Waterline dec13

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The Bay of Plenty & Coromandel’s own watersports news. Phone 07 578 0030

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SUMMER 2013

A tale of fish heads

World first for The Mount

Outrigger action

Blue water softy

Beavers in Alaska

02 WATERLINE

SUMMER 2013

The Bay of Plenty’s own boating, fishing, diving, yachting and watersports news.

Phone 07-578 0030 Fax 07-571 1116 No.1 The Strand, Tauranga. PO Box 240, Tauranga. email: brian@thesun.co.nz For editorial, call Reese on 07 578 0030 or email reese@thesun.co.nz For advertising, call Kirsty on 07 578 0030 email kirsty@thesun.co.nz 2012

DECEMBER 2012

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24 Feb 2014 1 June 2014 31 August 2014 30 Nov 2014

The Bay of Plenty & Coromandel’s

own watersports news.

Phone 07 578 0030

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DECEMBER 2012

Weekends on the water Taking trailer boating to the

next level

Sea creatures A piece of local history

Set sail for summer

Club success stories

TIDES Date

Time / Height Time / Height Time / Height Time / Height

DECEMBER 2013 1 Su 5:08 1.7 11:07 2 Mo 6:03 1.8 12:03 3 Tu 0:30 0.1 6:56 4 We 1:23 0 7:48 5 Th 2:14 0 8:40 6 Fr 3:05 0 9:33 7 Sa 3:57 0 10:25 8 Su 4:49 0 11:19 9 Mo 5:43 0.1 12:13 10 Tu 0:36 1.8 6:38 11 We 1:34 1.7 7:36 12 Th 2:34 1.7 8:35 13 Fr 3:33 1.7 9:35 14 Sa 4:32 1.7 10:33 15 Su 5:26 1.7 11:28 16 Mo 6:17 1.7 12:20 17 Tu 0:40 0.3 7:04 18 We 1:24 0.2 7:48 19 Th 2:06 0.2 8:29 20 Fr 2:45 0.2 9:09 21 Sa 3:24 0.3 9:47 22 Su 4:02 0.3 10:25 23 Mo 4:40 0.3 11:03 24 Tu 5:21 0.3 11:42 25 We 0:02 1.6 6:04 26 Th 0:48 1.6 6:50 27 Fr 1:39 1.6 7:42 28 Sa 2:35 1.6 8:38 29 Su 3:35 1.6 9:37 30 Mo 4:35 1.7 10:37 31 Tu 5:35 1.8 11:37

0.3 0.3 1.9 1.9 2 2 2 2 1.9 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.7 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3

17:20 18:15 12:58 13:51 14:45 15:38 16:32 17:25 18:20 13:08 14:03 14:59 15:54 16:48 17:40 18:29 13:08 13:53 14:35 15:16 15:55 16:33 17:13 17:54 12:24 13:09 13:58 14:51 15:48 16:48 17:48

1.7 1.8 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8

23:37 0.2 19:09 20:03 20:57 21:51 22:45 23:40

1.8 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.8

19:16 20:12 21:09 22:06 23:00 23:52

0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3

19:16 20:00 20:42 21:22 22:01 22:40 23:20

1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.6 1.6

18:37 19:25 20:16 21:12 22:09 23:08

0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.2

Date

Time / Height Time / Height Time / Height Time / Height

JANUARY 2014 1 We 0:05 0.1 6:33 2 Th 1:01 0.1 7:28 3 Fr 1:55 0 8:22 4 Sa 2:47 0 9:15 5 Su 3:39 0 10:07 6 Mo 4:32 0 10:59 7 Tu 5:24 0.1 11:52 8 We 0:16 1.8 6:18 9 Th 1:11 1.8 7:13 10 Fr 2:08 1.7 8:10 11 Sa 3:06 1.7 9:08 12 Su 4:03 1.7 10:06 13 Mo 4:58 1.7 11:02 14 Tu 5:50 1.7 11:54 15 We 0:12 0.4 6:37 16 Th 0:57 0.3 7:21 17 Fr 1:39 0.3 8:03 18 Sa 2:19 0.3 8:42 19 Su 2:57 0.3 9:20 20 Mo 3:35 0.3 9:58 21 Tu 4:14 0.3 10:35 22 We 4:54 0.3 11:13 23 Th 5:36 0.4 11:53 24 Fr 0:18 1.7 6:22 25 Sa 1:08 1.7 7:13 26 Su 2:03 1.7 8:09 27 Mo 3:04 1.7 9:09 28 Tu 4:08 1.7 10:12 29 We 5:11 1.8 11:15 30 Th 6:11 1.9 12:15 31 Fr 0:40 0.1 7:08

1.9 2 2 2.1 2.1 2 2 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 2

12:36 13:32 14:27 15:21 16:14 17:06 17:59 12:44 13:37 14:31 15:25 16:19 17:11 18:02 12:42 13:27 14:09 14:48 15:27 16:05 16:44 17:24 18:07 12:37 13:25 14:19 15:19 16:23 17:27 18:29 13:13

0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.6 1.6 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.9 0.2

18:47 19:45 20:40 21:35 22:28 23:22

1.9 1.9 1.9 2 1.9 1.9

18:52 19:46 20:41 21:37 22:31 23:24

0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4

18:49 19:34 20:16 20:57 21:36 22:14 22:53 23:34

1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7

18:53 19:44 20:41 21:41 22:42 23:42

0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2

Date

Time / Height Time / Height Time / Height Time / Height

FEBRUARY 2014 1 Sa 1:36 0 8:03 2 Su 2:29 0 8:55 3 Mo 3:21 0 9:47 4 Tu 4:12 0.1 10:38 5 We 5:04 0.1 11:28 6 Th 5:55 0.2 12:18 7 Fr 0:45 1.8 6:48 8 Sa 1:39 1.7 7:42 9 Su 2:34 1.7 8:38 10 Mo 3:30 1.6 9:35 11 Tu 4:25 1.6 10:30 12 We 5:17 1.7 11:23 13 Th 6:05 1.7 12:12 14 Fr 0:27 0.4 6:50 15 Sa 1:10 0.4 7:32 16 Su 1:50 0.3 8:13 17 Mo 2:30 0.3 8:51 18 Tu 3:09 0.3 9:29 19 We 3:49 0.3 10:07 20 Th 4:30 0.3 10:46 21 Fr 5:13 0.3 11:28 22 Sa 6:01 0.4 12:12 23 Su 0:45 1.7 6:52 24 Mo 1:41 1.7 7:48 25 Tu 2:42 1.7 8:49 26 We 3:46 1.8 9:52 27 Th 4:49 1.8 10:55 28 Fr 5:50 1.9 11:56

2 2.1 2.1 2.1 2 1.9 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.5 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3

14:08 15:02 15:53 16:44 17:34 18:24 13:08 13:59 14:52 15:46 16:40 17:32 18:21 12:57 13:39 14:19 14:57 15:36 16:16 16:57 17:40 18:28 13:02 13:58 14:59 16:05 17:10 18:12

0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.9

20:24 21:17 22:09 23:01 23:52

2 2 2 1.9 1.9

19:16 20:08 21:03 21:57 22:51 23:41

0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4

19:07 19:50 20:30 21:10 21:49 22:29 23:10 23:55

1.7 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8

19:19 20:16 21:18 22:21 23:22

0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2

19:28 1.9

Tauranga tide heights in metres. Bowentown: subtract 5 minutes from Tauranga (both HW and LW) Katikati (Kauri Point): add 30 minutes to Tauranga (both HW and LW) Whitianga: High Water subtract 2 minutes from Tauranga HW tide; Low Water add 2 minutes to Tauranga Low Water. Every effort has been made to ensure that these times and tides are correct, no responsibility will be accepted for any inaccuracies, omissions, or misuse or misinterpretation of the values for tides and times published. Times used in the tide predictions are in New Zealand Standard Time (NZST1). Daylight savings add one hour.

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WATERLINE 03

Free raster charts from LINZ Mariners can now access free online navigational charts in a new and more widely accessible format, as the Government continues to make more publicly-held information available for reuse.

Land Information New Zealand made its Raster Navigational Charts available in an unencrypted format on November 22.

