Innehållsförteckning för February 2025 från Boating NZ

Greenline Yachts is offering alternative solutions to the old generator paradigm. The New Responsible Power Pack technology, a combination of bigger battery package and alternators, allows lower emissions without any compromise on the way the yachts are used. Among the other benefits all boats will now offer at least 48 hours of silent battery power at anchor or alongside the dock. Owners can run the entire house (including aircon full blast) and make the most of their home on the sea without the noise, vibration and smell of a generator. Instead of a generator, Greenline will fit a high-powered alternator that can take power from the engine to recharge a large lithium battery bank. The yacht can arrive at its destination with full batteries, ready for days of silent operation…

The official prizegiving for the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race offered a poignant conclusion to an edition marked by tragedy and defined by resilience. The race was marked by tragedy, with the death of two sailors following accidents on two different yachts – Bowline and Flying Fish Arctos – on the first night. A memorial service was held for the two sailors, Roy Quaden and Nick Smith ahead of the prizegiving and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) managed the two incidents with professionalism and compassion, all the while making sure the remainder of the fleet continued to safely progress along the course. The club remains in close contact with the two crews and their families. All competing crews confronted myriad challenges and a range of weather conditions…

BENETEAU’S ANTARES 9 has been completely redesigned for 2025. Inspired by the Antares 11 and 12, it has been designed for weekends of fun on the water. Integrating innovations and improvements from the largest models, each living space aboard has been revisited to offer quality and refinement. Numerous innovations and optimized equipment reinforce the weekender character of the Antares 9. The modular aft cockpit is among the most spacious, lacquered furniture and walnut woodwork enhance the interior and tufted upholstery creates a soft, soothing atmosphere. The wide sliding glass door provides ease of movement between the interior and exterior, thus creating a vast living space and the modular design concept of this new model invites interaction and conversation onboard. An ideal boat for cruising with family and friends, the interior…

SURTEES BOATS has unveiled the all-new 770 Game Fisher, a vessel that delivers a new standard of sophistication and performance for fishing enthusiasts. The latest Surtees combines cutting-edge design, exceptional functionality, and the highest standards of craftsmanship. The 770 Game Fisher incorporates a raised sheerline, delivering a sleek, contemporary look. With a beam of 2500mm, the 770 strikes a perfect balance between spaciousness and towability, and with a 400-litre underfloor fuel tank and 530 litres of water ballast, offers stability, range and comfort. SeaMac bifold glass doors can be opened or closed to suit the weather and standard features include a cooker, running hot water, a sink and shower, as well as a dinette table and a fridge. The new model’s spacious dash is designed to accommodate a 19-inch sounder,…

RAYMARINE, THE GLOBAL LEADER in high performance marine electronics, has honoured Lusty & Blundell Ltd for its long history of successfully representing Raymarine in New Zealand and throughout the South Pacific. The relationship began in 1974, when L&B introduced Kiwi boat owners to Autohelm, the world’s first autopilot for recreational vessels, and L&B has been proudly “on board” with Raymarine ever since. “For the last 50 years, it has been a wonderful honour to be able to share Raymarine’s incredible innovations with our clients,” says Mark Milburn, L&B’s Managing Director. “Many of these have truly revolutionised and greatly improved the way we go boating.” They include the development of the SeaTalk™ language in 1989, allowing electronic devices to connect via single cable; the world’s first marine multifunction display (the award-winning…

With close to 25 years in marine sales and marketing roles, working with major global boat and electronics brands, company founder Cameron Burch is relishing a fresh start at the helm of Chalie Bravo Boat Co. a new business operating out of Z Pier at Westhaven Marina in Auckland. “As we were working on the business plan, I made an approach to Elan Yachts as a brand I have long admired for doing things differently in the world of production boat building. We’re very selective as to which brands we’ll align with and their range of performance and cruising yachts is great. It’s been getting harder and harder to distinguish one manufacturer from another as the designs have been converging in one, quite singular direction. Elan take a completely different…

FOLDING CLEATS from Accon Marine are designed to preserve a deck’s sleek appearance. Accon Folding Cleats are manufactured from durable, cast 316 marine grade stainless steel and polished to a high shine. They lock closed in their folded position to reduce line snags and stubbed toes. When needed, they spring open at the touch of a button. Folding Cleats are available in 89mm, 114mm, 152mm and 203mm sizes, in either top- or stud-mount styles. Ideal for DIY refit or OEM use, they’re fast and easy to install with no cutouts needed. And because Accon Marine Folding Cleats don’t require drain tubes or corresponding receptacles, there’s no chance of water leaking into the boat. FIND IT @ WWW.ACCONMARINE.COM WWW.SOPAC.CO.NZ…

