AT THE SIGN of THE PENNANT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 360, 22 May 1928, Page 14

AT THE SIGN of THE PENNANT

ter-, (By

KEELSON)

SANDERS CUP PROBLEMS NEW SCHEME DISCUSSED Whether liis scheme is practicable or not —and at the best there are many difficulties hedging about —Mr. J. Hislop, a member of the Auckland Yacht and Motor-Boat Association, and the donor of the Sanders Cup, is to be heartily commended for his earnest atempt to find a way of overcoming the general problems facing the cup contests of the future. Mr. Hislop’s scheme aims at eliminating. as far as is possible, any difference between the competing boats in measurement, weight and equipment, and making the contest purely one of nkil 1 in sailing, as was originally intended by the donor of the cup, by having the six provincial representatives built by one builder to an absolute standard, and drawn for by the proThe proposal was discussed by the Dominion Yachting Conference during the contest at Stewart Island in February, when Mr. Hislop first put it forward, but the conference preferred that it should be submitted to the various associations, and nothing further has been done. Tighten Restrictions There is much to be said both for and against the idea of having all the boats built by one builder, particularly in view of the present high cost of the hulls. It would be a very good thing if the cost could be reduced, but it is very doubtful whether many of ifoe associations outside of Auckland would welcome the idea of scrapping their present boats as far as future contests are concerned, in view of the fact that Betty will not be racing next year. The r»‘st of the boats approximate pretty closely in weight and bi/ild, as their performances in the last contest showed. The object could be served Muite well by tightening up the restrictions and specifications. Everyone will agreo with Mr. Hislop in his desire to placo the tiller of the provincial representative within the reach of any promising young yachtsman, and there us considerable room for improvement in the present methods of selection of crews. Under Mr. Hislop’s proposal the trials would bo held purely for this purpose, and presumably boats would be drawn for after each trial, as was done in the Cornwell Cup contest. However, a committee of selectors, watching the trials under the old system, should be quite capable of picking the best men. If a conference of yachtsmen is held to discuss the plans of Mr. Hislop much good may come of it, even though his suggestions may not meet with unqualified approval. It is to be hoped that steps will be taken soon, so that something* can be done in good time for next season’s sailing. VICTORIA’S CLUB-HOUSE Members of the Victoria Cruising Club are appreciating the enlarged clubhouse, but their satisfaction will be greater when more funds are forthcoming. In order to raise more money, dances are held in the clubhouse each Monday evening and euchre on Wednesday evenings throughout the winter months. JUDGE’S BAY QUARTERS

After being undecided for some time the City Council has agreed again to allow Judge’s Bay beach to be used this winter as a hauling-o.ut site. Conditions are the same as those of last year. Boats must be off the beach by November 1: no work shall be done on {Sundays and the beach must be kept tidy.

BOATS AND THEIR OWNERS

The Manukau Y’acht Club has resolved to confer on the club’Vs starter, Mr. W. Vaughan, the honour of life membership in recognition of long service well rendered. The week-end saw many boatmen busy saying au revoir to the tide. At Devonport the launches JFiaira and Rafferty were /placed on. dry land. Windward, Kotiri and seme others were put to bed also. lorangi and Ilex are to come up soon. Mr. Norman Wilson, who has been three years commodore of the Manukau Club, after two years as secretary, has intimated that lie will not be offering for election this year. Club members are sorry, for he has been a willing worker. ♦ * * Dragon, an auxiliary that was handled by Richmond owners has gone to the Manukau; her new owner. Mr. B. Young, will alter the rig from Marconi to regular and be; ready for next season’s events. She will be pulled up next Springs. * * * At Manukau most of the pleasure craft have forsaken the water: Nyria, Mademoiselle, Merry Jest, Champagne, Norma and Ngaroma were joined on Sunday, by Myra, Aoma, Sea Horse and Wanderer. The keeler Anahera was taken up in the other bay. The Manukau Yacht Club is busy getting its slip-way ready. The rails were purchased from the Railway Department and are now being laid; the cradle is out of the builders hands. The grade of the slip is very easy and the craft are to be arranged in rows to make the place tidy. The Club has also fixed up a neat accommodation for the “Z” boats, of which it now has three, Comet, of good repute, having been purchased recently. The youngsters are disappointed at learning that the boats are not to be used until next season. A small slide fitted with a double-purchase block has been provided for each boat so that it can readily be taken out of the water, and placed in the new housing under the big shed. MOTORING AFLOAT OF LAUNCHING From watever viewpoint, whether merely as a sport, a means of travel, or transport, the motor-boat has Increased in popularity in a most encouraging manner, both in England and overseas. The motor-boat, offering many attractions, is simple to handle, and demands no elaborate technical knowledge, and makes possible, not only pleasurable day trips, but in the case of cabin craft, periods of cruising at a most reasonable cost. Motor-boating has as one great advantage, adaptability in the question of cost, the range of prices at which complete craft may be obtained being almost as varied as the craft themselves, from the highlyefficient yet moderately-priced launch, to the sea-going cruiser of the last word in luxury. In the past motor-boating has suffered from lack of information, making an appeal to the newcomer, collaborated in a convenient form for easy referenc€\ and it is interesting to note therefore, a valuable booklet, “Motoring Afloat,” that has recently been published by the marine section of that important British body, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Avoiding technicalities, it deals in a clear and concise manner, with all phases of motoring afloat —its facilities, upkeep and insurance of craft, navigation directions, charts, the rules of the road on river and at sea.