New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-22
vtcuTrNG PROSPECTS FOR 1885

I1fHIINE IHODI EttD ron 1000
General interest in yachting will be less this
gear than it was last wear because OF the absence
Of any international contest It is not necessary
that one should understand the difference between
n b.. spinnalSer BOOM and "bobstay" to grow
notriotic and enthusiastic about the victory Of an
American sloop over an English cutter; but it does
reouire some nautical knowledge to appreciate
vacht-racing when confined entirely to our own
vachtsmen The new deed OF gift practically
limits competition for the Americas Cup to 9o-1oot
singlestickers" and 5-foot schooners. The WIS
dom of this restriction far rs it applies to sloops
and cutters is seriously questioned In support
Of such course it is urged, with much force, that
the emblem of yachting supremacy should mean
that the nation possessing it has the fastest yacht
aaoat and not merely the yacht that is fastest
for her size. On the other hand 1t Is contended
that big sloops like the Volunteer and Mayhower
represent an artificial class which can never become
popular OF numerous; that they were built solely
for international contests, and that without them
they are sure, sooner or later, to be transformed
into schooners, to which class they properly
belong.
Our British cousins seem convinced by the logic
of events that big cutter can't be built that will
sail as close to the wind first class sloop with
a centreboard. But they are not convinced that
chance to capture the cup from second class soop
and they would gladly avail themselves Of the OPP
portunity to try it, Such challenge would at once
lead TO the building Of probably half dozen SEQ
ond class sloops that would prove permanent add-
tons to our yachting feet and furnish some excit-
ing racing among themselves. Therefore 1t is
urged that considerations Of enlightened self-in-
terest alone would make it advisable to encourage
competition between second class sloops and cutters
for the Americas Cup. The relative merits Of
such boats would be something worth ascertaining
There is much to be said on both sides of the ques
ton
Meanwhile our yachtsmen are working out some
interesting problems among themselves In the
absence Of another fight for the coveted cup, the
races among the schooners will attract most atten-
tion The Sachem that was as easily first among
the schooners last year as was the Volunteer
among the sloops, will this season have for COM
petitors the Burgessed" Grayling drawing two
feet more water than she did last season. the trans
formed Priscilla, the Sea Fox, Commodore Can
fields own design, and BURGESS new schooner,
the Marguerite. The latter represents the latest
development Of the compromise tendency. She
is 80 feet long on the water line has centre
board trunk all below the cabin floor and draws
II feet Of water with the board up She is
best qualities Of both the keel and centreboard
types-safety, speed and ability to sail close to
the wind. Not appropriately she and the Sea
Fox have been called keel-centreboardo boats
Evolution has left the shtmming-dishD centre
board boat and the llnife-board' keel boat alike
far behind
Many yachtsmen contend that within certain
limits the centreboard has no advantage over
the keel We may get some light on that subject
before the season is over. Burgess is building
four boats, two Of them cutters and two centre
boards, and all Of them within a fraction Of
40 feet long on the water line, and OF the same
sail power. II they can be brought together the
result will be worth volumes of mere speculation
and will contribute much toward settling
controversy that heretofore Like Banquo's ghost
" will not down" Happily our yschtsmen are
not hampered by preiudices or artificial restric-
lions. They will adopt the best style of boat
whether that turns out to be an extreme type,
or, what is more probable something betwixt
and between