Evening star., 1938-04-03
EARLY LAUNCHING
PLANNED BY MOST
Washington, With A. P. 2. A.
Headquarters, Becomes
Yachting Capital.
By MALCOLM LAMBORNE, Jr.

From yacht clubs, ship yards and
water front docks arises the smell of
turpentine, varnish and paint-am-
brosia to the growing clan who have
been bit by the boating bug-as
Washington yachtsmen, some 1900
strong, prepare to take to the water
for another season on the Potomac
and the Chesapeake Bay.
It is fitting out time, that period of
the year when pipe, old clothes and
a boat are all that's needed to keep
nautical man happy for weeks on
end. Then comes the glad moment
when, with the final tuning of engine,
the boat stands ready for the first
run around Hams Point and down to
Bellevue.
Yards have their railways working
full time to accommodate owners who,
no longer waiting for the proverbial
May 80 to open the season, are look
ing forward to an early launching
At one, boats are going over at the
rate of three every two days. This
particular yard is booked solid until
June.
Paralleling the trend throughout
the United States, Washingtonians are
taking to the water in increased num-
bers as recreation seekers come to
realize that yaching is no longer a
sport reserved for millionaires. Time
was when a motor equipped with
cruising accommodations was beyond
the average mans range But today,
with nearly $4,000 cabin cruisers reg
istered in this country and having
every modern convenience, a family
yacht costs little more than the
moderate-priced car
Rival Millionaire's Sport.
And with the growth of one-design
sail boat racing. particularly on in
land waters, the skipper of an inex-
penslve craft receives as much pleas
ure and thrill out of his 15-foot
knockabout as does the owner of a
milllon-dollar class sloop.
This year Washington takes its
place in the yachting world pre-
emlnently for the first time. Because
for the first season of its IS years,
executive offices of the American
Power Boat Association. the country's
ruling body in motor boat racing, are
established outside New York. In
electlng John A. Remon, for several
years head of the Presidents Gun
Regatta Association, president of the
a P. B. A., headquarters were moved
to the Capital
Likewise, a local college Joins the
growing list of universities that are
forming clubs for intercollegiate sail
Ing. Undergraduates of Georgetown
University have organized a group
with fleet of small dinghies. They
plan to compete in numerous regattas
which are being scheduled among 30
colleges and their 1900 members this
spring.
Local yacht clubs boasting of in
creased membership are anticipating a
busy year of activity from fleet cruises
and rendezvous to competitions for
speed and sailboat devotees.
Accommodations Problem.
Capital Yacht Club, under Commo-
dore T. F. Schneider, jr., is wondering
just where all the little windjammers
are to be accommodated as new boats
with old and new owners make an
appearance. Small-boat sailors. Incl
dentally have been hard at work all
through March on their craft in
preparation for the extensive schedule
OF races under the Potomac River
Sailing Association that begins late
this month.
DR.. G. Bache Gill, well-known power
enthusiast, heads the Corinthians.
Their clubhouse has been completely
redecorated and is sporting a nautical
taproom which was once a drab base
ment.
The Washington Yacht Club looks
ahead to another successful season.
John Kidd, member for IS years. has
been elected commodore for third
time. Extensive Improvements to club
grounds include three new floats and
a walkway. Other officers recently
elected were: Vice commodore, DR..
g William Norton; rear commodore, Jo-
seph Green; feet captain, Charles
H. Gordon; secretary treasurer. Paul
= Donley, and trustees, Emil Kaiser and
. II. A. Leusenkamp.
= AS many as 200 boat owners and
prospective shippers have attended
single weekly session of free instruc-
ton on yacht handling and seaman
ship presented each winter by the
Potomac River Power Squadron. A
record number of candidates for men,
bership is expected when final exami-
nations on the courses are held
April II.
W. w. Barker has been selected to
head Columbia Yacht Club, with
Arthur Holden as vice commodore and
Charles Holden, sr., secretary-treas-