Tyrrel E. Biddle
Published: 2017-06-18
Total Pages: 144
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Excerpt from A Treatise on the Construction, Rigging Handling of Model Yachts, Ships Steamers: With Remarks on Cruising Racing Yachts, and the Management of Open Boats; Also Lines for Various Models and a Cutter Yacht This has been necessitated by the alteration in the Yacht Racing Association rule of measurement. The rule, as it now stands, reads thus - Length added to Breadth and multiplied by the same figures, then multiplied again by Breadth alone, and divided by 1730, the quotient is the tonnage. Although this rule does not very materially alter the tonnage of existing yachts, at the same time it gives a slightly fairer chance to the designer than the old mode of calculating the tonnage, inasmuch as length plays a more important part in increasing the nominal size than it did formerly. This being so, it becomes possible to build a vessel on less exaggerated dimensions for racing purposes, and which, while taking her part in sailing matches with fair success, will be found a handy and comfortable cruiser. The limited deck space and great draught of water of the modern 10-ton racer is greatly against them when wanted for cruising besides the number of hands required to work, say the Buttercup or Neptune, puts them out of the reach of those young yachtsmen who find one paid hand a serious item in their weekly expenditure. It may be said, and with some justice, that those who cannot afford to do the thing properly ought not to go in for yachting. At the same time there is much to be said on the other side, and it was certainly not the aim of the originators of sailing matches, to make yachting in 5 or 10 tonners such a costly amusement as to put the sport beyond the reach of thosewho have to earn their livelihood at the desk or in the workshop. However, it is hardly likely that the new rule will have much effect in cheapening yachts while the price of lead and labour is kept up, so that the long purse will still have the best chance Of carrying the day in yachting rivalry. Some of the modern-built vessels come very near the dimensions and type Of my craft, and as it has served its purpose it is no longer Of any importance. The success which has attended Louise, Buttercup, and others has corroborated in a most marked manner all I alleged with respect to the influence Of the then Yacht Racing Association Rule in favouring the elongated type Of vessel illustrated in the design in question. The measurement question, however, is very far from being settled, and a new experiment is about to be tried by the Y. R. A. Based on the length and area Of canvas. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.