The gathering at Lagoon Bay in November 2024 was open to allcomers with the spirit for adventure in small boats. If the boats were diverse, there was a common thread that wove their pilots and crew together. Present were several boats designed by John Welsford – Scamps, Navigators, and Longsteps, but also a Farr 5000, a lovely Quicksilver, a Laser that scooted expertly across the waves from Jameison Bay carrying camp and provisions, and Dominic Tarr coming from Whangārei on his wee home-built proa. The focal point of the gathering was a potluck feast with presentations and the inaugural Gadget Hour, where skippers could showcase their favourite gadgets. The days saw the fleet scatter like pins as soon as the wind got up, each sailing for their own whim and…

There are three types of rules to be aware of: Most regions have rules about biofouling and/or marine pests. These are slightly different between regions, but generally, if your hull has no more than a light slime layer, you’ll be good to go. Some marinas take extra steps to protect themselves including the ‘6 or 1’ rule. To visit these marinas you may need to provide evidence of either an antifoul within the previous six months, or a lift-and-wash within one month of leaving an area infected with marine pests. Ask for more info when you make your marina booking. There are also restrictions related to exotic caulerpa species including locations where you cannot anchor or disturb the seafloor. These rules are designed to protect our coastlines from marine pests…

Puzzle no.327 Across 1. Class of small wooden sailing dinghy designed in NZ (7) 5. Fiercely contested boat race between rivals (5) 8. Goods or wreckage on seabed attached to buoy for recovery (5) 9. Old measures equal to approximately three nautical miles (7) 10. Grooved wheels mounted in blocks to guide line or cable (7) 12. _____ Garcia - coral atoll in central Indian Ocean (5) 13. Nautical ropes used to be made from this plant fibre (5) 14. Bail water out of boat (5) 16. On board vessel - or perplexed?! (2,3) 18. Parts of outboard motor (7) 20. Give boat fresh coat of colour and protection (7) 21. Freshwater game fish (5) 22. Prepare and practise for boat race (5) 23. Sailor’s safety device (7) Down 1.…

Once again, lovers of old boats have an opportunity to indulge in a long weekend of glorious hydromatic relaxation at St Arnaud in the Nelson Lakes National Park, for this year’s NZ Antique and Classic Boat Show (NZACBS) at Lake Rotoiti. It’s going to be a special celebration for participants and organisers alike as it’s the 25th show, marking a quarter of a century of classic boating fun at lake Rotoiti. The show is set for the weekend of March 1 & 2, and as is usual, many boaties have indicated they’re going to turn up a bit early and maybe stay a bit longer – a great idea, and a growing trend! Visitors might like to consider making an extended holiday out of it and add in a bit…

An irrigation lake is the Wairarapa’s newest watersports venue. Situated 35 minutes east of Masterton, Lake Braemore has deep water suitable for jet-boating, water-skiing, kayaking, and sailing. Developed by Wairarapa farmer and jet-boater Len French, the 25-hectare Lake Braemore complex includes campervan parking, two lakes with launching ramps, 3 km of walking tracks, wetlands, and a wildlife refuge. The 13-hectare irrigation lake is 600 metres across its longest dimension, and 10 metres deep when full. We visited on an overcast November day when jet-boaters from around Jet Boating New Zealand’s Central Districts were testing a slalom course. This place works well for both spectators and drivers. The grassed peninsula provides close-up viewing of almost the entire lake. Drivers weaving through the close-spaced buoys were grinning from ear to ear. Len’s…

As we drove over the mist-shrouded Coromandel Ranges, I suspected it was going to be an eventful day. Brett Paterson and I had left Auckland at 4:00am to make Whitianga by 7:00am to meet up with a brand-new Scott Robson-designed foil-assisted powercat – model RMX 444. 444 is the length in feet and every one of them was needed to accommodate the owners’ detailed requirements: speed, economy, and fit for purpose; elegantly specified as suitable for grandkids and fishing; and, oh yes, styling that was distinctive. We pulled up to the Whitianga Wharf right on time with About Time gently pulling on her lines against a rapidly incoming tide. About Time was part-way through her first major trip after being built in Nelson by Allspec Marine. The owner and Project…

