Yachting: Volume 52, Issue 4 – October 1932

Britain Retains “Yachting Monthly” Cup By JOHN BLACK me —” A good start. “Flame,” left, and “ Bostonia V,” sailing in the international series at Gosport LAME, a Cosport product, designed by Reginald Lance, built, owned and sailed by Alfred Jones, bop conan nt 22a Vag oA err aed NM aa Gosport Model Yacht Club, won the British championship against the largest and fastest fleet of racing models ever assembled. She also successfully defended the Yachting Monthly Cup against the American challenger Bostonia V, designed, built, and skippered by John Black, Rhode Island Miniature Yacht Club, of Providence. The weather conditions for the British championship races were rather severe for model yachts. The wind for the most part blew to gale force, with almost constant rain. Never in the history of model racing have so many no match for the heavy displacement yachts. Of the first ten yachts to finish six were built this year, three in 1931, and Twinkle was built several years ago. Many valuable points were lost because the skippers did not reduce canvas when necessary. The final point score of the ten leading boats follows: Yacht Flame Anglian Twinkle Astrape Mersey Points Designer 117. —_ Lance 114 Daniels 109 Turner 108 Turner 104 Feltwell Yacht Tolanthe Herald Dawn Turquoise Caprice Points Designer 101 96 95 95 93 Lance Daniels Davey Piggott Lance The following are the approximate dimensions of spars been carried away and gear been so badly damaged. Flame, the defender, and Bostonia V, challenger. But the racing was very keen and close in spite of the Flame Bostonia V Flame Bostonia V weather conditions, only 16 points separating the L.O.A. 75” 76” Disp. 44.6 cu.in. 46 cu. in. first ten boats. 48” 48.2” S.A. 1850 sq. in. 1799 sq. in. During the international races the weather conditions L.W.L. 13.4” 13.6” were just the reverse. Light variable winds, constantly Beam Flame is a typical Lance design, sharp-formed and changing, failed to give a true test in sailing. France and with full, easy quarters. Belgium had made entries, but both were scratched. This left the American chalThe International Races lenger, Bostonia V, to race ; against the British Defender It is to be regretted that Flame. light weather conditions preIn the British championship vailed, as they have so freraces, to pick a defender for quently in the past, during the the international series, all international series. With only the American challenger Bosrecords were broken when 39 entries, from 13 clubs, were tonia V and the British dereceived. During the four days fender Flame in the contest, the race should have been a ’ of racing 31 yachts, in a total of 961 pairs, were started. real test of the yachts. The severe racing of the The first race, Saturday, week was shown by several July 30th, was sailed in a very yachts. Adhesive tape, plastic light and variable wind from wood, and spars fixed with the south, with bright sunstring and pieces of wood were shine. Bostonia V drew weather prominently seen. One or two position for first ground. Poyachts had part of their paint sitions alternated thereafter. peeled, leaving only the bare When the yachts were wood. The fact that no yacht ready to start the wind sudcarried full sail throughout the denly hauled to W. by 8S. and races will show the real force Copyright Arthur Lameley the boats returned and set spinnakers. Bostonia V gradof the wind. One fact stood “Bostonia V,” the United States challenger for the out: the smaller yachts were ually obtained a comfortable “Yachting Monthly” Cup 66 S= ple lead until the wind veered to N.E. Flame made the lee shore first, took off spinnaker and flattened in for the finish. Bostonia V had trouble getting her spinnaker off. Flame sailed across pond, returned, and with a light breeze sailed for the finish. Bostonia V could not get away from lee shore. On the beat back Flame, in perfect trim, won easily. Round 2. Flame won run by inches and weather board easily. Bostonia V could not get going in the light breeze. Flame also took both boards of the next two rounds by a narrow margin. On round 5 Bostonia V took her first points from Flame down wind, but could not hold her up wind. Round 6. Flame had an easy win running and took weather board by inches. Bostonia V was out of balance and during lunch changes were made to improve her sailing. Round 7. Wind variable and tricky from S.E. Flame took leeward run. On the beat Bostonia V did better. When halfway up the pond Flame was put about and fouled Bostonia V. Flame disqualified. Flame took both boards of the eighth round easily. But thereafter, in a strengthening breeze, Bostonia V began to find herself and won both boards in a close race