The Republican journal., 1903-07-02
CONCERNING YACHTS.
RACING MODELS. THE OLD-FASHION.
ED CAT A THING OF THE PAST
THE CENTREBOARD.

| use of the scow model for racing craft, "
said prominent yacht designer to a
Bulletin reporter yes terday. l thought
that after last years experience with
this class of boat, there would naturally
follow healthy reaction to a more sub
stantial and saner type.
"Racing yachts nowadays are little
better than machines designed for the
one purpose of racing, and staunchness
and seaWorthiness are entirely SubOrdi-
mated to everything that makes for
lightness Of construction and sail-bear-
ing qualities in light airs. The scow
model with her general tiimsiness of
construction is of absolutely no use ex-
cept for purposes of speed under GER
tain conditions. In anything above a
15knot blow, or in a heavy sea, they
are simply out of it, The fiat floors
and shallow underbody make them ter
rible Founders in quartering seas, and
the punishment usually permanently
disables them. Why last season there
were cases innumerable where these
boats under pressure OF enormous sail
spread, combined with the spanking
under the bows, fairly buckled up for
ward, taking the deck right out of them.
'The only encouraging sign on the
| yachting horizon to-day is perceptibly
increasing tendency toward the enlarge
ment of the one design, 25-foot cruising
knockabout class, built under strict
specifications, and the steadily growing
| fleet of knockabout yaWls. These two
classes are the redeemlng features OF
the situation
hDa e 70 al fochinn
ed cat?" asked the reporter.
! "My dear fellow, the cat rig is a thing
of the past. None were built this last
season to nv knowledge, and | think
am safe in saying that not half a dozen
have been put on the stocks within as
many years. The causes for the passing
of the old Cape cat are not far to seek.
In many respects they were splendid
boats-roomy, staunch and seaWorchy
but they we're clumsy, as judged by
the more modern types, and sometimes
unwieldy in handling to the best advan-
tage.
PERSONALLY, while recognizing the
immense strides that have been made
in designing, | still have great faith in
the old centreboard principle, and should
like to see it come back into general
use. When, in 1901, there was a rumOr
atloat that Hanley of Quincy wanted to
build a centreboard defender to race
against the Herreshotf creations and
Lawsons Independence, l was disap-
pointed that the idea did not material
lie. There is good reason to think that
Hanley seriously entertained the
scheme, and was only balked in his
desires by lack of funds, none of the
local Yachting enthusiasts apparently
having sufficient faith in what was
looked upon as a, reversiOn to an old
type. AS matter Of fact, perhaps this
made but little difference any way, as
eastern yachtSmen have an established
reputation for apathy when it comes to
going down into their pockets with no
more substantial end in view than the
honor that would accrue from building
successful cup defender. Mr.. Lawson
fully tested the possibilities in this di-
! rection two years ago, and finally had
to take the matter entirely into his own
hands. 1t is too bad that the generosity
| and patriotism that brought General
Paine so nobly to the front in SO many
| international contests, has no present
day exemplar.
ITO return to the subject Of centre
boards: For sailing off the wind, the
OOdto SO lUCCu HdSO GIL "SA 's'AA-
tage over their deep-keel sisters from
the doing away with large percentage
of the friction that handicaps the fins.
For windward work, think they can
hold their own with any of the latest
popular models That model you see
on my desk over there is that of a
cruising yawl that designed last year
for a Boston man, and you will notice
that | have incorporated the centre
board idea. Although designed primar-
| lily for cruiser, she has turned out to
| be remarkably fast, and last season
! pulled out two cups in local races. The
board helps her, | am positive.
''The question of fiat floors and blunt
bows, the distinguishing characteristics
of the scow type, has been agitated
time and time again in yachting circles,
and always think with the result that
this style Of craft is regarded as the
only model yet designed that will de-
velop the highest speed, in spite Of
their numerous deficiencies. In spite
of the general consensus of opinion on
this score, l believe that the true solu-
tion of the problem of combining speed
and seaworthiness lies in return to
the knife bow, with gracefully curved
underbody."- Boston Maritime Bulle-
! tin.
When Colonel Muchmoney built his pal
| ono in NJ ho no ssCo 1uoO no rxad ~, ~ -