Personalities Afloat

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 208, 22 November 1927, Page 16

Personalities Afloat

MR. LEO A. BOVZAll). One of the best known and most popular yachtsmen sailing the Manuka u is a quiet young man with a pleasant smile. He is Leo A. Bouzaid, owner of the yacht Waiapu, and a member of the Manukau Cruising Club. Mr. Bouzaid is also well known as joint manager of a, large firm of sailmakers in the city. He has been a committeeman of his club since its inception and has always taken a prominent part in its activities both ashore and afloat. f or several years ho has been for’ard nantl on various boats, Gipsy, Mystery, Elsinore, Madie. Zelda and Hetty, and became skipper of the old»uner Karo, a 20ft. ‘•ilnker-built yacht, in which he and his crew had many enjoyable cruises. Two seasons ago he bought a 14-footer >quare-bilge boat, Lone Star, for £B. She was said by all to be a dud. Mr. FJouzaid believed in his purchase—-and obtained a place in every race cut one. hast season he won two cups in one race, the championship under 15 feet • :nd the Fearon Cup for the second time. At that time there was another fast boat on the Manukau, Sea Toiler. There was a great deal r f discussion among yachtsmen as to which was the faster. Accordingly Mr. Bouzaid received a challenge wager-ng Sea Toiler against Lone Star for £SO. The contest was sailed in heavy weather, and Lone Star, with Mr. Bouzaid at the tiller, defeated its rival by ever 12 minutes. During the progress of the race Sea Toiler blew out her jib and had to set a storm sail. Noticing the mishap, Mr Bouzaid made for a launch following the race and passed aboard a spare jib to be handed to his rival That sportsmanlike act is characteristic of this unassuming yachtsman, who is one of the buttresses of a progressive club. “ONE GOOD TURN—” Last week in these columns appeared the story of the rescue of the ■\Vaitemata’s two yachtswomen by the gallant crew of the mullet boat Wild Wave. It will be recalled that their yacht Tulip capsized off Kauri Point la the smart breeze then prevailing. Now, just a week later, the position Is reversed. Among the several capsizes which occurred on Saturday was the overturning of a Z class boat off Orakei.

The three young occupants had the oideal of clinging for half an hour to their submerged craft. Already fatigued by strenuous racing earlier in tlio afternoon, the trio were almost ready to let go and perish, when along came a launch, not a prosaic Harbour Board launch, or even a police patrol boat. No, it was something far more romantic than either. On board this launch were girl rescuers, scholars of the Auckland Grammar Schools, ?5- of them, returning from an outing, two mistresses and the captain. The shivering young men were dragged aboard by the captain, helned by willing girlish hands, but not without great difficulty and some danger. Then followed vigorous massaging work, which soon had the chilled yachtsmen aglow. The schoolgirls clothed the rescued in their blazers and did everything possible for their comfort.

SEASON OPENS ON MANUKAU CRUISING CLUB’S BOATS The season on the western harbour opened with plenty of breeze when the cruising club held its races on Saturday. If the same weather holds throughout, yachtsmen 'will have nothing to complain about. The winner of the yacht race, Sea Horse, sailed a good race, and her win was a popular one, as bad luck followed her all last season, and this is her first win. Sylvia is sailing well this season, and made up a lot of leeway, but was beaten by Gmins. The new arrivals. Sea Gnome and Watapu did well considering that M. 1,. Bouzaid has not got the trim of the Waiapu yet, and the Sea Gnome struck the banks several times. The cruising club has been presented with yet another cup, which makes 11 this club possesses In the five years it has been going. This is a cup presented by Mr. H. Massey as a challenge trophy, open to all bouts belonging to the club, and will be eagerly sought after. This club has also been fortunate in having generous donors, and the prizes this year are even better than last. One special fixture is to be raced next Saturday, when yachts will race under sealed handicaps for Mr. R. Brown’s £ 5 prize. There is also a fourth prize for yachts in each race, a Joint of meat, presented by the local butcher. Mr. Chalmers. Mr. G. Herbert had hard luck with his airplane engine, breaking a cylinder the first time out, but he hopes to have her ready for next Saturday, and expects to get 25 to 30 knots out

of her. The Maidie crew has suffered with sickness, and she was not ready for last Saturday, but expects to be down* next Saturday. The number of working launches taking part in the racing this season calls for a special race for them, and this the cruising club intends to do. Merry Jest is still up on the hard, and by the look of her will not race this season. The YVaiapu was noticed being used as a mud plough in the basin last week, all sail set, and tearing the mud up, in about a foot of water. Myra will be down during the week, and speculation is rife as to how she will shape against her old rival, the Aoma.

The yacht club will hold its opening next Saturday, when harbour races for yachts and launches will be held.