The one limitation of this approach, however, has been the long lead time between a client wanting a boat and JP Crafts being able to deliver the finished product, since much time is spent on the design aspects of each bespoke build. This was the inspiration for the Code 9.8 product, which in Edgar’s words “will reprogram their production, to be able to more effectively provide a faster delivery of our high-end product to discerning customers around the world”. Although each boat will still be meticulously hand-crafted, by using a standardised design they can increase the speed at which the boats come out of their facility. And so, the design of the Code 9.8 has taken the very best aspects of their 25 previous custom builds, ensuring they retained user-friendliness…

THE AUCKLAND HARBOURMASTER has just launched two yellow FatCat 4500 Centre Console Boats. In the first instance, they are set to be used as crowd patrol for the ITM NZ Sail Grand Prix (SailGP), 18/19 January 2025. Following that, they will be used in a range of tasks including mooring maintenance, wharf inspection, event support and occasional patrol. The Harbourmaster had specific requirements and also wanted to future-proof the boats for diverse duty requirements. These included customising the seating and centre console, custom folding T-Tops for protection, Ultralon high-grip flooring, lifting Lugs, as well as large padded side bumpers to facilitate safely coming alongside any vessel. The FatCats are fitted with quality Lowrance and Simrad electronics to match the rest of the Harbourmaster fleet. Both vessels were constructed and fitted…

NAVICORK FD01, the innovative high-density cork solution for marine decks developed by Amorim Cork Composites, has been confirmed to have a negative carbon footprint through an external study conducted by ITECONS. This validation strengthens the leadership position of the Navicork by Amorim brand in promoting a more sustainable future for the maritime industry, encouraging the sector to adopt innovative solutions with a positive environmental impact. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study conducted by ITECONS1, an independent entity, and in compliance with EN ISO 14040, EN ISO 14044, and EN 15804 standards, revealed that each square metre of Navicork FD01 material sequesters more CO₂ than it emits throughout the entire production process, from raw material extraction to factory output (“cradle-to-gate”). As the marine industry embraces greener practices, Navicork FD01 provides boat…

SUNBEAM YACHTS AUSTRALIA & New Zealand is never satisfied with the status quo. This is also the case with the SUNBEAM 29.1. Based on the current SUNBEAM 29.1, a GT model has been developed that focusses even more on performance and sportiness. The GT (Gran Turismo) is characterised by consistent weight optimisation. The performance T-keel ensures less water resistance and more speed due to its unique shape. With a draft of 175cm, it offers the same righting moment with less weight. The twin rudder system is replaced by a single deep racing rudder, resulting in more precise steering. In addition, the GT variant has lighter hatches and covers as well as cork deck covering. The removable bowsprit is 50cm longer, allowing for an A2 gennaker with 80m². The greater distance…

WELCOME TO ‘A VERY BRIEF HISTORY OF…’ RESEARCHING THE HISTORY OF EVERYDAY MARINE TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION AND EVENTS KIWI BOATIES LOVE (OR LOATHE). Hopefully most of us in our boating lives have never had to issue a ‘Mayday’ call, but have you ever wondered where this call (and others, like ‘SOS’) come from? THE OLD, OLD DAYS… Prior to wireless communications, mariners had used a wide range of distress signals including semaphore flags, signal flares, bells, and foghorns. However with the invention of radio in the late 1890s, the concept of maritime distress calls quickly took off. Initially, though, cooperation to standardise these signals was limited by national differences and rivalries between competing radio companies. This confusion led to the first American ship to ever send a wireless distress call, simply…

Introducing yourself in the proper Māori way, the second of one’s cardinal points of identity, after your significant maunga (mountain), is the river (awa) that means everything to you. This can also extend to being any other kind of waterway – an estuary, a coastal channel, a lake system, a harbour. The people who have Whangaruru Harbour, estuary and their catchment rivers in Te Tai Tokerau Northland must be especially blessed to have these as their stretches of water that matter. For they are exceedingly beautiful. From Mimiwhangata Bay in the south to the feed of the idiosyncratic Racehorse River from the north, the long, southeast-facing harbour has havens aplenty. The nautical charts have the shores studded with anchorages, and on closer in-person on-boat inspection, there are many more. The…

I have had the distinct honour to travel to New Zealand several times from the United States. My visits, both in 2020 (pre-pandemic) and early in March of 2024, were exclusively to sample your astounding on-the-water opportunities, and to embrace and visually absorb the purest principles and boating lifeblood of your two islands; to savour your boating culture, personalities, personae, and playgrounds. Without having been there before, I had no idea as to the enchanting townships, lakes, fjords, snow-covered mountains, cliffs, dunes, waterfalls, river valleys, geothermal springs and national parks. Notwithstanding the vibe and individual personalities of Auckland (and the Waitematā Harbour), Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, and Queenstown, which were integral segments of my itineraries, for me, it would be ‘the waters’ that would (remind and) bind: the comparative and parallel…

