YACHTING

Southland Times, Issue 22146, 14 October 1933, Page 15

YACHTING

(By

“Spinnaker.”)

The Estury is beginning to look brighter again with the appearance of several sails. There are now six of the yachts out and they are all looking very spic and span. The fitting-out prize, very generously donated by Mr W. Johnson seems to have stimulated the interest in this direction and it is to be hoped that the yachtsmen will continue to keep their craft in the acme of perfection throughout the season. Southland hopes to send a representative to the Sanders Cup Contest to be held at Lyttelton this year if public support is forthcoming and as everyone is very keen, the prospects are unusually bright. The Invercargill Boating Club is hoping to send a crew of two lads to the Cornwall Cup contest to be held at Dunedin early next year, and as there are now three Takapuna Class yachts on the Estuary, the boys may get plenty of experience in these fine little boats.

Jimmy Nelson has been working on the Una all winter making extensive alternations to the keel. He has cut the original keel and garboard off and has fitted a new sin. jarrah keel about 4ins. higher. Jimmy expects to be out on the 20th. ready for the Club jaunt on Labour Day. Norway has also received her share of attention and George Vik has given

the deck more camber and has covered it with canvas. He has obtained a new suit of sails for her and they should improve her performance greatly. Suzctte seems very slow in starting. Snowy Robertson has burnt her off but Roy Leask has not started to fit her out yet although most of the other boats are out. Vic Jackson has started painting and fitting out the Ariel and it is hoped she will be out for Labour Day. She should prove to be a keen competitor with the other boats if sailed consistently this year. Rosita is in the Rowing Club’s shed being done up by Mick Pascoe. It is also hoped that this craft will be sailed more consistently this year than she was last.

Huia was launched on Monday evening and, by her appearance her crew have left no stone unturned in order to get the best out of her. The yacht racing season in England is now nearing its end, and it will not be long now until the big yachts will be pulled up for the winter and annual overhaul, ready for the coming season. Shamrock V, the late Sir Thomas Lipton’s “America’s Cup” challenger, now owned by Mr- T. O. M. Sopwith was recently dismasted during a race at the Bournemouth Regatta. This proved very hard luck for her owner because it not only means the great expense of a new mast but also rendered the yacht unable to finish the season’s racing. Velsheda, Mr W. L. Stevenson’s new J class yacht has proved a great success. It seems probable that if a challenge is placed for the America’s Cup next season she will take that historic trophy home as she is looked on as a fast boat by American yachtsmen. Incidentally Shamrock has had her sail area cut down and has been given some more ballast with the result that she is no longer scratch boat. Velsheda allows her two and a half minutes over a 40 mile course.

It is pleasing to note that yachting is becoming very popular in other parts of the province and if regattas are held in the various centres throughout the season some very keen racing should ensue. The Southland boats came together three times last season and the racing was of great interest both to the yachts and the general public.