The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-12-17
YACHT LETTER
APPROVED OF

The letter sent out by the transpa-
cifc yacht race subcommittee inviting
those who have shares in the yacht Ha-
waii to exchange them for membership
. and shares in the yacht club, is meet
4 ing with general approval.
The matter has been very thoroughly
discussed round town and the larger
business men all seem to think that it
is the best, in fact the only solution
of the difficulty.
The chief advantage claimed for this
scheme is that it would convert the
yacht from a meaningless white ele-
phant into a real, substantial asset as
it would become part of the property
of a regularly organized corporation
with other tangible assets.
Another point that is very favorable
is that those who have subscribed
would have an actual say in the man
agement of the yacht and would get
some use out of her. Once the prop
able yaehtmen named, under whose
charge she may be taken out, it will
be possible for members of the club
to have an occasional sail on her.
A yacht, like horse, very soon goes
to the bad if it is left standing and
given no work to do Here, where there
is no reason for winter laying up, a
yacht should be kept in commission and
used constantly so that the thousand
and one working parts may be kept
|, clear from rust and verdigris and the
sails and ropes kept from rotting by
exposure to the air and sunshine and
that changing strain that is necessary
90 keep them and canvas in condition
for use.
In spite of the supposedly bad show
ing that the Hawaii made in the last
race, the most pessimistie of the knock
ers cannot argue round those three days
of sailing with a light beam wind when
she gained so well on the others that
she was actually fifty miles ahead.
The next race will be held earlier in
the year when stronger and more north
erly winds prevail. Under these con-
ditions it is very doubtful if there be
. any boat in Pacific waters within
twenty feet of her length that can
touch her. Sturdy and strong as she
is, without a groan in her timbers, the
Hawaii is a wonder on beam wind,
or with the wind trife aft of her
beam. With her large squaresail and
raffee she has bulge over other yachts
that makes for many knots in days
run. While she is barging along with
her squaresan drawing like a traction
engine, the others must rely on balloon
ers, half blanketed by the main and
foresails and having one-half the direct
forward pull of the Hawaii's thwart-
ships canvas.
For these reasons it would be cry
ing shame if she were not kept ready
for the next race. In the hands of
a reliable yacht club she must most
certainly be in better condition fOT the
race than if she be allowed to lie at
her moorings till that time and then
be hurriedly prepared for the race.
Every present shareholder in the /
yacht will retain his share and will |
have an additional interest by being
member of the club Yachting is
grand sport and conditions here are
ideal for it in every way. There are
many people here who would get the
yachting fever right away if they had
taste of it. Here is a chance for
them to get in.
In this respect the coming of the
Sea Wrens will do a good work. Small
boat sailing has a peculiar fascination
or its own 1t is so easy and yet there
is so much to learn that the amateur
sailor is constantly drawn on with the
prospect of something new to try every
time he goes out Also there is no dis
comfort, no long tricks at the wheel
and no getting soaked through at night
without a chance to change. Best of
all there is practically no expense.