KEEN SPEEDING IN OUTBOARD RACES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 248, 10 January 1928, Page 14

KEEN SPEEDING IN OUTBOARD RACES

SPORT “TAKING ON” Auckland is aware of a new and thrilling sport growing up rapidly in her midst. With the coming of the summer season with its light winds and calm water, many quaint-looking little craft that buzz about the harbour like dragon flies have made their appearance. Few at first, these speeders were received as more or less of a joke, toys that would have their day and fade from public favour. One by one they have increased in number as the fever of speed-boating has gripped a growing body of devotees. Outboard motor racing has the great merit of cheapness, both as regards initial cost of the engines and hull's, and equally important exceedingly low running costs. Moreover, an exhilarating turn of speed can be got out of the diminutive craft, while the enthusiast whirrs along in supreme contentment, knowing that he is getting many more knots out of his “bus” for his .couple of shillings than the fast cruiser man is getting for his pounds. An ordinary speeder equipped with a four horse-power motor can make from 15 to 20 knots, perhaps more. Specially constructed hulls made of the lightest possible materials consistent with strength can be pushed along at speeds up to 25 knots. Heavily-powered outboards have done 30 miles an hour, and as more is learned about them and experiments are made, there will come even more thrilling results. This new sport is as yet in its infancy. There are about 10 outboard speed-boats operating on the Waitemata Harbour and many others are “on the stocks” or on the draughting board. Like Leaping Swordfish One cannot appreciate the excitement of skimming along in a smother of spray unless he has actually crouched in one of these interesting machines with his hand on the controlling lever. If the water be a little bit choppy the hurtling speeder leaps about like a hooked swordfish mercilessly trying to throw its navigator overboard. Thrashing along three-quarters of its length out of the water, the stern dashing the foam aside, a boat will leap heavily down into a wave and rebound again, doing its best to dislodge its driver. Most people have an innate fondness for swiftness, and in this new sport they can have their fill with a minimum of expense. Perhaps if some of the road hogs would satisfy their craving for speed and more speed on the tide instead of on the roads, they would hurt nobody. The worst that would happen to them would be a hearty ducking.' There are drawbacks to this form of motor-boating as with any mechanical sport. The unreliability of the power plants of outboard boats is an annoying factor at the start of racing events. As time goes on improvements will be effected and breakdowns will become fewer. . . .. Last Saturday the races held by the New Zealand Power-Boat Association were marred, as is almost invariably the case, by engine trouble developing just when the contests were becoming interesting. One engine got water in the carburettor. the pump of another was choked by some obstruction, the propeller pin of a third was sheared when a burst of speed proved too great a strain, and another developed trouble in the steering department, careering over the course like a mad thing. Still, for all that some fine speeding and exciting racing was seen, and a great future is assured for these noisy “skimming saucers.” An indication of the impression outboards are making is afforded in the provision of three events for this class of speed-boat on the programme of the Auckland Anniversary Regatta. SPEED BOAT WRECKED While doing over 40 miles an hour on the Wairoa River, Clevedon, on New Year’s Day, the well-known speed boat Miss Clevedon struck a snag and was smashed to pieces. Mr. T. M. Roberts, her owner, had his craft going all out when suddenly the steering gear fouled and Miss Clevedon sped straight for a pronged branch of a tree rising just above the surface of the tide. The boat struck the obstruction with terrific force, tearing her bottom out and reducing her to a wreck before the power could be shut off. The hull was reduced to so much matchwood and cannot be repaired. The engine, a 160 h.p. six-cylinder Beardmore, was recovered, together with accessories, and was found to be not greatly damaged. The 18-34 propeller was driven at 1,800 revolutions. Miss Clevedon was formerly the original Fleetwing.