AT THE SIGN OF THE PENNANT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 296, 6 March 1928, Page 14

AT THE SIGN OF THE PENNANT

• By

KEELSON

Personalities Afloat

MR. ALEX HARVEY Vice-Commodore Victoria Cruisino Club. It. is something of an honour to be the youngest yachtsman to hold tl < rank of flag officer of an old-estab-lished yacht club. Alex. Harvey, who is serving in the position of vice-com-modore of the Victoria Cruising Club for his first season, fully' realises the honour accorded him by his club. “Bullet” Harvey, as he is popularly known, started the yachting game seven years ago, when he learned to know the ropes in various 16-footers.

Although he may not be very old in years, he is old in experience if hardly a Saturday without a race is anything I to go by. From the 16-foot class ho graduated to the 20ft. mullet boat type by acquiirng the well - known J boat Wairere. After sailing the Wairere for three seasons with out-

seasons witn outstanding success, he bought the 26footer Waiter© 11., in which he has also brought off more than an average number of victories. In three seasons' racing he has secured 29 first places—a very creditable performance. Waitere FT. has this year annexed the Captain White Cup in the Akarana Yacht Club’s cup day held in the middle of January. Last year Alex. Harvey won at the Northcote, Ponsonby and Devonpcrt regattas. He has been a member of the Victoria Cruising Club for seven years. POWER BOAT RACING DUKE OF YORK’S TROPHY The venue and date for the forthcoming motor-boat race when British anl foreign teams of boats conforming to the rules of the international on® and a-half litre boats will compete for the Duke of York’s trophy, at present held by America, have now definitely been fixed. The event, which will be organised by officials of the Marine Motoring Association and the British Motor-Boat Club, will extend over three days. August 11, 13 and 14, at Southampton. The one and a-half litre class, 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 motorboat racing on an international basis. The restrictions of the class are solely in connection with the power units of the boats, which are allowed a maximum capacity of one and a-half litres. 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 the modern types produce over 100 h.p., and speeds in the region of 40 knots have been obtained. This year it is believed will see big endeavours to regain the trophy for the country of its origin, it having been lost last year, chiefly because of the fact that no British sportsman approached British manufacturers to build a strictly up-to-to-date production. WHAT IS AN OUTBOARD? The big majority of the British motor-boating clubs appear to be receiving active support in their outboard motor-boat racing events organised. By means of the outboard motor-boat class in England, a large majority of new British motor-boat enthusiasts are joining the ranks of marine motoring. Overseas users who favour the class will be interested to note that the International Motor Yacht Union has defined the outboard motor as “a power group which can be lifted bodily from the hull by human power as one unit, and which does not transmit its power through the skin of the hull.” This organising body has also drafted a complete set of rules for use in conjunction with outboard racing. LAUNCHMEN’S RENDEZVOUS Those launches which raced to Kawau on Saturday under the direction of the New Zealand Power-Boat Association were favoured with ideal weather for the cruise. All competitors got to their destination in good time ard soon had things snug for the night. In addition to th€s launches which raced fro mthe city there was many other craft visiting the island during the week end. Mansion House Bay presented a beautiful sight on Saturday evening. The moon shining down before the sky grew overcast, gave a delightful silvery effect to the bay, and the riding lights of over 18 boats of one kind and another added a cheery glow to the scene. Among the yachts represented there were Ariki, Prize. Viking and the 26 foot mullet boat Esma. This last has just come back from an extended cruise as far as Tauranga, calling at Mercury Bay, the islands of the same name and the Great Barrier. A great haul of schnapper was secured by the launch Marion D. which spent a couple of hours fishing under the lee of Takatu Point. During the time lines were out over 100 schnapper were secured.

