YACHTING

Evening Star, Issue 19799, 24 February 1928, Page 14

YACHTING

[By Foe’ard Hand.]

FIXTURES. February 25.—Port Chalmers Ladies’ Day. March 3.—Port Chalmers Club races. March 10.—North-east Harbor Club, All-comers’ Yacht Race. March 17.—Moffat Cup race. April 16.—Broad Bay Club races. WEEK-END TIDES. The following times are according to daylight saving hours:— Saturday.—Dunedin, 7.52 a.m., 8.17 p.m.; Port Chalmers, 7,22 a.m., 7.47 p.m.; Heads, G. 42 a.m., 6.07 p.m. Sunday.—Dunedin, 8.44 a.m., 0.12 p.m.; Port Chalmers, 9.09 a.m., 9.40 p.m.; Heads, 8.29 a.m., 9 p.m. BETTY AVI NS! Congratulations to Betty and her crew. Though naturally disappointed that our own brand new craft was not successful in winning the coveted Sanders Cup, George Andrews cannot be grudged his victory. He is a thorough sport and a fine yachtsman, who handles his boat with ease and judgment. There can be no doubt that George Kellett did his best, and “ For’ard Hand ” hopes that in future contests his luck will change for the better. O.Y.C. RACES. The second series of races on the Otago Yacht Club’s syllabus was held last Saturday. The weather was far from satisfactory for the sailing events, though it made for excellent conditions in the outboard and motor races. The race for 12ft Gin and under sailing boats went to Chance, the only starter, which had only to sail over to take first prize. In the general handicap events for yachts a protest was entered against Minnow, on the ground that she rounded a mark on the wrong side. Both the outboard events went to Aloha, and the general handicap for launches went to Stella. THE LATE MR CHAS. SPEIGHT. Yachtsmen throughout the dominion will grieve with the widow and family of the late Mr Charles Speight, who passed away with such suddenness on Sunday last. Mr Speight was a familiar figure at the various aquatic fixtures around the harbor, and his name was always to be found on the list of patrons of the different regattas. From the earliest days Mr Speight took a keen personal interest in boating, and began his aquatic career aboard the boats hired from the late Mr Ben Davis, amongst which may be mentioned the well-known old-timers Flirt and Ripple. Though ho did not actually own many boats, Mr Speight’s interest in the .sport never nagged. He was very interested in the Nell when the late Mr Peter Sutherland was building her, but when the latter decided to insial an engine in her his liking for sailing came uppermost. When Mr J. M‘Rae was supervising the building of the Peninsula Ferry Company’s steamers Mr Speight asked him to plan a launch for him, and the result was the Marewa, which is still giving good service. His second launch was the Kiwi, which is now used as a utility boat at Portobcllo. Mr Speight was a staunch upholder of tho Sanders Cup contests, and the ex-champion Winifred was built to his order. Latcrly, owing to the press ot business, his active participation in the sport was not as extensive as formerly, but his interest was as keen as ever. Truly, the sport has lost a staunch friend.

THE DUKE OF YORK’S TROPHY. The venue and date for the forthcoming motor boat race, when British and foreign teams of boats conforming to the rules of the international one and a-half litre class will compete for the Dak© of York’s Trophy, have now been definitely fixed. The event, which will bo organised by officials of the Marino Motoring Association and the British Motor Boat Club, will extend over three days—August 11, 13, and 14—at Southampton. Th© on© and a-halWitro cjnss ? it will be remembered, was organised as the result of an international conference held in Brussels in 1922, with the object of stimulating post-war motor boat

racing on an international basis. The restrictions of tho class lie solely in connection with tho power units of tho boats, which are allowed a maximum capacity of one and a-half litres, or a nominal h.p. rating of just over 11 h.p. The class received Royal recognition in 1924, when H.R.H. the Duke of York presented a handsome gold trophy, a coveted award, that has been secured by British-built and engined craft until 1927, when an American boat won the event and established a new record for speed. The engines in these speedy little craft in tho modern types produce over 100 h.p., and speeds in the region of forty knots have been obtained. This year it is understood mil see big endeavors to keep the trophy in the country of its origin, it having been lost last year chiefly owing to the fact that no British sportsman approached British manufacturers to build a strictly up-to-date production. FLOTSAM AND JETSAM. The international Motor Yacht Union has defined the outboard motor as ‘a power group which can be lilted bodily from the hull by human power as one unit, and which docs not transmit its power through the skin of the hull. This organising body has also drafted a complete set of rules lor use in conjunction with outboard racing. Owing to the lack ol entries, the race for fishermen’s launches at tho Fort Chalmers regatta will he replaced by an event for 1211 (.jin and under sailing dinghies.