New-York tribune., 1897-10-24
SAILING MODEL YACHTS.
A SPORT IN ITSELF. BUT VALUABLE AS
AN AID TO REAL YACHTING.


MODEL. YACHT CLUB AND ITS RULES
Comparatively few persons besides those in
terested in Yachting matters understand that the
miniature craft known usually as modei
yachts are anything more than toys. Inc
sport Of sailing them is generally regarded
as pastme pure and simple. which mas
somehow extended it's fascinations from the
boys to their elders. and people OCCASION
ally express surprise that grown men can
find amusement in such a pursuit. Inc
fact is that the model yachts are. as their
name implies. patterns and specimens OF lun-
sized vessels. and it is the opinion OF yachtsmen.
designers and naval architects that the sport or
building aud sailing the miniatures Is Oh Vaiu-
able assistance in ascertaining scientific facts
about Yachting. "By actual tests of the models
as far as practicable to quote from the con-
sttution of the American Model Yacht Ciup' IL
is our object to demonstrate the speed. stability
and seaworthiness of the various types OF
yachts" This has been accomplished with
much success.
Certain points of difference. however between
the large and small yachts. even when built on
similar lines and having in general the same
plan Of rigging. must always exist The model.
for instance in order 10 counterbalance the force
OF the wind. disproportionately strong for her
size must have great deal of ballast and must
carry ii low. The deep fms fastened to the
keels Of these little boats cause them to draw
far greater amount of water relatively than do
the large yachts A forty-inch sloop seen by
the writer the other day has a fn-keel fourteen
inches deep. Since this model is built on the
scale Of an inch to foot. forty foot sloop to
resemble il would have to draw fourteen feet OF
water, This would. of course, be entirely I'M
practicable and it illustrates one important
difference between models and large boats
On account Of their low ballast. the models
can carry the whole sail plan OF the fuil-sizcd
vessels. and frequently even more. because they
can be permitted to lean over with the WIND at
what would be too perious an angle for an ordi-
nary Yacht. They can travel much faster pro-
portionatey sailing many more times their
own length in a given period than large Ves-
sci OF the same construction could do. Thus
they have more speed. although less stability.
Simplicity is the motto of all skilled construc-
tors Of model yachts when the rigging comes
under consideration. The fewer devices in the
way Of rings. pulleys and all kinds of running
tackle the better for the boat. Not only is there
less likelihood Of the rigging becoming tangled.
but ii means less weight and consequently bet
ter chances in race. For the same reason
every kind Of ornamentation. in the way of rails,
matches and small boats in davits, Is to be
avoided None of these details show on a boat
when she is sailing account of their diminu-
tive size. Lonsdale cambria is the material al
most universally preferred for the sails. 1t is
strong and yet pliable enough TO take the wind
easily. Thinner stuns. such as nainsook and
China silk have been tried. but they are 100
weak and too liable TO stretch to give satsiac-
ton Battens made of thin split bamboo or
whalebone are sometimes used to hold the
mansa out we'll. They fastened at inter-
vals on the sails leach extending inward for
several inches. 1t Is not an easy matter 10
make perfectly fitting suit of sails, their ten
dency to stretch the bias edges being IRE
quently hard TO overcome.
The American Model Yacht Club. whose house
now situated at the foot of Thirty -1fth-st.
south brooklyn. is the Oldest and largest OF such
Organizations. and may be taken as a type.
Started in April. 1872, IT was reorganized In
mi at The house Of George W. Townley. in
brooklyn. Mr. Townley then elected. and
mas ever since remained. the clubs treasurer
rae other officers at present James II. Lane,
commodore. Cornelius Van Ness. vice -commo
sore: George +. Pigott, secretary and +. Nichols
measurer Three regattas are held each year.
VI The spring. summer and fall and there are
many besides With the craft OF other
miniature yacht clubs. No yacht under thirty
I'VE Inches on the load water-line Is recognized
~ The club. All the yachts now being sailed are
Scoops. and they are divided into classes fol-
lows:
First class Forty eight inches and under
nity-three inches
second -Forty-two inches and under
''r'y-eight inches
ih'rd class-Thirty-nvc inches and under