1938: Yachting

More yachts were built in 1938 than in any year since 1929. Two 12-meter racers topped the list as to size, both built to the International Rule. A number of offshore cruising-racers were turned out, built to rate well under the 'Lippincott Rule' originated on Lake Michigan and later adopted by the Cruising Club of America. The majority of the new boats were of comparatively small size, many of them being built to fit various one-design classes.

In the 6-meter class, there were three international events. The first was the series for the Scandinavian Gold Cup, held by the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club of Oyster Bay, N. Y., in which yachts from Norway, Sweden, Great Britain and Finland sailed against George Nichols' Goose, the defender taking the series in three straight races. Then came the event for the British-American Cup, teams of four 'Sixes' representing the defending club and the Royal Northern Yacht Club, of Glasgow. The American team won four out of five races. In the contest for the One Ton Cup, the Scottish Circe, J. H. Thom, made a clean sweep over Goose.

The International Star Class regatta was held off San Diego, Calif., and was won by the German Pimm, sailed by Walther von Hutschler, after a close battle with Harry G. Nye's Gale, from Chicago, the point score being 106 to 104.

The Bermuda Race, from Newport to St. David's Head, was won by H. C. Taylor's new yawl Baruna from a fine fleet of 43 yachts, with Walter N. Roths-child's yawl Avanti second in Class A. R.J. Reynolds' new cutter Blitzen won in the smaller Class B, with Nathanial Rubinkam's cutter Rubaiyat, from Chicago, second.

The race from Chicago to Mackinac, 331 miles on Lake Michigan, was captured by James R. Lowe's yawl Manitou, in the Cruising Division, Herman E. Karnstedt's sloop Hope taking the honors in the Racing Division. There were 46 starters.

The Lake Huron Race, from Port Huron to Mackinac, brought out a fleet of 28 and was won by Fred S. Ford's yawl Evening Star in the Racing-Cruising Division, and by Gordon Mendelssohn's cutter Quarter-More, in the Cruising Division.

The Fishermen's Race, held off Boston and Gloucester, went to Angus Walter's famous schooner Bluenose, which defeated the American Gertrude L. Thebaud three to two after a most unsatisfactory series, badly handled by an incompetent committee.

Yachtsmen have been much worried over the stipulations of Draft Convention 53, one of the international labor treaties ratified by the Senate and signed by the President, which seems to compel professional navigating and engineering officers on all vessels, including fishermen and yachts. It is sincerely hoped that remedial legislation will be passed exempting craft of less than 200 tons from the treaty requirements.