YACHTING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 1, 2 January 1936, Page 3

YACHTING

1 Bi;

"MAINS'L"

Members of the Wanganui Sailing Club who participated in last Saturday ’s activities are unanimously of the opinion that the afternoon provided some thrilling sport, the best experienced since the 1935-36 season opened.

After a succession of disappointing Saturdays, with little or no wind, the good, strong westerly which prevailed practically throughout the week-end came as a welcome change. Actually, Saturday was one of the club’s “off” day*’. The last of the scheduled 1935 races was held on .the previous Saturday, and there was to be no more racing until the New Year. But the opportunity was too good to miss and a sealed handicap sweepstake, distance six miles, was organised for all boats wishing to make good use of the fresh westerly. The race was a thrilling spectacle from start to finish. All the boats made a good start and with the exception of Neptune were quickly off the mark. Neptune’s skipper lost 30 seconds trying to take up a windward position. Avalon and Eve soon went out on the lead, closely followed by Spra<y, Neptune, Comet and V aleta. By the time the boats reached the oil wharf they were well served by wind, tide and choppy water; ideal conditions for bringing out good seamanship. It was at this stage that Valeta met trouble. She was carrying too much sail and in no time found herself on the training wall. Eventually she succeeded in clearing the wall and made a fresh attempt to reach the bottom buoy, but several minutes had been lost and bv this time the remainder of the boats were well ahead. Eve having taken the lead, followed by Avalon, Neptune, Spray and Comet. Betoie rounding the buoy, Neptune overhauled Avalon. The little white-winged crait were now running before the wind, with Valeta, having negotiated the buoy, bringing up the rear. '['he wind at this juncture was very strong, but perhaps no boat had tlus fact more forcibly brought home than Eve. The vesel endeavoured to get her spinnaker out and after several attempts succeeded in getting it set—but not for long. When abreast of the top end of Putiki wall she broached-to, and. rolling over on her side, filled wUh water. Nothing daunted her crew soon had her on even keel and were bailing rapidly. Eve provided one c-f the highlights'of the race and was under way again in a comparatively short time. She actually finished third, a particularly meritorious performance. Spray, Neptune and Avalon were striving .to take the lead as they approached the top buoy and the race became even more exciting. s P ra Y’ handled well by her skipper (Bishop) rouuded the buoy first. Neptune, Avalon and Comet followed in that order, but on the beat down Spray was overtaken by Neptune. This boat was the first to make the bottom buoy, but was again overtaken by Spray on the run home. The latter was running with her spinnaker set across her bow, an advantage in view of the fact that Neptune had her mainsail only. 1 erhaps if the Neptune had set. her spinnaker she may have taken first place, though Skipper Bishop was certainly putting up a good performance and w-as aided by a for’ard hand who knew his job. Neptune was also handicapped b} not being able to shake out her reef. On the second round Spray rounded the top buoy first, with the Neptune close behind." Avalon, however, unfortunately fouled the buoy and reined from the race. Valeta, once more unluckv had capsized on the run homo and'only four boats now remained m the contest. Co-met retired after completing the third round. On the beat down to the bottom buoy Neptune again, beat Spray, but the latter again took the lead on the run home and won in record time. It was a deserving win and the reward for good sailing. Neptune also made fast time and was the second boat to pass the finishing line. Eve finished third. Rio would also have started in this race but became involved in a spin before the gun went and had the misfortune to be swamped. The race was well contested, each boat’s crew displaying good seamanship and aeepting set-backs in the best of spirits. At this stage it is only fitting to make s£tne reference to the passing of the old"year and the coming of the new. The year just ended has marked a further step in the development_ of the Wanganui Sailing Club. It has witnessed the end of one successful season and the beginning of another. The Wanganui River is becoming a favourite week-end holiday resort fur many enthusiastic young yachtsmen, all the more keen because they have built their own boats. The club, however, is not unmindful of the help and support of those interested in a clean, healthy sport and to all its friends extends best wishes for a bright arid prosperous New Year. “Mains’l” also takes this opportunity of wishing the Wanganui Sailing Club and its members success and prosperity. The Bule of the Road at Sea. The Rule of the Road at Sea is international in its application and observed by vessels large and small It was formed' principally with the object of preventing collisions at sea and though brought into operation man) years ago is still in force to-day. ine rules set down are necessary, not on y to ocean-going and' coastal vessels, .u also to yachts and small craft, lor this reason they have been adopted by all yachting and sailing clubs, and an infringement while a race is in P r °' gress renders the offending boat haole to disqualification. The following extracts from the Rule of the Road at Sea are worthy of mention here:— 1. A vesel running free snail keep out of the way of a vesel which is close-hauled. , , , 2. A vessel which is close-hauled on the port tack shall keep out of the way of a vessel which is close-hauled on "the,starboard tack. 3. When both are running tree with the wind on different sides, the vessel which has the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the other. 4. When both are running free with the wind on the same side, the vessel which is to windward shall keep out of the way of the vessel which is to leeward. , ■ , 5. A vessel which has the wind att must keep out of the way of any other. 6. A vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the overtaken vessel. 7. A steam vessel shall keep out ot

the wav of a sailing vessel. 8. When by these rules any of two vessels is directed to keep out of the way, the other shall keep her course and speed. 9. Every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of another shall, if circumstances admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other.—lt is usual to give way to a boat obviously making for its moorings. It should always be remembered that in a narrow channel it is sometimes impossible for a steamer to change her course without 'risk of grounding. The following terms and expressions should be familiar to all young men:—-Port.-—The left side of the boat, looking forward. {Starboard. —The right side, looking forward. Sailing on the Tort Tack. —With the wind on the port bow. Sailing on the Starboard Tack. —With the wind on the starboard bow. The Weather Side.—The side from which the wind is coming. A’weather. —On the weather side, A’lee. —On the lee side. To Port Your Helm. —To- put your tiller towards the port side. Halliards. —The ropes by which the sails are hoisted. Sheets.—The ropes by which Jtha angle of the sails to the wind nJEontrolled. To Belay.—To make fasK