Personalities Afloat

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 408, 17 July 1928, Page 14

Personalities Afloat

MR. B. YOUNG Vice-Commodore, Manukau Yacht and Motor-Boat Club Mr. B. Young, 1928 vice-commodore ©f the Manukau Yacht Club, is one of the keenest boatmen on the western harbour and one of the most consistent prize-winners in the club. Joining Manukau

as a lad in 1916, he transported the patiki Toheroa from the Waitemata. His first season’s racing saw him winner of several big races, and temporary custodian of the College Cup. Toheroa was raced with success until Easter, 1920, when she came to grief while leading the big event at the Weymouth

Regatta. Aroha, a 20-foot mullet boat, was Mr. Young’s next venture. On the Waitemata she was known as Spray and a place winner, but on the Manukau she had been concerned in a capsize when four men were drowned and had thus been “hoodoo-ed.” In 1924 Aroha was replaced by the Sea Toiler, a 14-foot square-bilged job which surprised the Manukau. In the first season four of the big events were to her credit, and in the next year the attention of the handieapper failed to prevent her name appearing in the prize lists. In 1925, Mr. Young won three harbour races with Sea Toiler and at the end of the season was listed with five wins and two second places. The next season Mr. Young was sailing master of Merry Jest, an 18-footer square bilge boat owned by Messrs. Bray, and carried off seven prizes. The trophies included the championship, and the College and Buff Cups. In the same year, by arrangement with the new owners of Sea Toiler he raced that boat in the 14-footer championship, securing first place. Last season he sailed Sea Toiler again and the end of the season saw her crew called up to receive two first prizes and four second. Next year Mr. Young will race "Vagrant, a 20-footer auxiliary, which he has purchased from an Auckland owner. The craft is to have her rig changed and will be entered for all big events. In cruising races Mr. Young has been winner nine times. Incidentally, his standing offer of giving the prize for the cruising race to Pollock, was awarded his own boat on three occasions While playing football on Saturday, Mr. Young had the misfortune to break an ankle. He is making satisfactory progress.