Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-15
YACHTSMEN
TRIM SAIL
GET READY TO WEIGH ANCHOR
FOR SEASONS CRUISE
Fewer Regattas This Summer Than
Last, for Under New Rules
Glasses Are Not Evenly
Balanced

Beguiled by sunny skies and enticing
South Coast Yacht club are making
life burdensome for the builders with
rush orders for the overhauling of their
racing craft.
| At both the Terminal island yards
there is the usual spring activity, aug
mented by hurry calls on the phone, for
everyone wants his boat finished and
in commission for the arrival of the
fleet. Little Merlin of the G class was
the first to take to the water, Jerry
| Squires having sold her to T. G. Gibson
a few days ago. Merlin and Valkyrie
| will be quite evenly matched under the
displacement rule this season, and as
there are signs brewing that a boat will
be built to compete with Venus, the
sport promises to take on added inter-
Admiral Evans will have several op-
portunities to see the best yachts on
the Pacific before he arrives at San
Pedro, for the Carson brothers Anita
d. left port Thursday evening en- route
to Magdalena lay, and f. G.. Garbutts s
handsome auxiliary schooner Skidblad-
mir sailed Saturday for the same deS-
tination.
Skidbladnir carried party of twelve,
and will cruise along the Mexican coast
after witnessing the target practice of
the Dig Heel, rSlufulllB III lllue " ldhS
part in the welcoming in San Pedro
harbor.
Among the sailing fleet, Typhoon
Is nearly ready to launch, after having
slight alterations to her rudder and a
general overhauling. Venus will prob
ably be the next after Typhoon, there
being no extensive changes contemplate
ed in the latter. Mischief II and Arrow
both are to have new decks, and Wal
fo,, ITOfc ies
streak put on Mischief, which will add
greatly to her appearance, besides CIV
ing her great advantage under the new
rule.
Nothing for Mischief
AS matters now stand there will be
little for Mischief II ato race with, as
Columbine will be greatly penalized on
account of her great beam and lack OF
underbody., Unless Mischief I, acknowl-
edged champion of the Santa Barbara
regatta last summer, is tuned up to
proper racing condition Walter may
have to break into A class.
Monsoon'S absence from the fleet will
be greatly felt in this respect, for she
was regarded by the racing yachtsmen
as very able competitor of either OF
the Mischiefs when measured on dis
placement basis. Since Monsoon went
to San Francisco her rig has been cut
down to make her fit for the heavier
weather on that bay, where she prom
ises to give good account of herself.
Commodore Spalding of the S. c. Y.
c. is getting the flagship Minerva
ready for the coming season, and hopes
to have her in commission before the
first of April A new Flagstaff will be
placed in position at the club house
next week, and the club flag will fly
nearly forty feet from the ground, MAX
ing II visible from every part of the
harbor.
Aside from the regular races there
will be fewer meets than last season,
the committees in charge having de-i
cided to give more attention to cruis-
ing. This arrangement will meet with
considerable favor among the members
who have fitted their boats with view
to comfort rather than speed. and VIII
enable them to carry along their FEM
mine consorts. many of whom make
first rate, sailors when there are no
light sails to be set in record time.