37 Tums Now on the Lakes: Schooner Days DCXCVII (697)

by C. H. J. Snider

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MAY we interrupt the life history of Canada's greatest lake schooner, the Minnedosa, to mention, by request, something very modern which is blossoming vigorously despite this awful summer-or-is-it?

Thank you. We'll return to Minnedosa, meaning fast water, next, week.

MEET MISS TUMLAREN

The Tumlaren, says W. Ken Purchase, of the Queen City, is a boat that has been aptly described by a sailor from Olcott as "the boat that you don't know whether it's coming or going," but to her proud owners, and there are seven of them in Toronto, "the tum" is the only yacht of her size that offers a good racing class, fair cruising accommodation for four, a beautiful looking craft and one that can take any weather that Lake Ontario can kick up, with the additional advantage that one man is able to commission her each spring.

The Tumlaren's measurement is 27'3" L.O.A., 21'7" L.W.L., 6'3" extreme beam, 4'4" extreme draft, displacement about two tons, 50 per cent, of which is carried in a narrow lead keel bolted to the main keelson, giving a bow-on view of a wine-glass section, with good freeboard and an attractive tumble home.

Knud H. Reimers of Stockholm, Sweden, designed this double-ended sloop for racing in the Baltic Sea, and she originally carried 20 square metres of sail (215 square feet).

The first Tumlaren made her appearance in Toronto waters in 1937 and "caught on." They grew in numbers until there were nine in Toronto and Hamilton by 1940. These original turns had one drawback. Their small sail area was not conducive to fast sailing in the light airs in Lake Ontario, so C. W. Bourke of Toronto redesigned the sail plan and two boats were rigged thus.

Then it was discovered that Reimers had designed a 25 square metre (270 square feet) rig for inland lake sailing in Switzerland. This was done by increasing the length of the boom. As soon as this sail plan was adopted the tums began to make themselves felt. In 1938 a tum finished 4th in the Telegram Trophy. In 1939 two tums finished 1st and 2nd in the same race. These races were sailed in fresh winds on a triangular course of one-mile legs and twice around, off the C.N. Exhibition, and the tums sailed scratch with C's, Stars, Rainbows, Yankee One designs and others.

NORTH SHORE ASSOCIATION

About this time "The North Shore Tumlaren Assoc." was formed, which throve for a season and was shelved for the duration of the war. In the winter of 1944-45 this association was re-born with the following officers: Pres., Al Rae; vice-pres., W. Kent Purchase; sec.-treas., Al Mahaffy and a membership of 30 or more very ardent tum sailors (owners and owners-to-be). This association is mainly for the promotion of a one design racing and cruising class of moderate expense. All members have agreed that on any refitting, sail areas, rigging, etc., they are to receive the association o.k. by using Reimers 25 sq. metre plans. All receive all assistance and correct information from the association files by contacting the secretary-treasurer at 3 Esgore drive. For clubs desiring information with the idea of promoting the tumlaren as a class a 500 foot reel of Kodachrome taken by A. J. Rae could be arranged to be shown.

HIGH WINDS IN MICHIGAN

There are fourteen tumlarens at present on Lake Ontario, giving the largest racing class outside of 14' international dinghys and possibly the Comets. There are approximately 23 on Lake Michigan. The headquarters of the International Tumlaren Association is situated at Chicago. These turns use the 20 square metre sail-plan, as it has been found to be most satisfactory owing to the fairly high wind velocity in Lake Michigan.

In August, 1939, one crew each, from Queen City, Royal Canadian and National Yacht Clubs went to Chicago to race for the Babson Perpetual Tumlaren team championship, an international trophy. This was brought home to Toronto and is still here, as Chicago did not race for it upon invitation in 1940 owing to war restrictions. But they are now dusting off the rusty spots and it is expected to have the race held next year, 1946.

July the 1st, 1945, a tumlaren trophy is being raced for at the Olcott Yacht Club. This club has been very considerate in allowing the tumlaren regatta to be held there. It is expected that at least 11 yachts will participate and possibly more.

There will also be a tumlaren class in the LYRA regatta at Hamilton this summer. The Association is hoping to see one of their yachts finish close to, if hot first in the Freeman Cup race up the lake from Rochester.

At present the association has contacted a number of builders in order to have six new tumlarens built. It looks as though there may be even more to swell the ranks of the hottest class on the Great Lakes next summer.

The following are yachts and owners' names.

Valhalla—A. J. Rae.

Vanir—A. S. Mahaffey.

Passing Cloud—Bryce Moffat.

Silhouette — Bob Davis and Jim Hunt.

Conquest—Charlie Riley.

Kyra—Ian Armour.

Cygnet—Goderich, formerly Lieut.-Commander Braidwood's.

Sanco.

Chum.

I Duno.

One yacht at Kingston, one at Hamilton, two at Buffalo.

POCKET CRUISER DE LUXE

Sanco, previously owned by Bud Ralston, RCYC, has now been sold to a member of Oshawa Yacht Club, has had a small Lawson engine added, which gives it a speed of 13-15 m.p.h., small electric stove and refrigerator, lighting; decks are reconditioned and left in natural planking. The yacht really looks lovely.

Bomardic, originally Bill Ballantine's, is now A. J. Rae's Valhalla. Cygnet previously built and owned by Jack Braidwood, is now owned by Mr. R. Wurtele, of Goderich. Vanir, built by A. S. Taylor, Port Stanley, is now owned by A. S. Mahaffy. Conquest, built by Laurie and Les Muir and A. J. Rae, is now owned by Charlie Riley.

TUMS IN A LIVELY BRUSH ON THE BAY