WELL-KNOWN CRUISER

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 64, 7 June 1927, Page 12

WELL-KNOWN CRUISER

ILEX CHANGES HANDS Since the well-known keel-yacht Ilex first took the water from Logan Bros, yard in Auckland 24 years ago, she has been sailed by different owners. She passed into the hands of the fifth last week when Mr. E. H. Northcroft, the owner of the well-known 20ft mullet-boat Wayward, bought her from Mr. H. R. Bloomfield. Logan Bros, designed and built Ilex in 1903 as a yawl for the late Captain Stanhope. She was sailed by him for a number of years until she was acquired by the late Mr. J. C. Mackay, who altered her to cutter rig. Her next owner was Mr. W. R. Ingram, who bought her just before the war and converted her back to yawl rig. She came into the possession of her late owner, Mr. Bloomfield in 1925. Ilex has been described as “the most comfortable cruiser in the fleet/* and

as acriuser she will be put into commission by Mr. Northcroft next season. He intends to install a 15-h.p. Kelvin sleeve engine which will be put into a locker on the port side at the after end of the main cabin. The accommodation will thus not be disturbed. The picture of Ilex “on the hfird” at Freeman’s* Bay, where she has been for the past two years, gives a good idea of the cruiser’s graceful lines. She is 52ft over all, lift 6in beam, and her registered tonnage is 16.39. KING’S BIRTHDAY DANCE Yachtsmen’s winter social fixtures are always popular, but the King’s Birthday carnival dance held by the Takapuna Boating Club exceeded all expectations. Something over £SO was realised, and there were many more dancers than the clubhouse at Bayswater wharf could comfortably accommodate. A picture of the revellers was published in THE SUN on Saturday. ON THE MANUKAU Most of the pleasure craft have by this found their winter quarters on the hard, Last week-end saw the Wanderer, Senorita, Ngaroma and Emerald pulled out. It is the intention to haul out Salome on the next spring tide. I am advised that the Anahera will be put into commission next season. If this is so, the Manukau fleet will receive a welcome addition. Unfortunately this craft drifted on to the rocks some litUe time ago—and got knocked about a bit. Though a 36ft keel boat of the shallow draught type and not wholly suited for the westerly harbour, she has for a number of years been located there, mostly on the hard. It is very pleasing to know that the old champion will be out again. -r- NEW 5 H.P. POWER UNIT Local power-boat and auxiliary yacht owners will be interested to know of a new two-cylinder 5 h.p. marine motor that is being manufactured by an English firm to meet the growing demand for a power unit of this type, both at home and overseas. Economy, simplicity—both of handling and installation—light weight and, above all, reliability, have been aimed at in designing it. Small size is a strong point in favour of the new power unit, which measures 3ft 3in long, 122 in wide, and weighs only 3001 b. It has mechanical lubrication, detachable cylinder heads, and a single-lever self-contained reversing gear.

Excellent balance for an engine of only two-cylinders is shown by the fact that the motor, which develops its maximum power at 1,000 revolutions a minute, may be throttled down to a speed as low as 160 r.p.m., and still run with exceptional smoothness.

It .Hs interesting to note that the petrol consumption of the engine on full load is said to be only three pints an hour.

COMING EVENTS June 13.—Manukau Yacht Club’s annual meeting. . . June 16. —Ponsonby Cruising Club s smoke concert to vice-presidents and donors of trophies. June 25. —Manukau Cruising Club s annual prize night, at Orpheum Hall, Onehunga. June 29.—Victoria Cruising Club s prize night at Scots Hall. August 31. —Akarana Yacht Club s prize night. FLYING THE BLUE ENSIGN Twenty or thirty Auckland yachtsmen and power-boat owners who are holders of warrants from the Admiralty entitling them to fly the Blue Ensign have now surrendered them to the secretary of the Royal Yacht Squadron to be returned to the Admiralty for renewal in compliance with the latest edict from Home. To obtain permission to fly the ensign a yachtsman must, first of all, be a member of a “Royal” club. His boat has to be measured under the authority of the registrar of shipping, who issues a certificate of registration. This certificate, along with the Customs Department approval, is then forwarded through the Royal Club’s secretary to the Admiralty. If the application is approved a warrant is issued and the yacht owner receives it through the secretary, with whom ho must enter into an undertaking to keep the warrant in safe custody, and to return it to the club should the boat be sold. In this event the warrant is then returned to the Admiralty. The rulers of our Navy now propose to include a list of owners and boats throughout the Empire who are holders of these warrants, in the Navy List —the official record of all the ships and officers of the silent service. Among the Auckland boats to which this coveted honour has been granted are: Yachts. —Moana, Nga-toa, Prize, Rawene, Reoirie, Rainbow, Thetis, Thelma, Viking, Victory and Waitangi. Launches. —Adelaide, Atatu, Gladys 11, Kotaretare, Lady Una, Ngaio, Princess, Ruamano, The Severn, Tangaioa and Vorana. BENEFIT CONCERT The Victoria Cruisirfg Club intends holding a benefit concert in the Town Hall on July 23, to assist Mr. Arthur Tupp, the clubhouse captain, who broke his ankle while painting the clubhouse at Freeman’s Bay, and has been out of work some months in consequence. AROUND THE CLUBS Mr. James Donald’s launch, Marion D, was hauled up at Cox’s Creek on Friday. The yachts Mowai and Tulip came up during the week-end. The keel yachts, Heartsease and Waitangi are now among those on the hard at Freeman’s Bay. The launches Mollie and Sheik are also up for the winter at the Yach Squadron’s slipway. Mavis B’s owner, Mr. A. Braund, has installed a new 140 h.p. Steam’s engine. * * * Mr. C. H. Palmer, vice-chairman of the Auckland Yacht and Power Boat Association, sails for England via America by the Maunganui to-day. The E-class yacht, Colonist, has changed hands, Mr. George Warman having sold her to Mr. L. Penny. * * * The sale of Mr. Somerville’s Tawera to Mr. Wallbank is also reported. The 20ft. mullet boat "Wairere may be seen among the N-Class contestants in next season’s yachting fixtures on the Waitemata. Her present owners who did not race her last season are leaving Auckland, and in consequence, have reluctantly decided to part with her.

IN DEFENCE OF BETTY Christchurch, May 31. Dear “Keelson,” It is evident that your correspondent “Moss” has very little knowledge of Betty and is hardly worth correcting. In his last letter, apart from his first statement of a four-inch error, which a rule will disprove, he attributes her speed to her fine waterline forward. Actually she is slightly fuller than the plans. “Mass” mentions the Auckland Association’s opinion of Betty’s eligibility, but should add that the figures forwarded were found incorrect and the opinion is therefore valueless. He also says that the Betty’s certificate was only signed by the builder and a J.P., whereas certificates of correctness from three official measurers were read at the Dunedin Conference. “Moss” alludes to Mr. Treleaven as the owner. Mr. Treleaven has never had the slightest monetary interest in Betty. If “Moss” had studied the specifications he would see that a boat might be half an inch out from the plans and still comply with the specifications. Should it be decided to measure boats before a cup contest, and an allowance for error made that will cover all the other boats, Betty will be found to measure within it or will soon be made to do so. GEO. G. ANDREWS.