AT THE SIGN OF THE PENNANT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 260, 24 January 1928, Page 14

AT THE SIGN OF THE PENNANT

BY

KEELSON

Personalities Afloat

MR. G. E. LAY COCK, Secretary Akarana Yacht Club George E. Laycock, secretary of the Akarana Yacht Club, has been Intimately connected with the sport of yachting: for upward of 25 years. As one of the chroniclers of Auckland's aquatic activities he comes into close contact with the majority of the Waitemata's boatmen, and really needs no introduction.

“George,” as his friends know him, first began sailing in the old Waitemata Dinghy Sailing Club’s 14-foot-ers in the early years of this century. As is gathered from the title of that club, the boats used were the precursors of the 14-foot classes as now known here. Mr. Laycock served a sound apprenticeship in these

boats before taking on yachting in larger craft. 1914 he and some others purchased the 36-foot keeler Mahaki and raced in her with considerable success. This yacht is still in commission on the harbour under different ownership. When the war broke out Mr. Laycock got into khaki and went to England. Here he obtained a transfer to the navy in the motor-launch section. Many of the younger generation of Auckland yachtsmen are not aware that over 200 of the older hands served in the English Channel and the North Sea in the famous M.L.’s, whose job it was to hunt down enemy submarines, besides other duties where .speed was vital. The practical knowledge of handling boats and a familiarity with the sea gained by these young sailors from the Waitemata proved invaluable when boating for pleasure gave place to sterner things. Georgr, Laycock became a lieutenant in charge of an M.L. Like all the others who were in the war he has nothing to say about his part in it. Arrived back in New Zealand in 1919, he sailed in Speedwell for some time, but subsequently gave up regular sailing to give his time to recording the doings of others. It is difficult to realise how much he has done per medium for his pen for the sport. He is naturally reserved and little can be got out of him. Mr. Laycock has been a member of the Akarana Yacht Club for over 20 years, p*id has beeA a committeeman for a large part of that time. He has held the office of secretary for three years and before that was assistant-secretary. For 18 years he has served on the Auckland Anniversary Regatta Committee. In addition he has been the local representative of the Russell Regatta .-Club, which body has ‘recently been affiliated with the Auckland Yacht and Motor-Boat Association. It was due mainly to Mr. Laycock’s persistent efforts that the Russell Club has at last received official recognition by the association. A prime mover in the securing of the site for the new clubhouse for his club, he has done a great deal to push the scheme and bring it to fruition. In recognition of his services he has been an honarary member of the Richmond Cruising Club for two years. Off and on for many years Mr. Laycock has written the aquatic column of this paper’s morning contemporary, and at one time contributed to “The Sportsman,” under the style of “Halyard.” LAUNCH NOMENCLATURE While cruising in the direction of Coromandel during the holidays a party of yachtsmen was highly amused to see a launch come creeping into harbour bearing the apologetic inscription, “Excuse Me,” painted on her bows. Everybody thought it a very rum sort of name and had a good laugh at the owner’s originality in the choice of a name for his command. But that was not all. Meekly following in its parent’s footsteps swished a rude little dinghy. “Mee, Too,” was its name. That reminds one of two Maori fishing launches that used to hunt together on the Kaipara Harbour in days gone by. These two old fish baskets were inseparables. Everybody knows the Maori has a keen sense of humour. Launch No. 1 rejoiced, like its Coromandel sister, in the name of “Excuse Me.” The other chugged along behind saying to everybody, “Beg Pardon.”

