Dbo. 26 1896.1 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
RBLB VII. 
Entries. 
Add to Section 1: Add "Batries must also state whether yacht was 
lauuc'aed prior to Nov. 1, 1896," 
Strike out Section 3. 
This is made necasmry hy See. 8 o£ Rule Itl, and the final section 
of the rule litnlting drafc. The abalition of Sec. 3 in this i-ule pre- 
vents a yaclifc without a competitor from going up a Glass, and must 
be considered in connection with Eule SXX., giving a sail-over prize 
for such a yacht. 
BULB IX. 
Sails. 
Add to Section 1, paragraph 2, "and eliib topsail." 
Add to Section 1, paragraph 3, "and ia the first roft. and 60£t. clasaes 
club topsail also," , , ^, , tn 
aecimmandation: The adoption of this addenda to the rule wiu 
have the effect of allowing yachts in the larger clftssea to carry club 
topsails, wbicli tliey do as a mtatter of practice, the rule being usually 
suBpeadeii for these classes. 
This change puts til e Y. B. U. rules in harmony with the rules of 
those clubs in which the three largest yachts figure most prominently, 
and it will meet the approval of the owners of these craft. 
SljBSTlTUTE FOR RHLB X, 
Boats and Life Buoys. 
Section 1. Yachts in the first, 95rt, and 85Ct. classes of schooners, and 
in the first class of sloops, cutters and yajyis, shall carry on deofc a 
serviceable round-bottomed boat, measuring not less than 14Et^ m 
length, with oars and row-locks or thole p'ns lashed in; in the 75tt. 
and 65ft classes of schooners, and in the 70rt. class of sloops, cutters 
and yawls, a boat as above not less than 13ft. in length, and in the 60ft. 
olafls a boat as above not less than lOEt. in length. 
Recommendation: Blight changes have been made to conform to 
the cutting out of the 80ft, classes. 
RULE XX, 
Fittings, Water and Ballast. 
Add to Section 1. "9alley fixtures and fittings shall be kept on 
board in their proper places. All yachts must cawy one serviceable 
anchor and cable on board.'' 
Recommendation: It is suggested that this change be made in the 
present rule to prevent the practice of removing fittings that should 
be carried on all yachts in the larger classes, 
SUBSTITCTffi FOR RULE SII, 
Creios. 
1. The total number of persons on board a yacht shall not exceed 
the allowance in the following schedule : 
SCHOONERS. 
First Class— One parson to every 2ilt. of r,l. or fraction thereof. 
OOtt. Class— 35 persons. 
85ft. Class— 80 persons. 
75Ct. Class— 35 persons. 
65f fc. Class— 20 persons. 
SliOOPS, CDTTKBS ANB YAWLS. 
First Class- 3 parsons to every 5tt. of r.l. or fraction thereof, 
70tt. Cla33— 35 persons. 
60ft. Class— 15 persons. 
51ft Class— 12 persons. 
43ft. Class— 9 parsons. 
36£t. Class- 7 persons. 
30ft. Class- 5 persons. 
35Ct. Class— 4 persons, 
30ft. Class— 3 persons. 
15tt. Class— 3 persons. 
Section 3. Escept in the schooner classes, and in the first, 70ft. 
and 60ft. clasaes of sloops, cutters and yawls, each yacht must be 
steered by an amateur, and must be manned by amateurs, except 
that any yacht may carry and use her regular professional crew, but 
yachts In classes 30ft. and under shall not carry more than one pro- 
fessional. 
Recommendation: Experience seems to have proved that the allot- 
ment of crews for yachts of the different classes allows too many 
men for some of the smaller classes, and not enough men for the 
larger, The scheme of regulating the number of men for each class 
is based upon allowing only a suflicient number of men to work the 
yacht, thus preventing any crew being carried for the purpose of 
ballast. 
The complaint has also been made that there is a distinction in Cor- 
inthian races between the regulations covering crew in cabin and open 
boats, cabin boats having been allowed to carry their regular crew 
and open boats being compelled to sail with full Corinthian crew. 
