Boating NZ April 2016

By curious coincidence, this issue contains an array of features relating to the health of our sailing/boating industry. I like to think that collectively, they offer a snapshot of its heartbeat – in effect, an electrocardiogram. And despite having no medical training, I think it all looks good – though I will admit to a smidgen of concern. It’s hard not to feel uplifted and energized by stories about the 60th anniversary of the Zephyr – a class still going strong and growing stronger. Or the 40th anniversary of the humble Optimist’s arrival in New Zealand – an unpretentious little tub of a yacht that’s proved so pivotal in nurturing scores of our high-achieving sailors. Like the crews heading to Brazil in September, or the guys stamping their mark on…

Astrolabe reserve? THIS IMAGE IS one of 14 sold at a recent fund-raiser at Tauranga’s Zeus Gallery – an event designed to promote the establishment of a marine reserve around the Bay of Plenty’s Astrolabe Reef. The reef’s future has been a controversial issue for Bay of Plenty residents, fishermen and divers following the grounding and subsequent break-up of the Rena container vessel in 2011. As a Maritime Safety Exclusion Zone the reef has been closed for the past four years. While sections of the wreck were removed, its remains have become a haven for marine life – as is reflected in the work of photographers such as Darryl Torckler who took this image. To protect the marine life, the Motiti Rohe Moana Trust, on behalf of Nga Hapu o…

We welcome your letters and feedback for publication. Address to: The Editor, Boating New Zealand, PO Box 6341, Wellesley Street, Auckland 1141, or email editor@boatingnz.co.nz Bird poo battles JUST ANOTHER IDEA that works on farms to keep seagulls way: at lambing time seagulls can be a menace to new-born lambs. If you ‘acquire’ a dead seagull, tie it to a fence with wings spread out – no other seagull will approach closer than half a kilometre. Works on the land. Mike Aldworth The James Davern Story CONGRATULATIONS ON A well-written article. One point which needs correction is the photo caption on pg 96. The photo is actually Fidelis on her maiden sail in the Anniversary Day Regatta January 27th 1964. Careful study of the photo reveals the original wooden mast…

“...a nippy, streamlined cruiser, easy on the eye and simple to sail.” The name of this Bavaria 37 Cruiser – Swallows II – perfectly captures her owners’ lifestyle. It alludes to their migratory existence, following the sun. Six months in each hemisphere equates to perpetual summer, and for much of the time she is their home down under. Like her avian namesake, the 37 is a nippy, streamlined cruiser, easy on the eye, quick and exceptionally simple to sail. She’s an inspired choice for a couple intent not merely on enjoying the jewel that is the Bay of Islands – but doing so in stylish comfort. Swallows II is an upgrade for the couple: her predecessor – Swallows – is a Bavaria 32. The owners are relatively new to sailing…

1. Was the fastest vessel to circumnavigate the globe powered by wind or motor? 2. You should not travel at more than 5 knots within how many metres of a dive flag? a. 50m b. 100m c. 200m d. 300m 3. What letter does this flag represent and what is its phonetic name? 4. Where is Buccaneer Pleasure Craft based? 5. Who designed and skippered the ill-fated, trimaran, Teignmouth Electron? 6. What are the dates for the 2016 Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show? 7. What does a large white triangle on the shore mean? 8. What do these lights indicate? 9. New Zealand has approximately how many species of seaweed? a. 30 b. 170 c. 250 d. 800 10. What does ROS stand for on the Mercury Verado 400 ROS…

The original Optimist was designed in 1947 by American Clark Mills at the request of the Optimist International service club, following a proposal by Major Clifford McKay to offer low-cost sailing for children. He designed a simple pram that could be built from three sheets of plywood and was as easy as a coffin to knock together. The design was slightly modified and introduced to Europe by the Dane Axel Damgaard and spread outwards across Europe from Scandinavia. New Zealand sailor Clive Roberts had noticed the Optimist on his travels as an international OK Dinghy sailor and had seen the effects on young Scandinavians who were being honed into great racing sailors in these humble little boats. Clive and Alf Locke were considering producing a line of Optimists in fibreglass…