As for the crew, the owner of a 5 may consider himself fortunate if he can secure the services of a good man as skipper for 30_s._ a week, clothes (about 5_l._ worth), 20_s._ racing money for a first prize, and 10_s._ for a second or a third prize. It is a mistake to give racing money for losing. At present it is only done by a few wealthy and thoughtless owners, who will soon ruin the sport unless the majority combine to put a stop to their extravagance. Losing money is legitimate enough in the large racers, where the yachts make long passages by night and day in all weathers from regatta to regatta. By such crews the losing money is earned, but the crews of small Solent racers, who sleep comfortably at home in their beds, and often have little or nothing to do between the races, should not get it. It costs from 100_l._ to 150_l._ to maintain and race a 5- or a 2-1/2 rater for the twenty weeks of the season, from which may be deducted the value of the prizes won, less entrance fees and racing money. This sum covers a crew of two paid hands, and the owner of a 5 must enlist two or three Corinthians to help at each race. Unfortunately, there is a lamentable deficiency of these mariners on the Solent. DETAILS OF YACHT CLUBS AND SAILING CLUBS ON THE SOLENT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | Royal | Royal | Royal | Royal | Royal | | Royal | | | | | | | ---- | Royal | London | Southern| Victoria | Albert | Southampton | Solent | Portsmouth | Castle | Bembridge | Island | Minima | Totals | | | Yacht | Yacht | Yacht | Yacht | Yacht | Yacht | Yacht | Corinthian | Yacht | Sailing | Sailing | Sailing | | | | Squadron | Club | Club | Club | Club | Club | Club | Yacht Club | Club | Club | Club | Club | | |------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Established | 1812 | 1838 | 1843 | 1844 | 1864 | 1875 | 1878 | 1880 | 1887 | 1886 | 1889 | 1889 | | | Head-quarters | Cowes | 1882 Cowes | Sthmptn | Ryde | Sthsea | Sthmptn | Yrmth | Prtsmth | Calshot | Bmbrdg | Cowes | Hamble | | | Entrance Fee | £ 100 | ... | 2g. | 5g. | 4g. | 2g. | 1g. | 2g. | £ 3 | 2g. | 1g. | 1/2 g. | | | Ann. subscription | £ 11 | {4g. | {3g. | 6g. | 4g. | {1-1/2g. | 1g. | 2g. | £ 3 | 1g. | 1g. | 1/2 g. | | | | | {6g.