Although the Council is not in favor of modifying the Corinthian re- 
strictions any more than is necessary, still, as it is a matter of prac- 
tice that racing yachts, even in the smallest classes, uauaily have at 
least one paid hand, it is believed that if yachts in the 30, 25, 20 and 
15ft. classes be allowed to carry one professional, provided he 
does not steer, it would be an advantage, as yachts are some- 
times prevented from competing on account of being short of amateur 
crew. 
The allotment of men as above is uniform with the Larehmont and 
New York clubs. On discussion, the amendment as first printed was 
altered by dropping the first three words of Section 3, "In Corinthian 
races." The effect of this is that, whereas it has been necessary in the 
past to state tha", a race would be sailed under Corithlan regulations, 
If such were the case, it now goes as a matter of course that all races 
of the Union are Corinthian races unless a specific announcement to 
the contrary is made. The differencs is merely one of practice. This 
brc u^ht up a discussion which was continued under another head, the 
deflniiion of Ooriathlanism, later on in the evening. A further change 
was made after a short discussion, the words "the owner or other" 
being omitted to make the rule read "steered by an amateur." The 
change ia merely clerical. 
SDBSTITUTB FOR RULE XVI. 
Private Signals and Numbers. 
Bach yacht shall carry the owner's private signal at the main peak, 
and display her racing number above thi reef points, at an equal dis- 
tance from the luff and leach, on both sides of the mainsail. 
Recommendation: Permitting the placing of racing numbers on 
any part of the mainsail above the reeC points is most annoying to 
regatta committees, as sometimes the numbers are fastened so near 
tte luff that they a- e barely discernible. Ig is thought best that it 
should be clearly defined where the number shall be placed upon the 
Bail. 
HULK XIX. 
Starting and Finishing Signals. 
■ Strike out Section 1 and substitute: 
The starting signals shall be as follows: The blue peter hoisted as 
a preparatory signal, and lowered at the expiration of five minutes. 
A red ball, hoisted for the start of the first division, comprising 
Classes A, B, C, D and Q. 
A white bail for the start of the second division, comprising Classes 
F, H and J. 
A blue ball for the start of the third division, comprising Classes K, 
L and 31. 
A ball of red and white for the start of the fourth division, com- 
prising Classes N andS. 
A ball of white and blue for the start of the fifth division, com- 
prisine Classes P and T. 
A ball of blue and red for the start of the sixth division, comprising 
Classes Q, R, Vand W. 
Each starting ball shall be dropped at the expiration of starting in- 
terval. 
Five minutes shall elapse between the start of each division. 
The club burgee shall be hoisted at the expiration of the starting in- 
terval of the last division. 
Recommendation; On account of the necessity for starting in 
small divisions or by clasBes, it is necessary that additional starting 
signals be provided for. It is believed that the six signals as named 
will be sufficient. 
RULE SXVII. 
Section 2. Change word "wlndwara" to read "leeward." 
This is a correction of a clerical error in the last revision of the 
rules. The general custom in tliis country is for the leeward yacht to 
give way. 
or more yachts start. Doing this will enable us to dispense with th6 
rule allowing a yacht alone in her class to sail in the next class above. 
This rule is objsctionabla for a number of reasons, lo may not ba 
known up to a short time before the start of I lie race whether a class 
will fill or not, and it is inconvenient and often impracticable for a 
committee to notify the yachts in a class that a yacht in a lower class 
will be a competitor; consequently the yachts sailing in the class that 
has filled are likelv to have no .knowledge that they are compsting 
with any but yachts regularly in their classes. Besides, it is lerc dis- 
cretionary with the owner whether the yacht will go up a class or not, 
and unless k& announces to the committee that such is his intention, 
there may ba a misunderstanding aboui the result of the race Be- 
sides this, owners of yachts often seriously object to being compalled 
to compete against a yacht in a smaller class. There is also another 
objection to the rule on the score that time allowance will always 
have to be a factor in class racing unless a yacht sailing in the class 
above her own assumes the maximum length of such class, or sails 
without time allowance. Assumiog a mean or minimum length will 
always entitle a yacht going up a class to time allowance from the 
yachts built to the limit of the class. 
