New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-26
HARD TO DESIGN DEFENDERS.
PROBLEMS THAT CONFRONT BUILDERS OF BIO
RACERS

RACERS
Tho Boston HERALD puts in rood word for
New-York in asking why Of it's designers
should not be employed cup defender II says:
''New-York yachtsmen should give Gardner
chance. without doubt in tho Cartoon (owned by
Howard Parker). he has produced the fastest
twenty -footer yet upon these any other
waters"
The Herald" IS correct about IN. speed OF tho
Cartoon There ~ little doubt that II tho same
model and nghtnsss Of construction could
be combined IN tho construction Of ninety
rootcr the boat thus produced would be
II sailing wonder: but IN. remarks OF n
designer who has been more successful than
Gardner IN small classes Of yachts. which were
published In The Tribune A few days ago. show
that in yachts less than sixty feet in length
cannot DE regarded guarantee when a ninety
foot single rnasted racer Ia wanted. II has been
said by n clever expert that II needs an extended
experience 10 cope with the strains to be
provided FOR IN a ninety-foot single-naster. The
study of the tensile strength and other qualities or
the metals used has to como in. Tho intricate COM
hlnauOns OF steel. bronze. aluminium and wood IN
such a boat a. the Defender require study beyond
the range OF that which comes into the designing
81 a Nat and light skimming-dish II was re-
markable and Instructive admission for the most
successful designer OF small racers TO make. that
his experience not sufficient as vet to under
take to produce intricate an afar as the present
Defender
The designer referred 10 spoke for himself only.
and not In any way for men who are Older in the
business but such remarks coming from care
ful and successful student. 20 far toward n full
reply 10 a question that IL continually asked. AZ
told by Lieutenant Hobson. OF the greatest df-
acultes the Herrcshofrs experienced was in making
the Defenders hull sufficiently strong In the region
OF her mast. There was something Ike thirteen
thousand feet OF canvas pressing one way and
elghty-nve tons % lead keel resisting. with but a
small hull 70 withstand the strains. Hooson de-
scrbed this part Of the construction ut length.
and u was concerning this region that his doubts
and those OF others existed II Is not generally
known bu, II has been vouchcd for by ono or those
who sailed on the Defender. that she left one or the
trial races because she showed weakness IN TINS
region while beating in a heavy seaway. On poaru
the Yacht they were afraid OF the step or tho mast
The exclamation given out 10 the newspapers was
that the shrouds began 10 slip down the mast. but
the man referred to says this was not So
The fact goes 10 illustrate the difficulties Of build
ing such n boat. II recollection serves rishty' the
Cartoon is IS feet long over all. with o-root
water-llne length and she was designed to draw
onlv twelve inches OF water. She sets on the sur
face almost ms fatty a baking-tIn might float
and expert yachtsmen have anxiously considered
what the same model would 90 IN me nin FOOT
water-llne would take something IKE ~ Zee, ot
eeventv feel I'm the air while her draught OF water
/ exclusive OF board would be Jess tnan Tour tee,'
I
lower hull the difficulties would be lnhniiey
greater than in the deep-huled DEFENDER ana !,
| looks as n II would be an .mposslbnty 10 Keep
| niD"tv-foot cartoon from collapsing. -
r,,so are some OF the difficulties which are IN
| ,or,sti,c 20 consider and II IS only quoting the
dIct, OF the best experts TO say that success IN tne
nou classes affords but little assurance OF success
ononq ninety-foot sngle-mdsted racers; IL, may DE
said from personal knowledge. that me desiSner
~ e ~ Cartoon could most likely design splen-
Ala Gun defender but the pol nj Is that me prouuc,
ton Of small-class success Is not by itselt proc,
OF ability FOR top-speed racing cutter OF ninety
| feet.