Yachting: Volume 36, Issue 4 – October 1924

Gosport Model Yachting Fortnight British Boat @rusader Wins Yachting Ponthly Cup By H. B. Tucker HE Gosport Fortnight is to the model yachtsman what Cowes is to his brother, the real yachtsman. This year the meeting was held in the last week of July and the first week of August. Taken on the whole, the weather was most favorable and some very good racing ensued, Naturally the interest of the meeting centeredin the 6meter class and their doings. These boats are not built to the International Rating Rule, but to a special rule formulated by Major M. Heckstall Smith, editor of the Yachting Monthly, which embodies the quarter-beam buttock The meeting was held on the Gosport model yachting lake, a fine sheet of water about 300 yards long by 80 yards wide. The yachts are handled from the banks by the skipper and mate, poles four feet long being used to turn the boats. The contests are sailed under Model Yachting Association Rules. From one end of the pond to the other constitutes a board, and two boards constitute a heat. If there are more than two boats entered, every boat meets each of her opponents for a heat. A weather board counts 3 points and a running board 2. If it happens that the boats can go through each way without breaking tack, then each board counts 2 only. From the beginning of the first elimination race Defiance (Capt. Lazell) showed her, superiority. This yacht is a sister of Invader, the boat with which W. J. Daniels won the International Race last year. Mr. Daniels’ new boat, Crusader (owner J. Scott Freeman), was not doing herself justice, which is hardly to be wondered at as she had been finished just before the race, and only had one trial spin. Meanwhile, two boats, Sonata (Eng. Comdr A. Turner), and Dayspring (W. Arberry), were having a great battle for second place. Both these boats are from the board of Comdr. Turner. Result: lst, Defiance, 53 points; 2nd, Sonata, 42; 3rd, Dayspring, 41. For the second elimination race, there was a nice whole sail breeze which seemed to suit Crusader, as she got into her stride at once and, sailing magnificently, won the race by a handsome margin. There was never any be Crusader, Six-Meter Model yacht, designed by W. J. Daniels. Winner of Yachting Monthly Cup for 1924. measurement. The scale is 1/6th of full size. The boats produced under this rule vary in type, as it gives the designer reasonable latitude. The successful boats, however, have all been fine, healthy craft. The fact that several of last year’s boats were well placedin the preliminary racing must not be taken to mean that there has been no advance, or that finality under the rule has been reached. It can only be taken as an indication that the rule gives no chance to the freak boat. As readers of YACHTING will know the most important event of the fortnight is the International Race for 6-meters, for which the Yachting Monthly has presented a magnificent Challenge Cup, valued at $500. Last year Mr. Graae, of the Royal Danish Yacht Club, madean unsuccessful attempt to lift the cup, and he again challenged for it this year. In order to decide which of the British boats should have the honor of defending the trophy, it was arranged to hold three elimination races, to be followed by a final British selection race. the latter, any country in the United Kingdom which had five or more 6-meters could enter one boat for every five, holding its own selection races beforehand. Thus, Scotland sent one boat to the final, but as Ireland only possessed one 6-meter, her boat was obliged to sail through the elimination races with the English boats. The Welsh boat could not start owing to the illness of her owner. Dayspring (left) and Dana II , the Danish Challenger. doubt as to the result and the race was won by sheer speed. Result : a Crusader, 48 points; 2nd, Sonata, 38; 3rd, Defiance, 3 On the third elimination race the competitors were again favored with a nice whole sail S.W. breeze. The feature of the day’s sailing was the close competition between the first three boats which finished with a smal! difference of two points among them. In the last board of all, Defiance’s opponent (an unplaced boat) was in a winning position when she was disqualified for a breach 60 October, 1924 YACHTING of rules. This gave Defiance 3 points which she would not have otherwise obtained, and gave her the match instead of third place. Result: Ist, Defiance, 48 points; 2nd, Crusader, 46; 3rd, Dayspring, 46. As Crusader had won more weather boards than Dayspring, she. was awarded second place. There had been thirteen boats sailing in the Elimination Races and on the one in five basis, two of them were eligible to compete in the Final Selection Race. The winner of the elimination races was Defiance, but she did not start, and therefore