Model Yachting: Volume 4, Issue 38 – April 1948

Price 25 Cents 1948 Spring Cotneth ? J :: ■ ■ ■ •• :: :■ .. ■ /’ a ;J ,· J • ~ • •ill :: := :ii =· :: :: ~~ •'” •• “I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide :: _. Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied •• ~ And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, •• …. •• •• ~ • A Non-Profit Publication of the Model Yacht Racing A$s’n of America ··••■-■YN.-.■•■•■• ■.w.■•■• .. ..,.._._…….. , ..lvY … W.Yllrl’.Y.-.Y.• … -.,………………… ~ If for any unfortunate and unforse!:’. r: reason negotiations tor its manufactur~ should fail, the One-design might just ;i, well never had existed. The purpose of adopting this boat was to place into the hands of marine minded persons th~ requisites for enjoying model yachtin without much fuss and bother, and at~ reasonable price. Practically all contemporary contributors to “Model Yachting” seem to agree that a large majority of present day skip. pers have one and only one object in mind-speed and more speed to the exclussion of all other elements in design or good practice in ship building, and in appraising the one-design this majority continues to value it in terms of SPEED. Now, then,-the 50/800 one-design never u.:as intended to out-sail the unyachtlike contraptions we are now sailing as Class “M.” The reason-and a good one-why the one-design was incorporated into the 50/800 or “M” class, was to allow those who bought them to compete, if they so ‘desired, in that class, when not racing strictly in the “Helen J” one-design regattas. We have every reason to believe that the “Helen T’ class boat will be reason, ably fast, sea,worthy, and pleasing to watch. Nevertheless, those that have the best interests of model yachting at heart -are not interested in its speed-but in the enthusiasm-building possibilities inherent in this model. Let’s NOT talk “speed” when referring to this class, but rather “equality of opportunity.” We have no patience with those who say that we should have waited and canvassed the membership for the best boat available. That’s a lot of baloney, with the emphasis on the “bull.” Were that method adopted we would be forever trying to select a model. Remember the “Wampum”?!!! It would turn out like Bocaes the poet, that was presented a roll of worsted suiting by an admirer, with instructions to have Cont. on Page 11 ?11.~q,,~.t. .4~~4.fo19 MAIN OFFICE 71 CaIla Street, Providence 5, R. I. Freeman J. Santos, Publisher-Editor Miss Jeanne A. Santos, Associate Editor Leslie Gesback G. C. Gallagher Mid-West Western Founded MODEL in 1945 by H. Farley Official Publication of the YACHT RACING ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Subscription, $2.00 Charles Rep. Rep. in U. S. and One Year, Canada: $2.50 Foreign All rights reserved. Nothing that appears in thts magazine may be reproduced. either whooly or in part, without written permission of the Editor acting for the MYRAA or from a contrib1ttor who reserves his rights. Make all Checks and Money Orders payable to “MODEL YACHTING” Vol. IV APRIL No. 38 FORE’N’AFT WHY THE ONE-DESIGN?!!! Ever since the “Helen J.” one-design was adopted discussion has run wild with few understanding just why the class was given to the sport. The 50/800 one-design came into ex, istance thru necessity-not thru fancy. Practically everyone interested in the sport knew that our periodic stagnation was due primarily to the fact that our present class boats were, because of con, stantly changing design and intricate craftsmanship, becoming more and more beyond the capabilities of the average hobbiest. We all realized that something had to be done to gather into the fold the thousands of prospective model yachtsmen that have in the past been frightened out of the sport; the manuf actured one-design was the only logical answer. 2 MODEL YACHTING DESERVEScoOo’t.’ttK’!s’c llROlH~\ Hon. F. C. Tansley \ 10 Jd ship and yacht building, design….. sailing, and racing, can today be than ever a fine recreation for .. l(·-·l 1.L. .. 1Ji\·iduals of all ages, and as a corn· ..•1unity activity can yield real benefits •’!re\.. • . •t or 1’ndirect. The cult has a lnn~.. ,. ,d honorable history, and we all know ·::.,ut the collections of ship models, old ;: ! new, very proudly acknow’. 1,,c in all that a wonderful craftsman, and an abiding world trad_ition well “·()rth preserving and extendmg. But u~t now we are thinking _most of the 1 -cive version of the same mterest-the ,l1.. d h yac ts ,l1..•tual sailincr :::, of these ships an , 111 town and park lakes. The model yachtsman, whether craftsm:tn or sailing man, knows full well the mental and bodily benefits he derives from following his fascinating sport, h\lhby, art, craft, science, or whatever he has made of it; but others, and even those in authority, are not always so :nlightened. When City residents, retired people, factory workers, and restless youth cry aloud for something to do, then model yachting has occasionally been :tllowed a meagre opportunity. Nevertidess we are sure that model-yachting :1.:; a sport and pastime has often been foraotten or misunderstood, and ;.., these hard days can even be displaced for the ·ake of short-range economies .. So model yachtsmen must be watchful and active and do all they can to sustain and increase their local activities on which the strength of the organized sport depends. In discussions it is important to em’)hasize the fact that the Association of ?vfodel Yacht Clubs, is a nation-wide fraternity of amateurs and is in no way a profit-making combination; we group ourselves with the artists. fine craftsmen. and amateur sportsmen of the nation. and in nowise with commercialized sport nr financial undertakings with profit as