Mathias Coutts, son of legendary Kiwi Olympic and America’s Cup sailor Russell Coutts has won the Predictwind 2024 World Moth Champion title, with a consistent string of top five places in the four races sailed on the final day. It is his first world title. The International Moth Worlds Regatta was held between December 30 and January 9, hosted by Manly Sailing Club and attracting foiling sailors from all over the globe. Seventeen qualifiers and finals races were sailed with Coutts the only sailor out of 74 entrants in the fleet not to finish a race outside the top ten. He had one DNS after hitting a submerged object and damaging his foil.…

When the America’s Cup was happening in Barcelona, introducing an Auckland race inspired by the Barcolana Regatta understandably sparked some confusion. Many assumed ‘Barcolana’ was either a mispronunciation of ‘Barcelona’ or perhaps a sign of too many post-race rums! But the Barcolana Regatta is something entirely different – an iconic Italian sailing event that now inspires our own event, the PIC Harbour Classic, right here in Auckland. The Barcolana Regatta began 55 years ago in Trieste, Italy, with just 51 boats. Today, it’s a global phenomenon, attracting thousands of boats and even holding a Guinness World Record. Drawing from the spirit of this legendary race, the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club has brought a similar event to the City of Sails. Now in its third year, the PIC Harbour Classic…

36 Degrees Brokers offers unmatched support for buyers and sellers in French Polynesia. With a thriving yacht market, Tahiti is the ideal place to find quality vessels that may otherwise never reach New Zealand’s shores. 36 Degrees Brokers is inviting Kiwis to sail through the pristine waters of the South Pacific, enjoying idyllic conditions, before returning to New Zealand. Just a five-hour flight from Auckland, Tahiti provides skilled surveyors, delivery crews, and fully equipped yards for seamless support. Take advantage of offshore tax benefits and reduce import valuations when sailing back to New Zealand. With trusted Kiwi expertise and secure agreements managed under New Zealand law, 36 Degrees Brokers ensures smooth, professional transactions for cruisers, buyers, and adventurers alike. Contact 36 Degrees Brokers to discover how we can make your…

Lake Ōhau holds a special place in my heart, having spent many summer camping holidays as a child here in the 1970s and 80s. We’d spend hours puttering around in our Seagull-powered dinghy, fishing, swimming, building huts, collecting gooseberries, skimming stones and making sure the tent was well prepared for the next, inevitable Northwest storm. Further back, my grandparents used to camp here back in the 1950s and 60s and my father’s ashes also rest here. So, any chance to return is welcomed. We drove past cute Lake Middleton, separated from the main lake by a narrow isthmus, stopping once we reached Round Bush, location of a very basic campsite and boat ramp. Here we met one more of our sons, Hugh, with jetski and about a dozen mates in…

THE SEA-DOO FISHPRO RANGE SEA-DOO IS A PIONEER IN PWC FISHING WITH AN EXTENSIVE RANGE THAT CATERS TO THE MOST AVID FISHING ENTHUSIAST AS WELL AS TO THE OCCASIONAL ANGLER. Originally designed in conjunction with homegrown talent Andrew Hill, these units are truly purpose-built for fishing. The Sea-Doo FishPro range consists of the new Sea-Doo FishPro Apex, Trophy, Sport and Scout. SEA-DOO FISHPRO TROPHY The FishPro Trophy’s ingeniously designed features include its Modular Swivel Seat, the rear portion of the seat transforms into a pedestal seat ideal for sight fishing. Installation is a matter of seconds for a game-changing experience. The Rotax 1630 ACE – 170 is the most powerful naturally-aspirated Rotax engine ever on a Sea-Doo watercraft – plenty of top-end speed to get on the fish fast and…

VESSEV’S VS-9 has officially joined the fleet of Fullers360’s, New Zealand’s largest ferry operator. The ultramodern electric hydrofoiling 9m vessel can transport passengers at a service speed of 25 knots. Propelled by type-approved battery packs, the VS-9 has a range of up to 50 nautical miles thanks to precision-engineered hydro-foiling technology adapted from race-winning America’s Cup yachts. Throughout sea trials, the VS-9 exceeded performance expectations, mastering waves of up to one metre. The hyper-efficient propulsion system uses approximately 55kW while cruising at 25 knots – the equivalent of just over 70hp – amazing for a 9m vessel with a full standing height cabin. Passengers can choose between an Electric Hydrofoil Experience or a private charter starting at Auckland’s Viaduct Marina. “This is a significant milestone in Fullers360’s decarbonisation journey and…