in rounds 9 and 10. The close sailing of both yachts in the following round, which was won by Flame, caused many fouls. On the last round the wind changed to 8.W., very light, and caused a complete retrim. Bostonia V gained a good lead as both yachts made for the weather shore. Flame, by quick handling, was able to pass Bostonia V and won board. On the beat both yachts sailed a good race. Halfway home Bostonia V came ashore. In adjusting guy her jack line came adrift and she lost the race. Scores at end of first day: Flame, 43; Bostonia V, 17. Second race, Monday, August Ist. Wind, light, S.W.., variable with showers. The racing this day was marked by the fine running boards made by. Bostonia, which bettered the record for the run three times, the last being made in 2 minutes 17% seconds. Flame won all of the weather boards except two. There were several fouls during the forenoon. In the afternoon the wind dropped considerably and veered to the south so that the races became a close reach instead of a beat on the windward leg. Under these conditions Flame began to pile up the points, Bostonia scoring only six during the afternoon. Scores, end of second day: Flame, 79; Bostonia V, 41. Third and last day, Tuesday, August 2nd. Flat calm at 10 o’clock, the starting hour. Occasionally a stray puff would come and go. Bright sunshine. At 11.30 the wind was very light from W. by S. and the yachts were put in the water to start with spinnakers to starboard. While waiting for the whistle the wind changed to W. N.W. Spinnakers changed to port. Both yachts fouled on first start. On oe, restarting Bostonia V again pulled into lead. Suddenly the | wind hauled to N. by E., sending both yachts to bank. Flame touched first, removed spinnaker, retrimmed and was able to get away ay “4 =—ae—_—s Sr Ue October, 1932 from bank before Bostonia V. Flame found a favorable breeze to finish. Then the wind changed to N.W., and freshened Bostonia V, in the weather berth, outpointed and outfooted Flame. Flame came ashore many yards astern of Bostonia V. Both yachts put about for the opposite bank. Flame was first to be put about in a nice breeze and made for the south bank where she was nursed to the finish line and won. Bostonia V, well ahead at one time, found a soft spot and lay becalmed. She later caught a puff, jibed, and sailed for the starting line. Owing to the lack of wind the racing was called off until two-thirty. When racing was resumed the wind was W. by S. Both yachts held a good course for about 40 yards when the wind changed. Both came to weather bank, and returned. Flame was able to keep away from the bank and won easily. As Flame had now won enough points to retain the cup, racing was concluded. Final score: Flame, 91; Bostonia V, 41. The wide range in the score does not represent the real speed of the yachts. Flame was in every respect perfectly tuned after several months of hard work. Bostonia V, on the other hand, could not seem to get going in the light, variable winds. Her performance in the United States, and also during her trials at Gosport, . Showed she had plenty of speed. Down the wind, her time was 123¢ seconds faster than Flame. On the wind, when it had weight, she held her own. Local knowledge of the pond at Gosport proved a great asset. It is suggested that a skipper and mate both be sent next time. They should know their yacht and be at the pond at least two weeks to tune up. This year the writer had a different mate each day, which does not make for the most efficient handling. International Open Water Race Allan Forbes Trophy Sailed Off Haslar Wall, Gosport, Wednesday, August 3rd Britain was represented by Shannon, skippered by H. G. Pyne, of Gosport M.Y.C., and the United States by Bostonia V, skippered by John Black. First race, one half mile to windward and leeward. Wind moderate from N. Sea fairly smooth. Start, 10 o’clock. Shannon in weather berth. Both yachts on port tack. Bostonia V soon pulled through Shannon’s lee and both yachts made a long leg towards Haslar Wall. Bostonia V was the first to split tacks, followed some time later by Shannon. The wind now hauled to the east and it was necessary for Bostonia V to ease sheets to lay the weather mark. After rounding, Bostonia V squared away for the finish line which she crossed well ahead of Shannon. Actual time: Bostonia V, 14 min. 463% sec. Second race, triangular, one half mile to each leg. Wind N.E. and freshening. First leg close lay. Bostonia V increased her lead. Third leg was a run and Bostonia V made it without a touch, finishing the race as Shannon was rounding the second mark. Actual time: Bostonia V, 16 min. 45 sec. A good run with spinnakers. “Flame,” left, and “Bostonia V” Shannon finish. did not