Crusader and Dayspring met the Scottish representative Spur. Three rounds of three heats each were sailed. Result: Ist, Crusader, 18 points; 2nd, Dayspring, 14; 3rd, Spur, 13. Thus Mr. Daniels secured the honor of defending the Cup which he won for Britain last year. Both the boats came out under full sail. The Danish challenger, Dana I], was sailed by her designer, Mr. Tottrupp, assisted by Mr. Riches, while the defender, Crusader, was sailed by Mr. Daniels with Mr. H. C. Whet- fect. When the International Cup was instituted, Mr. Daniels had just paid his visit to the U. S. A. Some of the American Model Yachtsmen promised a return visit. The Rating Rule, which was framed to govern the 6-Meter Class, is a very successful combination of the International and Universal Rule. It was hoped that this would attract American Model Yachtsmen and it has been a great disappointment that the promised return visit has not materialized yet. May we hope for it next year? On behalf of British Model Yachtsmen, may I say that a challenge from your side would be received with great pleasure, and that any model yachtsman coming over here would be most heartily welcomed. —— — stone as his mate. The morning’s racing was started at 11:15 A.M. The arrangements were admirable and the police kept back the people so that they did not interfere with the sailing. First Heat—Running Board—Both boats started with spinnakers set to port. It was at once seen that the Danish boat was very fast down wind, and she promptly took the lead. She was rapidly drawing away when she jibed and got across Crusader’s bows. A foul took place and a resail was ordered. Weather Board—Dana had the windward position at the: start, but this did not help her. Crusader had her measure this time, and footing far faster and eating to weather in the puffs, soon worked out a nice lead and won by a matter of 20 yards. Dana, it may be added, seemed somewhat pinched. Second Heat—Running Board—The Danish boat, as in the previous heat, was most erratic in her steering and again fouled Crusader. Weather Board—Dana was trimmed a little better this time, but the wind, which had been hardening all the time, was too much for her and she could not stand up to her canvas. The British boat, on the other hand, seemed to be getting into her stride and outfooting the challenger as well as pointing higher, won by about 50 yards. At this point Skipper Tottrupp changed down to his second suit. Third Heat—Running Board—Mr. Daniels had not yet got a happy trim for running and his boat got somewhat off the course. Dana showing great speed off the wind and steering much better under her reduced canvas, won handsomely. Weather Board—The wind was still freshening and even under her reduced canvas Dana seemed overpowered, particularly in the lumpy water at the leeward end of the lake. While Crusader was standing up to her full sail, the challenger, on her beam-ends, was making leeway in a most distressing way. Crusader won this board by over a third of the length of the course. The final score was: Crusader, 29 points; Dana IT, 11 points. After the match the Cup was presented to Mr. Free- man, owner of Crusader. Mr. Graae, the Danish challenger, in a very sporting speech of congratulation, stated that it was his intention to have a third try to lift the Cup next year. There is no doubt that the better boat won. The Dana, while reputed to be very fast in light airs, did not take full advantage of the rule, and seemed unable to stand to her canvas in any weight of wind. In conclusion may it be said that the meet was a great success and only one thing was required to make it per- ‘Onn of the new Dolphin t 26-foot auxiliary sloops unt by Brewster Jennings, of the Seoneembabe: Yacht Club. She was designed by R. M. Haddock and built by H. B. Nevins. Central Park Model Yacht Club Wins Eagle Cup In a series of races for the Brooklyn Eagle Cup, between teams of three boats each, representing the Prospect Park Model Yacht Club, the former holders of the Cup; the Central Park Model Yacht Club, and the Boston Model Yacht Club, the Central Park team won in three straight races. The races were held under the auspices of the Model Yacht Racing Association and were sailed on Flushing Bay, N. Y., off the clubhouse of the Central Park Mode! Yacht Club. The boats sailing were the Fantasy, J. Weaver, Mary Phil Pile; Black Ball, A. Anderson, representing the Central Park Model Yacht Club. The Prospect Park Model Yacht Club was represented by Polka Dot, E. A. Bull; Rainbow, . B. Ketcham; Dauntless, Fred H. Tucker. The Boston odel Yacht Club boats were Flirt, John Black, Jr.; Frolic, Charles C. Gager; Vamp, J. A. Potter. The point score was: Central Park ……….59 points Prospect Park …….. 40 “ Se 30“ A full story of the race will appear in the next issue of YACHTING.