SQUADRON’S RACES TO TE KUME CONTEST FOR ALEXANDER GOLD CUP Next Saturday the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron will hold Its annual races to Te Kume. Added interest is given to the yacht event on this occasion by the arrival of the T. M. Alexander Memorial Gold Cup, details of which were published in these columns last week and a photograph on Friday. The race will start off King's Wharf at 2.30 p.m. and boats will proceed direct to their destination. The distance Is about 28 miles. A race for launches will also be conducted by the squadron for the J. B. Johnston trophy. An event for M. class patikis will be held over harbour courses. PONSONBY’S REGATTA VERY SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION A feature of the Ponsonby Cruising Club’s annual regatta held last Saturday was the splendid fields of starters in almost every one of the 10 events on the programme. Although over 80 boats were entered in the various classes there were only nine defaulters all told—a record of which any club might be proud. One of the most gratifying aspects of the racing was the pleasing array of N class boats that turned out on this occasion. Seven of the 20 footers put in an appearance, and this number is quite the largest company that has raced for any club so far this season. As a result these boats were able to race together in their own class without the hitherto inevitable combination with the L’s. May this improvement long continue. VICTORIA’S CLUBHOUSE After having been moved to Its new site and added to the Victoria Cruising Club's boathouse Is nearing completion. Members seem agreed that the transference of the building has been for the better. If the waterfront of St. Mary’s Bay is not Interfered with there will be more water immediately In front of the clubhouse than there was at the former position. It Is anticipated that the clubhouse will be ready for occupation within a week and it Is proposed to have some sort of housewarming function at a date to be decided on. THE SQUADRON’S ROOMS Those who have visited the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron’s recently enlarged clubrooms are much impressed with the effect of their alteration. Many Improvements have been carried out and the suite is replete with all the refinements of an up-to-date club which studies the comfort of its members. All the structural alterations are completed and when the new furnishings are to hand this week the rooms will be ready for occupation. POINT CHEVALIER RACING CONTEST FOR DIXIELAND CUP A race for the Dixieland Cup was held during the week-end, seven boats starting. Mistral was first over the line, followed by Magic, Ivy, Sea Elf, Sea Rover, Lone Star, Pat being later. Mistral maintained her lead, the first time round, and thereafter Magic passed her and was never headed. The result was: Sea Elf (16min), 4.58.49 .... 1 Magic (scr.), 4.45.13 2 Lone Star (19£). 5.4.44 3 Also started: Sea Rover <l3min), 4.58.37; Mistral (lmin). 4.46.48: Ivy (16 min), 5.8.44. Pat did not finish. The officials were Messrs. F. Dyson and J. Strongman. f BIG YACHT STILL AGROUND Although an attempt was made yesterday to refloat the yacht Constance, which grounded at Murray’s Bay on Saturday evening, nothing could be accomplished owing to the heavy sea. If calm conditions prevail to-day, further efforts will be made. The yacht has received some buffeting, the rudder having been badly damaged and the bowsprit broken. At present the craft is fast on the beach. The yacht is owned by Mr. W. Fletcher, of Auckland. PONSONBY REGATTA DANCE The Ponsonby Cruising Club will hold its annual regatta dance tomorrow evening in the Point Erin Kiosk Hall. This function is always a popular fixture and from all accounts the dance this year will be even more gay than hitherto. It will be a flannel or ordinary dress affair, as gentlemen wish. An energetic ladies’ committee has spared no effort to make the dance an unqualified success. MODEL YACHTING Model yachting is taking on surprisingly in Auckland, and given encouragement the sport should attain to the popularity it enjoys in other countries. Felix and Silver Bell have been repainted and look spick and span. Two new models, Bonzo and Nigger, have made their appearance and add considerable interest to the sport. Both have proved they can sail and are worthy of championship class. Nigger is a credit to her owner and designer, Mr. Lofty, late of the Mahurangi Club. Salome, Auckland’s champion model, is once again in commission and rumour has it that Nigger will challenge her in the near future. It is pleasing to see that the Onehunga boys are still as enthusiastic as ever.