Yachts And Yachting.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19238, 27 November 1930, Page 14

Yachts And Yachting.

Racing at Redcliffs. Races for two classes of yachts were held at Redcliffs last Saturday, wh'en a light northerly with a flood tide made ideal sailing - conditions, although a stronger breeze would have pleased the racing enthusiasts more. A good field started in each event, nearly all the club’s fleet taking part. in the A class, Gazelle sailed a good race under conditions which do not generally suit her. The other places went to back-markers also, Seamfew and Secret. being second and third. In the B class the unusual position arose of a dead-heat for first place, Playmate and Fidget sharing the honours, with Joyette third. L. Scuffell’s new Takapuna type Vida also started in this, her maiden race but was unable to complete the course. Tire .Christchurch Club now has four Takapuna boats on its register, so that the trials this year against the Pleasant Point representatives should provide some good racing. Sanders Cap. Already trials have been held in Wellington and Dunedin to select representatives to compete in the Sanders Cup contest in Dunedin on February 17 next. In the Dunedin trial, Eileen, present houier of the trophy, was beaten by squib, ;, n older boat not generally considered to be in the cup class. Racing conditions were flukey, so that little importance can be attached to the result. George Kellett, lor many years skipper d Otago’s representative, has now ful--I,ll;arJ‘is oft-expressed wish to retire, and Eileen i.s this vear being sailed by Alan Hunter a promising youth who has lor some years sailed the 14-footer Eunice with considerable success n Dunedin.

In Wellington a fleet of six took part in the first trial, which was won by Betty, the boat which won th'e Sanders Cup three times for Canterbury, and was sold to a Wellington man early this year, after winning the championship of Auckland Harbour at the Anniversary Regatta. Betty is being sailed by A. Johnson, a crack Sydney skipper, who has had much experience in small boat sailing over the Tasman. Wellington this year is showing greater keenness than ever in Sanders Cup affairs, and with six or seven boats available for the trials, Including such yachts as Wellesley I. and 11., interest is running high. Betty at present seems to be tlie favourite, but as thv» first trial was sailed under fresh full-sail conditions that showed her at her best, there is yet time to see her position challenged. New Auxiliary Cruiser Launched. On Saturday, Mr G. G. Andrews launched his new 40ft auxiliary ketch, which has been a prominent feature on the foreshore at Redcliffs for many months past. The new boat has been under construction for some twelve months, and no care has been spared to make her as sound and seaworthy as i.s possible. During the morning the big craft was drawn down on rollers until it was anticipated that a sufficient depth of water would bv« found, and was finally drawn off at high water, late in the performed in tin* time-honoured way by Mrs C. .1. Treleaveu, and the boat was then removed-to a position, in- the channel opposite, where shte is to j-emain until the fitting up is completed and the rigging and power plant, which is a .40 h.p. Thorney. .to ft engine, are installed.

The principal dimensions of the new boat are: Length 41ft, beam lift, draught 4ft 6in. It i.s intended to uso the new craft for cruising purposes, both around the Peninsula and up and down the New Zealand coastline. The launch Seabird, at one time engaged in the Lyttelton to Port Levy ferry service, which was acquired by the Waimakariri River Trust a few seasons ago, left Redcliffs on Tuesday morning. -She has had an extensive owrhaul, and it is intended to use her in the trust’s work under the Waimakariri scheme. Seabird crossed Sumner bar a little before the top of the tide, and continued on to cross the Waimakariri bar without mishap.