SPIRIT OF THE RACE DUEL BETWEEN BIG YACHTS Mr. W. P. Burton, the well-known successful amateur racing skipper, and owner of the 19-metre boat Octavia, tells the following incident which took place in a duel between the 19-metre racers Octavia and Mariquita in the Royal Southern Yacht Club’s race off Calshot. Mr. Burton’s success as a helmsman is so well known in England that he was chosen by Sir Thomas Lipton to sail Shamrock IV. in the America Cup race. “Octavia had the best of the start, and with luck, or good sailing, soon got a couple of minutes ahead,” said Mr. Burton. “Barring accidents, it looked as if we had the race fairly well in hand. “However, a sudden shift in the wind brough Mariquita close up, and then, after rounding the middle buoy with spinnakers up, we had a rare set-to down the wind. “First, she threatened one side, then the other, and it took all the knowledge I am supposed to possess to keep her behind. With a strong tide, however, it was a quick passage to the Solent Banks buoy. When just about there, it looked as if Octavia was safe to round first, and sheets were got in for the gybe and close-haul to follow. “Captain Wringe, Mariquita’s skipper, sails a hard race, and takes every inch out of the rules—certainly more than any amateur would do in similar circumstances. Mind you, I make no complaint. He is well known for his iron nerves, and if anything is wrong it is the wording of the rules. Be that as it may, he swung across my stern and secured an overlap, certainly before I had the buoy abreast of me, but with that tide I do not think five seconds elapsed, and what would have happened if I had been unable to bear away I hardly care to contemplate. Suffice it to say, I just did, and gave him room; he got round neatly while I shat 100yds past before I could complete my gybe. “Then commenced the windward work against the tide. Wringe on my weather had me fast, and evidently intended to keep me so, but I had intentions, too, and I could call the tune. So, without a moment’s hesitation, I broke tack, only to be followed like a shot by Mariquita. “ ‘Break tack again,' was the order, and so we did again, and again, and again. I think it is no exaggeration to say we made a hundred tacks in as many minutes. ' “Each tack Octavia gained an inch, until at last Wringe was a trifle slow and Octavia just had her wind clear, or nearly so. Then Mariquita was sailed along, till once again Octavia was all smothered, and this time it did look as if it were all up. But we were nothing daunted, and my crew, still confident and obedient to my smallest whim, heard me whisper: ‘Ease off jib and staysail.* This done, Octavia dropped back. “ ‘AH clear, sir,* cried the mate —he knew the game. ‘Lee, oh!' and Octavia was round like a top; Mariquita, too, but not quick enough. We had our wind clear this time. “ ‘Now sail her by the wind,' my skipper said, “and she should draw through.” “ ‘Sail her full and cover him!' One could almost read the thoughts in Wringe’s set face—and he did—yes, he did —coming down very close to us. “ ‘Octavia has fouled us,' ” shouted Mariquita’s crew. • / * # ‘Has she?* asked her owner, Mr. Stothert. ‘Where?’ “ ‘Why, his crosstrees caught our yankee sheet’ (an extra sheet from end of topsail yard). “Then came out the good sportsman in Mr. Stothert. ‘Give up,’ he ordered, for he knew the rules. ‘lt was our duty to keep clear,’ he owned. “And thus Octavia won what I think was the best and hardest race I ever sailed in my life.” WITH THE KEELERS The keeler fleet had a rendezvous at Kawau on Saturday; the weather was as nearly perfect for cruising: as may be hoped for, and the scene in Bon Accord with white wings spread by Viking, Ilex, lorangi, Kotiri, Thelma and Ariki masking the warships in the background would have graced any collection of marine pictures. The bay and the strand were a mass of movement all day Sunday owing to the arrival of a steamer load of visitors from town and leave men from the warships. The return trip was made under lovely conditions. Mr. E. H. Northcroft remained at Kawau. Rang! and Ida apparently made for Surfdale on Saturday.

