The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-21

A
were very much averse to the centreboard prin-
ciple, and 1t was not until the experiments made
by Mr. stevens, OF Hob0ken. In the Maria and other
yachts, were brought TO such q successful issue,
that much attention was given to the subject.
Since then, however, q number OF centreboard
yachts have been constructed, and ct the present
day the principle has able defenders In such yachts
as the Magic, vesta, Columbia, Wanderer Made
leine, Resolute and dozen Of others that could be
named.
In order to arrive at the opinion Of some of the
most noted yacht modellers of the day, the HERALD
builder Of the Columbia, Feetwing. Fleur de Lis
and other well known yachts, and to Captain
Robert Fish, who designed and superintended the
construction OF the Eva, Enchantress and Wan
derer, and who Is also credited with the hipping
was discovered at his residence In Williamsburg
deep In the mysteries OF a mdship section OF new
design he is getting up for centreboard yacht
set aside his pencil and ruler and on being IN.
formed Of the object Of the visit volunteered any
information he could give.
Mr.. Van Deusen stated that centreboard yachts
had been In existence longer than he could remem-
Der, and the following conversation ensued:-
9. DO you believe centreboard vessels are sea
worthy A. Most decidedly: and they have always
proved themselves to be so. The vesta must GER
tanly he called a seagong vessel taking into con-
ocean race and the canvas she carried. But one Of
best proofs that can be given are practical proofs
and these we find In the
OF loss and wrecks OF vessels. The percentage OF
loss s fur greater with keel than centreboard boats
o. 9; In what iva, way DO yov account for that A.
hundred tons, one centreboard, ana the
Sas will eus of light ' aTsash s0at q
water, probably drawing about seven or eight
feet, while the keelboat will draw at least three or
four feet more. The captains OF coasting schooners
are for the most part unacquanted with navga-
ton, and generally beach 1t up and down and cal:
to take the sun: Now then you take the centre
board vessel, drawing seven or eight feet,
feet, the centreboard acts as q perfect lead
line, as when they touch they Immediately bear
keeboat, however, would stand on until brought
up on her Keel and would probably stay there. II
6y accident the centseooard vessel should become
board, without. any damage to the vessel. centre
board is simpler AFFAIR to repair. but If the same
should happen to q
KEELBoAr
she would probably be lost altogether.
@. Do you think centrebOard vessels capable Of
standing severe gale OF wind? A. Yes, II properly
constructed In every respect and In many instances
they would act much easier than the keeboat OF
might have hold Of twelve feet of water, while q
centrebOard boat OF the same size, by dropping her
board to its full extent could have hold Of twenty
Q. What are the objections to centreboard yachtsq
A. The main objection is the weakness at each
end OF the centreboard trunk, but which, however,
timber at those points.
@. Which is the best boat on the wind A. I
yachts OF the same model, both rugged and spared
the same one keel and the other centrebOard. The
latter will hold better wind and not make as much
-. LKRwAY,
from the fact that the centreboard drops down
into the still and solid water. She will also have
tendency to work to windward as when pun
strikes her and she heels the centreboard acts
with certain spring below, like the whip of an
oar that tends to work her up to windward. Pract-
aoI n 40 I'm fhnt Af
boats equally matched IN speed the centre ts
board will eat mp to windward Of the keel.
%nSa DO think the most
particularly for sailing In these Waters as she is
safer. You have never seen q centrebOard yacht
of her board, whereas the large keel boats have al
ways suffered to great extent and have been a
CONTINUAL ANNOYANCE
by striking bottom, losing their kees and hitting
sunken rocks. In our arrangements for the cut
ence In the distribution Of the space the centre
board yacht affording equal facilities to the keel
Now, last season the keel boats had pretty rough
keel or twice. the Dauntless struck hers twice and
the Enchantress once, while with centreboard
O. What do You think about speeSS A. i In regard
to speed the centreboard yacht ia always the
fastest In our waters. They are decidedly superior
properly constructed centfeboard yacht viii wear
ship in less than half the time that keebOat will
her way the
keelDoat has to start afresh on the new tack, 3nd
in many instances, when they have been obliged to
put the jib to windward to make her pay or she
Will have stern way. In outside races, making long
stretches, there would not be so much difference
The HERALD representative, after thanking Mr.
Van Deusen, sailed forth In search Of
CAPTAIN FISH,
who was discovered In his dteiier at the top Of
the building on the corner OF Roosevelt and South
Streets surrounded by the models Of the different
yachts sent aioat under his supervision. After the
usual complimentary salutations business COM
Q. Captain Fish, I have come to ask you what you
know about centreboard yachts A. Well, SIR,
shall be very happy to give you any Information
O. When was a centreboard first applied to o
yacht A. That can hardly tell you, but re-
teen feet long, called the Ohio and used 70 sail in
her in 1929. Mr.. stevens had a centrebOard yacht
named the Trouber Of about forty feet water ter line
he had experimental with centreboards in q skin
or bateau for years before that.
O. Can you explain why centrebOard yachts have
not been adopted more generality A. believe
that for many years people have been under the I'm.
preston that all centreboard boats must he nat
and full like sc0w, and when they went to build
centreboard boat they did not pay attention to
the model, but built nat, full boat, only fit for
SMOOTH WATER,
and then, when not handy In sea way would Law
the blame to the centreboard instead OF the
model Now, you can take any OF our pilot boats,
win sa great deaifaster to windward go in stays
quicker, go faster before the wind with board up
and prove better sea boat.
Q, How do you account for her being a better sea
boat A. When you lay them to in heavy gale OF
wind with keel they viii lay up close and 90 to
windward. They will make very little leeway, and
consequently the sea is apt to board them to
wINDwARD,
whereas II they could haul up their centreboard
they would make leeway and make smooth water TO
windward, because the sea will not break over
them as they drift away. Again, should they be on
a lee shore the board VIII be equally handy In beat
Ing of and laying close to the wind.
q. How can you avoid the weakness occasiOned
by the centreboard case cutting the floor timbers
for some length at midshipss A. They can be
strengthened by extra heavy side nelson's and
heavy timber on sides Of trunk; but that would
take up great deal OF room, and 1t would not
strengthen the long centrebOard. But supposng
centreboard yacht has trunk thlrtyone feet long,
put head piece up In the centre Of the trunk and
frame right across the vessel In the same place,
with heavy floor timber Then put
TWO BOARDS,
each fifteen feet long, and have the centre