Evening star., 1934-08-05

way" one says. with motor boat you
jist point her and keep her pointed, but
with sail boat you've gotta have a
head to use."
But speed alone does not answer the
question. For sailing craft in the open
water, such as the Chesapeake Bay,
where there is practically never a lack
of sufficient wind, can give ordinary
power boats sufficient competition to
overbalance all other factors. OF course,
sail cannot compete on speed alone with
power, but the speed developed by sail
ing craft under favorable conditions Is
remarkably close to the average power
vessel without the smells, hazards, heat
and noise. Indeed, in good wind, most
of the small sailing vessels on the Chesa-
peake can outrun most Of the power
boats which are not especially designed
for high speed work.
Some idea of the ability OF sailing ves-
sells on long-distance runs can be gained
from the records of the best.
The yacht Atlantic, racing for the
German Emperor's Cup in 1905, crossed
the ocean from Sandy Hook Light to
Lizard Point, England, in IL days hours
minute and 10 seconds. This was some-
thing less than three times as long as
the Italian liner Rex required in set
ting her trans Atlantic record.
A year ago this month the Rex, In
breaking all previous ocean speed rec
ords, crossed from Gibralter Breakwater
to Ambrose Light in days IS hours
So minutes. The Rex, on her run, trav-
eled 3,181 miles and the Atlantic trav-
eled S.131 miles.
THEN. to complete the comparison.
there Is the speed record estab-
hshed by the light cruiser Omaha in
May, 1923. The Omaha travelled under
forced draft from Diamond Head. Honu-
lulu, to San Francisco Light, distance
of 2,091 miles. in 3 days 3 hours
40 minutes and 40 seconds. The average
speed of the Omaha was 2776 nautical
miles an hour, while the average speed
of the yacht Atlantic on her record run
was 1881 knots.
Comparing sail, subject to the vagaries
of the winds, with the best of power
vessels, the record Is remarkable
The sailing craft of the Chesapeake
are as diversified as their owners. There
are big old bugeyes converted into cruis-
ing schooners; finely designed yachts
from so to so feet long with accommo-
dations for large parties; fishing boats
which were intended by their builders
to brave the wintry storms of the Grand
Banks of Newfoundland, but which have
been turned into trim white pleasure
boats, and innumerable little open rae
ing craft which can carry only one or
two passengers in comfort. capt.
Jimmie" boat builder ON Rockhold
Creek, is working on sail boat for
girl sailor. It will be only 8 feet long
over all, and he calls it "the smallest
sail boat on the bay"
However, diverse as they may be in
many respects, most of the vessels on
the bay have certain characteristics in
common. The long, shallow stretches
of beach and oyster beds, which make
up SO much of the bay shore, make
deep keels inconvenient. So practically
all of the craft originally intended for
use in Maryland waters carry center
boards instead. The V-bottom is most
popular in small craft for the same
reason.
Rigging is matter of taste, experience
and preference, but except in the larger
vessels, there are three rigs which are
used almost exclusively: Sloop. with its