Yachting and Motor Boating

Progress, Volume VII, Issue 6, 1 April 1912, Page 1073

Yachting and Motor Boating

The Port Nicholson Yacht Club Ocean Race has been abandoned for this year, owing to the large number of still uns'ailed series races taking up the few remaining Saturdays when we might reasonably expect good weather. The day fixed for the Ocean Race to start was a dark, drizzly, mournful looking day with a light N.W. breeze, and a fairly high glass. The competitors were preparing to start, in fact the Alisa was already under weigh, when the receipt by the Commodore" of Mr. Bates' forecast of a S.E. gale with dirty weather, put the race completely out of court, and it was hurriedly postponed. We are extremely fortunate in having a friend in Mr. Bates, and his timely warning possibly saved lives on this occasion, for at nine o'clock the wind, which sure enough had changed to S.E., increased to a whole gale in force, and continued so all Sunday, while tremendous seas raced through the Strait and even large vessels were compelled to seek shelter. The auxiliary Taniwha, which had gone across early on Saturday morning had to remain in shelter at Port Underwood until the following Tuesday, and the crew spent an unpleasant time keeping anchor watch. The accommodation plans on this page give a very fair idea of the interior arrangements of the 29ft. auxiliary ketch the plans of which appeared in the last yachting number. It will be noticed that the small auxiliary engine is in a compartment aft, completely isolated or shut off from the cabin. Entry is obtained through a hatch on the starboard side of the bridge deck. Entering the cabin, by the companion hatch, on the port side is found the toilet room equipped with wash-basin piped from a fresh water tank in the counter, and a patent W.C. This space can also be used for hanging oilskins and seaboots. An airtight door shuts it off from the rest of the cabin, and ventilation is provided by screw ports in the side and after end of deckhouse. On the starboard side of the companion ladder is the galley with platform for a two burner oil stove, small sink with tap from fresh water tank and lockers for plates, dishes, etc. This compartment is similar to the one opposite, except that a curtain takes the place of a door. Forward of these is the main cabin, which has two comfortable sofa berths 28 inches wide, with lockers under, and a table hinged to the top of the centre hoard case. There is sft. 6in. headroom here. Through a sliding door in the forward bulkhead, access is obtained to the forecabin which contains two good built-in berths, with drawers under. The top drawer on the port side is a shallow one, in which charts may be stowed flat folded down the middle. It is a great boon to be able to work- at a flat chart, instead of one that rolls itself up every time it is let go

for a second. There is room under the deckhouse in this compartment to stand up and dress or undress, etc. The chain locker is forward of the mast, and right forward is a large shelf for stowage. _ The headroom under the deckhouse is sft 6in. practically throughout, but if the centreboard were done away with and about 18 inches keel added instead, the headroom could be increased to nearly

The new 22ft. deep keeler which Mr. Ted Bailey has under construction in his shed at the boat harbour is now rapidly nearing completion. The deckhouse is on, and most of the cabin fittings are in place. The keel will probably be cast on and the hull finished off: before Easter. It is rather a difficult matter to form a correct opinion of a boat in a shed, where one cannot stand off and look at her lines from all points of view, but from what I could see of her, she is a sturdy little craft, and should make a very comfortable cruiser. Her overhangs are moderate, and she has plenty of freeboard. Her bows and entrance are about as good as one could wish for beating to windward in a seaway. The midship section is easy and she carries

her length well, while the delivery proraises to he very clean. She shouldn’t drag any dead water with her. Altogether 1 think she will he very fast in a blow of, say, two reef strength and over, particularly to windward. Capably handled, in that sort of weather, she should heat ’her class, but I think there will be at least one boat to beat her in full sail breezes, Messrs. Sinton and Fisher, the N.Z. agents for Niagara engines, report sales

of their engines as being brisk, they having recently installed one 25 h.p., two eighteen*, and no less than five of the double cylinder 5 h.p.'s. A fresh consignment is to arrive shortly, some of which are already sold. A 35-foot hydroplane has just made her appearance at the Boat Harbour, "Wellington. She is the work of "Boy" White (owner of the Patiki '' Warehou'') and is a neat job and should show some bursts of speed when her 30 h.p. Ferro is tuned up to concert pitch. At present she is only doing about eleven miles, but it remains to be seen what she will do when she really gets going. She is painted a neat French grey and has a very wicked, speedy appearance.