YACHTING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21542, 14 January 1932, Page 4

YACHTING

By Ruddeb.

FIXTURES January 16. —Port Chalmers regatta. January 23. —North-East Harbour Club Races (Ladies’ Day). PORT CHALMERS REGATTA Excellent entries have been received for the various events at the Port Chalmers regatta on Saturday, and provided the fixture is favoured with fine weather, there is no reason why it should not prove equally as successful as regattas on the Lower Harbour. A comprehensive programme of yachting, speed boat, and rowing events will be presented for the entertainment of the public, which is assured a thoroughly enjoyable day’s outing. NORTH-EAST HARBOUR CLUB The North-East Harbour Club shed is .bustling with activity at the present moment, members being busy sprucing up their boats in preparation for the Port Clialmers regatta on Saturday. The club held a very successful dance on Saturday last, the large crowd which put in an appearance proving that these dances have by no means decreased in popularity since the regatta dance. The next dance will be held on Saturday, January 16. The Club Committee will meet on Monday night to finalise in connection with “ Ladies’ Day,” to be held on Saturday, January 23, when two club races will be held, together with the race held over from the regatta, that for the 12ft 6in boats Frolic, Good Luck, and Harlequin. CRUISE TO AKAROA A thoroughly enjoyable cruise up the coast to Akaroa was undertaken early in the New Year by Mr J. Hudson in Jus boat the Tuatea, his companions being Messrs Joe Potter, T. Brooks, sen., and T. Brooks, jun. The Tuatea left Broad Bay at 5.20 p.m. on January 2 and proceeded to Port Chalmers, where Mr Potter was picked up, the Heads being cleared at 7 p.m. There was a north-easterly blowing at the time, accompanied by heavy rain. An outside course was set for Camaru, which was reached at 1 a.m. after a steady plug against a stiff north-easter and a moderate sea. On Sunday morning, at 10.30, the cruise was continued, the wind by this time having swung round to the south-east, bringing a following sea, whilst overhead conditions were dull. By mid-day, however, the sun broke through and conditions improved considerably, and after a pleasant run Timaru was reached at 3.30 p.m. During the latter part of the day Mr Hudson and his friends received several visits from the boating fraternity in the town, and next morning, at 9 o’clock, the Tuatea set out on the last stage of her northward journey. Bright sunshine prevailed, with hazy conditions ashore, Akaroa Hill being picked up at 2 p.m,, after which the boat was headed for the land, the anchor being dropped in Akaroa Harbour at 6.35 p.m. During the next three days several runs were made up Akaroa Harbour with a number of visitors on board, all of whom were considerably impressed by the efficiency of the launch. Friday morning, at 7 o’clock, saw the Tuatea leaving Akaroa on her homeward journey, a fresh north-west wind then blowing. This soon blew out. however, and for two hours a flat calm was experienced. Off the mouth of the Rangitita River there was a rapid change in the weather,_ a south-east gale springing up and kicking up a heavy sea. _ During the last hour of the passage to Timaru conditions were somewhat trying, but the launch behaved splendidly, the party arriving at Timaru well-pleased with her seaworthiness. Timaru was left at H a.m. on Saturday, and after a fairly pleasant run Oamaru was reached at 4.30 p.m. During the run a strong northerly current was experienced, this keeping the boat back considerably. The weather at Oamaru < was dull and cold, and after a few visitors had been entertained the party turned in early in preparation for the last stage of the cruise. Leaving Oamaru at 9.20 a.m. on Sunday, the southward run was commenced in a light north-east breeze and pleasant conditions generally, there being only a moderate sea. Off Waikouaiti Bay, however, the party received its first hint of fog, a bank being sighted to the northeast. It was realised that the launch could not make the heads before the fog came down, and when the fog finally caught the boat about six miles from the heads a south by east course was laid off, this being calculated to bring the launch somewhere near Heyward Point. As soon as tbe approximate distance had been logged, speed was decreased and the party felt its way inshore, the first breakers being seen off Long Beach. The Tuatea was then headed for Heyward Point, which was just visible through the fog. There was a strong north-east breeze blowing, with a nasty sea. After the point was rounded the launch made for the mole, all hands listening hard for the fog-horn, as the mole was invisible. Ihe note of the horn was heard about a minute before the mole was sighted, and the subsequent part of the homeward run was similar to the usual rum up the harbour in foggy conditions. The heads were entered at 2.30 p.m., after being outside for 20 minutes, so that the run from Oamaru was fairly good, showing that the boat could do the trip from Oamaru in about five hours. Mr Potter was dropped at Port Chalmers and the remainder of the party took the boat across to Broad Bay, where her moorings were P * Speaking to “Rudder” on Monday afternoon, Mr Hudson said that all on board enjoyed themselves thoroughly. The Tuatea showed herself to be an excellent all-round sea boat in heavy weather, whilst the trip, which, including the runs at Akaroa, covered about 400 miles in eight davs, was accomplished without the slightest engine trouble. Even during a heavy sea-way no one on board felt tue least discomfort through seasickness, the boat proving herself exceptionally steady and comfortable. Ihe navigating the cruise was carried °ut hy Mr Hudson and Mr Potter, whilst Mr Brooks, jun., attended to the engine and Mr Brookes, sen., supplied' the inner needs of the party.