The unencrypted format BSB raster navigational charts contain the complete folio of charts NZ is responsible for. Further details and extents of these charts can be obtained from the New Zealand Chart Catalogue available online and in print form, from the following link: http://www.linz.govt.nz/hydro/charts/nz202-chart-catalogue The charts have a display scale with a resolution of 254dpi, and follow international standards for Raster Navigational Charts to ensure adequate display quality.

“This is great news for recreational boaters, who are much more likely to have on-board systems that support the new format. The change also removes the need for special licencing or permits,” says Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson.

The charts will also be available to software developers to use in creating apps and other types of value added products.

“LINZ maritime information is already being used to create apps for

mariners, and this latest initiative only opens up even more possibilities for developers,” says Maurice.

“Making Raster Navigational Charts accessible is another example of the work the Government is doing to make non-personal data easier for people to discover, use and share.”

A raster chart is a direct copy or scan of an existing paper chart.

Raster charts look identical to paper charts, and all information contained within the chart is printed directly on it.

Raster files consist of a grid of different-coloured pixels. When the pixels are taken all together, they make up a digital image. Each pixel in a raster file is either turned on (you see a dot of colour), or turned off (you see a white dot). The pattern of the dots makes up the shape of the features on the chart; the pixels that are turned off make up the white space. If you zoom into a raster chart, you will see all the individual pixels, and the image will become fuzzy and illegible.

Vector charts look computer-generated. Details on the chart can be turned on and off. Objects on the chart can be clicked on to learn more details. Depths can be monitored to warn before grounding. When zooming in and out of a vector chart only the geographical features grow larger or smaller, where text keeps its same size and orientation.

Vector charts lack most topographical features.

A computer-based navigation system connected to GPS will display a vessel’s position on a raster chart.

The use of the BSB format also allows the New Zealand Hydrographic Authority to deliver chart products to customers more quickly and efficiently by use of more modern technologies.

A test dataset of sample New Zealand BSBs, which includes instructions, is available for download: New Zealand BSB Test Dataset (ZIP 8.29MB). Users are encouraged to trial the sample dataset in their systems for functionality and usability.

SUMMER 2013

04 WATERLINE

Recreational side scan for fishers Backscatter sonar is gathering momentum in recreational fishing and is definitely here to stay.

Commonly called side scan or structure scan, it shows the user the seabed directly below or out to the side of the boat in much higher definition than a regular sounder. It can be used to spot areas of foul ground, areas of harder ground, and mark good anchoring areas or schools of bait fish (and which side of the boat they’re on) in deeper water.

Although commercially available for a number of years, Humminbird is the first company to shift this technology to the mainstream market with their ‘side imaging’ Sonar Technology.

Lowrance quickly copied this with ‘Structure Scan Sonar’ and found themselves in a legal spat with Humminbird over patents.

Perhaps feeling left out of the legal rumble, Raymarine released its Dragonfly earlier this year and was promptly sued by Lowrance for using the ‘Downscan Imaging Sonar’ patent.

Garmin has just announced their take on backscatter sonar they’ve called ‘Sidevu and Downvu’ Phallic Transducer, which will be available at the start of next year. I hope they have kept their lawyers well fed.

The actual operation of backscatter sonar is very similar to a regular sounder. The transducer makes a noise and then listens for return echoes,

which are then displayed on the screen. The main difference between them is the frequency used, and the beam widths of the transducer.

Regular depth sounders use frequencies between 50 and 200 kHz, where recreational backscatter sonars use between 455 and 800 kHz. This gives a much clearer picture, but also has a much shorter range. In practical terms, the range of most of the scanning sonars is about 50 M, with the best results in the five-25 M range.

The beamwidth of a regular sounder is normally circular and in the region of 12 degrees for 200 kHz, and 40 degrees for 50 kHz. Side scanning sonar uses a much wider beam to see far out each side of the boat, but very short beam fore/aft to maximise the definition of the bottom. The dimensions of this beam are about five or six degrees fore and aft; and about 160 degrees sideways, when using both sides and bottom scanning. In order to get the very narrow beamwidth, the transducers have to be very long, sometimes close to a foot long.

Downscanning/Downvu structure scan sonar can be read in a similar way to your normal sounder. The latest information is presented at the right hand side of the screen, and everything to the left of this point is history. Most of the information is very similar to the regular sounder, so if you have experience with normal sounders you will be able to read this quite easily. Side looking sonar is presented in a dif-

ferent way, which can confuse even the smartest of boaties. In the image above, the vessel is located at point A, at the top of the white line.

Everything to the left is sensed from the port sensor; everything to the right is sensed by the starboard sensor. The catch is the darker area to either side of the white line. This is the water column, and the distance from the white line to the end of this darker area is the depth at that particular point. Both point B and point C are directly below the boat. I find it easier to think of it as two separate sounders presented back to back. In this case, the image shows the boat moving from a shallower, rockier area into a deeper sandier area, passing over two schools of bait fish on the way. If you look closely you will also see a third school of bait fish on the Starboard side, at about the same area as the first school passes under the boat. This clearly shows the advantage of side scan. Not only can we tell there are fish about, but we can say more accurately where these fish are hiding.

By Robert McAllister

WATERLINE 05

www.waterline.co.nz

Mount claims jet sprint world first Replacing 300 truckloads of dirt with four million pump bottles of water is no easy feat – but ASB Baypark is accepting the challenge as it gears up to host a methane-fuelled world first of jet boats within a stadium.

Event organisers confirmed this month Baypark will host round two of the New Zealand Jetsprint Championship on January 25, 2014 – a decision they believe could transform the sport on a global scale.

The unique sport, boasting Kiwi origins since 1981, sees jet boats with crews of two race individually against the clock through a twisting series of channels in less than a metre of water, providing fast-paced action for spectators.

Hosting next year’s event at Baypark will mean removing the equivalent of 300 truckloads of dirt from inside the stadium and replacing it with 2000m3 of fresh water.

It will be the first time the championship is held from inside a stadium.

Jet Sprint Bay of Plenty spokesperson Matt Minnell says the event is two years in the making with the New Zealand Jet Sprint

Association teaming up with Jetsprint BOP and Bay Leisure and Events Limited to bring the world-first spectacle to Kiwi audiences.

“My cousin Leighton [multiple NZ Jetsprint champion Leighton Minnell] came to me two years ago with his idea to bring it to the city because they only race in gullies or tracks in the middle of nowhere.

“So we went to Baypark with the idea to build a track out the back on the empty land but Ervin [ASB Baypark manager Ervin McSweeney] said ‘Why not put it in the middle of the track?’.”

As a result, a complex network of five metre-wide channels ranging from 40-70 centimetres deep will be constructed with 1400m3 of dirt trucked out of the stadium.

“Nowhere else in the world is there a track inside a stadium. It’s a world first and everybody we speak to say they wouldn’t always go to the speedway but would be keen to see this,” says Matt.

Leighton says seeing his idea coming to fruition is a dream come true and he cannot wait to test out the track and raise the bar in the sports profile.

“Jetsprint racing is an iconic Kiwi sport so it seems only fitting that, as founders of the sport, the venue for the first stadium-based jetsprint race event is on home soil.

“It’s a numbers game and the sport is very exciting. The families love it because they feel the water on their faces from the force of the boats.”

New Zealand Jet Sprint Association chairman Eric Hoksema is extremely excited at the opportunities presented by the world first fixture.

“It truly has the potential to transform the sport on a global scale. Creating a stadiumbased event will allow us to take the sport to the next level.”

Round two of the championship will see up to 50 teams from New Zealand competing in three classes, including the V8 superboats – reaching speeds of more than 125kilometres per hour, while there is also a large interest from overseas.

“It looks like they are going to have to limit the overseas entries; they have 12 Australians and might have to limit it to six or eight,” says Matt.

Looking ahead Matt says the big goal is hosting the 2015/16 World Championships – as long as they can prove their worth.

“That’s what we are aiming for. But Tauranga has to prove itself, the event has to prove itself and the organisers have to prove themselves before they will look at us.”

