July 31, 1897.] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
95 
AL ANKA. 
SKATE. 
JIONTAL'K. 
The Measurement Rule. 
In the hurry of actual racing and cruising, but little at- 
tention is now given by yachtsmen to the very import'int 
question of a new measurement rule. At the same time it 
is generally accepted that some change is essential at the 
end of the present sea.son. If anything essential is to be ac- 
complished, the actual work must be commenced by the end 
of Sept-ember, and that discussion which is both inevitable 
and essential should begin at once. We are always glad to 
publish anything on this subject, but particularly in the 
E resent case, for the double reason that the writer has stated 
is ideas plainly and concisely in a series of definite proposi- 
tions; and that these propositions are such that most yachts- 
men will agree with him. Without attempting to discuss 
at present the specific formula presented by him, we are 
heartily in accord with the general tenor of our correspond- 
ent's remarks, and we shall be glad to carry them out by af- 
fording every opportunity for a discussion on the lines sug- 
gested by him. 
The matter is one that concerns every yachtsman, he 
should have ideas on the subject, and probably most yachts- 
men have if they take the time to think about it. The great 
trouble is that the majority give no attention whatever to 
the question until some definite proposition is advanced, 
when they immediatelv discover that their own toes are 
trodden upon to the extent of a sixty-fourth of an inch, and 
proceed to denounce the treader as a theorist and piazza 
yachtsman. 
There never was such a need of improved rules or such an 
opportunity for their adoption, it only remains for every 
yachtsman to help the work as best he may, at least by giv- 
ing careful consideration to all proposals advanced, as is the 
present one, in good faith and for the love of the sport. 
No apology is needed for anything vsritten on the subject 
of a rule for the comparison of yachts, so that they can be 
raced together. It maybe well, however, to make a few in- 
troductory remarks, so that if the present paper serves its 
purpose, all may meet on a common and well-defined basis. 
The writer hopes to provoke a discussion of the suggestions 
hereafter made, which shall finally result in a concensus of 
opinion, and suggests: 
First.— That all contribulions be given simply a designating 
letter. The reason for following such a course is that under 
such conditions, a statement or opinion has weight only in 
so far as it is backed up by reasons stated. This in no way 
handicaps the man of great experience, since his experience 
is simply an aggregation of observed facts If his intellect 
is not of a sufficiently analytical order to enable him to state 
facts and generalize from them, it is not competent to advise 
in such a matter as is now being considered. Further rea- 
sons are that personal antipathies are in a measure removed, 
and an opportunity given to the man who is convinced to 
retract without necessarily admitting it. 
Second.— All discussions should follow the regular order 
of acquiescing in, or disputing each point raised, in regular 
order, referring to them in a distinctive way, so that an ex- 
plicit summing up may be possible. 
Third. — The subject' of classification is entirely distinct 
-from the stibject of measuring. 
These three conditions should be imposed and enforced by 
the editor., 
A measurement rule should be considered under the fol- 
lowing heads: 
First — What is intended to be accomplished.'' 
Second— What elements of the yacht shall be coogidered 
or employed? 
SHARK. 
THE NEW TWENTY FOOTERS. 
Frona. ptioCos by J. S. Johnson. New York. 
Third — From what source shall the necessary elements be 
derived or measured? 
Fourth — In what manner shall these elements be com- 
bined? 
Fir.st — A measurement rule is intended to 
(a) Encourage the development of a safe, roomy, speedy 
and easily handled boat. 
(b) To equalize the chances of winning prizes between 
boats of different types and characteristics. 
(c) To discourage attempts to "beat" it 
(d) To leave owner and designer absolutely free to produce 
anything they please. 
(a) It is assumed that this clause will be admitted, but 
the writer wants to insist on every word of it as being of 
vital importance. Of equal importance is the weight we 
must attach to each of these characteristics, since on this 
depend many other things. Thus it is evident that a boat 
may be only roomy, or only speedy, and unless some ratio is 
established between them, or some credit given for other 
qualities than speed, yachtsmen will revert to the present 
practice of building mainly for speed. 
It would at first appear as though it were necessary to 
consider too many elements to take into account these 
features, but it is thought it will be admitted, that if it can 
be done it is ideal. 
(lb) It seems to be generally admitted that this is true, if 
one may judge from the efforts made to get races under this 
very rule. 
The only way in which racing interests can be stimulated 
is by offering good prizes, to be raced for under conditions 
which recognize the good points of all boats. 
(c) Yachtsmen, generally, are a fair minded body of men, 
and it is believed that if they feel that a rule is fair they will 
not attempt to "beat" it, but will strive to produce the best 
boat possiMe. 
