YACHTING.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1693, 8 March 1913, Page 12

YACHTING.

[By Main'sheet.] MANA ISLAND & OCEAN RACE. Why .'not Round it Mext Time? ~ It was proposed sonie time ago that, the Port. Nicnohon. Yacht Club's ocean race should take place i-cuh'd Jlanii Island and back, instead of to Port "Underwood and black. To "MainsheetV'.way of thinking thero is much to be lor the new course. There would be uioi'e windward work for one thing, thus forming a better test of the boats thon the presbnt course to Port Underwood, which may be a reach both ways. Then the distanco is longer': the Port Underwood coiirse is only • about 8:1 miles, whilst the course, round Jlana is a full hundred miles—possibly a littlq more than a hundred miles—but the exact figures are not in hiy possession at present., . ( As a further argument in favour of the Mana course, there is, excellent shelter at ?hnu Bay, on the other side of Cape erawhiti, in,southerly weather, and this is generally the quarter from which the heaviest weather is experienced in the Strait. I believe that the proposal was "turned dow.ii". by the P.N.Y.C., but. they would do well to consider the advisability of giving it a trial next year. There is deep water, all round Mana Island,, and I should imagine that, it would he easier work finding tho way round this place than in and out of Port Underwood on a cloudy night. In.view, too, of ocean races held in other parts of the world over a hundred-mile course,, it would be an excellent plan to have one ready here in the event of a cup being donated for tlint purpose. Whei-e was Viking? It is a matter for regret that this fine old packet did not .see fit to compete in the. Port Undervvood race. One .would have thought that the winner of the Ml ocean race would have made an effort to bo at the.starting linn. It is reported that her owners arrived too late with the Viking's entry. Surely! A Cruise to Island Bay. On Sunday last a light nor'-wester w,u blowing, but this increased later to a nice fresh breeze. Ailsa, Wairere 11, and White Heather took advantage of the Kprtnking breeze blowing to run round tu Island Hay. On the return the wind had freshened considerably, ami the boats enjoyed a good dusting bra ting up Ilia entrance. Wairere II finished a long way

ahead of tho other two boats, which were double-reefed, although they started from Island Bay together. Boat Harbour Gossip. The ladies' race takes place to-day, and as there are some redoubtable exponents of "helmsmanship" amongst the fair sailors of Wellington, there should be not a littlo interest created in this event. Mr. E. Bailey has laid the keel of a new 80ft. launch for some Maori olients. The well-known old-time third-class boat Knraka has changed hands once more, Messrs. Garrard and Co., owners of tho 'Maris, being the purchasers. The Motor Boat Club held a most successful outing on Sunday, last at that popular resort of yachtsmen, Lowry Bay. Tho launches proceeded round the northcm side of Somes Island, led by tho Commodore (Mr. Downes's) launch Naomi. It is reported by cable from Australia that an ocean race is proposed from New Zealand to Australia. Further news of this interesting event, will be awaited with interest by yachtsmen in the Dominion. An inter-State (Australian) championship is also proposed amongst tho smaller classes. The sympathies of all yachtsmen will go out lo Mr. W. Brooke Taylor in the loss of his wife, which occurred last Sunday.