POINT CHEVALIER HOLDS EVENING RACES SEA ROVER WINS FIRST EVENT The first of a series of three races was held last evening by the Point Chevalier Sailing Club for 14-foot flatties. The series is being conducted as a competition for a mainsail given by Mr. P. D. Leah. The boat to gain the highest number of points in the three races will take the trophy. Three points are awarded for a win, two for a second and one for a third. Last evening’s race was contested over the usual club course, once round. Starting at 7 p.m., the boats completed the race before dark. The event proved very popular, and opens possibilities in after-tea yachting. Other clubs might well follow Point Chevalier’s enterprise. Finishing times were:—Sea Rover (scr), 7hr 59min 3sec: Sea Elf (scr), Bhr 3min 21see; Sea King (lmin 15sec), Bhr lmin 2sec; Lone Star (2min), ■ Bhr 4min 28sec; Ivy (4min), Bhr 23min; Doreen D. (Bmin), Bhr 14min. Result: Sea Rover 1 Sea King .. .. . 2 Lone Star .. .. 3 The second race will begin this evening at seven o’clock, and the third will take place to-morrow evening. SPEED-BOAT RACES FOR MASPORT CUP AUCKLAND NOT REPRESENTED The Masport Cup, New Zealand speed-boat championship trophy, was : retained by the local boat, the J. and J„ at the Wanganui regatta yesterday, reaching at times a speed of 50 miles an hour. Picton's challenger was third. In a subsequent race the former hit a floating log and was serious damaged, and the latter had engine trouble. The Auckland champion. Miss Akatana, won all outboard motor-boat events. In the Hatrick Challenge Cup for outboards Miss Akarana (scr.) was second in the first heat owing to trouble during the race, but won the second and third heats, finishing up with eight points to win the cup. Baby Joy was third in the second heat and the third heat. Miss Akarana was far superior in speed to any other competitors, her best time being 7m 45s for the three miles, or 23.2 m.p.h. (fresh water). The greatest interest centred in the Masport Cup race owing to the entry of J. Lane, the well-known Picton boat-builder, of a 20ft boat with a 150 h.p. Hall-Scott engine. The local boats were J. and J. (holder) and Kotuku, both well known in Auckland, and One Step. J. and J. early established a lead and won by 12s from Kotuku, the Picton boat coming in 2m later. The cup wasa apresented by Mr. W. A. Veitch, M. 8., who said all regretted the absence of Auckland boats and hoped at the next regatta to see Fleetwing and the others back again. An additional race for outboards again saw Miss Akarana win comfortably in fast time. The presence of Auckland competitors greatly added to the public interest in the day’s sport, and the win was a very popular one. AKARANA’S CLUBHOUSE SO NEAR AND YET SO FAR Akarana Yacht Club’s new clubhouse standing at Campbell s Point is rapidly nearing Completion and when the final touches are made the building will be a possession to be proud of. It is a roomy structure of two floors, on the second storey of which is a fine social room and commodious balcony from which a comprehensive view of the harbour can be obtained. At present the building stands at the edge of the tide, but when certain harbour works are completed the clubhouse will be a couple of chains from the waterfront on its northern side. Concrete facings for a sea-wall are being constructed and the area between that and the building is to be reclaimed. That is rather unfortunate for the club, which looks as if it is going to be left high and dry, not financially, let it be added. While a fairly good view of last Saturday’s yacht racing could be obtained from the balcony, the starting line seemed to be too far off to allow a close inspection of the races as they started and finished. If at some future date the balcony could be extended round the east side of the clubhouse, a greatly superior view would be obtained. It seems that the courses chosen for Saturday were the only ones that can be selected in reasonable proximity to the So it will be almost imperative at some time to continue the grandstand, as it were, nearer to the centre of operations. At present the new building is rather inaccessible from the city unless patrons are ready to undertake a longish walk, provided they do not own cars. Doubtless when the new railway station is in working order buses will serve the locality. Until then it is rather a long and. dusty road to Akarana’s hospitality. OLA IV .HAS STAR RACE ALL OWN WAY The star class race on Saturday was started under what might be classed as ideal conditions for stats. The trial, though it commenced well, made a poor finish; Ola having it all her own way. At the start June lay over to the south shore and Moa and Ola followed for a time until Moa went on the starboard tack, forcing Ola round; they hung as if tied together for a spell, and rounding the Sandspit beacon all three were bunched together. Off Devonport Wharf Ola acQuired a puff of wind, of which full advantage was taken, and a lead established; the other boats seemed to lack heart and never caught up again. Seeing that the crew of Ola have at times sailed June into first place, there is no great difference in the boats, and it is a pity that this class cannot supply better finishes. AVALON SELECTED It hardly comes as a surprise to Auckland boatmen that Avalon has been chosen by the selectors to represent Auckland In the forthcoming Sanders Cup contest at Stewart Island next month. Though she appears not quite so dependable as Bona on the wind, she is her rival’s superior with the breeze coming astern. Built in 1926 by Messrs. C. Bailey and Sons for Mr. F. Clarke, Avalon has competed in two previous contests. In 1926 she represented Auckland at Dunedin, but was beaten by Betty. Last year she was taken to Hawke’s Bay and represented that province in the contest at Lyttelton, but failed to win the cup. Three trial races have been held in Auckland for the purpose of selecting a challenger, two races being won by Avalon and one by Bona. The Auckland skipper and crew have not yet b«M2TS choflun.

WELLINGTON REGATTA The Wellington yachting regatta was held yesterday in ideal weather. .Wellesley 11., the Wellington Sanders Cup representative, won the General Handicap from the scratch mark. All Black (scr.) was second, 15s. later. Ailsa (3min.) won the first-class yachts’ handicap. The 18-foot class was won by Wellesley I. (30s), which heat Wellesley 11. (scr.) by 2s. The race for launches was won by Kereru (4m.), and that for keel yachts by Ailsa (scr.), who beat Marangi (scr.) by 9s. The Takapuna class was won by Wairuna.