By Luke Balvert

SUMMER 2013

06 WATERLINE

Anti fouling rules change Rule changes for anti-fouling applications begin coming into effect this summer, with Safety Data Sheets either attached to the can or provided by the retailer from January 1, 2014.

Boat owners are no longer allowed to dry sand antifouling. All sanding needs to be wet, and use of a pole is recommended.

Shorts and jandals are out. All those applying or doing maintenance on antifouling also need to wear the appropriate PPE, including full suit overalls, head coverings, safety glasses or goggles, suitable protective gloves and closed-in footwear.

From July 1, 2015, anywhere antifouling is being scrubbed down, sanded or painted will need to be clearly designated as a Controlled Work Area. Within this area, all waste will be contained so that it cannot enter the environment. This includes all sanding dusts, sanding liquids and anything else produced by the application or maintenance of the antifouling.

Once contained, this waste must then be collected and disposed of in accordance with the regulations. All Controlled Work Areas will also need to be sign posted, to be visible from 10 metres. This will need to state: antifouling maintenance and/or application is taking place and that at all times everyone

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within the Controlled Work Area must be wearing the appropriate PPE, and display the name and contact details of the person who has established the CWA. When spraying antifouling, boats will need to be screened off, so no antifouling paint escapes the CWA. Everyone involved in the spray application must also wear an appropriate respiratory PPE. The information concerning personal protection and the degree of respiratory protection required is contained in safety data sheets that must accompany every sale.

The Environmental Protection Agency says antifouling manufacturers, retailers and boat yards will be affected, some quite seriously, by the new rules, but believes by ignoring the fact that increased costs are passed on, there will be little impact for the owners of most moored pleasure boats.

Professional boat maintenance yards and hard stands, such as Tauranga Bridge Marina, are unlikely to be greatly affected. Some yacht club yards and smaller hardstand areas will need major work to be compliant by the 2015 deadline.

Tauranga-based marine and commercial paint manufacturer Altex Coatings Ltd’s managing director Mike O’Sullivan says

New Zealand is “leading the way” with the reassessment of antifouling paints and their application.

“We know that many other countries are looking closely at what is happening here,” says Mike. “I think we will look back on this in a year’s time and think that it was a progressive and logical step forward in today’s health and safety conscious world.”

The outcome of the EPA review is a good one, despite the fact it will have a significant impact on his company, says Mike.

Two Altex antifouling paints require formulation changes. Altex Yacht & Boat No.10, a ‘semi-hard’ antifouling, will need to be changed by 2015. Altex Yacht & Boat No.5, one of the country’s most widely used pleasure boat antifouling paints, requires a minor change to the formulation. The change will have no effect on the product’s antifouling performance and does not need to be in place until 2023, says Mike.

“Boat owners who apply their own antifouling usually use brushes and rollers, and are not expected to be too badly affected by the changes.”

But the more informal ways of applying antifouling, such as on careening grids, slipways or beaches are out.

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GO SLOW NEAR DIVERS

WATERLINE 07

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First step for careers at sea Commercial fishing, luxury super yachts, adventure tourism, nautical engineering… sound like you?

If you’re considering a change of career, upskilling or diversifying, and your medium of choice is water, then read on.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic hosts a significant range of maritime programmes which will thoroughly prepare you for your chosen maritime career. From one day to half-year courses, they have all things nautical covered.

Fancy commercial fishing? Josh Mower has been fishing for as long as he can remember and his continued passion for all things fish saw him enrol in the Certificate in Maritime and Fishing straight from school. Josh’s positive attitude and willingness to give anything a go has seen his career go from strength to strength. He’s been back for not one but seven additional Maritime NZ-approved courses, ensuring his maritime career is on the move.

First working for Talley’s in Nelson, Josh currently works on the ’50 South, a privatelyowned fishing vessel based out of Tauranga.

“I’d ultimately like to own my own boat; there’s a real shortage of qualified people out

STCW students are put through their paces during firefighting training.

there, so there are some great opportunities.”

What about working in the superyacht industry? Maritime tutor Mark Inglis is something like a Lonely Planet guide to the world’s most exotic and sought-after locations. With a decade of working on luxury superyachts, Mark has had incredible experiences and visited stunning locations but warns it’s not all fun.

“There’s a lot of hard work – something always needs detailing. Normally, you’re given a month off a year and I used that time

to up-skill. I totally loved working on the yachts.”

Mark’s now busy passing on his knowledge to other young hopefuls heading out on their OEs, who want to ensure they get the best jobs around. An STCW qualification is an industry must if you want to work on superyachts, cruise liners or any maritime vessel.

Maritime courses are taught at the Windermere Campus, with limited spaces available.

Take action, call today.

SUMMER 2013

08 WATERLINE

Paddling for fun New Zealand’s’ Waka ama following has grown over the years, producing many Kiwi champions along the way.

It’s a relatively new sport (compared to say the America’s Cup, dated 1851), with the first world sprint champs held in 1984 in California. The first New Zealand club established itself in Gisborne in 1985, and in 1988 the NZ national body became incorporated. NZ hosted the World Outrigger Canoe Sprints in 1990 at Orakei Basin. After the success of the worlds, the NZ Sprint Nationals have been held on Lake Karapiro annually ever since.

If you’ve ever wondered about who paddles those 12 metre long, six-man canoes with outriggers attached to the port side, you might be a tad bit surprised. This is a sport anyone can participate in, and I mean anyone. People of all nationalities paddle; French, English, Maori, Pacific peoples…

Motiti Islanders. There are all ages – golden masters, 60-70 year olds, right down to the Midget class of grandchildren eight year olds. Plus, there’s both genders and all vocations; teachers, accountants, freezing workers, nurses, builders, retailers, chefs.

You’ll often find ex-rugby players, ex-netballers and athletes that have retired from their sport but found paddling is “kinder” on their bodies. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a sport for “sissies”. If you want to be competitive, you

need to be committed to training, cardio fit and pulling above your weight.

On your mark There’s something special about seeing a large number of waka reversed and lined up on the beach waiting for race start, whether it’s an on-the-water mass start, Mark Foy or beach start.

Beach starts can be spectacular.

Runners poise themselves back up the beach while the rest of the crew keep the waka pointed at the water’s edge and at the ready. When the gun goes off, paddles are up in the waka and the runners make the dash. All things being equal, they leap in without incident. Occasionally, there’s a miss calculation and the crew paddles off without their steerer, or the runner may end up being dragged unceremoniously for a short time – or even miss the boat completely, so to speak.

Yes, there’s nothing like a botched start to create a good spectator sport.

The race course can become congested, and yes the waka can flip, dumping its crew and causing detours for the rest of the fleet. There’s a technique to righting these canoes and if taken seriously can be performed in less than two minutes for those experienced at ‘flipping’. Or for the less serious, the crew may be seen counting heads then laughing hysterically as they discuss whose fault it was.

The ama’s can become linked and very quickly turn two or

Whaingaroa Harbour race.

WATERLINE 09

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Nearly there after 8km. three waka into one out of control multihull vessel with a moment’s inattention at a crowded turn. Gestures and loud commands usually ensue as the skippers get the crews working to untangle the situation – much like Wednesday night sailing with Tauranga Yacht Club actually.

Study course It’s always a good thing for the whole crew to know the course, especially if you find yourselves in the lead. It can be soul destroying to find the team has paddled an additional kilometre because the safety boat was spotted ahead – anchored off the point not too far from the turn marker, for a quick fish while waiting for the fleet.

There is something boat races have in common, unless you or your team are in the lead; there is always another boat to run down. More than one boat on the water means there’s always a race, whether there’s really a race or not, and it’s not just a bloke thing. It’s the same with waka ama racing. It’s not over until the nose is over the line or the runner is back up the beach – and if you’ve got several waka still coming in when your crew is trying to revive themselves, then that’s an okay result. If you’ve finished the race with the same number of crew you went out with, that’s also a positive thing. If you slide over the gunnel and can’t stand up properly after a race, that’s also a good thing. It means you’ve left ‘everything’ in the waka and that’s what this sport is all about.

Family event

hosted by clubs up and down the country and around some of the most beautiful coastal areas in NZ, like Waka Te Tasman held in Kaiteriteri in the South Island recently.

