Evening star., 1933-12-10
RACES ALL WINTER
| FOR SMALL CRAFT
Dinghies Require Handling
by Expert Sailors Who
Brave Icy Waters.
BY GEoFFREY PARSONS, JR.

OSTON, Mass, December 8.
X Irostbite yacht racing
IL these days is not just an
isolated stunt. It goes on
all Winter long up and down the
Atlantic Coast, out On the Great
Lakes, and at other points where
sailing enthusiasts rue the short.
shut-in Winter days.
:, The first frostbite races were held in
Long Island Sound nearly two years
ago by group of New YORK yachtsmen
IN dinghies built on the lines of a
model imported from England by Ratsey
OF the famous sail-maklng family.
The fad spread rapidly. Within tfree
months, regattas were being held in
Boston, in February weather. It wasn't
long before the North American Dinghy
Association was formed, with chapters
In many sections of the country,
The sport is growing steadily more
popular. A few weeks ago 40 boats. from
New York, Connecticut, and Massa-
chusetts, gathered for regatta at Es.
sex, Mass, bringing together yachtsmen
who few years ago would have tilted
their noses at the idea that they would
forsake expensive schooners and fancy
Ao~A46 uldtAlulCO 1OI
tically ordinary rowboats, equipped with
one small rnainsail and a center-board.
Not Believed Mere Fad.
THE frostbite craze was born of the
depression, but it has taken hold
so firmly and rapidly in SO many
sections that it now seems certain Of
outlasting the depression.
The boats cost nowadays, from S225
to 1925, complete with all equipment
needed for racing. Specifications have
been drawn up by the North American
Dinghy Association, so that all boats
will be on approximately an equal foot.
ing when they sail to the starting line.
Sail area is limited to 70 square feet,
the weight of the hull must exceed $50
pounds, and other regulations make for
a certain degree of safety. Air tanks
when full Of water or capsized are
required. The boats must be able 70
hold five persons safely, although only
a skipper and a crew Of one take part
in actual competition.
Probably the aspect of the dinghy
races that has appealed most to yachts
men is their informality.
In Boston, the Charles River course
Is laid out SO the feet will not take more
than 20 minutes or half an hour to
round the marks from start to finish.
That means that during a day the
shippers will have 8 or 10 races.
A short race is just as much fun as
a longer one, and in zero weather it is
a whole lot better fun to be able to get
out of your boat and get warm between
races. They get a maximum of COM
petition with a minimum of discom.
fort.
No Sport for Novices.
ENROSTBTTE racing is not for
nov1ces, and it has not attracted
them. Most of the shippers you
will find rank high among amateur
sailors.
From Marblehead are the Hoveys,
Elizabeth, Charles and Chandler, jr.,
whose father is a part owner Of the
cup contender Yankee, and E. Arthur
Shuman, who sailed for the United
States 30-square meter series against
Germany. There is John g. Alden, the
best known designer of cruising schoon-
ers in the country, who has turned his
hand to designing dinghies as well.
Another skipper is William A. Cudahy.
who won the intercollegiate yacht rae.
ing title for Harvard a year ago.
But even these experienced sailors oc.
casionally take a sudden and unweicome
bath in frigid waters. When there Is q
strong breeze blowing, the frostbiters go
out just the same. and it Is a rare day
when there is wind that there Is not
also ducking.
There is special designation for
those unfortunate sailors who suffer
more than a so per cent immersion. In
New York they become members of the
Loon Club and in Boston of the Coot
Club. Both coots and looms are sea-
shore fowl particularly fond of icy
water.
There is even club for the land
lubbers clumsy enough to tumble off
hoat watching a race. They become
members Of the Mudhen Club.
Plenty Clothing Needed.
obviously, in this Winter sport.
costume is Of considerable i'm
portance. Anything goes, as long
as 1t Is warm. There are young ladies
who are regular members Of the Frost
bite Club. but as yet they haven't be.
come numerous enough to make their
Winter plumage a matter Of competi.
tive importance. Warmth, and possibly
q little waterproofing. are what they,
with the men, are seeking.
The women shippers have shown o
liking for Norwegian ski suits, while the
men have tried all sorts of clothing
waterproofed overalls, fur hunting caps,
rubber boots. arctics, slickers, or what
have you. Only the foolish or the ex-
tremely hardy wear less than two pairs
Of wooden socks.
Some time In April the Boston Dinhy
Association Is going to hold a giant re-
gatta for its New York rivals. II will
be Slirnrisjnr II fhara ere MT es x,,.rx,
as 40 boats in the Charles Basin.
The New Workers will bring their
dinehies over the road on trailers or
tucked away on the roofs Of their cars.
One New Yorker unless he changes
his ways, will make a de luxe excursion
to Boston next Spring. He win ride
here in a chauffeur driven limousine.
Behind the limousine will follow another
car. towing trailer, and behind the
trailer will be third car to make sure
no careless driver bumps into the trailer.
s-AS