The above explanation of the Council covers the ground very com- 
pletely; assuming that something must be done for the solitary 
owner in any class who comei to the line for a race, probably from a 
distance and at some inconvenience, the old plan of allowing him to 
go uo a class is objfc'io'iable in that if has often opanpd a way to 
tricksry of a very qujstionable bind, it u u iually sati.^factory neither 
to him nor the owners in the larger class, and it help? to retain the 
principle of allowing time for difference of siz^. Two great points of 
modern racing are the fixing of each yajht in one class, in which 
alone she shall race, and tha elimination of time allowance. The ex- 
ception in these points due to the old rule is ia every way objection- 
able, and tar outweighs the heaviest arguments that can be advanced 
against prizes, presumably of half value, for sail-ovars. 
ROLE SXII. 
Shortening or Reversing C mrses. 
New Section 2. Should the regatta committee deem it desirable on 
account of the direction of the wind to order the course sailed in a 
reverse direction from that specified in tha instruooioas, flag "B," 
hoiated over the blue peter (the preparatory signal), shall be the sig- 
nal for bo doing. . 
Recommendai ion: The exi.''ting rules omit naming a signal to indi- 
cate that the course is to be sailed in a reverse direction, and this ad- 
denda should be added to cover the point, 
RULE XXIX. 
Di.':qualiflcation. 
Section 5. Strike out the words "or within ten days thereafter." 
Recommendation: A yacht is now allowed tea days after a race in 
which to file a certificate of measurement with the regatta committee 
before being disqualifiad. The Council believes that no yacht should 
be allowed to start in a race unless she has been measured f jr racing 
length. No good reason has ever been advanced f jr allowing a yacht 
to compete without being measured, and it is believed that if it is 
thoroughly understood that a yacht cannot start unless she holds an 
official certificate of measurement, there will be leas laxity in this 
matter than heretofjre, Ic has been the practice with some regatta 
committees to allow yachts to compete that have not been measured 
rather than to refuse the entry. Owners knowing this have neglected 
or delayed having their yachts measured, and as there is no more im- 
portant matter than the recording of a yacht's racing length, both 
for classification and time allowance, it is believed that this step is 
necessary to attain the desired results 
Within the past two years the race committee of the Larcbmont Y . 
0. has tried the rather novel experiment of living up to the letter of 
all rules and regulations, especially as to measurement, date of entry, 
etc., provided tney have been previously announced and generally ua- 
de'Stood. The result bas been that though a fiw owners have felt 
themselves injured by a technical ruling on the letter of rules pre- 
viously disreg<»rded, the majorty of racing men have profited, entries 
being made and measurements filed in good season. It would seem 
that 1 he time has come in all clubs when the old slipshod, gc-as-you- 
please methods that, while in part necessitated by the lack uf entries, 
at the same time acted to hurt, racing, must give place to exsct and 
positive regulations enf jrced to the letter. Such a course is best in 
the end for all parties, owners as well as committeas. 
NKW RUM. 
Limit of Draft, 
The maximum draft of any yachc, exclusive of centerboard, when 
in racing trim, shall not exceed that specified for her class in the fol- 
lowing table, except as hereinafter men'ioned- but these limits shall 
not apply to any yacht lauaehed prior to Nov. 1, lt98, when racing in 
the class in which she was raced prior to that time. This essmption, 
however, shall not be so construed as to permit the increase of ihe 
draft of such a vessel beyond that allowed for her class. 
SCHOONERS. 
First Class— No draft limit. 
S5ft. Class— lift, draft. 
85ft. Class— 13fC. draft. 
75ft. Class— ISft. draft. 
65tt. Class— lift, draft. 
BLOOPS, C0 ITERS AND YAWLS. 
" First Class— No draft limit. 
"'70ft. Class— 1.3ft. draft. 
60ft. Class— 11 5ft. draft. 
51ft. Class— 10.25ft. draft. 
43rt. Class— 9ft draft. 
36ft. Class— 8tt. draft, 
30tt. Class— 7£t. draft. 
25ft. Class— 6ft. draft. 
30rt. Class— Srt. draft. 
15tt. Class— 4£t, draft. - 
CATBOATS. 
30ft. Class- 7ft, draft. 
25ft. Class— 6ft. draft. 
30ft. Class— 5tt. draft. 
15ft. Class— 4ft draft. 