Tauranga Moana Outrigger Canoe Club sent 21 paddlers down for this event on November 15. They were a mixed bunch of all ages with varying degrees of experience, and although the squad’s sights weren’t set on bringing home trophies, their North Island presence was certainly felt.

Probably due in part to geography, the sport of waka ama is not as strong in the South Island, so this event hosting about 250 paddlers was relatively small but nonetheless as hospitable, well organised and as fun as any I’ve been to.

With the Mount Richmond range providing a backdrop of very little wind, sunny skies and calm waters the three race series had perfect conditions. If you love paddling but don’t enjoy the long distance (25 km-plus) races so much, then this event is the one for you and your team.

The event starts with a warm up race.

There’s a leisurely paddle straight out from the beach for one km, a short wait while all waka line up, then a ‘give it all, gut busting’ mad dash to the beach. Now you’re ready to race.

About 45 minutes later (waka time), the start times are organised into a Mark Foy start for race number two. This is a 12 km paddle out around the corner to Towers and Sandy bays. The course takes you around Ngaio and Fisherman Islands and back to the beach. It’s hard not to lose focus and steal glances at this

rugged and fantastic coastline that borders the Abel Tasman National Park. The Roka Waka Tauranga ladies dub themselves a ‘social crew’ and usually enjoy the scenery, but they were seen totally focused and hunting down the Tauranga Golden WOW Factor crew, who fought hard to fend them off only to be pipped at the green channel post near the finish.

The third Tauranga team was made up of guys and gals that just wanted to be there.

With no mixed category to paddle in, they were chucked in to race with the men. Not to be disgraced, and spending everything they had in race number two, they held their Mark Foy lead for about 70 per cent of the course, making the men work extremely hard, and still coming in fourth place. They didn’t fare so well in the eight kilometre third race, but still not too bad for three senior gals, three skinny blokes and a mean steerer.

Winning trophies The prize giving dinner awarded the winners with some of the most creative trophies I’ve seen, from carved pounamu (greenstone), to pieces of ocean-manicured driftwood decorated with more pounamu. The gathering also revealed stories of past paddles at this year’s nationals, the Takapuna Beach Cup and Hawaii’s kona event.

There are several waka ama events held during summer in our beautiful Tauranga Harbour. If you’re at all curious, pack your lunch and come join us sometime. It’s a guaranteed good watch.

By Aroha Hoe

Waka ama events encompass all things family. It’s about being together, supporting one another, good food, good music and something spectacular to watch. Events are

Finishing 1km dash to beach.

Waka setting up for Tauranga Harbour Challenge.

10 WATERLINE

SUMMER 2013

CLUB NEWS

Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club

Tauranga sailors on national and international stages

Tauranga Yacht and Boat Club recently hosted the Finn Class North Island championship (won by TYPBC sailor Andrew Murdoch), P Class North Island championship (won by Cole Rippey) and the Weta Class Nationals.

Many sailors visiting for the P Class event had never sailed on Tauranga harbour before.

Our chance for a bit of hometown advantage flew out the window, as Commodore Gary Smith in a very sportsmanlike manner gave the tourists a wonderfully informative lecture on the Tauranga tide effect.

It was much appreciated by all who listened, but not enough to assist them to win too many races from Cole Rippey, who was victorious in the end. A bit of wind each day saw a hotly contested and interesting regatta. Kate Stewart from Wakatere impressed with her super quick capsize recovery while in the lead – some of us weren’t sure if we’d seen her actually capsize, as she was back in so quickly. Everyone enjoyed the new coffee machine’s presence, the relaxed atmosphere and the wonderful sailing conditions. Some out-of-towners commented they would love to come to more regattas here.

Fortunately they will be able to soon, with the P Class National championship and Tanner Cup being held in Tauranga from January 4-10, 2014.

Representing Bay of Plenty in the P Class Tanner Cup will be Cole Rippey, who sailed a faultless Tanner Cup trials regatta to take that honour. Julia Ebert was second overall and won the Waikato representation.

Dylan McKinlay won the Starling match racing trial in a hard-fought battle with Cole Rippey, and will go on to represent Bay of Plenty at the Caltex Cup Starling Class Inter-Provincial Match Racing.

The Optimist North Island championship in New Plymouth has been the other recent big event. The Open fleet saw 108 registrations, including 20 from Australia. Even the Green Fleet for younger, beginner sailors had 37 competitors. New Plymouth ran a great regatta in very light, shifty conditions with Gerald Martin and Yachting New Zealand local representative Wayne Holdt using their considerable skills to ensure six qualifying races went ahead before splitting the fleet into Gold and Silver for the final day of racing.

Tom Maidment was the top finisher, making Gold fleet and finishing 48th overall. Jonathon Barnett won the Silver fleet, finishing 55th with his little brother James Barnett placed 89th. Joel Kennedy came in 77th with some very good results in the twenties on the last day and Seb Lemberg, who made some big improvements during the regatta, finished in 98th.

Olly Maidment was our only Green fleeter and he had a best result of ninth in a race to finish 27th overall.

The next major regatta on our calendar is the Sir Peter Blake regatta in Torbay, December 7-8, and is the biggest centreboard regatta in Australasia. There will be a good contingent of TYPBC going up to Auckland. It’s always a fun regatta with lovely sailing conditions and it is such a great way to remember Sir Peter and his adventuring spirit and dedication to championing the preservation of our beautiful seas.

It can be hard to keep up with the activities of all our Olympic class sailors. They continue to excel. Tom Saunders and Sam Meech have been the most recent, just competing in the Laser Worlds in Oman in some very light and tricky conditions. Sam finished 13th and Tom 22nd.

A number of TYPBC sailors have been recognised for their achievements this year in the bay of Plenty sports awards. Peter Burling won the BOP Sportsman of the Year and the Supreme Award, and Molly Meech (49er FX) won the Junior Sportswoman title. Sam Barnett and Zak Merton were finalists in the Team of the Year but lost out to the Chiefs Rugby team. Sam was also a finalist in the Secondary School Sportsman of the Year. A number of these sailors will also be recognised at the Yachting New Zealand awards, to be held after Waterline goes to print.

The Stack Winter Championships at Murrays Bay in October was the first windsurfing regatta of the season and the first of the Kendall Cup Series. Coral and Alex had a full training programme, with coaching from some top coaches before and after them. The unusually warm conditions with light winds required lots of pumping from the sailors. TYPBC’s Coral Headey dominated the Technos, winning all seven races and Alex Hart came third in the RSX Youth, having dropped two races due to gear failure.

Overall results at the Winter Champs: Optimist open: Tom Maidment 32nd, Joel Kennedy 42nd, James Barnett 54th.

P Class: Sara Dodds 5th, Jonathon Barnett 7th, Samantha Kennedy 9th, Dylan Frost 10th, Hannah Spencer 11th.

Techno: Coral Headey 1st.

Starling: Cole Rippey 1st, Dylan Mckinlay 7th, Elly Warren 24th.

RSX: Alex Hart 4th.

Laser: Sam Meech 1st, Thomas Saunders 4th.

Laser radial: Berrick Fitzsimmons 5th, Trent Rippey 6th, Ben Warren 15th.

420: Sam Barnett and Zak Merton 2nd.

With regard to windsurfing, straight after the holidays Coral jetted off to New Caledonia for a week of yet more training, followed by their Techno Nationals. Coral finished a very creditable fifth overall and retained her title as New Caledonian Girls’ national champion.

WATERLINE 11

www.waterline.co.nz

Sunset, sunrise – nature’s mural to behold The brilliance and enjoyment of a sunrise or a sunset does not depend on the size of your yacht. It can be equally as stunning viewed from a trailer yacht as it might be from a super yacht or cruise liner.

No matter the week of the month, nor the day of the week, you can look forward to a differing sunrise following each day break – and again as the setting of the sun brings the close of another day. And with it, the likely summer spectacle of a glorious sunset in the west. It is often difficult to memorise the impact of the mood each one brings; its colours and their changes of intensity.

And often, the awe of majesty so quickly changes by the seemingly rapid passage of time to full light in the morning; and at the other end of the day, the close to dusk and nightfall. They are bonus spectacles of much reward to those observant of their surroundings at these times of the day, and well worth making time available to enjoy.

