YACHTING

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 31, 6 February 1932, Page 18

YACHTING

Bit "Mainsail"

ENDURANCE TESTS

CORNWELL CUP RACES

FINE SHOWING MADE

If it has proved nothing else, the Cornwell Cup contest this year has amply demonstrated that the future of the sport Ss safe in the hands of the competing crews, and others of their generation. The races have been endurance tests for. the most part in moderate to fresh northerly breezes, and with a sea quite unsuited to the Takapuna class; yet, considering the number of competitors, there have been comparatively few capsizes. It has been freely admitted that the prevailing conditions would probably have troubled the 14-footers. In such circumstances, therefore, it is distinctly gratifying to the supporters of the Takapuna class to find the majority of the boats coming successfully through such a severe test. Some criticism has been levelled at the rudder, and it has been claimed that off the wind in anything but a more or less smooth sea it is totally inadequate to keep the boat under control It was certainly significant in the first few races to note the number of capsizes which took place when the boats were running before the wind. Once or twice capsizes simply had to happen when the boats were flying before the breezo under spinnakers and there was a heavier puff than usual, or the skippers allowed their craft to broach-to momentarily, but in the majority of cases boats went over when balance was lost through some attention to the spinnakers being required. In the lons sea rudders were often well out of thl water. However, there is by no means unanimity of opinion on the subject among those qualified to speak from experience of the present type of rudder. Little Between the Boats. Whatever be the good ana bad points of the class, the contest has shown that the boats have given little or no_ advantage to the crews usine them m rotation. For example, Lvttelton won the first race easily in the Shirley, but Manukau in the same boat were last in the second race. Porirua had the Shirley in the third race, and won comfortably, arid the boat was again a winner in the fourth race with Qhnstchurch, but only through mishaps to the Porirua and Lyttelton boats Auckland were second in the Nufcumai in the first race, but Wellington could do nothing in her in the second. Plimmerton were second home in the boat in the third race, and Manukau, who drew her for the fourth race, did not finish the course. This is only a casual analysis of the position, but it will serve the purpose. Undoubtedly there were slight differences between the boats on and off the wind, and these were revealed during. the laces, but taken as a whole, the boats were a good lot.-. ,; -../ ~. * - . - . .;.. - Sails were an important factor in the decision of the races, and in this connection the Wellington boys appeared to be badly handicapped, especially when they, changed their sail after the third race. ' Action By Conference. The fact that something wag wrong somewhere was indicated by the complaints made by some of the competing crews and others. following the capsizes in the; initial races, and the matter was brought up at a meeting of the Dominion Conference on Thursday night. The general opinion favoured a change in tie design, probably by makuig the rudder of the same size but deeper. Mr. O. A. Moller, the Wellington delegate, mentioned that the chairman, Mr. J. Mackay, of Auckland, and his brother/ pastmaaters in the handling of -. Takapunas, had never had any trouble, with the rudder, and Mr. Mackay stated that experiments carried out by the Takapuna Boating Club had resulted in the present type being adhered to as most suitable. However, the-Takapuna Boating Club was willing to adopt any change of design which was proved beyond doubt to be generally\boneficial. Finally it was decided to ask Takapuna to experiment once more with different types, and if one was found of general utility patterns could'be supplied to the various ports and the rudder reported upon at the nest Dominion Conference. Mr. Mackay contended that inexperience and want.of proper balance were the cause of most capsizes, to which Mr. J. Moffat, representing Christchurch, replied with the opinion that it was better to provide a rudder suitable for the novices in the class, than to require them to attain a standard of proficiency with undue risk. It was also mentioned that all the clubs round Wellington were using-bigger rudders than the standard. type; Worser Bay Club. The OK. Baby won the second race at Worser Bay for the Spiers Cup, which was run off in a fresh, squally southerly. The Takapuna Ngamutu, with 6min start,, held a favourable position until she capsized while jibing, and although she was righted the. crew were not able to get enough water out to continue the race, not having a bailer. The Ngaroma carried too- much sail and a lee helm, and thought it best to retire. The O.K. Baby sailed a good race, and had the right weight aboard. She is a Takapuna,, and the Idle-Along Kiwi, which finished second, took only twenty seconds out of her. around the course. The Kea was third, and the Demon a good fourth, the latter boat being on her beam-ends throughout the race. The Butterrib carried away her bowsprit when her bobstay parted, and withdrew. Eacing conditions were at their worst, the wind being very squally and cold and the rain falling like hail continuously. On the occasion of the club picnic on Sunday, most boats crossed the harbour to the venue, and the light northerly prevailing in the morning soon changed, as usual, to the fresh breeze that demands a reef or two. Cruise in South Seas. The four young. Christchurch men who have purchased the Bluff ketch Water Lily, which arrived at Lyttelton on Monday after a passage of nine days, intended to refit the boat as a yacht for a long cruise in the South Seas. The Water Lily .was built in Auckland over 60 years ago, and is 65ft long, 16ft in beam, and 6ft 6in deep. She is equipped with an early type of Union engine rated at 20 h.p. For many years she has traded on the coast, recently between Bluff, Maori Beach, and Milford. According to a Southern exchange, the ketch will be in Lyttelton refitting for about s month, and presumably she '•will then £tar 4on her.South. Seaa cruise,