CHALLENGE CUP FOR OUTBOARD MOTORS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 232, 20 December 1927, Page 18

CHALLENGE CUP FOR OUTBOARD MOTORS

A fine silver cup has been presented by the Farmers’ Trading Company to the New Zealand Power-Boat Association for annual competition between outboard motor-boats. The “Farmers’ Cup,’* as it will probably be called by speed men, is to be competed for as an inter-provincial trophy Boats eligible for competition

are restricted to those having B class engines, that is, units under 20 cubic inch cylinder capacity. The first. race for this cup will be held on Saturday, January 7. A priz© for outboard boats to race over a long course has been offered by Mr. A. R. Lees, rear-commodore of the Power-Boat Association, and the event will be held on February 4.

ANNUAL OCEAN RACES TO RUSSELL OR TAURANGA This week, on Saturday afternoon, many of Auckland’s keel yachts and mullet boats will set off on what are the big racing events of the year, the ocean races to Russell and to Tauranga. These events are held in conjunction with the annual regattas of the two ports, and each draws a large number of competitors. The fee in each race is £l, both for keel yachts and mullet boats. The popularity of the northern coast will probably account for many more entrants for the cruise north. However, the widely known hospitality of the people of Tauranga makes the trip east a most pleasurable experience, and their kindness in arranging all manner of functions and diversions for their yachting visitors acts as a powerful magnet down Tauranga way. Entries for these races close tomorrow evening with Mr. J. C. Hewson, hon. secretary of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. A list of the entrants will be published on Thursday. FROM STEAM TO OIL Mr. C. Seagar, Devonport, has received advice that the 60-h.p. crude oil unit for his launch Rehutai was shipped from England on December 4. It should arrive early in January. The Rehutai formerly had a steam plant, but has now been completely remodelled. The hull has been in Bailey’s yard for some time waiting for the new engine. The fuel tanks will hold enough oil to carry the boat 1,300 miles at full speed. It is hoped to have the boat in trim for the February cruising period.

PETROL AND CANVAS THE OLD AND THE NEW Petrol and canvas pulled in opposite directions at the start of the 18footers* race on Saturday afternoon. Just as they started on the first stretch of the Burt Cup race the power-boats ran into the 13 18-footers, moving together in such a bunch that they made a glorious picture. Their elefcse formation gave the launch-helmsmen—who happened to be ladies—a problem in neat steering, and they solved it well. None of the yachts was inconvenienced, even though the launches passed within arms’ length of some of them. It was in this race that the new M boat, Maratea, showed her true quality. Both off the wind and in a thrash she showed that she is the boat for a blow, and on occasions, before a good puff, she simply smoked away from the field. Ralph Goodwin handled vff, 'AAT’ r^ nd one °t his crew was !L ttle T® ddy Burt, son of the donor of the Burt Cup.

EVERY YEAR BRINGS YACHTING TRAGEDIES The tragic drowning accident on the Manukau last Friday evening, which resulted in the death of a man and a boy through the capsize of a small sailing boat, brings to - hand particulars of a recent incident in which two young fellows came within an ace of losing their lives. A boy from the crew of the yacht Westward was bathing off Cornwallis early one Sunday morning when he got into difficulties. Seeing his plight another young fellow, Bert Nettlingliam, went to the drowning lad’s assistance and held him until lie also got into trouble. Then a third youth, John Tait, of the crew of the yacht Hetty, noticed their predicament, and diving into the tide got the first boy to shore. He was unconscious by this time and a party of yachtsmen worked for an hour and a-half before they resuscitated him. In the meantime Nettlingham managed to grasp a rope flung from the Hetty. Valuable assistance in preparing hot water bottles and blankets was given by Mr. Harrison, of Cornwallis, to whose shack the rescued boy was removed. Every summer brings its quota of yachting fatalities, some the direct result of rashness, and many quite preventable. Yachtsmen must take necessary risks, but should “cut out” all foolhardy tricks. Rawene, Rangi, Ida and Constance went down to Station Bay on Saturady. Thelma made the trip to Kawau in something under two hours. Moana went to Ponui Island.