Overnighting aboard, after any day of the week, in any week of a summer month, while sailing offers a bonus to the experience of having the best seat in the world to witness the fullness of an evening’s sunset; and then to look forward to the day break and sunrise that will most surely follow.

To all of the Trailer Yacht Division Cruising Group, wishing you a Merry Christmas,

Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club

and a very much enjoyed summer season and may you each have a peaceful and prosperous New Year – with much sailing and fun. See you in a quiet bay some summer’s day.

The Trailer yacht Division has a Summer Season Racing series and a Cruising Group calendar of events on offer to club members.

You can join the TYPBC by calling 07 578 5512 and enjoy the fun of sailing in either cruising mode, or being part of the exciting competition sailing each week. Now is a good time to “ just get out and do it”.

Thanks, and regards, Stern Post.

TYPBC Trailer Yacht Division.

Cruising group Sunset Pohutukawa Bay- fri. 14 Dec 12 - Country Mist & Mintaka from Salsa.

Cole Rip

peyy.

Young sailors learning the ropes The Tauranga Yacht and Boat Club has two new club coaches on its Learn to Sail programme this season.

Rory Gleeson and Georgi Ridler are experienced RYA sailing instructors, previously teaching in Australia, England, UAE and Spain.

As result, they’ve hit the ground running, with more than 20 young sailors out on the water in the first two weeks.

This term the sailing school has seen more than 60 students out on the water after-school each week, from complete beginners to those training for regional and national events.

Only a small number of these students are existing club members, who race regularly with their own boats, but the team is hoping to see many more children out racing at the weekend next term.

The season has been going

fantastically with so much enthusiasm from both children and parents who are new to the sport. Spring tends to bring strong equinox winds, meaning the current students have learned to sail in the most difficult conditions they’ll have all year. The club is really looking forward to seeing current students progressing onto racing; and it’s planning to have the coaches out on the water during club racing next term.

TYPBC’s biggest success is the Level 2 - Better Sailing course, based on Yachting New Zealand’s ‘Sailing… Fast!’ programme. This course gives new students another term to develop their skills in a noncompetitive environment, without increasing their commitment to the sport.

“Racing isn’t for everyone, and not all families have the means to buy a boat. But

with this programme, we provide kids with the ability to continue sailing past the basics,” says Rory.

Recently, the Level 2 course participants sailed to Matakana Island to experiment sailing in different tidal currents, and to have a jump off the jetty.

The team is particularly excited about the upcoming summer holiday programmes, where they’re hoping to get as many children out and enjoying the water as possible. The programme is offered to anyone aged seven and up, regardless of experience; and involves exploring the harbour and playing lots of sailing games.

For information on TYPBC’s courses, visit: www.yacht.org.nz/sailingschool or contact the coaches directly by emailing: tauranga.coach@gmail.com

12 WATERLINE

SUMMER 2013

CLUB NEWS

Bay of Plenty Sailing Academy Trust

New Optimists for hire Bay of Plenty Sailing Academy Trust patron Dean Barker took us all on an epic America’s Cup voyage on our television screens this spring. While it didn’t end the way we hoped, it did show our sport – and Kiwi skills and technology – to the world in spectacular fashion.

Along the way we were also treated to a consummate display by the young Kiwi sailors, who took out first and second in the Youth America’s Cup, including winning skipper Peter Burling and his fellow Tauranga sailors Jason Saunders and Sam Meech. The future of this extreme form of sailing is in good hands.

If skimming the water at close to 80 km/h, powered only by the wind and your own effort, sounds like something you’d like to try, but you lack a spare $100 million, why not give windsurfing or kitesurfing a try? Both sports are relatively inexpensive, and they even have hydrofoil versions.

For that matter, how about starting in a modern sailing dinghy, and progressing to a hydrofoiling Moth – a small, superfast sailboat small enough to fit on a roof rack. Peter’s father, Richard Burling, can often be seen sailing his on Tauranga Harbour – but don’t blink or you’ll miss him.

Grant from NZCT The 2013-2014 sailing season started well for BoPSAT, with approval by New Zealand Community Trust of a grant to overhaul our

fleet of two-handed sailing boats. The 420 class boats are used in secondary school teams racing, and were in need of new covers and regatta sails.

Meanwhile, the Topaz class boats are used in Learn to Sail courses, by school development squads, and for Women on Water, among other uses. These boats were in need of new mainsails and new masts.

Both fleets of boats needed miscellaneous other work, which has been funded using BoPSAT’s own resources and volunteer time. This, plus the generous NZCT grant, means all of these programmes have kicked into gear with excellent equipment in term four for 2013.

Opti charters Last summer, we took delivery of six new fibreglass Optimist sailing dinghies, full-race specified boats for young sailors and their families to charter. The concept is that not all budding sailors are ready, or in a position, to buy a boat; and this provides an interim step for a few months, which keeps them on the water. They may then move on to buy a competitive boat, or grow out of the ‘Opti’ and be ready to move on to the next sailing class, such as P Class or Starling. BoPSAT already had six Techno windsurfing boards for the same purpose; and these have proved popular with graduates of windsurfing courses, who want to start race training in New Zealand’s top performing Olympic event.

As the sailing season has warmed up, four of these new boats have been quickly snapped up and are being sailed regularly. We are hopeful of getting more charters of boats and boards through the season. Interested sailors from throughout the Bay are invited to contact us, or

CLUB NEWS

visit our website: www.bopsat.org.nz Triple your money by giving it away Those with a passion for sailing, and who want to make a lasting contribution to its future in the Bay of Plenty, now have a new opportunity to do so with the launch of our ‘Sail for Life’ endowment fund, managed by the Acorn Foundation.

The fund is open for donations now, which will qualify for a one-third tax refund. A benefactor has come forward with an offer to match donations up to $50,000 in order to kick-start the fund. These two factors work to multiply up any donations received: a $15,000 donation will cost the donor $10,000 net, and will result in a $30,000 boost to the fund.

Acorn Foundation operations manager Margot McCool applauds the initiative of BoPSAT. “This is real leadership in philanthropy – committed sailing enthusiasts who are willing to share their passion for the sport, for the benefit of future generations of young sailors from this region,” says Margot.

“We have a very proud record of producing outstanding young sailors. The endowment fund will help to provide the support both on and off the water that young people need to learn their craft – not only the competitive sailors, but disabled and disadvantaged youngsters too. All of society benefits when young people get an opportunity to shine.”

Those keen to help, but not in a position to make a donation now, may wish to make provision in their will for a fixed sum, or a small percentage, of their estate to be left to the Sail for Life fund.

Bay of Plenty Sailing Academy Trust chairman Stuart Pedersen.

Omokoroa Boat Club

Summer is a-coming, in the upper harbour Our junior sailing programme is in full swing with the Learn to Sail group hitting their straps in the optimist fleet while the old salts are now getting to grips with the club’s Sunbursts.

Jaap Korver is our new instructor; and he is putting the young sailors through their paces with an aim of setting up basic starts and races as soon as we’re all happy with the sailors’ abilities.

We had a successful capsize day with the Club Vikings – no-one

drowned and all of the boats were recovered.

Senior sailing is a little slow to get underway, but most Sundays seem to turn up with no wind.

All of the programmes for the summer season are on the club’s website: www.omokoroaboatclub. co.nz under sailing.

The social side of the club is beginning to hot up as the days grow warmer and the evenings draw out, with meals and drinks on the deck as popular as ever.

The Fork ‘n’ View restaurant, ably managed by Wayne Butler, is providing an excellent range of meals on the following evenings, Wednesday to Sunday inclusive;

and lunches from Thursday to Sunday, with the not-to-bemissed Sunday roasts at a bargain price with the added bonus of live music for Sunday lunchtime. So if your cruise to Omokoroa and moor up, please drop in.

Up and coming events include the club member’s Christmas party for the children December 14, the ticket-only New Year’s Eve party for club members and their guests on December 31, and the club open day on February 6 with the Duck race (the fourth running of the ducks, with ducks on sale in January); and the annual rowing races for men, ladies and juniors on top of the tide.

