Innehållsförteckning för March 2018 från Boating NZ

I, along with millions of other Kiwis, I’m sure, cheered loudly when Team New Zealand received the Best Team gong as well as the overall top performance prize at the recent Halberg Awards. Appropriate recognition for an incredible accomplishment. I’m less ebullient about the proposed America’s Cup base at Auckland’s Wynyard quarter – which, as I write, appears to be developing into an all-out stoush between Team New Zealand, the Government and Auckland Council. It’s left me feeling increasingly uneasy – and more than a little ambivalent. While it seemed the Council and Team New Zealand had come to a tentative agreement on the latter’s preferred option – it includes an extension of the Wynyard Basin’s Halsey Wharf – yesterday’s announcement that Government wants to home the yachts where the…

Unmanned electric container barges will begin operating on Dutch and Belgian waterways later this year, a move designed to curb diesel emissions. Dubbed the ‘Tesla of the canals’, the 52m barges are produced by Dutch company Port Liner. They will operate from the ports of Antwerp, Amsterdam and Rotterdam. They can carry 24 20-foot containers weighing up to 425 tonnes, and their lithium-ion batteries supply 15 hours of power. Designed to fit beneath bridges, they will transport goods around the inland waterways of Belgium and the Netherlands, and are expected to replace around 23,000 diesel-powered trucks for moving freight. Six larger barges – 110m-long and able to carry 270 containers – are in development. Eurostat statistics show that 74.9 percent of freight in the EU is transported by road, compared…

The Grand Prize at this year’s Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show is a Surtees 750 Game Fisher (Enclosed Cabin), powered by twin Yamaha 150hp XCA Digital Electronic Control (DEC) four-stroke engines. The package is valued at more than $207,000, and the winner will be drawn during the show, held at Greenlane’s ASB Showgrounds between May 17 and 20. The 750 Game Fisher Enclosed Cabin is Surtees’ largest production model. The spacious, carefully laid-out cockpit provides a stable platform with enough room to land the big ones, plenty of clever storage to keep everything neatly stowed and a fully-plumbed livebait tank. Further forward, the enclosed cabin offers full protection from the elements, delivering comfort and shelter on the move and at rest. The intuitive dash, with its full array of Garmin…

Yeah Buoy is a Surtees 610 Game Fisher belonging to Sascha Haag and Isabell Zitzelsberger. It’s their personal boat, but since the couple work for Balex Marine, the developer, manufacturer and distributor of the Balex Automatic Boat Loader, the smart, vinyl-wrapped vessel will be used to demonstrate the company’s unique boat loading system, in addition to its general recreational boating duties. Sascha and Isabell’s Surtees is a special boat in many ways. After travelling the world together, the German-born couple moved to New Zealand six years ago, eventually settling in Tauranga. They’ve enthusiastically embraced New Zealand’s outdoor lifestyle and fishing and diving are high on their list of favourite things to do. Their new Surtees 610 Game Fisher reflects this passion. BELLS AND WHISTLES Sascha and Isabell have opted for…

Hull 1017 is a fast sportsfisher design. Yachting Developments has signed a new superyacht order for a 33m (109’) sportsfisher, dubbed Hull 1017. Work is about to commence. Hull 1017 is a fast sportsfisher design boasting sleek and sporty lines and will feature full carbon epoxy construction to achieve improved weight and performance. Naval architecture and design work is by New Zealand’s Warwick Yacht Design. www.yachtingdevelopments.co.nz…

Honda’s new white outboards have landed in New Zealand for the first time – to meet the demand created by the exclusive white BF250 displayed at the 2017 Hutchwilco Boat Show. Grand Prix White outboards – the colour made famous by Honda on its NSX Supercar –will be available in a range of high horsepower BF150, BF200, BF225 and BF250 engines with 25-inch gearcases. White Honda outboards are available from Honda Marine dealers throughout New Zealand. FIND IT @ www.hondamarine.co.nz STAY COVERED The latest addition to the Oceansouth range of Sun Shades is the retractable T Top for small centre-console boats. It is constructed from 32mm bright-dipped aluminium with 316 stainless steel fasteners. This model has been designed with boat parking in mind, and to minimise wind lift when towing.…

