhall Power Boat and Sailing Club are busily preparing for the club’s first regatta, which takes place at Vauxhall on Saturday, March 15. • Several old-time yachtsmen have come to the assistance of the-club, and are working with a will to make the regatta an outstanding success. Very attractive prizes are offering, and large entries are expected. The committee is arranging to have the flagship connected by phone to the houseboat, and the public will be kept posted with results immediately the races are over, a loud speaker being used for this purpose. Progress results during the races will also bo broadcast. It has been suggested that the new speed boat, June 11, be tried out >.ver the club’Sk measured course during the afternoon in an endeavour to better the New Zealand speed record. The present record (53 m.p.n.) was made by Alderton Bros.’ J. and J. at the Wanganui River carnival on January 22, 1928. Should this event be staged it will be a splendid attraction at the regatta. There is also a possibility of one of the club’s fast outboards being tried out in an endeavour to better the fastest time for these craft. CORNWELL CUP CONTEST. The Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association officials, who were responsible for the organisation and carrying out of the Cornwell Cup contest, which was decided on the harbour .last week, have every reason to be gratified at the success of the fixture. The excellent relations winch existed between all the delegates and crews contributed in no small measure to that success, the excellent team work of the delegates and the refreshing spirit of friendly rivalry existing amongst the boys themselves combining to make the contest one' of the most enjbyablc. of its kind held on the harbour. Apart from the actual races, the entertainment of the visiting yachtsmen was. particularly organised, theatre and picture parties and trips down the harbour occupying a good deal of their spare time whilst in Dunedin.

Auckland’s win was very well deserved, the two Tabuteau brothers. showing convincing proof of their superiority over the other crews, winning three races out of four by very wide margins. It was a pleasure to watch, the Auckland boys handle their boat, either on or off the wind, and with the exception of the third race, when the conditions apparently did not suit them, they gave exhibitions of sailing that should act as an object lesson to the other boys. The Auckland skipper was'rarely at fault in his judgment, a feat in itself when it is considered that the peculiarities of the harbour were almost entirely strange to him, and his assurance and initiative proved that he had had the advantage of training under experienced yachtsmen in the north. Wellington's win in the third race was very popular, the two boys. Masters M Kenzie and Stulter, sailing an excellent race. The wind was light and flukey. Providing sailing conditions of which the Wellington boys seemed able to take full advantage, and about a minute after the start the winners took the lead and remained in the premier position throughout the remainder of the race. During the whole of the course they did not make one mistake, and were fully deserving of the warm congratulations they received when they returned to the boat harbour. The Lyttelton boys were perhaps unfortunate ip the first race of fhe contest in not* finishing on better terms with Auckland, for whilst in a good position to windward on the last leg to the finishing line _ off the boat harbour, the skipper mistook the course and stood well m behind the channel wall, apparently being under the impression that he had to round the castle beacon before heading for the finishing line. When he discovered his mistake he was forced to go partially back over his course in order to pass the end of the channel wall, and thereby lost well over two minutes, finishing in third place, two minutes and ahalf behind Manukau. As Auckland and Manukau had fought out a close finish, the Auckland boys catching the judge’s eye only 12 seconds in the lead. Lyttelton might possibly have been well in the running had the mistake not occurred. The performance of the Otago boys was, with the exception of that in the first race, on the whole fairly good, but from the first it was obvious that they had not the benefit of the experience enjoyed by the other crews. In the first race the • ta ?<° b 2 ys sailod very we, l off the wind V 1 i i la n of the course, pressing Auckland hard. On the beat back to the boat harbour, however, the trouble com menced. the Otago skinner being unable to work his boat into the wind. At one stage he appeared to he suffering from nervousness, and had difficulty in keening any way on his boat at alt. In subsequent races, however, the Otago boys showed up in a much more favourable light, showing that they had benefited to some extent by their experience on the first day. Even in the last race, however, the skipper seemed to experience difficulty whilst sailing on the wind, but experience Should soon remove this handicap. Un Saturday evening, at the conclusion °t2 h L ee , r ! ino "- v in . which the trophy was presented to the winners. a social evening was held in Mr M Keefry’s rooms, all the crews with the exception of Christchurch. and all the visiting delegates being present, as well as representatives irom each .ocal club. During the evening Mr W. A. Johnston, the Takapuna delegate, on behalf of the visitors presented a framed enlargement of the Otago crew in their boat, and also a framed enlargement of all the competitors in the farst race, to the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association, 'in recognition of the kindness and consideration shown to the visitors during the contest. On behalf of the delegates. Mr Johnston also presented Mr H C. Brown with a framed address and a handsome clock, as an appreciation of his untiring efforts in caring for the boats and the visiting crews, whilst Mr J. T. Paul was made a life member of the Takapuna Boating Club. On Sunday afternoon a party of 30 including all the visitors and delegates, and a mrniber of members of the Otago Association, made a trip to Outram Glen., via Henley and Berwick, a very pheasant hour being spent in picnicking in that delightful spoh The journey home was : then, made via Wylie’s Crossing and Mos- j Kiel., !