, 1890-12-28

for ice yachting news is Poughkeepsie,
and one of the best authorities is Jacob Z.
Buckhout, designer and builder of many
OF the swiftest ice yachts in commission.
For the past four years there have been few
important changes from what is known as
the 1886 model. When this was introduced,
and developed under extraordinary condi-
tions a speed of fifty miles an hour, it
seemed asif superlative excellence had been
reached. This belief proved u~nfounded.
Such a high rate Of speed required unusu-
ally strong winds, and so the 'S6 model,
satisfactory as it was over the old types,
did not give the desired rate Of speed in an
ordinary wind, which is the one great es.
sential for success in club racing.
Recognizing this fact our designers turn
ed their attention to reducing the weight
tstrueturaD. at the same time retaining the
maximum. amount of resistance or stiff
ness, This would give the greatest speed
with IA ten knot breeze rather than with a
fair sized gale. The advantage of the
change is best demonstrated by two skat-
ers-one with the wind behind him breaks
the record, and then meeting another man
OF a circular track is beaten by him and
wonders why it is. Many have been the
devices tried; skate blades nave been ground
different from the old straight edged blade,
and the under surface has been ground
''hollow' with a view of diminishing the
leeway in reaching, which of course in
creases the speed by just SO much. Not
here, however. do the improvements stop.
Hitherto the sloop rig has been deemed the
latest and most satisfactory by ice yacht
experts, bu. this year there is promise of a
new rig to be tried which will awaken great
Interest in ice yachting circles.
the south OF Spain. noted the phenomenaf
speed Of the feluccas, with their lateen
rig. as they piled along the Mediterranean
coast. and conceived the idea of adapting
this rig, with its immense, tapering sail, to
the ice yacht. OF course until 1t is prac-
tically demonstrated no one can tell what
the advantages may be, but on paper il
looks like a possible improvement. II SO.
It will come from the maximum spread of
the sail being low down, just above the
hull, which is another adaptation of the
theory of what constitutes the advantage
In speed of a sloop over n cutter.
The lateen rig consists OF a stout taper
ing mast, the sail being spread on a huge
gaff or boom, which extends in an arc from
the bow of the yacht up to the top of the
mast and far beyond. the sail covering the
whole space from stem to stern. Tits is
considered the fastest modern rig, and 1t
Will sail closer to the wind than a catboat.
Opinions on the subject are conflicting, Mr..
Buckhout adhering to the sloop rig, which,
he says, pound for pound and foot for foot,
in an average wind, will hold its owl
against any other Ia the world.
Another novelty likely to be seen on the
Hudson is a very light boat, half boat
half t%oboggan, which will be on runners
and have two large bicycle wheels at the
back. These wheels will be fitted with
spikes instead of the rubber tire. aud Cd
Grated by the small engine of a aaphtha
launch. The idea sounds feasible, the
question of badly disposed weight and
great lightness of structure being in the
writer's opinion the only obvious draw
backs WILT J.. PoND.