Boating NZ May 2016

That fact is highlighted by the striking new exposure of the 360 headquarters at 9 Westhaven Drive in the heart of Auckland’s marine sector. 360 general manager Conrad Gair says the acquisition of the agency coincides with a number of new developments at Beneteau itself – and with the company’s New Zealand operations. “The company has launched a new Luxury range – Oceanis Yacht. This flagship range complements the three existing First, Sense and Oceanis lines. Oceanis Yacht comprises a bigger range of semi-custom vessels, the first of which is a 62-footer expected to retail at around €800,000 (approximately $1.4 million at current exchange rates). She is to be launched at the Cannes Boat Show in September for demonstrations and sea trials.” Beneteau has also recently introduced a new version…

Let me phrase this delicately. As of the beginning of April I’ve had a new boss and so far it’s been a nightmare. In perhaps one of the industry’s worst-kept secrets, this hallowed magazine has been bought from its previous publisher, Fairfax, by two former employees – Tim Porter and Brett Patterson. Between them Tim (publisher) and Brett (sales director) have some 40 years of experience with Boating New Zealand. Both are well-known and highly-respected in the industry – and I’ve known them for as long as I can remember. So I can tell you that the nightmare alluded to earlier has nothing to do with their characters or management styles. Indeed, both are decent, affable, congenial gents – even if a little tight-fisted. No, the nightmare relates to migrating…

Honey, I won’t be home for dinner tonight... THIS IMAGE OF Power Game II – a 36-foot Moonraker – is something of an international icon, but few people are acquainted with the story of its not-so-delicate salvage. The event took place a few years ago off Guernsey – one of the Channel Islands – an area renowned for its impressive 10m tidal range and interesting coastline. The story is best told by Tony Rive, who took the image – and repaired her. “The boat hit the rock at midday near the lighthouse off Guernsey’s NE Coast. The rock was just below the surface at high water and although it looks very close to the lighthouse, it’s actually about 500m away. Luckily for Power Game II’s owner, the sea was very calm.…

ED DUBOIS, WHOSE designs played a major role in the New Zealand superyacht industry, died recently in England aged 64. Passionate about yacht racing and life under sail, he designed more than 65 superyachts of which 37 were built in New Zealand. Alloy Yachts built 24 Dubois yachts including the largest built in the Southern Hemisphere, the 67.2m Vertigo, plus Janice of Wyoming, Red Dragon, Tiara, Drumbeat, Mondango I and II, and Kokomo. Fitzroy Yachts built nine including Salperton IV, Zefira and Ohana; Yachting Developments built three composite superyachts by Dubois: Bliss, Silvertip and Intrigue. Managing director Ian Cooke thoroughly enjoyed working with Dubois. “He had some great vision early on in creating fantastic cruising boats. He was very innovative in terms of his ideas and his concepts.” Collectively Dubois…

Launched earlier this year, the 30-foot Baby Thunder is magnificent from every angle – her gleaming brightwork and meticulous workmanship the mark of a gifted craftsman. As one of only a handful of similar replicas worldwide – she’s somewhat unique – and eye-wateringly fast. More about this in a minute. She was built by Harry Nordberg (Calibro Marine), a Whangamata-based boatbuilder, for Wellington businessman Bruce Judge, a man with an eye for the unusual and an appreciation of maritime history. Her New Zealand debut at the recent Classic Boat Show at the South Island’s Lake Rotoiti drew plenty of attention and admiration, and earned her the award for the Best New Craft. But for you to appreciate the ‘point’ of Baby Thunder I need to provide a little historical context.…

1. Which company has the naming rights for the 2016 New Zealand Boat Show? 2. Where on the East Coast of New Zealand does the Southern Cross fibre optic cable make landfall? 3. What is the Maori name for crayfish? 4. What letter does this flag represent? 5. Who designed the Whitbread Maxi, Fisher and Paykel? 6. What is the minimum length for a NZ Offshore Superboat? 7. Which is the southernmost point of the North Island? 8. What is the volume of a traditional tot of rum? 9. What seabird is depicted on a $5 note? 10. What is the maximum speed allowed for bow riding? a. 20 knots b. 10 knots c. 5 knots d. not allowed at all. 11. What do these navigation lights indicate? 12. What…