(d) Yachting is expensive to a certain extent, and so is ex- 
perimenting, but there are few men that do one that won't 
do the other, if they feel that it will not cost them too much, 
either in chances to win races or in money. 
In no way can so much positive knowledge be obtained as 
by experimenting, and so in no way can yachting be so ben- 
efited. If this is granted, it must also be granted that a good 
rule will noD limit a designer In any direction, but will 
rather aid him by offering to credit his boat with any feat- 
ure which is meritorious. 
Second — What elements of the yacht shall be considered: 
For safety we must have stability, assurance against sink- 
ing, strength of form, and sufficient freeboard. 
For room we need a cube — both above and below the water- 
line — that shall together give proper accommodations. 
For speed, small displacement, small wetted surface, large 
sail area, and deep ballast, and a long and narrow form. 
For ease of handling, small sail area, long keel, moderate 
draft. 
Stability is a question of form, amount and position of bal- 
last, and ballast itself is infiuenced by displacement. 
Assurance against sinking can be secured by letting either 
the bull or air tanks float the ballast. 
Strength of form is dependent on the designer and will 
follow from a good design. 
Sufficient freeboard will come with good accommodation. 
Speed is influenced by displacement in an unknown ratio; 
no satisfactory data exists for determining it approximately; 
The same may be said 6o be true of surface friction, but this' 
will be admitted by all, that the aim of recent designing has 
been to get as small an amount of each as possible by using 
a round full form and a fin keel. 
la addition, the force required to more lOOlbs. of water 
MOMO. 
along certain lines must be great^er than the force required 
to move 501bs. along the same lines. 
The large sail area gives additional force, nnd so of course 
aids, while depth increases the efficiency of the ballast and 
makes it possible to decrease displacement by making each 
pound doubly effective, because working with a larger lever 
arm. 
The long, narrow form has always been considered aa 
speedy, and since it causes the smallest possible movement 
of the water, it is defensible on theoretical grounds. 
It follows then that the elements we should consider are: 
sail area, lengih, breadth, depth, position of ballast, dis- 
placement and total cube of hull. 
These elements may be sirapli6ed by considering the total 
cube of hull, the actual L W.L., when inclined or heeled to 
the gunwale, and the sail area. 
Third — Whence shall these elements be derived? The 
writer thinks they should be taken from the designs of the 
yacht, certified to by the desiener and builder, and filed with 
the measurer of the club as club property. 
The advantages are: 
(a) Definite knowledge of the yacht and her elements. 
(b) Invaluable data of the progress of yacht design. 
(c) Accuracy of measurement, as close as desired. 
(d) Absolute fairness of measurement, since every element 
is taken into account and measured for what it is, from what 
it is. 
The only objection known to the writer is that some de- 
signers might object to having their designs known; but to 
meet this is the rule of many clubs requiring the filing of 
models or plans before prizes are awarded. There would also 
be a certain amount of objection from the man who whittles 
out his models, but he should be discouraged any way. 
Much could be said in favor of such a plan, but it is all 
summed up in the one thought: that you measure that which 
exists; the actual form with all of its features. 
If long overhangs are good per se then they are not killed 
off; if the plumb stem is better, it has a chance; for in each 
case you measure just what exists and what is used to sail 
on. 
In the sails, you measure those that are used, and the de- 
signer can adopt any proportion or form he pleases; there is 
no way of beating it, and no. hindrance to experiment through 
fear that the rule will produce an undue tax. 
Fourth: How shall these elements be combined? Divide 
the actual sail area in square feet by tl e actual cube of the 
hull and cabin house in cubic feet, multiply by 10 and call 
the result the per cent, of L W.L, to be added to the L.W.L. 
measured on the incline for the racing length. The actual 
L.W.L. used would be obtained in the usual way from the 
plotted waterline when heeled and the areas measured by the 
planimeter. 
It has been assumed for purposes of comparison and 
tabulation that the tonnage represents the cube. Ic does 
quite closely, and from it and from the published measure- 
ments of yachts, assisted by judgment in ascertaining the 
actual L.W.L., the following table has been prepared. 
It is, of course, not exact, but it will give an idea of the 
working, which seems to be fair. Thus, Akista has a very 
long body, but a small sail plan and a large cube. In conse- 
quence her length is not greatly increased. Acushla has 
large sail, small cube, and consequently a larger increase. 
Canopus follows this example al.=o Comparing Choctnw, 
Eidolon, Gossoon, Penguin and I'vira, also Carmita and 
Wasp, it will be seen that the boat which has the .small cube 
and large sail area pays for it by measuring up. and under 
the measures of the suggested rule the yachts are more 
nearly equalized than under the old. The gieat aiivantages 
are; ease of measuring, equalization of good yachts, credit 
