AQUATICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 978, 3 December 1908, Page 11

AQUATICS.

The two big yawls Viking and Ilex have been launched at Devonport during the week.

The Wellington yacht Waitangi is due in Auckland shortly after Christmas, and will extend her cruise to the North Cape. She is now ketch-rig-ged, and has an auxiliary engine.

The Waiheke regatta will, as usual, take place on January 1.

Messrs. Logan Biros, are building two 14ft sailing dinghies for Messrs. Brown and R. Partridge. The Waitemata Dinghy Club will have quite a big fleet, as a number are being built in other yards.

Mr. Currie’s new 14ft racing dinghy has been completed by Messrs. Tyler and Harvey, and looks a fast little vessel.

Mr. J. L. R. Bloomfield is having a 14ft dinghy built for him, which should be ready in about a fortnight.

The New Zealand championship regatta takes place at Mercer on February 13. The A.R..A has appointed the following officials: —Judge, Mr. H. A. Marriner; umpire, Mr. J. Clark; starter, Mr. J. Maxwell; lion, treasurer, Mr. G. H. Reston; hon. secretary, Mr. W. W. Benjamin; Weighing Committee, Messrs. A. Busby and F. Best.

Mr. F. E. N. Crombie’s trophies will be competed for on Saturday, when the Auckland R.C. will hold trial fours.

The Manukau Yacht Club held the opening race on Saturday when fifteen boats started. Edna, 29min. led most of the way and won easy by ten minutes from Manola. smin. with Amahera, scratch in third p j ace.

The sculling race for the World’s Championship is causing much interest throughout the Dominion. Both Webb and Arnst are in hard training and each man has an army of supporters. A great fight is expected.

A big tournament' wil take pace at Whangarei on December 30, 31, January 1 and 2. in connection with the Whagarei Carnival.

The N.Z. championships will be held at Nelson on December 26, 28, and 29. ' '

THE RUDDER CUP.

In a recent issue attention was drawn to the fact that three of the conditions drawn up by the R.N.Z.Y.S. for this race were badly in need of revision. Two of these have now been altered, viz., the “ beam and length” clause, and the “ type of propeller” clause. The third one objected to, viz., the “ no sail clause,” still stands, in which, in my opinion, the rules committee have made a mistake. The amendments to the conditions published some time ago are as follows:— Conditions: This rule shall be read as follows: —“The race is for cruising motor boats of not less than 25ft waterline. Boats not exceeding 35ft waterline shall have a breadth at waterline of not less than one-fifth of the waterline length. Boats over 35ft waterline shall have a breadth at waterline of not less than 2-llths of the waterline length. A cruising boat is one built and used for cruising. It must have a cabin, and such cabin must contain sleeping, cooking, and general living accommodation.” Propellers: The clause in regard to the use of adjustable or reversing propellers has been deleted. Crew: The crew, which shall not be changed during the race, must consist of not less than four persons, two of whom must be paid hands. Steering and management of engines, amateurs only. In the event of the owner not being on board during the race, he must be represented by a member of a recognised club, and each owner or his representative will be required to deliver to the committee, before the start of the race, a list giving the names' and vocations of all the members of his crew. The committee also reserve the right to order that each competing boat carry an observer. For the purpose of this race an

amateur engineer shall include and mean a man who has never received any remuneration for his services, nor ■been actively concerned in the business of the manufacturing, selling, or running of oil engines. An owner of a competing boat shall be deemed to be an amateur for the purpose of working his own engine or steering his own boat. The course will be either from Queen-street Wharf round Sail Rock and back (115 knots), or else the rounding mark will be the Mare Bank buoy, Whangarei Heads (130 knots). Entries closed on Tuesday, when it was found that thirteen cruisers were ready to tackle the long trip. These are: Kotiro (12 h.p. Union), Floral (10 h.p. Frisco Standard), Alleyne (20 h.p. Lozier), Petrel (15 h.p. Standard), Maroro (15 h.p. Doman), Wanderer (12-16 h.p. Jersey Standard), Sea Bird (14 h.p. Regal), Matareka (25 h.p. Union), Vanora, Waipa (Imperial), Eliza (Kiwi), Winsome (12 h.p. Hercules), and Alice (10 h.p. Frisco Standard). This is a very satisfactory list, although no southerners have been entered as was hoped would be the case. The race takes place on December 12.