Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-27
WINTER YACHT
RACING SECURE
KEELS OF D0RY FLEET LAID
AT TERMINAL ISLAND
SPORT PLACED WITHIN REACH
OF MODEST PURSES
Boats VIII Have Good Aocommcda-
tIons, Cost $3.50 and Be Sailed
Under Strict AssoeIa-
ton Rules

Yachting, as an all-year round sport
In Southern California, Is now assured
The first keel of the fleet OF dory saii-
boats being built by the Dory assocla-
ton of the South Coast Yacht CLUB, was
placed on the frames in Joe Fellows
shop at Terminal Island last week
Within less than a month there VIII pe
a dozen or more of these trim little
sea craft afloat on San Pedro bay.
The dory, world-famed for its sea-
worthiness was originally designed TOT
the use of fishermen off the New Eng
land and Nova Scotia banks. There II
has been used for years as either row
boat or with sail. The original plan OF
the fisherman's dory, however, has been
modified for recreation purposes and
adapted to both motor and pleasure
sailing.
While preserving the main advan-
tages of the fishing dories as to sea-
worthiness, the local boats are SO
changed as to be. in reality, complete
little sailboats. They will be decked
fore and aft and there will be cock
pit room for crew of three or four.
Special Style Compulsory
Every dory built by the association
must conform strictly to specifications.
A variation of one-half of / per cent
will disqualify any boat from taking
part in races, the idea being to make
victory in q contest depend upon the
skill and seamanship of the navigator
and crew.
Yacht racing, where boats are of
varying model, size, design and ballast,
has always been more or less unsatis-
factory. Try as the experts might to
handicap or place boats in different
classes results have never been en-
tirely satisfactory to owners or naviga-
tors. Some boats will win in a light
breeze which would lose in heavy
weather and vice versa. Accordingly,
during recent years. yachtsmen all over
the United States have been endeavor-
ing to secure uniformity of design
among racing craft.
This has been made difficult by diff
ference of opinion among yachtsmen as
to lust what kind of boats should be
made standard. The formation of the
Dory association and the building of
a fleet of dories all after a single de-
sign is a triumph in the right direction
for local yachtsmen.
Agreement Reached
Several months ago enough members
were secured to guarantee the project.
but there was great difficulty in decid-
ing upon the dimensions, cost and
equipment Several times the plans
have been changed, but finally a model
was agreed on which meets the approVal
of all concerned. Blue prints are now
in the hands of the builders and work
is progressing rapidly on the little fleet
of winter sailing craft The following
are the dimensions to which all the
boats must conform:
Length over all. 20 feet inches.
Length waterllne, Is feet inches.
Rraadfh feet & inches,
Draught, feet 6 inches.
Sail area, 207 square feet.
Working sails are to consist OF 1lb
and mainsail A spinnaker may be car
ried, but no boom shall exceed ten
feet in length. No silk or so-called silk
sails are allowed and hollow spars are
likewise tabooed.
Although small compared ! the aver
age sailboat the dories will be raced
in the open sea outside the break
water, the sailing being done under
conditions that will test the ability of
the navigator as we'll as the stability
of the boats.
Sound Build Assured
Such poor workmanship and ma
terial as are put into the average STOCK
dories will be out of the question.
In New York harbor the dory feet
is of poor planking, which gave way
after a single seasons use. The local
dories will be made of the best Sc
lected lumber and the planx1ng Will
be copper riveted.
Yachting has always been regarded
as a sport for the rich, but in South
ern California this is no longer to
be the case. The sport is to be demo-
cratized. 1t is to be placed on such
basis that the = Y of moderate
means may race on an equal footing
with the millionaire. The association
dories will cost $3.50 each complete. and.
while individuals may spend more in
the finish of their boats, no man can
have an inch more sail or a foot more
length of his boat than the rest. II
is noteworthy that many owners OF ex-
pensive yachts are building dories and
win take part In the winter sport.
Building Six Boats
At Joe Fellows shop there are six
Walter Folsom, owner of Mischief H.;
one for Haines Reed, owner of the
launch Emma r.; one for Warren
Wood owner of Mischief l.; one for
Commodore r. p. Spaulding, owner of
the Minerva, and one for Joe Fellows.
At the Craig shipyard one of the new
racers is being built for ]. p. Pugh
and at Fulton's yard one Is under con-
struction for A. L. Best. secretary of
the yacht club. Others are planning to
build and doubtless will give their or
ders before the end Of the present
week.
A regular schedule for the winter sea-
son will be established and a cup will
be offered for the winner.
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