the motive. ;!,~ ,~ Some authorities do recognize that our sport deserves recognition, but in other cases restrictive action has been taken without reference to long-established local model yachting groups. There has been some neglect of sailing-waters, and in one such case the thoughtful and fair official while regretting the bad conditions said-“W e do value and support your activities, and so until things have cleared up do not allow your group of craftsmen to become discouraged or dissolved because their continuance must be an asset to our town.” The claim of our group of many Clubs is that th~se days model yachting and model making ,vell deserve special attention from the authorities, whether governmental or local. In all its aspects the sport and recreation is good and clean, outdoors and indoors. at all seasons of the year, and to intelligent recruits it offers far greater cultural pleasures and advan~ages than many other things that are said ~o be socially beneficial, and it is a splen_d1d antidote, especially for youth, agamst a number of activities that are known to he sociallv brmfol. In conclusion let us be even more detailed and specific, and go ri£;ht through the Seven ages of Man! What can be the use of model-yachting during that long journey? ‘The Child most certainly loves model boats. Here he has one of the most advar.ced of the Kinder:garten “gifts.” Observation and neat fingering are fostered. and constructive talents are encouraged. Pictures of different kinds of ships and rigging are brooded. ~ver and copied. and the child asks auestlons and finds out the why and wherefore. Sever:11 model yacht lakes have a shallow lah~ ;:i.s an annex wherein vouns:rsters can paddlP: and fratP.rnize and follow their small craft. and these happy places are alw,1.vs ,rm~rded. Schoolboys as a class are fascinated by 3 ships, sailors, and the sea; and the instinct, innate to the natives of all lands, should be augmented by every possible means. Mechanical and inven, tive aptitudes can be quickly discovered and developed in the school \vorkshops when the boys are working with tooJ5 0.1 wood or metal to construct such obiccts as sail or power driven models. Th:.:n granted a lake on which they can exper~• ment with their models, the field of know· ledge and experience can be widened indefinitely, lessons in cause and effect. control, steering, stability, construction of fittings, and many other excellent practical sub_jects, will occupy the atten, tion of these lucky adolescents. In competitions and racing on the water the boy achieves his experience in “mixing,” in courtesy. patience. fair-minded, ness, and ,, general learns how to “play t h e game. his castle the envy of all beholders. Also his new lady, by previous sewing of model sails, will have accumulated e:t. perience and patience for other thing,> and in these days we all know that if yo~ want a thing well and cheaply done You must do it yourself. The Soldier. What can we say of lum? Here we want to be quite serious. \Ve model yachting elders are indeed proud of our young companions who went to the war; they carried through their jobs not less well than any of their comrades in arms, and a great prop0r• tion of them did exceptionally well be, cause they had trained minds and clever hands in readiness for action. The quick, of-eye and control developed in model racing were of surprising service in th;! air and on the sea. On the mechanic,Li side in all the Forces our young rrien did specially well and at radar and other ‘The Yau.th. Shakespeare next refers subtle things they became adepts. Some years ago a prominent man said to me . to the young man at the commencement .. I wonder whether we are right; does of the struggle and fullness of life. We this preoccupation with models make our can point out that the youth of the right type who has graduated in model mak, boys soft? … war clouds are gathering ing and sailing will find himself in active -should not the training be always for We know now that the possession of knowledge which can b-~ toughness? recent war was a clash not only of phys, 0f real service to him in any station. “Model Yachting” is showing how the ical forces but of brain power and special gifts and training of modellers mechanical and scientific knowledge, and can open promising careers in many we repeat that we are proud of the part directions. The young man will of course played by the boys we know hest of all. One of them said to me recently … We be specially attracted to problems ..)f went through it and now we are wcrking design and s;iil form, cargo carrying capacity, speed and sea-worthiness, and hard under bad conditions, and we want ;i.11 the curious ways of a ship in the sea; to be given better facilities for finding relief in our chosen recreations. he will also become familiar with wind This tale cannot be completed just now and skv. and the weather fine or foul, by full reference to Shakespeare’s Biw and will appreciate the healing quality of outdoor activities. If, as the Poet sug- iness Man, his Senior, hisAncient but our gests, he goes on to find a partner and to claim is that model yachting is :fine for all of them and should be thus acknov;, start a home in the usual human way, !edged by the Authorities who spend the he will find, maybe to his surprise, that in his mundane world his ability as a money of these good taxpayers. The craftsman gained in model making will Mana~ing men equally with the Working enable him to construct sound fittings and men find that a few hours sport with even furniture and to effect repairs and the models at the lake gives complete indulge in fine painting in such a way Cont. on Page 6 as to save a mint of money and to n.1,;.ke 4 OBITUARY . Io