The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-31
CHANGES MADE IN
MOTOR BOAT RULES
New Way Of Classifying Cruis-
crs Is Devised at Annual
Meeting.
ALTER HANDICAP SYSTEM

The delegates at the annual meeting
OF the American Power Boat Association
accomplished much and smoothed over
many little things in the rules which
should encourage those interested IN
racing to build this winter. one i'm
portant change related to the definition
OF cruisers as distinguished from ex-
press cruisers. Formerly an express
cruiser was one the rating of which
exceeded twelve times the square root
of the water line length. This worked
to the detriment Of several wholesome
the class against such boats as the
Flyaway ILL.,. and often the F1yaway.
which can make twenty-five miles an
hour, had as competitors boats that
could not make more than twelve.
The rule has been changed so that
an express cruiser is one the rating
of which exceeds nine times the square
root Of the a water line. 1t was
figured by the experts. such as Fred
Il. Lord. C.. II. Chapman. r. r. Clark.
n. 4. Jackson, Jr., aud others. that
~ Nih6 'htle' nv N"Ni' w w
more fairly divided and there would be
more encouragement to yachtsmen to
build for both divisions.
Last winter the r le for determining
the horsepower OF engines was changed
81 that the maximum number OF reyolu-
lions n minutc was considered. The
owner was required to make a state
ment telling the number OF revolutions
a minute his boat engine made II If
it were found that the number of revo-
luiions declared had been exceeded by
10 per cent. the yacht was to he dis
qualified. II was found that this rule
did lot work fairly. Some owners
interpreted 1t 10 mean that they could
declare within 10 per cent. OF what
their engines could turn. 80 the dele
gates decided that If the number OF
revolutions declared 10y an owner were
exceeded the committee might ~disqualify
that boat. Ii was left to the regatta
committee To- decide II Il should he dis
qualified. because II was admitted thai
the murder OF revolutions a motor made
would vary somewhat according to the
conditions of the sea.
In future all handiCaps are TO be
taken at the start rather than at the
finish In all races Up TO fifty miles in
length. In long distance events and
all races over fifty miles in length the
allowances will be figured in the usual
way because the change In the tide be-
tween the times OF he first and last
boats to start might work to AN UNI
air adNdntd re to some. All sanctioned
championship races must b. fifteen
miles or more in leagth. The racing
commission Will sanction any races Of
any length, but 10 carry "A title with
them they must he at least fifteen miles.
Designers all have agreed that length
counts for little In by droplanes and
consequently there vas little use IN hav-
ing four classes. 1t was decided that
in scratch racing there should be two
divisions. boats 40 To 20 feet and those
under 20 feet. The old rules said that
each boat In a race must he steered
by an amateur "A member OF a club be-
longing to the association. This was
changed by adding that ii must also
be navigated by an amateur. The dele
gates decided h PARTICULARS in long
distance races. the navigator was more
important than the helmsman.
Tn association is To take up much
Of the work that has been done 10y the
Waterways Lcague so successfully and
II viii have "a committee to work for
the Improvement OF waterways. \ CEN
trail committee - to he appointed for
this work. with one member In each
lighthouse district. When a buoy Is
thought necessary 10 mark some rock,
obstruction ar channel the district menu
Der Will report To- the central committee
and II tina committee is In favor OF the
recommendation 1t will take the matter
up with the lighthouse board and in
this way many unnecessary requests
VIII he killed before they get to the
Government authorities. \ committee
ou Legislation is also to he appointed
The duties Of that committee will he to
watch bills introduced In Congress
which may be for the benefit or the dis
advantage Of motor boating
II was recommended ttrtt zach Sec
ton of the association hould arrange
for one cruise lor yachts enrolled in
the different clubs each season. Spc-
Cial forms TOR reports of regattas are
to he printed and sent to the committees
OF the. different Tubs holding sane
TONED races. These forms are to Ice
returned to the secretary Of the racing
commission and. heinz uniform. may
he bnuud easily u kept for reference.
The delegates did a good days wOrk.
often mucl time : losi ~ these meet
ings bccaus" man, want 10 air iheir
opinions ON matters Of little Importance.
hu, This ear the work had been well
planned and the changes made were
generally for the hentii' of the sport.