New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-16
YACHTING.
BRIGHT PROSPECTS FOR rNTERNArIoN-
AL CONTESTS

VALUES OF THE NEW RULES AND THEIR
ACTION IN THE AMERICAN rLEErs-ENc-
LAND PLEASED WITH NEW CONDITIONS.
The recent change in the measurement rule made
by the yachtsmen OF America promises more for
international yachting than anything that has been
done before. The most frequent interchange OF
friendly contests is provided for. and In the
most complete way Roth In America and England
boats win be built under the same limitations the
designer In every being allowed a free hand
Naturally. the results In both countries Will be 90
similar that frequent intermirgng Will be easy.
The day when different measurement rules created
u barrier greater than the ocean Itself Is now
passed and all classes OF yachts that are large
enough to the may try their luck and
skill in foreign
1t IL not contended by any one that the last rule
passed represents the ultimate perfection of yachts
mons though. this subject. but only that II IS
the best the present time proposed; or. rather,
that IL Is the least Objectionable Of many faulty
systems No matter what It's imperfections may
be Il will be the same for ALL and the point Is this
that 1t provides even terms for the yachtsmen OF
both countries Even chances for all may be
said TO be the watchword Of the Yacht Racing
Union of North America. This huge association vs.
the direct result Of a quarter Of century Of per
sonal and practical experience in unfairness. Its
delegates. representing the yachtsmen of America
have now taken a step which lifts the yachting o.
this country beyond the reach Of criticism
One Of the most important OF the new rules has
received notice IN the newspapers. except in
the printing of the regulations. II is that
which says that the ballast OF n racing yacht shall
not exceed 90 per cent of the displacement. 1t
explained by OF the trainers of this rule that
II is intended 10 assist toward the building OF
wholesome boats. The idea Of making the hull so
light TO be unsafe and putting near.y the whole
weight of the beat in the ballast is not favored
fn,
construction control, which proposed year
ago has now been abandoned. being probably
too involved for easy Introduction. though ii has
for one year been in control on the Upper Lakes.
II is thought tina. this plan OF defining the pro-
portion Of ballast TO displacement will bring about
very much the results construction law,
ana in a shorter and more simple way.
So far existing racers are concerned. there
have, as yet. been complaints heard Of and it is
Impossible to speak with certainty. but from the
calculations that have been made in one or two
classes seems probable that the time allowances
heretofore made will not be much altered. espec-
Tally i'm the catboat classes, where the yachts are
similar In construction.
The news that the yachts OF both countries will
now race on even terms has been well received in
England In letter received from George l.. Wat
son the designer of the two Valkyries, before the
passing of the girth rule here. he said: For
American and Canadian waters | think the centre
=
harbors accessible only for boats drawing under
ten feet, and YOU cannot get sufficient depth for
weatherly purposes for a boat OF any size without
more draught than this Were / making altera-
ton IN rule | would suggest easing up the
penalty girth. AS the rule acts at present you
put one and one-half feet Of beam, or one ana
one-half feet Of length, for the same penalty
foot OF draught. My feeling ia that TINS encourages
much curtailment of Graught-a dimension
which gives the best type Of stability and Is also
necessary of course for weatherly purposes. This.
say is my feeling for the rule over here. but
with the American yachting ports you want as
moderate draught as possible, and for these the
rule might do very well az IL stands"
This necessity for the centreboard was point
which the trainers Of the last law here had 10 con-
slider and under the present conditions the centre
board craft will enjoy marked advantage in the
facing of mixed types. The board is only measured
to one-third OF its depth while keels. fins and
bulb-fns measured around their extreme depth.
Some tax had. of course to be placed ON the CEN
treboard. and the measuring Of one-third Of 1t is
experimental but 1t will still be open to the argu-
ment OF future results as whether the board has
been taxed sufficiently tor mixed type racing AZ
between two shallow hulls OF the same shape ard
size. one having I'm and the other board, the
a curious fact must here be noted. that the
English, while thinking solely Of ~na; would be
best for their own conditions. and nos at all for
America. settled on rue which seems 10 nave
been especially for American requirements. Whei,
Watson points ou., you can add one ana halt
feet Of length beam for the same cost a. one
foot Of depth. the rule seems purely an American
product and for waters in which great depth or
hull is generally impossible and always undesir-
able Therefore, :here should be no miscor ception
as 10 why this rule adapted from that which
for three years has given satisfaction In England
Ii was not taken because II was English. but be
cause It was peculiarly adapted for American
waters and even much more so tlan Tor the deep
harbors and racing courses OF the country, maj
gave il birth. 1t faVurs the general shape OF hui!
that has always been best liked In America, ana
in prescribing the limitations FOR both coun-
tries IL opens the way for easy Interchange OF con,
test For at leas; fifteen years the most IDEAL
international racing has been delayed by the over
estma ion OF trophy. a race lor when was
enormously expensive; but when racers do not nave
10 be specially built TO race on the opposite SIDE,
and when they can and go from their own
courses to take n fly for two or three OF perhaps
half dozen cups. meeting antagonists OF thelr own
class and built under the same RUGS then en-, MFR
national Yachting will be the real thing; wealthy
clubs like the Larchmont and the Atlantic give
AWAY more money catboats every year Iha;i
would nav for a handsome challenge trophy Such
clubs owe Il their regulations to put UP uOPhies
Of moderate cost. and invite the yacntsmen OF
Great Britain TO and sail for them-hot WIN
boas specially constructed. but with the cratt tnat
have been sailing the regular courses. ana WniCn
o.pect to meet the same kind here. Suca klndiF
intercourse is being made possible ny the 1acht
Racing Union of North America. which mas no
mind 10 secure trophies by special
chi at