Should a yacht's draft exceed that specified for a given class, the 
amount of excess shall, in computing her measurement for racing 
length, be multiplied by 2 and aaded to the length of the I. w.l., pro- 
vided, however, that in no case shall this excess ba more than 10 per 
cent, of the draft specified for the respective class. On all yachts 
launched after Nov. 1, 1896, there shall be placed upon the hull, and 
mmediately over the point of greatest draft, a meta! plate|or other 
distinct mark. Such mark shall be placed above the l.w.l., and within 
6in. of it, and tTie owner shall furnish to the regatta committee, if re- 
quired, a certificate of the vessel's draft to such mark, signed by him- 
self, the designer or the builder of the yacht. 
Recommendation: For some time past it has been the opinion of 
the yachting world that there should be some restriction placed upon 
the building of extreme types. This has resulted in the New YorJi Y, 
C. adopting arbitrary limits of draft that yachts in the different 
classes shall not exceed, with the purpose that this limitation will 
have the effect of preventing the building of deeper hulls than are 
now in existence. The Council is of the opmion that some rule should 
be adopted that will encourage a more wholesome type of yacht than 
is now being built for racing purposes, but it hardly thinas that this 
rule will have that effect. At the same time, as thjjimics are so lib- 
eral in the classes of single-masted vessels and yawls, it can see no ob- 
jection to their adoption by the Union, as the rule will probably not 
preclude the building of keel vessels in preference to cenierboards for 
racing purposes. The limits named for the schooner clasaes will 
probably prevent any more keel schooners being built for maximum 
speed, 'as uniformity of rules is most desirable at the present time, 
the Council believes that it would be advisable to adopt this rule and 
have it given a fair trial. It is to be hoped that before another season 
is over some formula will be evolved that will be acctptable to all the 
clubs and that will have the effect of promoting the building of more 
serviceable yachts. 
RULE xxs. 
Frizes. 
New Section 1. Prizes shall be awarded in aU classes in which one or 
more yachts sail the course. Should a yacht sail alone in her class 
she shall be entitled to a "saU-over" pfiza of one-half the value of the 
regular prize. 
' Reconamendation: It has been the custom only in the larger clubs 
to award sail-over prizes for yachts not having competitors in their 
classes; but it is believed that in reducing the number of classes it will 
be no hardshiiJ for any club to award prizes in all classes in which one 
This rule was but recently framed by the Lirchmont Y. C„ and 
adopted by it and the New York Y. C. as well. After being presented 
to the meeting it was laid on the table until the communication relat- 
lag to the proposed national yachting league had been read and dis- 
o jssed, when it was taken up for discussion. Theopinionsof therepre- 
Biniatives were strongly against the rule, on the grounds that it was 
inadequate, and not calculated to effect Its nominal end. Two con- 
siderations were advanced for it; first, ttiat being already in effect in 
two large clubs, its defects or advantages would be to a certain extent 
t JSted whether or no the Y, R. U. accepted it; and second, that should 
t^ie proposed league prove practicable, there would then be an oppor- 
tanity lor a careful consideration of the whole matter. The disposi- 
tion of the meeting, as in other matters, was plainly on the side of 
uuifoimity and harmony, even with those clubs which do not recog- 
nize the Y. R. U ; and the sentiment generally expressed was that 
less harm might come from the rule itself as the conditions now are 
than from its summary rejection. On a vote the rule was unani- 
mously adopted. 
DEFINITIONS. 
Sloops and Cutters. 
A yacht to be considered a sloop or cutter shall not have more tium 
80 per cent. Of the sail area aft of the main mast. 
Recommendation: On account of the present tendency to reduce 
tha area of head rigs in the s. nailer classes of sloops, it ia sometimes 
perplexing to determine whether a yacht should be classed as a sloop 
or a catboat. This definition is proposed for the purpose of positively 
d'stinguishing between the two rigs. 
The following was offered at the meeting by Mr. Thomas Fleming 
Day, Huguenot Y. C: 
AMEND DEFINITION, PAGE 21. 
Oorinthianism. 