The Take A Kid Fishing competition is to be held in March, on a date to be finalised. There is no adult fishing competition this year, and adults will vie for club trophies instead.

Please keep an eye on the website for all of our activities and we hope you all have a happy and safe Christmas on or off the water – but please remember your life jacket and WEAR it.

John Budden, Sailing Convenor, Omokoroa Boat Club. Call 07 548 1180.

John and Sydney Budden Omokoroa Boat Club

WATERLINE 13

www.waterline.co.nz

CLUB NEWS

Women On Water

Season off to fantastic start As usual, the WOW season is off to a fantastic start, Race one, held in blustery 25 kt northwesterlies on Halloween Eve (October 30), brought welcome excitement to our first sail of the season.

Eight hardy yachts took to the water, with Rhonda Ritchie and her team on Smudge taking first place, followed by Heluva Hurry and Whatever.

Terry Spitz held a clinic for sail-training technique aboard the Bavaria 36 Sea Beagle.

At the near-opposite end of the spectrum, Race two, on November 14, featured light winds in the five-10 kt range, which combined with strong tidal conditions, made for challenging racing. The sunny evening brought in more than 100 sailors, with nine boats in the racing division; first place winner was Brilliant, with Christine Headey at the helm.

Christine lived up to her name, as she beat second-place getter Legato by more than nine minutes. Heluva Hurry grabbed third, making it yet again into one of the top three spots.

On November 21, WOW held a training evening at the Tauranga Yacht Club, featuring

BOAT SUPPLIES

a Penny Whiting sail-training video, followed by discussion. Topics included safety, terminology, points of sail, sail trim, tacking/ gybing, and winch technique. It was wonderful to see so many new faces, as well as familiar ones, eager to supplement on-the-water experience with the theory to back it up.

Other scheduled training evenings this season include two upcoming dinghysailing clinics, which you won’t want to miss.

Remember, WOW has two divisions – racing and cruising – so if you feel like toning down a bit of the excitement (but not the fun), then this is still the place for you. For a list of remaining sail dates and other important information, including what to bring/wear, check out the WOW section of the TYPBC website: www. yacht.org.nz/women_on_water Please aim to be at TPYBC by 5pm on race evenings in order to get signed up and make it

WATER SPORTS

to your designated yacht on time. Make sure to text or phone Delwyn on 021 244 2040 by the Tuesday before each race, providing your full name, contact phone number, age and whatever previous sailing experience you have, if any. If you have already been to WOW, you may request a particular boat. And if you have arranged to stay on as regular crew for a particular boat, then you can contact the skipper directly.

And, again, special thanks to our sponsors: Mills Reef Winery, Hands on Health Massage, Honey Bliss, Configure Express, Rialto Tauranga, Burnsco Marine, Mount Mellick, and Ivory Premium Urban Lounge. Thanks in large part to their support, WOW is able to provide a great prizegiving after each race, complete with spot prizes and raffles. And don’t forget the option to purchase dinner and drinks from the yacht club – if you haven’t been to WOW, come see what you’ve

By Nicole Harris been missing.

FISHING GEAR

ACCESSORIES

Having an extensively stocked shop is one thing, having staff with extensive experience and expertise is another ... because we love boating as much as you do.

MARINE SUPPLIES

18 Cross Road, Sulphur Point

Phone: 5789593 Email: info@stevesmarine.co.nz

Shop online at www.stevesmarine.co.nz

SUMMER 2013

14 WATERLINE

Two of a kind with h The Billfisher 650 might not have the size of its big 735 brother, but it comes with just as much style and economy on the water.

The 650 comes with nearly all of the same main components as the 735, only missing the freshwater tank, which can be fitted as an extra. All of the other bells and whistles that make the Billfisher a reputable fishing machine are there, including the walk around cabin, live-bait tank and auto bilge pump fitted standard.

Mastertech owner Karl Rastrick is passionate about the Billfisher range and knows every inch of each boat.

“They are really good boat, at the end of the day having the walk around feature is perfect for anything out on the water.”

Rooming room The room to mosey on around the cabin safely is a major point to mention on the Billfisher. Not only is it easier to pull up to jetties, but more importantly there is more fishing room. Perfect for soft-baiting or stick-baiting out the back of Mayor Island.

The fuel economy to get to destinations such as Mayor Island and White Island will be within reach and within budget with the 650. The team at Mastertech thought of your pockets and have powered the new line of 650’s with 175 Suzuki outboard.

Instant power This impressive motor gets up and moves when needed, and is surprisingly quiet doing so. I noticed this when realising we didn’t have to stop to answer a phone call, while motoring along at 50 km/h.

The Suzuki has the potential to go more than 90 km/h, but at a cruising speed of 37 km/h it will only use 0.5 litres per kilometre.

“You could get to Mayor Island, 22 nautical miles away, on 20 litres of petrol,” says Karl.

Game season is not far away and the amount of money spent on gas during summer months can sometimes be daunting. At a trawling speed of 13 km/h (7 knts), the 650 will use 8.7 litres per hour, making the 240 litre fuel tank good for a trip out very wide.

Perfect match The fact that the Billfisher and Suzuki work together so well doesn’t come along every day, and to drive it feels effortless and smooth.

www.waterline.co.nz

WATERLINE 15

h economy in mind Even on big banking turns in a bit of wind chop, the boat cut through smoothly and the engine responded well.

The Billfisher 650 will cost $110,000, including an array of essential extras standard.

Some of these extra are hydraulic steering, auto bilge pump, trim tabs, rocket launchers/rod holders, spotlight back of the rocket launchers, live-bait tank/aerator, lock up cabin, heavy duty bow rail, wash down selfdraining cock pit, toilet and auto winch.

“Generally, the only extras you need are electrics, all you need is already fitted,” says Karl. “Everything’s here and its ready to go, it’s less the customer has to worry about.”

There is also a choice of a soft-top or a hardtop, with the hard-top being $8500 more.

Everything felt right with this boat – the only thing I can think of that didn’t work is the fact it didn’t come home on the back of my truck.

By Reese Flaxman

SUMMER 2013

16 WATERLINE

Two Guys Take on Alaska - Part 1 Mark, Fran and Mathew set sail on Maia from New Zealand 18 months ago. Their journey would take them to Vanuatu, Japan, and onto Alaska. Fran’s brother Lee invited me to join him on a trip he’d organised with them around Kodiak Island and the Katmai peninsula. It was a life-changing experience that revealed magnificent scenery, and wildlife that only the wilderness can offer. Of course, an adventure such as this would provide ample opportunity to reveal the kind of stuff that ‘legends’ were made of. We pick up the story at Kodiak Island.

John Martin

2 G2 uys to these

belong

Lee

Guys take on

take on

ALAS K A

wanting to stroke his prized mane. It would The flight to Kodiak was a smooth straight be the start of a curse that would dog him for forward affair with outstanding views of the many glaciers, mountain ranges, and lakes that the rest of the trip. In reflection, my offer to BEAR marry one of Kerri’s sisters as a means of gainare abundant in the region. Alaska plays host ing a Green Card and a subsequent flying job to more than three million lakes. was not my greatest After checking in at move. How was I to our accommodation and John Cavaick Martin know she worked at securing plans for the the district attorney’s next few days, we samoffice? It did, howpled a few of the local ever, give an insight ales at a bar in town. that Mike was quite familiar with operating in as to just how good It can now be said that such conditions. As we approached the west the Kodiak Island we have truly wrestled coast of the island, the cloud base lifted and my beer was. Needless with a Kodiak beer. The butt cheeks finally relaxed. We flew up through to say my bid was Northern Pacific was one of the inner mountain passes climbing to unsuccessful. definitely the pick of Michelle was the the bunch. We sampled captain of a 75 metre one particularly nasty Lee Clarke wrestles with a Kodiac beer. coastguard vessel. We number called ‘the Sarah advised her Pale Ale’. It was named of our plans with Maia and left the bar after Sarah Palin and lived up to her legacy in knowing we had the best of the USA her run for the American presidency. Sounded rescue service keeping an eye on us. We great, looked good, but fell short of the mark woke the next day to the sound of steady as being one of the countries great leaders in rain. The airline we had booked with the brewing world. weren’t flying and The next Lee spent the next morning we hour or two on the had a speaking phone exploring engagement at other options. the local rotary Mike Natoli the The float plane club breakfast. ace pilot. operators were still They were a flying. The great fantastic group advantage they had of people that being if the visibiljust enjoyed ity along the route hearing the Kiwi deteriorated too accent. We did much they could our best to give simply land on them a glimpse the water anyinto the New The Kodiac island float plane park. where, and wait Zealand way of it out. To my life and almost Boarding Maia from delight we ended up on a de Havillan Beaver. shamefully managed to win 15 bucks in their the float plane.

