A NOVEL CRAFT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 674, 28 October 1933, Page 6

A NOVEL CRAFT

YOUTH BUILDS SMALL YACHT ENTIRELY OF IRON A remarkable example of ingenuity in boatbuilding has been afforded by a lad of the Opotiki district. Possessing undoubted skill as a plumber he has constructed a small sailing craft entirely out of galvanised iron. It has been constructed upon the lines of a keeler yacht and despite its small size is quite seaworthy. Its overall length is 6ft 6in, and its beam 2ft 4in, There is room for a crew of one, with the cockpit situated amidships. The steering is done by a small wheel placed right in front of the occupant. The rig consists of a mainsail and jib, and for its size the little boat carries quite a spread of canvas. With all on board she has a draught of about 2ft and an interesting feature of.the construction is the insertion of a small perambulator wheel in the centre of the keel, evidently with the object of allowing the craft to negotiate shallow places. The young boatbuilder decided to try his craft out on Lake Rotorua and transported her on a push-bike from his home to these waters. She manoeuvred off the wharf for some time one day this week and attracted considerable attention, experienced men saying that she displayed good sailing aualities. The builder has also foreseen the possibility of his craft sinking in event of a capsize and to prevent this has equipped her with hermetieally-sealed tins of sufficient air capacity to keep her afloat. Taken altogether the little craft is a most creditable piece of workmanship and is well worth a visit of inspection as she lies at the launch j etty . __________