SANDERS CUP CONTEST Looking very spruce, the Otago challenger for the Sanders Cup (Heather) was trucked for Wellington yesterday. Those who were entrusted with her preparation certainly made an excellent J b of it, and it is questionable whether the boat has ever before been in better condition. Her gear generally »s in perfect order, whilst great pains have been taken with the surface of her hull, with the result that she will be able to give of her best in the northern centre The crew (Messrs C. Pettitt, I. M'Grath, A. Shanks and R. Reynolds), accompanied by Messrs T. Anderson and W. Hewitt, the Otago delegates to the Sander Cup Conference, will leave by the through express this morning, and will arrive at Wellington with their boat to-morrow, so that they will have an opportunity of doing some preliminary work on the Wellington Harbour before Monday, when the contest commences. OTAGO YACHT CLUB The most spectacular series of races for yefehts and motor boats was staged last Saturday. Both races were keenly contested, and good entries were received. The H. P. Nees Memorial Cup Race is the best yacht race held on the harbour, and the winner, Mr Harry Nees, is to be congratulated on his success. is the first time Dawn has competed in this race, and, with a start from scratch, put up a creditable performance. When the boats were passing Maeandrew Bay it appeared as if the scratch boat was out of the race, the R.N.Y.R. whaler having a big lead, and small handicap boats being a long way back. Nearing Grassy Point, however, Dawn improved her position to such an extent that, once Broad Bay was entered, the issue was never in doubt. The Southern Star’s win in the race for the Moffat Cup was a popular one, her performance reflecting credit on the owner for the pains taken in her recent overhaul. A flash of speed always adds interest to a race, and Argo’s last spurt up the bay. when she passed three boats and beat Marewa by seconds for fifth place, was a spectacular part of the race. It is clear that she would have done better but for the roughened water, which held her back somewhat. The holidays attracted most of the boating men away to their favourite anchorages. Tuatea went farthest afield, travelling to Akaroa and back in eight days. Nell and Imp were at Purakanui for the holidays, Waitiri cruised to this haven for several days, and then proceeded to Karitane in company with Rewi for the

remainder of the vacations. Waitiri was unfortunate in striking'"rocks off Kantane bar, and breaking her tail shaft. Repairs were effected at Karitane, and Waitiri is now on the slip at the Boat Harbour for further inspection. Eileen, Tuatea, and Ailsa went ashore at Ross Point and Broad Bay on the night of January 1. Eileen fared worst. Her bottom suffered extensive damage, and it will prove a lug undertaking to effect repairs. Sadie iv. and Nomad suffered rudder trouble. During the week end Heather was seen from the Boat Harbour to capsize off Vauxhall. and, by the prompt action of Mr ONelson, the commodore’s launch (Thetis) proceeded to the assistance of the crew. On arrival they found that dinghies from Vauxhall had rescued the immersed men. Waitiri, Marie, Iron Duke, Stella, Eileen, and Rover are on the hard at the moment. ■ It was pleasing to see the launch Star having a short run after being idle for so long. The 14-footer Mavis is a welcome addition to the club’s fleet, and Mr P. Mathieson and his son have been seen sailing at various places on the harbour. Last night the Social Committee held its first dance for the year, and was favoured with a good crowd and a fine night. On Saturday another open air dance will be held, and these functions will be repeated on each Wednesday and Saturday evening until further notice. All boating men are urged to support their dance and bring their friends. Within the next week final arrangements will be made for the first combined clubs’ picnic. Sister clubs will be advised of the arrangements through these columns and by their delegates to the Picnic Conunittee.