I had logged up more than 500 hours in raffle. The rest of the day was spent stocking these aircraft many years ago and held the up with fruit and vegetables and other sundry 3000 feet, where we got utmost respect for the load-carrying ability items such as ‘bear spray’ for the trip. an appreciation of the vast expanse and performance they offered. Although quite Late afternoon we found our way to the of wilderness we were venturing into. an old aircraft, being designed in the 1950s, Kodiak Brewing Co and continued our After one hour’s flight, we started our they still hold their own in the challenging pursuit to discover Kodiak’s finest ale. We descent into Moser Bay for our rendezvous environment flying around the mountainous bumped into Michele, a girl we’d spoken to with Maia. Mike placed the Beaver down with terrain of Alaska. at the Rotary function that morning. She was the greatest of ease. Lee and I passed a grin to Our pilot Mike was a young guy, who had soon joined by her friends Jen, Annette, and each other, knowing that all of the planning just returned from a trip to New Zealand. We Kerri. The beer flowed and the laughter got had come together and we were about to loaded up and roared away from Kodiak into louder. Our Kiwi accents delighted them. embark on the next part of our adventure.

Lee’s Kawerau haircut for some reason sent the the clag. We spent the first 10 minutes of the Mike nosed the Beaver up to the port side of flight at less than 200 feet. It became apparent girls into some kind of frenzy, with them all Maia. We secured lines from the front of the Spray

WATERLINE 17

www.waterline.co.nz

g

explorin ammond d Fran H Mark an ashore with Lee.

Black ta il

deer chec king Hammon out Mathew d.

nery.

lmon Can

Alitak Sa

floats, unloaded and boarded our new home spotter extraordinaire’. No doubt the fact that Convinced there was no escape, he decided to for the next three weeks. We gave Mike a he lived in Kawerau and was familiar with keep taking photos anyway. Fortunately, the friendly wave as he made a low pass over the places such as the Te Teko Tavern gave him flash went off on the camera, startling the bear boat on his departure, roaring off into the the advantage of being able to spot a ferocious and scaring him off. distance about 50 feet off the water. beast from miles away. The bear he spotted We raised anchor and motored to Lazy Bay, Mark, Fran and their son Mathew had was fishing in one of the many rivers the a couple of hours away. Lazy Bay plays host departed New Zealand more than one year salmon return to spawn in. She had a young to the Alitak Salmon Cannery. Established ago. Their journey cub with her and in 1917, it employs about 200 people during had taken them north rose up onto her the summer season. We took the opportunity to Vanuatu, Japan, hind legs to check us to check a few emails and get some supplies Guam, and through out before ambling from a small general store that was based the Aleutian Islands to away into the bush. there. I bought a new pair of sea boots as the Alaska. Maia was 60 Salmon darted duct tape holding my old pair together was no foot motor sailor that continuously up longer doing the job. Once again, the wind Mark built himself. and down the river began to whistle in the rigging. We hunkered He is an experienced scurrying their way down expecting another two days of wild mariner who had through the shallows. weather, but a favourable forecast after that. sailed most parts of Eagles soared That evening we received a visit from one the globe in all sorts overhead, and with of life’s characters, Pat. He operated a barge of vessels. Fitted with the cove to ourselves that collected fish from the shore-based gill Maia. a six tonne keel that only the sounds netters and delivered them to the cannery. made the vessel selfof nature could be Pat was famous in the United States for righting, and a 240 hp motor, Maia was an heard. We were truly in the wilderness. A being the first person to row single-handed ideal vessel for a journey of such magnitude. bottle of spiced rum was consumed that night from Washington to Hawaii in a 21 foot We anchored in a nearby cove and set ashore to celebrate our good fortune and we dined on boat. His first three attempts were carried in search of salmon berries. The shotgun was more fresh salmon topped off with scampi. out two-handed. After being hit by storms loaded and on hand should any of the local We shifted around the corner in the mornin each of these attempts, all of the crewmen bear population take exception to us tampering ing to another river mouth at the head of succumbed to the power of the ocean and with their food source. Fortunately, we didn’t Dead Man’s Bay. It appeared to be attracting Pat ended up rowing them back to the safety see any. Although, we did see bear footprints on some activity. On shore, we were greeted by of the mainland. Recognising these second the gravelly beach. We returned to Maia with a black tail deer and her fawn. They were crewmen were proving to be more of a four ice cream containers full of berries. Fran inquisitive and approached us, coming within burden than a help, he decided to go it alone. served us up a feast of fresh salmon, polished 30 feet of where we Departing the States off with a dessert of salmon berries and ice stood on the water’s for the fourth time, cream. We retired for the night with full bellies, edge. It appeared he made it to within feeling privileged to be sharing in such a beauti- they’d had very little 1000 miles of Hawaii ful part of the world and all it had to offer. contact with humans before being run down The next morning we were greeted with a and weren’t afraid of by an oil tanker. forecast of 45 knot winds. We motored for us. Further towards the He was subsequently two hours to a sheltered inlet called Alpine river mouth we spotted rescued by a boat Cove. We set anchor and prepared to ride out a huge bear ambling its working as a maritime the blow. And it blew. With reports coming way across the rocks. weather station some over the radio of local fishermen’s skiffs being It would stand up on 50 miles away. Not to blown off the decks, Maia held fast. We its hind legs to reach be beaten, Pat made feasted on salmon, told tall tales and solved berries growing along a fifth attempt. This Paying out more anchor in a blow. the problems of the world all while the wind the foreshore. You have time he was successwhistled through the rigging. We retired for to appreciate what ful. He completed the the night with Maia battling the gusts, but massive, powerful creatures bears are. The journey in 121 days. It is a testament to this happy in the knowledge that we had good bears we were seeing were commonly known man’s determination to never give up.

We all retired for the night with nervous holding and were in the best place we could as brown bears. They are the same bear known feelings in the pits of our stomachs, feeling be in the conditions. as the grizzly bear that is found in the inland Maia pitch about tugging harshly at her The next morning the wind abated. With regions. The locals have huge respect for them anchor. The wind continued to build, and cabin fever beginning to take hold, we and give them plenty of space. A chap known launched the dinghy and set off on bear as Woody survived one of these bears charging violent rain squalls hit hard.

To be continued. patrol. Lee was soon to gain the title of ‘bear him while out taking photos in the wilderness.

18 WATERLINE

SUMMER 2013

taurangaboatsales.co.nz

www.waterline.co.nz

Dufour delight

Long-recognised for their roomy and user-friendly layouts, European production yachts continue to increase in numbers throughout New Zealand.

French builder Dufour is a leader in this movement, and Zia, a 2002 Gibsea 433, is an excellent example of what makes these boats so popular.

Zia is equipped for bluewater cruising and was sailed to New Zealand from the Caribbean in 2009. She has since done a return trip to the PaciďŹ c Islands in comfort and style. While she is more than capable of offshore sailing, she is just as much at home cruising New Zealand waters, exploring our ever amazing coastline and islands.

Zia features three double berths in three cabins, giving plenty of room for friends and family. The central galley and salon area offers a great atmosphere for meals and entertaining. Her walk-through transom and two steering wheels lead into a large comfortable cockpit. Halyards and sheets are all in the cockpit, making shorthanded sailing a breeze.

Thinking of local cruising with aspirations of going further aďŹ eld?

Zia is ready and waiting! She is currently offered for sale exclusively by Tauranga Boat Sales at $235,000.

WATERLINE 19

SUMMER 2013

20 WATERLINE

for

PLASTICS Locally Owned and Operated

WATERLINE 21

www.waterline.co.nz

Successful boat business owes beginning to dairying It was dairying which floated one of New Zealand’s most successful boat design and manufacturing companies.