Corinthianism in yachting is that attribute which represents parfi; 
cipation for sport as distinct from gain, and which also involves the 
acquirement of nautical experience through the love of sport, rather 
than through necessity or the hope of gain. It is consistent with the 
motive higher than mercenary found m the ranks of officers of the 
navy, licensed offioera of the commercial marine, naval architects, 
yacht builders, sailmakers and riggers, notwithstanding that they s«S- 
cure a livelihood by following those professions ahd trades. No man 
who loves the sport should be refused admittance to Its contests be- 
cauie he has become skilled in bandling through experience and 
knowledge gained while in pui-suitofa dignified and honest calling. 
In this respect the foUowiog general definition is given: 
No person who has accepted remuneration for services rendered In 
handling; or serving on a yacht, or who is a professional in any other 
sport, shall be considered a Corinthian yachtsman. 
This amendment affects materially a very important point, and a^ 
we understand the rules, it could not Ije adopted, not having been 
advertised in the notice of the meeting. This point, however, was 
not raised, as after discussion It was decided to leave the matter to 
the incoming Council Mr, Day made a strong argument for the 
amendment and it was discussed at some length, bringing out various 
opinions. If passed it would reverse almost entirely the present 
ruling, as it admits as Corinthians all who have never received pay 
for sailing on a yacht. This opens a very wide door to men who 
through their regular avocations are in positions to acquire excep- 
tional skill, such as the bona fide Corinthian, engaged in business 
apart from the water, can only hope to attain by years of sailing in 
the comparatively limited time he can devote to the sport. 
In the course of a rather animated discussion of the question since 
the definition of the TJoion was first made public, there has been a 
tendency to represent it as casting a certain reflection upon those 
associated with the various yachting trades, and as attempting to set 
up certain social distinctions. As far as we are aware, there has 
been no such intention; the main idea has been that the great ma- 
jority of the members of the clubs which form the Union are unques- 
tionably Corinthians, business men with but a limited amount of 
leisure to devote to yachting and still less to yacht racing. If it is a 
question between the interests of this large class and the very small 
class of men engaged in yacht building and similar pursuits who de- 
s're to sail in yacht races, then the smaller number should give way 
to the greater. It is all very well to talk about the advantages to the 
young Corinthian of learning through the opportunity to try his 
skill in racing against the old hands, but ic is simply an impossibility 
for the young man who looks after his boat of an evening and races 
her on his Saturday half holiday to compete with the man who can 
jump into his boat at any time through the week for a rub up against 
some other craft. 
At the same time, so far as we are concerned, we are in favor of a 
distinct policy on the part of the Union of holding a reasonable num- 
ber of races throughout the season in which the professionals may be 
allowed; giving them every chance to try their handiwork and to 
bring out its best points to their own"satisfaction, perhaps after the 
amateur sailor has failed. There is no need to shut out the profes- 
sional or to treat him as in any way less of a yachtsman or a different 
sort of yachtsman from the Corinthian; at the same time, the latter 
has certain interests that must be recognized by a line of demarcation 
between the two. 
After the amendments were disposed of the question of dates was 
taken up. The territory of the Union, from Hea Gate to Race Rock, 
has been divided into two districts: the Eastern, including the Yale 
Corinthian and Park City of New Haven, the Norwalk, Bridgeport and 
Shelter Island clubs; and the Western, including all the clubs west of 
Norwalk. The Eastern District was left to arrange its own dates; sub- 
ject to the approval of the CouncU; the dates for the Western District 
were arranged as follows: 
Monday, May 31: Harlem Y. C. 
Saturday, June 5: Knickerbocker Y. C. 
Saturday, June 12: Douglaston Y. C. 
Saturday, June 26: Seawanhaka Corinthian Y. C. 
Saturday, July 3: NewRochelle Y. C. 
Tuesday, July 6; American Y. C. 
Wednesday, July 7: Corinthian Fleet. 
Saturday, July 10: Riverside Y. C. 
Wednesday, July 28: Stamford Y, C, 
Saturday, July 31: Sea Cliff Y. C. 
Saturday, Aug, 7: Indian Harbor Y. C. 
Saturday, Aug. 14: Hempstead Harbor Y. C. 
Saturday, Au?. 21: Horseshoe Harbor Y. C. 