The trace, or leader as it’s often called, is a very important piece of terminal tackle. It connects your main line – the length of nylon monofilament or braided gel-spun polyethylene that’s wound onto the reel – to the hook or lure that catches the fish. Leaders are used for a variety of reasons: as insurance against fish with sharp teeth biting through the line; to provide better abrasion resistance should the line/trace come into contact with a fish’s body, the sea floor or objects in the water; to aid in controlling fish at the boat; and sometimes to allow more vigorous casting. The length, thickness, colour and type of trace material are important considerations and which you use will depend on the fishing you are doing, your gear and…

The regatta – staged annually since 1990 on the Mahurangi Harbour – is held in January during Auckland Anniversary Weekend. It’s widely considered the largest gathering of classic wooden boats in the Southern Hemisphere, and this year, as in previous events, it drew a spectator fleet numbering an estimated 1000-plus boats. Organising authorities attribute the record entries to an improved (online) registration system, combined with the first-time involvement of the H28 and Reactor 25 Associations. And as always, the event was well attended by members of the Stuart 34 and Mullet Boat Associations. The regatta now comprises eight divisions. Gypsy – a 9m Logan built in 1939 – took handicap honours in the main division. A signature component of the regatta is the Classic Launch Parade, organised in collaboration with…

In 1932 Oskar Speck was a 25-year-old electrical contractor trying to make things work in a country in turmoil. Saddled with a crippling war debt aggravated by the global depression, Germany was in a dark space. When his factory was forced to close, the frustrated Speck embarked on a bold plan. He’d heard there were opportunities in Cyprus’ copper mines. Without any prospect of getting there with conventional transport, he resolved to kayak to Cyprus – through Central/ Eastern Europe and into the Mediterranean. Evidently he was unconcerned by a few awkward details, including the fact that he was penniless, and that long-distance kayaking was a risky proposition for someone who couldn’t swim. His vessel Sunnschien (sunshine) – was a 5.5m collapsible two-man kayak manufactured by German company Pionier Faltboot…

There’s no better place in the world to sail. First-time entry Ammonite – representing the Royal Nomuka Yacht Club of Tonga – reigned supreme at this year’s NZ Millennium Cup in the Bay of Islands in January. The 24.72m luxury yacht was built in South Africa by Southern Wind Shipyard and delivered in 2016. She was designed by Nauta Design with Farr Yacht Design developing the naval architecture. Light airs dominated the superyacht regatta, contested this year by Silvertip, Janice of Wyoming, Tawera, Sassafras, Ammonite and Enso. “There’s no better place in the world to sail,” said Ammonite owner Marcus Blackmore at the prizegiving. “Thanks go to all the sponsors and in particular Doyle Sails New Zealand’s Mike Sanderson who helped us understand local conditions,” he continued, and added that…

Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour is expected to attract up to half a million visitors during the 23 days of the Volvo Ocean Race stopover – when the eight Volvo 65 yachts will be here after completing the race’s fourth leg from Hong Kong to New Zealand. The vessels, crews and back-up teams are in Auckland from February 24 to March 18. The Viaduct will be transformed into a vibrant Race Village for the stopover, with the Viaduct Events Centre acting as Race HQ. Te Wero Island will be the entertainment hub with a packed programme of events on the big stage, large screens, live music, plus concept bars. Karanga Plaza will offer a range of quality stalls, public eateries and family activities. An interactive display offers unique insight into life onboard…

The Alucia has been partner to some of the most groundbreaking science research and filmmaking in the world... Tne exploration vessel Alucia – used in the recent BBC documentary series Blue Planet II – has been listed on the Airbnb holiday rental site and is now available for hire by underwater adventurers. The vessel – operated by Ocean X – is based in the Bahamas, and guests will be able to experience a three-day, two-night trip on the vessel, their stay hosted by Blue Planet II producer Orla Doherty. “I feel privileged to be able to share this once-in-a-lifetime experience with promising ocean heroes and show them the wonders of life in the ocean,” says Doherty. The vessel – and its submersible – were used by presenter David Attenborough during…

If the use of the word ‘new’ in my introduction has confused you, let me explain. Yes, Dehler has had a 34 for many years. The vessel was introduced in the mid-80s and became an instant hit. Around 1,500 were built and, in fact, the model is widely credited with having forged the German manufacturer’s reputation for high-performance cruisers. But this is the ‘new’ 34 – and she’s a radically different animal. She joins a growing list of restyled Dehler models manufactured after Hanse’s takeover of the company a few years ago. Among other changes, the switch introduced the legendary Judel/ Vrolijk design team to the revamped Dehler line-up. While the two boats share roughly the same LOA, the new 34 is a major departure from its ancestor. Decades of…

