The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-25

| Yachtlns-A Little Question or Tinc-Centre-
Boarters W.. Keel Boats.
An interesting discussion in regard to the
capacities of certain yachts has just been got
under way and promises to have an excellent
career. II Is well known that earnest yacht
owners are not strictly partial judges Of their
own vessels, and the man who Is not proud OF
his craft, II she be worth possessing had better
dispose Of her. Indeed, IL not unfrequently
happens that even our best yachtmen overesti
mate the merits of their vessels and seldom
iaii ol excuse when defeat mars their expecta-
uons' Iney are sometimes equally misled
when victory crowns their efforts. rarely credit
ing the good luck that may have brought about
success. The question now under discussion
presents some features that deserve attention.
and when the subject shall have been examined
and explained benefit will doubtless accrua
to the yachting community
A few days ago Commodore william yoorb;s
published letter in which he drew q comn.rI-
son between the race sailed ON the 28th MID
and the contest between the Sappho and tho
Cambria on the 18th inst, tho In
ference he deducted being that che
Tidal Wave, centre-board boat. made
faster time twenty miles to windward than any
other yacht. Commodore voorhis announces
that the Tidal Wave ''sailed the forty mile
race in one hour and forty-four seconds less
time than the Sappho, and the latter had all
the wind she could stagger under" Accord
ing to IS. M. T., whose reply to Commodore
Voorhis was published yesterday, the race in
which the Tidal Wave claims to have carried
off such laurels was not strictly beat to
windward. IS. M. T.. goes on to say that
lit is true that Mr. Voorhis' complaint about
the race having been called drift is just:
but does not greater shadow cover the Tidal
Wave-a light draught, centre board boat,
going over rather than through the water
for having been beaten SO signally in this race
in such light wind, by two large keel boats,
the Dauntless and the Sappho (Which draw at
least twelve feet of water, and, consequently,
offer more resistance), than if it had been a
drift" The question, in fact, is asked
whether, ''if beaten over her own ground
viz, smooth water-aud in her own
wind, moderate breeze, what Oh ancs
would the Tidal Wave have had in the race
of the 18TH when the wind increased SO much
in strength as to cause very ugly chopping
sea and the yachts were compelled to shorten
sail2" These are about the principal features of
the friendly though interesting little contest.
1t will doubtless be vigorously maintained,
and as Commodore Voorhis is plucky yacht
man he may challenge the entire feet. But
there is no question whatever that the circum-
stances surrounding the race Of the 28th OF
September, when the wind at any time did not
exceed good topsail breeze, and that
between the Sappho and Cambria on the 18th
inst, when both yachts were compelled to
shorten sail, were, as ''S. M. T." has proven,
totally different.
In connection with the points at issue
''Devoted Yachtman," whose ideas are pretty
clear, has word to say. In letter which
we reproduced from the Spirit Of tho Times
he expresses the belief that centre-board
yacht stanchly and properly built is just as
seaworthy, just as weatherly and much more
speedy than sharp yacht of the same ton
mage. He holds, moreover, that q centre
board yacht built to ton up to the Daunt-
less, Sappho, Cambria or Fleetwino would
beat either of them twenty miles to wind
ward and back from the point of the Hook
or from the lightship. With that opinion
we perfectly agree. There is not the slightest
doubt that centre-boarder can sail faster
than and weather a gale equally as well as a
keel boat of similar dimensions, provided she
be constructed with a view to ability. A GEN.
tre-board is purely American in its origin, and
its adaptability has been attended with the
most gratifying results. But there is no deny
ing the fact that our best centre-board vessels
have yet to come. Sufficient attention has not
heretofore been bestowed upon the building OF
centre-boarders. If properly rugged and
power they are unquestionably preferable to
the keel vessels.
devoted Yachtman" is inclined to treat
facetiously the comparison instituted by Com
modore Voorhis, but it is not unlikely that the
spirit and confidence of the latter gentleman
will allow the matter to fall through without a
rebuttal. We are glad to find that even now,
before the season has actually closed, new
yachts are being built upon what it is hoped
will be improved models. 1t is said that the
number of pleasure craft to be constructed
before next spring will by far exceed that of any
past year. Let them be built on improved
principles. American yachtmen cannot afford
to stand still and rest on their oars.
Although the English Cambria did not defeat
our little squadron her presence in our waters
was of great benefit to our yachtmen. Fer
| arrival gave renewed stimulus to our pleasure
navy and increa snd snaad and atanchnaaa arn