YACHTING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1360, 10 February 1912, Page 12

YACHTING.

[Br Maixsiikfx] OVER THE STRAIT IN AN HOUR, To-day—P.K.Y.C. Handicap Races for first and second-class yachts. Saturday, February 17—P.K.Y.C. Picnic. Saturday, February 24— Ocean Race. The Craft Which Will Do It. Mr. "Hoy" White has in course of const ruction a very formidable-looking hydroplane. It is expected that this speedy nffsiir will be ready about Easter, and will attain a speed ot eighteen knots—across tho Strait in- an hour! Saturday's Racing. For yacht racing, the breeze on Saturday alternoon last could not have be™ ■better. There were not many yachts competing, but the racing was interesting. A well-deserved win went to Muritai. She made no mistakes, and her windward work was especially good. Under an experienced "skipper'' this packet has now proved herself under ail weather conditions to be a very capable performer. Siren, filling second place, sailed a very good race from start to finish. She is the most consistent performer to date. Nancy Stair was third. Sho was receiving 38 minutes from the scratch boat in her class, and 8 minutes from Muritai, and she took several minutes longer to complete the course than did the limit boat in the second class. Why the Nancy Stair is in the first class is hard to understand. Ailsa wns somewhat disappointing. Siren, to whom she was conceding 2 minutes, beat her on actual sailing time. Ihe Waitangi on Saturday registered what is perhaps her worst performance since sho has been in these waters. Her windward work was bad, and why her sailing master jammed her so is a problem. Certainly her topsail was not setting very well, but why was it not taken off? In the second-class, Amai surprised all. On actual sailing time she easily beat the whole of tho field. To mako'a mistake in rounding a buoy was rather unfortunate for her, but rules touching these matters must be enforced. The other competitors in this class all sailed well, particularly the Rawene. Ihe Taipari was short-handed. Over a Boat Harbour, The Harbour Board at Auckland, in deciding to establish a boat harbour at Purnell, does not seem to have pleased the Auckland yachtsmen. Tho Ponsonby Club wrote stating that a splendid boa't harbour could be built close to their club-house; the Victoria Club has decided that a boat harbour at Parnell would not be of much use to their club; and the Richmond Club suggested that, as the proposed «ito is not satisfactory to them, it does not much matter about building a harbour at all. hi commenting on the situation, "Tho Now Zealand Yachtsmen" says:—"Each club naturally wants a boat harbour convenient to its club-houso or mooring ground, but, while admitting that this would be tho best way of all, yet we think that it is asking too much for a. start. Let us get a boat harbour of some kind, and wherever the Harbour Board will make it; the main thing, to our mind, is to get one. We think all the clubs should write to the Harbour Board and help along the boat harbour scheme, even if it did not directly benefit their club, for when wo once get one in full swing, its advantages will bo apparent to all, and we should then have a better chance of getting others, but at present we want a boat harbour very badly, and hopo no obstnclo will be placed in the way of getting one." Round Slip and Shed. The Mahina, at present Sounds cruising, will probably return on Monday. The Port Nicholson Club will decide tin! third races in the second series this afternoon. According to reports, Mr. Birnie's newboat Wylo is pretty fast. It would be interesting to see her amongst the Erstclass competitors.