My iPhone had a serious fault. I knew that because its text made no sense: “Would you like to sail through the North West Passage with me?” Except that the text came from my friend Ross Field and that is the sort of text he would send. Ross was planning to sail from England, across the North Atlantic to Greenland where we would tootle up the coast to a waiting area for the North West Passage. I should plan for four months and book an open-ended air fare, Ross said. I pictured myself in a blizzard, fending off icebergs and using Superglue to reattach my fingertips. But Ross’s yachting achievements include winning the 1994 Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race in his Whitbread 60, Yamaha, so hopefully my fingers would…

AMEL 50 won the Luxury-Cruiser category at the 2018 European Yacht of the Year awards, announced at BOOT Düsseldorf in January. Combining continuity and evolution, the AMEL 50 is a versatile 15m sloop, perfect for coastal excursions or roundthe- world trips. New features on the AMEL 50 include a straight bow and twin rudders, all contributing to a surprisingly high-performance, easy-to-sail yacht. With new lines and technical choices, this versatile sloop completes a range of 55- and 64-foot sailing yachts. www.amel50.com/en…

Clevedon’s Scott Lane Boat Builders has nearly finished building a 12.8m Elite Sedan motoryacht. In recent years the company has constructed several similar Bill Upfold-designed Elite sedan launches. The latest motoryacht is a single screw version of the popular Elite 12.8m design, constructed from plywood, balsa, foam and fibreglass. A 480hp Cummins diesel will provide the propulsion and the vessel will carry 1,100 litres of fuel and 900 litres of water. With this Elite sedan already painted and undergoing interior fit-out, the comapany begins on yet another Elite sedan as soon as the current vessel has been delivered to its owners. www.scottlaneboatbuilders.co.nz…

For what seems like a long time the RIB has dominated both the tender and small-fishing-dinghy-fun-machine markets. In the last few years there has indeed been a revolution fuelled by good design and Kiwi ingenuity and True Kit has been in the thick of it all. The True Kit range is the brainchild of Auckland professional sailor and entrepreneur Rod Dawson. “I grew up on boats and spent a lot of time on the water. I saw a lot of people struggling with small tenders. They were either too heavy or too unstable and we wanted to create a quality dinghy platform that could fold up for transportation and be quick to assemble out of the bag.” The result of a lot of experience and testing is the True Kit…

The 15m Nagle, owned by Brian and Jackie Plowman, is the first of this European luxury marque to land here. She’s named in memory of the farm property they used to own at Nagle Cove, Great Barrier Island. As one of the Beneteau’s prestigious brands, Monte Carlo is a stepping stone to Monte Carlo Yachts, which produces luxury powerboats up to 32m LOA. Built in France, Monte Carlo also embraces Italian styling and materials from its bigger sibling, with 15.2m and 18.3m models now available in sportsfly and sedan configurations. A French-built hull with Italian finishing, the Monte Carlo’s exterior styling is by superyacht designers Nuvolari & Lenard (responsible for Steven Spielberg’s massive The Seven Seas), with interior design by Pierangelo Andreani. The Italian influence is obvious in the interior,…

Daniel Baker is a director at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado. He says the Earth’s magnetic field has weakened by some 15 per cent over the last two centuries, and this may be a precursor to a pole reversal. Earths’ geological record shows that magnetic pole-swapping is a relatively regular phenomenon – every 200,000 or 300,000 years – but mankind has never experienced one. The last flip was about 780,000 years ago. So the next one is a tad overdue, and the recent weakening in the magnetic field might herald its imminent arrival. Earth’s molten core generates its magnetic field and creates the ‘magnetosphere’ that serves as a barrier against devastating solar winds, cosmic particles and ultraviolet B rays. Results of a pole…

