- Model Yacht Racing: A Comparison of the Merits of Pond and Skiff Sailing. John Black.
A Comparison of the Merits of Pond and Skiff Sailing — cae We Se ey Fee 2 lan rye? a Sea ESPat7.LF er a 9S ry i nn rer ae, SOL, = 2 a _ ea SS amet SS 2) A —_— oe eee roms We coge has been considerable discussion between the model yachtsmen of America as to whether the English rules worthy of notice, is that when a skipper or mate is about to touch or turn his model he must haye skiff sailing or pond sailing is the better when it comes to both feet firmly on the ground, and must not move them racing the models. Having had the pleasure of racing in while the model is being touched. This eliminates the England last summer, where practically all. the model tendency to push or tow, which is a quite common abuse yacht racing is held in ponds and the boats are handled in skiff sailing. from the banks, I will endeavor to give an unbiased com- | The finish of each board is between flag marks placed at about 10 feet from shore. In important events only parison of the two types of sailing. Here in America, owing to the lack of suitable ponds, ‘two models race at a time, and when all have completed all our principal model racing meets are held on large ‘the windward board they are taken from the water, retrimmed with spinnakers, and paired for the run back. bodies of water where the use of a skiff or rowboat is necessary to follow the models. This type of sailing has. Should two yachts foul each other within six yards of the two decided points in its favor. First, it gives the skipper start, the race is restarted. A foul at any time beyond the a chance to make adjustments to his model whenever he six-yard limit may be resailed, by order of the officer of the day. chooses to do so, and to assist his model in making the When a yacht comes ashore on the leeward board, it turns around the racing marks. Second, it gives skippers is the duty of the skipper (or mate). to stop his yacht of racing models a chance to get some real outdoor exercise by following their models over the course. In light while making retrim. His feet must be stationary. In weather a skipper can observe the working of his model restarting, the yacht must gather its own headway. Pushing or “launching’’ is prohibited. Launching is a very nicely, but in moderate to strong winds there is little new trick that has been invented. A skipper, after retrim, time for observation, because his model travels as fast as holds the stem of his model high in the air, as if to check he can row. his rudder, and then allows the stern to slide down off the Perhaps the latter case is one reason why more model palm of his hand with the same effect as launching. This yachtsmen do not build boats, and fail to become interested. They cannot row a skiff well enough, and they do practice is closely watched and offenders are promptly disqualified. not have the strength to row over a mile course two or Two very clever rigs that are used in pond sailing and more times during an afternoon’s racing. There are many ae in skiff sailing are the beating guy, and the Liverpool followers of the sport who claim that in skiff sailing the oy. skipper is 75 per cent of the racing and the model is only The beating guy is used when only a short tack is needed 25 per cent. This is based on the fact that the skipper who to make the finish line. This guy is made of one or more can handle his skiff the best is invariably the winner. lengths of 14” square or round rubber, and is attached by In pond sailing, which is in effect in England, and toa the boom, the weather rail and end of the quadrant on the limited extent in this country, the model sails from shore steering gear. A bowser is used to give the proper tension, to shore on its own merits, skiffs not being used. All according to the strength of wind, and also length of the courses are sailed between fixed starting and finishing lines, regardless of wind conditions. Two courses, or boards, tack. This part of pond sailing is the most enjoyable, and are sailed in each race. The windward board counts the it is wonderful to watch a model thus rigged tack herself most, three points; the leeward board counts two points. when only a few feet from shore without human aid. In case there is no windward work, each board counts The Liverpool Boy is a similar device that is used on the jib pole to hold the jib to weather after tacking, thus only two points. When the course is to windward and it is necessary to preventing the model from coming into irons. This rig is tack the model, the skipper or his mate (a mate is necnot used by all skippers. essary for pond sailing) is allowed to turn his boat with the The standard steering gear used throughout Great (Continued on page 106) aid of a pole some five or six feet in length. One feature of Pe ER grr . = ~ preabac sm =e es ae = By Joun Brack = ey Si = a ~iws —— —— K Model Yacht Racing Rigging up Class B models on float preparatory to start of a race where the boats are handled from skiffs. 82 A study in wave making. Class Adieu. R model April, 1927 Palm Beach Leads Off – (Continued from page 42) Woodward led the fleet of six Sea Sleds twice around. the 2%-mile course in the excellent time of 9:023<. A. A. Kent's Vibert IT took the Super Bear Cat event. The outboard races were productive of the best of sport and some of the closest finishes of the regatta, various makes of motors being represented. These craft are real little racers, and don’t let anyone be fooled on that. Sister Miami, owned by A. R. Knauer, hung up a world’s record for outboards with an average **You didn’t come a day too soon’ The sure way to avoid trouble in your mouth is to see your dentist intime. Gotohimatleasttwicea year as a sensible precaution. He will keep teeth and gums healthy and may prevent serious trouble. of 25:22 m.p.h., with a Johnson Big Twin, in six mile trials. Poison, owned by Don Conkling (yes, son of the Commodore) did well with an average of 22.228, while Crate, a tiny craft owned by Jim Ohmer, got first honors in Class B. Buzzing Around and Barfield’s entry in the Penn Yan Baby Buzz class outboards tied on points. Yes, it was a great regatta! Model Yacht Racing (Continued from page 82) sail of 5 - see him too late ‘Don't let carelessness or a false feeling of security give dangerous pyorrhea a chance to fasten itself in -your mouth. Four out of five have this dread infection at forty,and many younger, according to dental statistics. A little foresight will keep you among the fortunate who escape. At least every six months let your dentist go over your mouth carefully to detect signs of gum infection and start now to brush night and morning with Forhan’s for the Gums. '-- The entire family should brush with Forhan’s. It’s a pleasant tasting dentifrice that firms the gums and keeps them pink and healthy. Ic gives the teeth a thorough cleansing and keeps them white and clean. You can’t begin using Forhan’s too soon. Delay may exact a heavy toll. It’s unwise to take chances with pyorrhea. Get your tube of Forhan’s today. All druggists: 35c and 60c in tubes. Formula of R. J. Forban, D.D.S. * * * Forhan Company, New York rhans MORE THAN FOR THE GUMS A TOOTH PASTE <: « IT CHECKS PYORRHEA Britain is the Brain gear. . It is, beyond question, the most efficient steering gear the writer has ever used. While it cannot be used satisfactorily for skiff sailing, it could be modified for such use. The steering gear used for pond sailing must be so sensitive that it will do the work required without failure. As to which method of sailing is the best and the most valuable for the sport, there is no question in my mind that pond sailing is the most satisfactory. In the first place, the skipper has a better opportunity to study his model from shore, as he can observe her from every angle. Second, the model has to be perfectly balanced, because she cannot be touched except when she comes ashore. Each time a model comes ashore she looses valuable time, as she must be stopped dead. Third, pond sailing develops speed in retrimming. Many races are lost because skippers are slow at this important item of boat handling. All in all, the writer firmly believes that pond sailing requires more skill and develops better model yachtsmen than skiff sailing. nd Evinrude Absorbs Koban The Evinrude Motor Co., of Milwaukee, Wis., announce that they have just taken over the entire stock and all other assets of the Koban Mfg. Co., of Milwaukee, manu- facturers of Koban outboard and inboard motors. The entire Evinrude facilities are now at the service of Koban motor owners. Ordersfor Koban parts will be filled prompeys and former Koban employees have engaged for repairs, service, etc. been