Saturday, Aug, 28; Huntington Y. 0. 
Saturday, Sept. 4; Huguenot Y. C. 
Theracingcireuitw.il last from June 26 to July 6 inclusive, and 
will include the following: 
Saturday, June 26: Seawanhaka Corinthian Y. C. 
Monday, June 28: Stamford Y. C, 
Tuesday, June 29: Indian Harbor Y. C. 
Wednesday, June 80: Corinthian Fleet special. 
Thursday, July 1: Horseshoe Harbor Y. O. special. 
Friday, July 2: Sea Cliff Y. C. special. 
S'aturday, July 3: New Rochelle Y. 0. annual. 
Tuesday, July 6: American Y. C. annual. 
Messrs. Towle, Gordon and Sherman were appointed a nominating 
committee for the new Council, and after retiriiig reported the follow- 
ing ticket, which was elected: Oliver E. Cromwell, E. B. Hart, Jr., C. 
P. Tower, C, T. Pierce, O, H. Chellborg, F, E. Towle, Jr , and Frank 
Browne Jones. 
The circular of the New York Y. C. relating to the formation of a 
national league of yachtsmen was read and very favorably received, 
the following resolution being passed after discussion: 
Resolved, That the Yacht Racing Union of Long Island Sound In- 
dorses the movement to form a national association to govern yacht 
racing in America. 
The meeting adjourned at 11:45 P. M., having been in session since 8 
P. M. 
It you want your shoot to be announced hare 
sand In notice like the foUowlnsi 
FIXTURES. 
Dec, 25.— Chicago, 111.— Carver-Grimm match for the cast-iron medal 
at Watson's Park. 
Dec. 29-30.— Utioa, N. Y.— Tournament under the management of 
John W. Fulford. Live birds and targets. 
1897. 
Jan. 1.— Newark, N. J.— Sixteenth annual tournament and reception 
of the South Side Gun Club. W. R. Hobart, Sec'y. 
Jan, 1.— Buffalo, N. Y.— Tournament of the Audubon Gun Club. 
Targets. 
Jan. 1.— Towanda, Pa.— Tournament of the Towanda Rod and Gun 
Club, Live birds and targets. M. P. Dittrich, Sec'y. 
Jan. 9-10.— PREseoTT, Arizona.— Fourth annual tournament of the 
Arizona State Sportsmen's Association, under the auspices of the 
Prescott Gun Club. Roy Hill, Sec'y. 
Jan 11-14.— Buffalo, N. Y.— Audubon Park first annual midwinter 
tournament. First three days, targets; last day, live birds. 
Jan, 12-14,— Clover and Pope's midwinter tournament at Massas- 
sauga Point, Live birds and targets. Added money and merchandise 
prizes. For programmes address Seth Clover or A. P. Pope, Erie, Pa. 
Jan. 14-15,— Indianapolis, Ind,— Tournament of the Limited Gun 
Club; sparrows. Royal Robinson, Sec'y. 
Jan. 26-30.— San antonio, Tex.— Second midwinter tournament, 
under the management of Oscar Guessaz, $2,000 added. 
Feb. 27-March 11.— Hot Springs, Ark.— Tne Arkansaw Traveler's 
first grand annual live bird tournament; §10,000 in purses and added 
moneys. Souvenir programmes ready Jan. 1. Address aU communi- 
cations to John J. Sumpter, Jr., Box 111, Hot Springs, Ark. 
March 13-17.— Bavchester, M. Y.— Second annual tournament of 
the Cobweb Gun Oluo; live birds and targets. Cobweb handicap at 
live birds, $500 guaranteed. 
March 23-»5,— New York Citx.— The Interstate AsaOclatipn's fifth 
annual Grand American Handicap at five birds. 
April 14-16.— ATCHISON, Kan.— Airy Lou Hart's third manufactur- 
ers' amateur and fourteenth open-to-all tournament. 
April 15-17.— San Antonio, Tex.— Tournament of the San Antonio 
Gun Club. Open to amateurs only. Willard T. Simpson, Chairman 
Ex. Com. 
April 20-23.— Lincoln, Neb.— Twenty-first annual tournament of the 
Nebraska State Sportsmen's Association. Added money later. 
