AT THE SIGN of THE PENNANT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 800, 22 October 1929, Page 14

AT THE SIGN of THE PENNANT

It appears that seaplanes and flying boats will soon be seen on the Waitemata. It opens up possibilities in the way of spectacular racing to add to the attractions of the harbour.

By KEELSON OUT OF THE LOCKER Judge's Bay was the scene of great activity over the week-end, boatowners putting the finishing touches to their craft. A good number of them hope to be away cruising next weekend. The 22-foot mullet-boat Huia, owned by Air. R. Connolly, has had her new mast fitted. During the week-end the crew were busy rigging. Huia is leaving on Saturday next for a cruise extending until Monday evening. Air. Scandrett’s mullet-boat Doreen had the finishing touches put to her over the week-end, and is now on her mooring in Judge’s Bay.^ The keeler Kestrel, which was not out last season, left Judge’s Bay on Sunday for moorings up Ponsonby wa >*- ...

Air. F. Jeffer’s launch Nyria was out for a spin on Sunday, and ran most satisfactorily. She looks very smart in her new paint.

The E Class yacht Valdora, which was recently purchased by Mr. J. Curry, has been brought over from the Aranukau. and has been moored in Judge’s Bay.

Air. E. Heard's fine powered cruiser Kenya took the water during the weekend and is now on her moorings at Judge’s Bay. She will be away cruising during Labour Day week-end. * * * The fine C Class yacht Vanitie, which was purchased some years ago by the late Air. C. Hartley, of Tauranga. is to return to Auckland, having been bought by an Auckland yachtsman. She is one of the finest of her class afloat. Owners of yachts from 3 6-footers to mullet boats are reminded of the Richmond Cruising Club’s race on Saturday for a special prize. The race will start from Ponsonby "Wharf at 3 o’clock. Further details will be published later in the week.

One or two changes of note have been made in the crews of the keelers this season. Mr. R. Alays, who sailed Ilex for the last two seasons, is joining the crew of Prize. Ngatoa was out early this week-end, and her racing dinghy, with a high-powered engine, attracts much attention. * * * Practically all the boats are down from the Richmond slipway. The following were launched during the week-end: —The 26-footer Awahau, the 20-footer Matariki, the 22-footer Alowai. the 18-footer Sea Crest, the 22-footer Wairangi. Over at Bayswater Alarie and Celox went down on the big tide. Commodore J. J. Macleay went for a spin to Motuihi in his launch Hanene, with his usual crew. Alexa took the harbour on Saturday afternoon. Air. Roy Lidgard will launch his B class keeler Lady© Wilma next week-end.

“See that building there?” remarked a veteran yachtsman walking down Queen Street the other day, pointing as he spoke to the Old Alill Stores Building. “Well, my brother used to pull two boats just behind it.” At that time the lower end of Queen Street was carried on piles, was in fact a jetty, and the tide came up as far as the cliffs that existed behind the New Zealand Insurance Buildings. * * * The Star boat, June, was having a spin. Aloa and Ola have not yet been put in the water. Air. Tamlin, owner of June, has nearly finished building another Star boat. The four Auckland boats will be engaged in a week’s racing at Christmas-time, when a visiting boat from Australia is expected to be competing. A fleet of three has been constructed in Australia, enabling that country to challenge for the Australian and New Zealand cup given by the Star Association. The racing is to be over courses that will be interesting to spectators as well as a hard try-out for the boats. Air. Swinnerton, owner of Ola IV., is leaving Devonport, but Ola will b© on the register as heretofore.

From St. Mary’s Bay Messrs. Logan Brothers’s 22-footer Rakoa took the water during the week-end, also Air. Jones’s Omatere. Air. W. Reid’s launch Kathryn R was floated off on the high tide. Mr. T. MoWhirter expects to put his 22-footer Valeria off today. Mr. Schischka’s launch Wanderoo was floated off this week-end. Air. H. Alurphy’s launch Etta F. felt the harbour on Saturday and went for a trip next day. Air. Leo Weston, vice-commodore of the Ponsonby Cruising Club, proposes to launch his cruiser Irene today.

At Devonport the launch Dorothy Q. (Air. Quelch) was placed in the water and looked very neat in new paint and varnish, with a mizzen mast for the wireless outfit. Work was going on aboard Ilex; and lorangi’s crew (the golf season being over) was busy with scrapers. The keeler Dorothy has had the attention of the paint brush. The launches Raira and Rahuri were being got ready for the final touches and a number of smaller craft were in about the same stage. Alost of them will be down for Labour Day. The keelers will not be afloat for a few weeks yet.

A general meeting of the Akarana Yacht Club will be held in the clubhouse this (Tuesday) evening.

The final Saturday night dance of the Akarana Yacht Club will be held in the clubhouse next Saturday. It is the intention of the club to hold dances on Wednesday nights, the first taking place on Wednesday, October 30. The Takapuna Boating Club has a big dance in its boathouse on the evening of Guy Fawke’s Day, November 5. The club is working hard to make this an unqualified success. * * * With 600 boats on the register of “Stars” and each club on the Pacific coast of America featuring the classfor boys, it has been found worth while to design a cheaper class, “Starlets,” for training juveniles. In every country juveniles are noticeable for inability to find much cash, and the new class can be turned out, on a species of mass production, for £2O for materials, the putting together being done by the owners. Delivered complete the price is £SO. They are 17ft overall as against the 22ft of the “Stars,” but have the same keel and small jib with Bermuda rig. MODEL YACHT NOTES At a meeting of the Orakei Basin Aludel Yacht Club it was decided to open the season on Labour Day, October 28. Racing will start at 10 a.m., and if present indications can bo taken as a guide, fully 20 models j will be contesting the various events. , Club officials are quite jubilant over | the Basin being filled to overflowing, | thereby ensuring ideal racing condii tions. Every model yacht enthusiast j will be made welcome, and given a fine day, the opening of the season should I be a great success.