Coastguard volunteers assisted at 93 incidents across the northern region during the Auckland Anniversary long weekend, bringing 272 people back home to safety. Nearly 75 percent of the incidents were caused by mechanical, fuel-related or electrical issues. With the scorching weather boaties were out in droves, but there was no rest for Coastguard volunteers. Boaties made 5,418 radio calls to the Coastguard Operations Centre, including Trip Reports and calls for assistance, over the three-day long weekend. One crew spent 11 hours assisting and then towing a launch from Port Fitzroy back to Marsden Cove. Many other crews were called out multiple times in one day, with Maraetai volunteers launching four times to attend to boaties in trouble. One Coastguard rescue vessel – the Hauraki Gulf-based ASB Rescue – departed Mechanics…

Now in its 19th year, the show continues to grow... An eclectic collection of clinkers, classic yachts, cedar kayaks, veteran jetboats and replica steamboats go on display at Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park on Saturday March 3rd and Sunday 4th for the NZ Antique and Classic Boatshow. Now in its 19th year, the show continues to grow – both in participants and spectators. Action on the lake includes races for all types of craft – from jet boats to rowing skiffs, highlighted by the quirky Le Mans (beach race) start to the Seagull dinghy race. Judging takes place on Saturday, ahead of an evening awards ceremony at the Alpine Lodge. At stake is the Jens Hansen Trophy where the judges are after good looks as well as…

Waka Tere belongs to a keen sailor. The big Protector will at times serve duty as a committee boat for a local yacht club – she has a sturdy tow point aft to tow strings of yachts to and from the race course – but most of the time this impressive matte-black vessel will be used to ferry family and guests to and from her owner’s Waiheke Island home. Once Waka Tere picks up her mooring at Waiheke, the mini- Protector dinghy that usually sits on her foredeck goes ashore so Waka Tere Iti, a new 5m Sealegs, can be launched off the beach to ferry passengers and supplies to and from the larger vessel. Noone gets their feet wet! Waka Tere is a customised 12.5-metre Rayglass Protector Cabin SL…

The world’s first production foiling monohull, the Figaro Beneteau 3, has won the European Yacht of the Year in the Special Yacht category at Germany’s Boot Düsseldorf 2018. Designed by world-renowned naval architects VPLP and equipped with versatile foils, a higher-performing ballast-free hull, a more slender and deeper keel, a setback mast and a more extensive and larger sail plan, the model represents modernity, reliability and performance. For more information contact 36 Degrees Brokers. www.36degrees.nz…

As well as the danger to human skin, radiation plays havoc with many materials. Synthetic fabrics, plastics and paints in particular are very susceptible to damage. The danger of New Zealand’s elevated ultraviolet radiation (UV) levels is well-documented. Our thinner ozone layer – added to our relative lack of air pollution – means that in summer the UV index regularly exceeds 12 in some areas. By comparison, midsummer in the Mediterranean reaches maximum levels of 9 or 10, and even most of Australia is in single figures throughout the year. As well as the danger to human skin, radiation plays havoc with many materials. Synthetic fabrics, plastics and paints in particular are very susceptible to damage, and they’re found in large quantities on boats. Trailer boats can be protected by…

Puzzle no.245 Across 8. Navy sailor’s first crossing of this is traditionally marked with ritual (7) 9. “Ship-rigged” vessel carries _____ or more masts with square sails (5) 10. NZ _____ tern - critically endangered marine bird (5) 11. Small anchor with several flukes (7) 12. Corrodes due to seawater (5) 14. _____ Garcia - tropical coral atoll in central Indian Ocean (5) 16. Radar beacon used as aid to navigation (5) 18. Depth of boat’s keel below surface when loaded (5) 21. Nautical marker in photo (3,4) 22. Shine like surface of smooth sea in sun (5) 23. Places for storing small boats (5) 24. Military or naval flags flown by ships to indicate nationality (7) Down 1. Person serving as sailor (8) 2. Tasks assigned to naval crew…

They found an Opti owned by a relative – a plywood boat with a solid rig. But it needed a better sail. A club mate transitioning from an Opti to a Starling kindly donated a sail – it was perfect for the main – and it was complemented by an old Sunburst jib modified by Kenny Fyfe (Fyfe Sails). A friend at C-Tech provided the bowsprit – a piece of carbon tube – and the wire rigging used to hold it to the Opti’s hull were Starling mast stays in a previous life. The transformed Opti was tested at Pt Chevalier (where Matt and Sam are sailing coaches) and they had a blast in a solid 15 knots of breeze. Everything went well until a capsize ripped out a buoyancy…