Boating NZ July 2016

As this issue was in its final spasms of production, news came of the sad passing of Nick Saull and missing sailor Steve Forno on the yacht Platino – beaten by atrocious weather conditions some 500km north of New Zealand. I didn’t know Nick well – I interviewed him at his boatyard – Brin Wilson Boatbuilders – a few times, but in the marine industry he was a larger-than-life character in so many ways. A gregarious, much-loved and highly-respected gent. At this stage it is still unclear exactly what happened aboard Platino. Though she was fighting awful conditions, she was a large, sound vessel, and one that should have been able to weather the adversity. Particularly as she was carrying a highly-experienced crew. No doubt a clearer picture will emerge…

Conflict over Reef SUPERYACHTS DO NOT contribute to coral bleaching and are more than welcome to visit Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, says the Authority overseeing the 2,300km world-famous attraction. At a recent Australian Marine Exports conference the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) confirmed that superyachts cruising the Great Barrier Reef were not in any way causing coral bleaching. General manager Simon Banks said there was a lot of misinformation about the impact of superyachts on the reef and stressed that the global fleet was very welcome. Superyacht Australia – which provides services to the superyacht industry – is working with the GBRMPA to gain greater access for the vessels to the iconic heritage area. The developments follow growing international concern about a sharp spike in coral bleaching at…

Caption this.... June’s caption winner “Sorry mate, no U Boat U turns ahead…” “Sorry mate, no U Boat U turns ahead…” Congratulations to: Peter & Robyn Millar “Extent of global warming revealed as US sub surfaces at the North Pole.” Runner-up: Lucy Millar Hovercraft fights mangrove BAY OF PLENTY Regional Council is trialling a purpose-built hovercraft to reduce mangrove spread in Tauranga Harbour. Designed by Auckland company Fieldmaster, the vessel is fitted with a mangrove seedling mowing unit. It’s the first of its kind in New Zealand. “We tendered out the design-and-build of a mechanical mangrove seedling control option that won’t leave deep tracks or significantly disturb other wildlife in the harbour,” says Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor and Regional Direction and Delivery Committee Chair, Paula Thompson. Results from intensive…

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 Mutts make it to OZ OUR MAY ISSUE featured a story about the refurbishment of Gryphon – an ex-coastguard boat – and her transformation into a cruiser. She recently left New Zealand for Australia, and her crew included two canines. We received this update from her owners: Aloha! Well, we seem to have made it to Australia! We got in to Sydney after a two-and-a-half-day smooth run from Lord Howe island, after five days from New Zealand. We experienced very rough seas on the third and fourth days: 35-50 knot winds – on the beam, of course! Boat has been flawless, and dogs have been…

Puzzle no. 225 Across 1. Another name for pushpit (8) 5. ____ chine – abrupt intersection between boat side and hull (4) 9. Boat fuel indicator (5) 10. State of immobility – suffered by becalmed sailing boat, eg? (7) 11. _____ __ anchor – floats about, but not far (5,2) 12. Sudden large sea wave (5) 13. Harbours where ships can load and unload (5) 15. Make mooring more secure, maybe (5) 17. Marine equipment in photo (5) 19. Workers employed in shipbuilding industry (7) 22. Holidaying one might charter fishing boat (7) 23. Die down – if winds do this, you might be becalmed (5) 24. Heel of mast fits into this (4) 25. Supplier of marine equipment, supplies etc (8) Down 1. Paper _____ – class of catamaran…

“…as I’ve got older I wanted to make things easier.” Kerikeri’s Craig Partridge partnered with multihull legend Ron Given to create this 10.8m powercat which delivers exactly what he needs to enjoy some well-earned leisure time. “Old sailors never die, they just get a little dinghy” – so goes the bumper sticker. But according to Partridge, they just want to spend more time fishing and less time getting a wet bum. So despite being a life-long sailor, this boat is all about cruising in comfort for Partridge and his wife Leigh – with Sky TV, so they don’t miss the rugby, of course. Partridge and Given joined forces on the project after delivering a Given-designed T11 powercat to New Caledonia in 2010. The pair took just two days and 18…