The New York herald., 1871-02-05
Y A @ II II 7 NJ G..
Communication from "Tom Criugieo-HYs
Ceutreb0ard Argument.

letter from Devoted Yachtman," IN which he does
me the honor to refer TO my remarks yachting
matters as published in the HERALD.
1t Is gratifying to learn that sucn an authority ap.
proves OF my idea OF steel centreboard and I
hope long it viii be tried. There are one or two
points on which have the temerity to disagree with
"Deyotei Yachtman," and II am wrong shall be
glad 10 be shown my error. 1t Is not my object
merely TO provoke disc assion, nut to contribute my
mite toward the elucidation OF doubtful points.
In his letter oil November Il Devoted Yachtman'
says:-"n yacht has a broad HAT bIlge with
heavy dead rise, she must have a longer centre
board to overcome the leeway which Is caused by
tile bottom OF the bise striking line below the
bottom OF the cenreboard III winch time tue centre.
board ceases to hold ner and Is entirely vaueless for
the work v was designed to perform. All yacht
has to depend on In such case to hold her Is her
blge, which Is not sufficient"
Also "From the formation OF any well modelled
yacht it would be impossible at any time or In any
position to lose the services OF oentreooard hung
forward OF the foremast; and board nung
dropping three or tour ieet below the keel would
hold her more firmly to the wind than or elghe
feet OF board would on the old pan.n
hod ihat yacht cannot be heeicd over so far as
TO lose wholly the services OF her board-that is,
she ever rights a9aln-and that under any crcum-
stances The Bulge cannot affect the boards hold on
tue water; and further that wherever the board
may be piaced-whether amidshlps, forward Of the
loremist or under The cockpit-when the yacht Is
heeed TO ner gunwae the angle of inclination and
consequently the holding power must be precisely
| the same.
IL - true that broad nat yacht requires more
| board than narrow one, but that is because tho
| former USUALLY draws less water, and her bottom,
when heeled, becomes more nearly parallel with the
surface OF the water, and sue has holding power,
except what she derives from her lceside and the
board
contend that the bilgc cannot render the boarC
useless, as the water does no. come sdewise but as
the yacht moves the water comes from the forefoot
and passes be. ween the bge and the board so that
any Interference Is an imposslbliy Beslaes supposs
Ing such thing 10 be possible, would any yachtman
attempt 10 sai his yacnt Ia that position, as, OF
course, the propeling power would be TO great ex-
tent lost from the angle at which the wind would
strke the sailSs
The next Tune "Devoted Yachtman, goes sailing
let him pack sail on his yacht TIL she is heeled well
over, and mark the trend oi her wa1e; then let him
shake her up IN the wind drop his board and heel
her again. and think he VIII lnd his leeway mate
rally arrested. He will soon mud which OF us Is
correct as 10 the nutlty OF the board in such posi-
uon. II he will even take model and place her in
the position he describes he cannot Ian to perceive
that the theory he has propounded IL alacy. Lear
III mind the wider the yacht smaller angle OF
inclination required to get her gunwale under.
Tnere can De no question as TO the de5rability or
Keeping yacht moderately upright as every think.
ing man Will at once perceive that with every addl-
uOudI OI INCLINATION lie something DOLn
IN tue propeing lower OF his sails and The power OF
ms board to resist lateral motion No plan mas yet
been found TO keep yacht ON an even keel and yet
enable her TO carry sufficient canvas TO develop her
utmost speed. IL Is here that the scientnc yacht
man viii show to advantage. Far more races are
lost through carrying TOO much SAIL tndu from .
scarcity OF canvas-an error into which the tyro Will
be pretty sure TO fall partly because he is apt to con-
found the heeling OF the vessel and the rush and
tumuit OF the broken water with speed and partly
because he tears to be suspected of timidty.'
III ~ tocraoiy certain tnat two boards each OF 100
Icet area, WOulu not be as efcaClUuS as OF
feet Just as Two small sails are not as powerful
one large one containing their comb ied surlace.
