Boating NZ January 2019

So sang the unfortunates tied to their crucifixes in Monty Python’s Life of Brian movie – a satire about religious extremism and political ideology. It’s a song worth whistling when you’re feeling low. And there’s plenty to feel low about in the world right now. The interminable saga that is Brexit, Trumpian dystopia, rioting yellow vests in Paris (and elsewhere in Europe), Venezuela’s crippled economy and stratospheric inflation, drowning refugees, catastrophic wildfires in Australia and California – I could go on. Nowhere on the planet is immune – not even down here in little old New Zealand. So at the risk of behaving like an ostrich, I like to keep things on an even keel by countering the unending negativity with a little ‘positivity’. Finding examples isn’t hard. Consider the…

UP ANOTHER GEAR Auckland’s Royal Akarana Yacht Club embarks on a new strategy coinciding with the move into its new clubhouse. A HANDSOME COUPLE What do you get when you mate an Extreme 885 with Yamaha’s super-grunty 425hp V8? A smile that wraps right around your face. ELECTRIC CONVERSION Tired of tending to his yacht’s ailing diesel, an enterprising DIYer swapped it for a slim, efficient electric motor. GRAND BANKS 60 SKY LOUNGE The world somehow seems a better place with the views offered by the latest Grand Banks cruiser. www.boatingnz.co.nz…

…around 300 boats and 350 youth sailors are expected to take part in the Barfoot & Thompson Beachlands Auckland Championships… SMALL SIZE, LARGE NUMBERS They may be small in size, but the centreboard fleets taking part in the Ports of Auckland Anniversary Regatta represent by far the largest portion of participants, with hundreds of sailors expected to take to the water in dinghies all over Auckland as part of the event on 28 January. Most will be located at Maraetai Sailing Club, where around 300 boats and 350 youth sailors are expected to take part in the Barfoot & Thompson Beachlands Auckland Championships, the final day of which coincides with the Ports of Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta. Over Anniversary Weekend, Maraetai will host the Optimist, Starling, RS Feva, 420 and…

We would love to hear your stories and thoughts on all things boating, with the ‘Letter of the month’ winning a Lamont wine prize pack* valued at $105. Send your letters/email to: editor@boatingnz.co.nz subject: ‘Letters to the editor’ or post to Boating New Zealand, P.O. Box 301063, Albany, Auckland 0752 Please make sure you include a delivery address and contact number with your letter. *Entrants must be 18 years of age or older.…

The attractions of a flybridge are several and top among them for Pacific boats is the commanding view of our coral-strewn coastlines. Luxury builder Riviera has gone further by creating a complete living space on the new 72 that even includes a bed – talk about room with a view. The latest in the Australian company’s new Sports Motor Yacht (SMY) collection, the 72 offers more space and a new tweaked hull while still showing off those famous curves and bold sheer that defines a Riviera. These yachts are intended as bluewater adventure boats and come with long range capability – our review boat can do more than 2,000 miles in displacement mode – and has levels of selfsufficiency to match. Also, many systems are duplicated or can be over-ridden…

To win the next Cup, says Dan Bernasconi, Emirates Team New Zealand’s (ETNZ) Head of Design, we first need to win the innovation race. “The America’s Cup is as much a technology race as it is a yacht race. We know the scope for 5G technology to help make the boat go faster is significant.” Bernasconi’s comments came at the November launching of New Zealand’s first interactive 5G test lab in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter. Created by Spark, the lab has a dual purpose. It’s designed as a collaboration space for New Zealand innovators, entrepreneurs and companies – like ETNZ – to have early access to 5G, “to test and develop products and experiences that will define the future.” Spark aims to have the country’s first 5G network live on the…