FABRUM, A NEW ZEALAND company leading the world in zero-emission transition technologies, has collaborated on the design and build of a zero-emission hydrogen-powered boat, H2Ocean, with King Watercraft, a developer of sophisticated New Zealand-made rigid inflatable boats. The H2Ocean hydrogen-powered rigid inflatable boat (RIB), a zero-emissions solution suitable for tourism, commercial and leisure activities, began sea trials in January 2025. The boat can be adapted to suit the environment and operations of the end user and equipped to carry up to 12 people, making it ideal for tourism and ferrying activities – or fewer people and specialist equipment for Coastguard, servicing and event-based activities. The boat carries 18kg of 350-bar hydrogen gas, supplied to a fuel cell, which in turn maintains charging to a battery bank that is used to…

AUCKLAND’S ANNUAL SUPERYACHT Welcome Function in December marked the opening of the 2025 summer cruising season in New Zealand. Hosted by NZ Marine and Superyacht New Zealand and supported by 54 New Zealand companies, it saw a huge crew turn out, hosting more than 250 owners, captains, crew and industry leaders. “We’re thrilled to see such a robust turnout with the largest gathering of superyacht attendees in the Southern Hemisphere,” says NZ Marine executive director, Peter Busfield. Out of the 50 visiting superyachts in New Zealand, close to 40 were represented at the welcome function. “It’s great to be back. We’re demanding of shipyards, and having been in shipyards in the US and Europe, we’re very happy with the quality of work here – and the structuring and transparency of…

We met S.J. Seahawk’s owner and designer, Phillip Morris, at Wellington’s Seaview Marina on a warm late-spring afternoon, with a 10-knot breeze driving a light chop. We wanted more chop and as it turned out, so did the boat. Manoeuvring around the marina, this boat handles very much like a smaller vessel, with one useful difference. There is a wide gap between the outboards, so steering via the throttles works very nicely. Out on the harbour, the first thing we noticed was acceleration. Lots of it. There’s no climbing onto a bow-wave or powering out of a hole. This thing just goes. Directly into the chop from a standing start, we saw 32 knots in 9.5 seconds and a top speed slightly north of 54 knots (100kph). Phil built this…

MCGARD’S COMPLETE line of locks provide 24-hour theft protection for your sterndrive, outboard motor, propeller and trailer wheels. And unlike other locks, you never have to remove them when using your equipment, which remains secure while in the water, on your trailer and in storage. McGard marine locks are designed for years of trouble-free security. It’s so easy to protect against costly replacement, possible repair, inconvenience and ruined plans. Genuine McGard theft protection means your boat will always be protected. McGard offers the most complete line-up of marine security products in the industry. McGard’s state-of-the-art design, engineering and manufacturing results in the highest quality products for the best possible price. McGard locks are available through MarineXpress and selected marine and automotive retailers. FIND IT @ WWW.MARINEXPRESS.CO.NZ…

The show, held from 6-9 March in central Auckland’s Jellicoe Harbour and Viaduct Events Centre, has a reputation for hosting boat debuts; from trailer boat releases to luxury yachts. In 2024’s edition, a record number of boats made their entry into the New Zealand market, with new releases from a spread of manufacturers drawn from France, the United Kingdom, the USA, Italy, Sweden, Germany, Norway, Finland and Spain, plus New Zealand and Australia. The 2025 show line up is building on last year’s success, with the show emerging as the place to release new designs and unveil new vessels to the public. WALLY Making its Australasian premier at the show, the ultra-stylish 40-knot-plus wallytender43 has just arrived in New Zealand and has already been causing a stir. The design is…

ART IRVINE’S STORY is inexorably linked to the rich history of Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter. Before 1840, much of this area was seabed. Beginning in the 1920s, seabed reclamation and wharves have added roughly 10ha of extra space. During the 1930s, an area alongside the waterfront was set aside for bulk petrochemical storage, the tank farm. The reclamation land was used primarily for industrial and commercial businesses. Because most of Auckland’s fishing fleet used the Viaduct Harbour as their base, many of the companies in the area were marine-related. Team New Zealand’s (TNZ) winning the 1995 America’s Cup (AC) catalysed significant changes in the area. Waterfront bases for the 11 syndicates had to be created, and much of the Viaduct area was redeveloped. When TNZ lost the Cup in 2003, most…