With board forward OF the forcmast the yacht
would need more head sail, while IL Is desirable
rather to diminish than to augment forward and
outboard canvas. Another objection IL that as
III tacking IL would be necessary 10 have up the
alter boaid it would also be requisite in Keeping
away To raise the forward ohe-a very awkward pro-
ceeding when you flnd big fellow coming stem
on ri2nt ahead or on your weather bow, In thick
weather, when the yacht IL waited To lal! or
quickly. or course am aware that IN bearing up
Tue head SAILS are Kept full and the malnsheet can
be let go, while In lacking all tile sails are
shaking which makes considerable difference As
devoted Yachtman' says, the yacht would tack
stern sweeps around; but does J nog better TO
turn more nearly on her centres Surely she VIII
tack In less time when both ends combine to ac-
complsh the end In vew and the ballast Is also used
as u pivot, as "Devoted lacntmenn has 80 often
mentioned, whereas In the otner case the ballast
has To be moved. No. no, sir; let SUCK to the old
style and make the board longer we have not got
bali ts good qualities; so let US persevere. Possibly
additional depth might IN some cases De an improve
ment though some yachts. notably the SiNie, are
sad 10 go Oetter 70 Windwarc with about half the
What is wanted Is more power to resist leeway
without greatly increasing the resistance TO pro-
gresslve melton, and the emily way open 10 us
appears to me 10 be TO increase the length OF the
board.
Devoted Yachtmann does not approve or the
douoe centreboard, placed nearly close together,
and as the plan i none OF my child don't mean to
fight for 1t: but If right the bilge question,
and really think am, his objections not valid,
and believe the yacht, II properly balanced, would
work readily enough She would most likely be
with n single board
might be desirable 10 ralSc tue alter one Expert
ence would soon determine and in any case it
would be no mere trouble than the other plau.
Perhaps IS M. r." and other enthusiastic and expe-
rienced yachting men VIII give us their opinion on
these matters 1t Is only by discussion anu expert
ment that Improvement can come. So let all who
love this glorious sport lend their all. WIN not
some kiud-nearted individual give US a yachunen's
description OF MIR. Osgood's yachty Now that
there - no sailing we are hungering aud thirsting
What are the dimensions OF the Enchantress,
The HERALD OF October ~ gives them 100 feet on
the water line and l25s ieet hold and December ~
lis feet water line and III fee inches hold Which
Is cori'ectr
chusetts Legislature Tor a charter, which will
doubtless be granted, as the roll Of members IN
ciudeS all the yachting men OF any note IN the East
ern States-a large number OF these gentlemen OF
wealth and position.
such organizations are productive OF much good.
They tend 10 the Improvement OF naval architecture,
furnish employment to large numbers OF men In
building, rigging and manning their vessels, incul-
cate IN their crews habits OF order and discipline,
and afford 10 their owners u source OF helthfu and
lnvigoraiing amusement that renders them worthy
Of the acknow edgment and protection OF the State.
And now, Mr.. Editor, let me have little crack at
YOU Why Will you print yacntman instead OF
yachtsrnan, rs write IT. We say 0arsman, steers
man. landsman sportsman, ana why not yachts
man' 1t Is true we say boatman, but that's The ex-
ceptlon that proves the rule. l don't dispute the
correctness or your word. but mine Is certainly moro
eupAonious.
sincerely hope tnat your recommendation re-
gaiding grand regatta Of ali yacht clubs Will be
attended TO, and would suggest Off Newport as be.
ing the best place The New YORK and Brooklyn
yachts usually rendezvous there in August, and no
doubt all the crack yachts this side Cape Cod would
contribute to swell the pageant.
For your Efforts to extend ana popularize yachting
be pleased Mr. Editor to receive the siasere thanks
or TOM CRINGLE.
PIGEON SHOOTING.