Rule Changes for 1904

New Rules for Autoboats

Rating for New Craft Determined on at Last Night's Meeting

President W, H, Ketcham of the American Power Boat Association presided last night at a meeting of that organization, held at the residence of J. H. Wainwright, one of its members, who also represented the American Yacht Club. The others present at the meeting were Henry J. Gielow of the Atlantic Yacht Club, Anson B. Cole of the Manhasset Bay Yacht Club, J. H. McIntosh of the Columbia Yacht Club, F. A. Hill of the Norwalk Yacht Club, and H. M. Crane of the Seawanhaka-Corinthian Yacht Club. Action was taken to determine the standing of the automobile boats in the coming races.

It was decided after a lengthy discussion that an automobile boat is the one whose rating exceeds ten times the square root of its load water line length. In automobile boats the midship section shall be the actual, greatest transverse immersed area. All other elements for measurements shall be the same as hereinbefore provided in the present racing rules of the association. The classification shall be all below 50 feet in one class, between 50 and 100 feet in classes 10 feet apart, and all over 100 feet in one class. It was resolved that the owners of power boats who wish to have their boats timed for a record over the measured mile course in Manhasset Bay---for which a certificate will be issued by the association---will be required to notify the Secretary of the association at least a week in advance, the fee for official timing to be $10, and the days chosen for the runs are to be the second and fourth Saturdays in May, June, July, August, and September. Boats shall contain and be fitted with such mechanical power as will drive them astern at a rate of speed not less than four knots an hour in still water.

(Transcribed from the New York Times, 27 Feb. 1904. p. 6. )

[So! It's all settled. The last word. No more rhubarbs about the ratings. HAH! --GWC]

[Thanks to Greg Calkins for help in preparing this article]