“There is no doubt that without the income and assets of our dairy farm, Diane and I would never have been able to finance the start-up of Extreme Boats,” says Glenn Shaw.

He and Diane are still dairy farmers at Thornton near Whakatane, but today someone else milks the cows while the couple run Extreme Boats from a purpose-built factory not far down the road.

“Now Extreme Boats has far outstripped the farm in terms of turnover and value, but the beauty of dairying is that it gave us the opportunity to venture into another business,” says Glenn.

Start from scratch

It all began when Glenn decided he wanted a boat but couldn’t find anything which exactly met his needs. Being a ‘can do’ kind of person (he had built his own dairy shed), and drawing on his mechanical engineering background, Glenn set about designing and building a boat in a shed on the family farm.

It turned out pretty well and after testing the public reaction at boat shows, Glenn decided it was worth taking the next step. He employed the services of well-known designer Scott Robinson, who came up with a range of hull designs featuring the now distinctive deep-V. “Extreme Boats have the deepest V-Hull design on the market, which has been developed based on proven hull technology. Our boats boast fine entry for high-speed head sea performance, while retaining a high chine with full shoulder for excellent sea-handling.”

By 1998 Extreme Boats was manufacturing a small number of craft each year, from a factory on the dairy farm. “During the 2004 floods, the factory was about the only part of the farm which didn’t go under water. So I was using

one of our boats to pick up staff and ferry them to work,” says Glenn.

As the popularity and reputation of Extreme Boats grew, so did the need for a purpose built, and bigger factory. In 2012 Glenn, assisted by his son Todd, took a year out to build the 33 metre by 88 metre factory on Thornton Rd, near the turn-off to the Whakatane Airport. “We had planned to get a roofing company to do the roof, but when they didn’t turn up on time, we did that too.”

The building has a show room and offices, a mezzanine floor where the upholstery for the boats is produced, and a factory set out with bays; one where components are router cut from 3 mm to 8 mm sheets of high quality imported European aluminium, and others where the boats are assembled.

Glenn is the designer, creating plans for boats from 4.6 metres to 11 metres, using a high tech computer design system and his trained boat builder’s “eye”. Much of building a successful, safe boat which performs well is still instinctive, says Glenn. “It has to look right; be in balance.”

That’s a skill he may have got from his grandfather Bill Dippie, who was closely associated with Bill Hamilton, developer of the famous Hamilton Jet Boats.

The whole package It’s not just looks which count of course.

The boats must perform well on the water and also have all of the refinements modern boaties require. Extreme Boats has been the most awarded boat in New Zealand for the last five years, and the most awarded alloy boat in New Zealand for the last seven years.

Once Glenn is happy with a new design, he then begins planning the most economical and efficient way to cut the pieces from each sheet of aluminium. The final templates are fed into a machine, which automatically cuts the components – up to 115 for each boat, ready for assembly.

The flat pieces of aluminium are stacked in a cradle ready for the boat builders to work their magic, assembling, fitting, bending and folding all of the pieces together to create a new water craft. Then it’s the turn of the fit-out team to install the wiring; glaziers to fit windows; and the upholsterers to add the squabs and other soft furnishing.

Once complete, the boats go to Haddock Spray Painters in Whakatane for a high quality finish. “It’s not easy painting aluminium boats and Haddocks do an excellent job,” says Glenn.

High standards All Extreme Boats are built to survey standards and are New Zealand Boat Building Standard Compliance Plate Certification certified, meaning they not only meet stringent quality and safety standards but can also be used by commercial operators, such as harbour masters or commercial fishers. “We are the only aluminium boat manufacturer to do both CPC and build to survey on all hulls. It costs a lot more to meet survey standards, but it’s worth the investment,” says Glenn.

Extreme Boats, already popular in New Zealand (they also feature on the ‘Big Angry Fish’ TV show), are growing in reputation in Australia too with 30 per cent of exports being shipped to that market. The boats are also exported to New Caledonia and French Polynesia and Glenn has plans to expand into Europe too.

The factory, with its staff of 30, has orders for new boats of all sizes up until May next year; and already Glenn is talking of expanding the factory, and maybe, at some time in the future, building launches.

They may not be milking cows, but Diane and Glenn haven’t turned their backs on farming. “Farming is in our blood. We love the land and lifestyle.”

By Elaine Fisher

Up to 115 individual pieces of aluminium are used to construct the Extreme boats.

22 WATERLINE

SUMMER 2013

For Sale +$57/(< 0(75( :,7+ 0225,1* â&#x20AC;&#x201C; has a 160 Ford turbo diesel engine, game rigged, 2x helm stations, 2x fridges and freezer, radar, chart plotter, depth sounder. Has a shower toilet, live bait tank, sleeps eight. $42,000. Ph: 07 570 0333.

3/<:22' ',1*+< â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.7M, canopy, 2HP, Suzuki O/B, also inboard capable, oars, anchor, galv, trailer reg and WOF, $1500. Ph 07 863 4388. %2/*(5 3/< ',1*+< â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Stitch and glue. As new $500. Ph: 021 260 4080.

92/92 075 +3 x2 $14,500 each. 140 HP $8500 or to be run in. FORD 250 HP $6500. May trade. Ph 07 843 4392 or 027 620 9712. %21,72 $48$5,86 $1' 0(75( 0$5,1$ BERTH - . Late model excellent condition. Roller reef headsail, electric winch, two batteries with marine charger, portaloo, road trailer, Near new Tohatsu 9.8 electric start 4 stroke motor. $12,000 phone 0274544933 0225,1* )25 6$/( 25 5(17 at Tanners Point. &HUWLÂżHG PRRULQJ 3K )7 &$%,1 ),%5(*/$66 :,7+ &$123( ÂżVK binder, VH radio, 1997 40HP mercury output. On galvanised trailer with road cover, tidy condition.

Registered and WOF. $4900. Ph 027 544 8595.

62/( 0$5,1( ',(6(/Sole - 20hp, excellent condition, $3000. Ph Ian 5700333. :$51 %2$7 :,1&+ - $150.00 as new. Ph Dennis 570 2071.

67$5/,1* ´&$53( ',(0Âľ , Professionally built & launched oct 1994, Built on same jig as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Helter 6NHOWHU´ 7KLV \DFKW DQG ÂżWWLQJV DUH LQ H[FHOOHQW condition Has been compliant with Bow Jig. Extras include Aluminium Beach Trolley, Road Cover and Spare Mast. Asking Price $3,900.00. Telephone 021 120 7060. &$7$0$5$1 - 3yr old 11.4 mtr, Roger Simpson, Wildside, Twin 10 hp Yanmar, Diesels. 3 Queen, Size Double berth. Galley. Nav Station, Heads. Saloon.

Usual instruments. Ph 07 866 5157 or email cox. wall@xtra.co.nz. :$7(5 3803 36, 6XUHĂ&#x20AC;RZ $V 1HZ 3K 0274 333 220. )2/',1* 3523 - briski, 16 x 12. 25mm shaft. Right handed NZ. $500 ono. Very good condition. Ph 021 243 5555. +$57/(< 76 - â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Antaresâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is in really good condition.

Trailer has WOF. She has been beautifully built inside and out with painted wood interior and can sleep up

to 4 people. Comes with Honda 5HP outboard motor with stand for easy storage. Drop keel makes her a great family boat for going to places in and around the harbour. She has had new aluminium mast and rigging by Mike McCormack and new winch and guide bars added to trailer, for easy launch and retrieval. All ready to go for 2011. Asking price $4,500 ono. Phone Ian Gray 07 578 5022 or 027 572 9439. $/80,1,80 0$67 $1' 6$,/ - plus centre board, rudder and anchor. All in V.G. condition. Open to reasonable offers. Please ring 576 0294 (has answer phone).

0225,1* - C6 The Strand, Town Reach, Tauranga, new survey. Upto 10.5m. $1000 spent on survey. $4000 ono. Contact 07 307 9097 or 027 307 9009.

0225,1* - Waikaraeo Estuary #5. Good position, good swing, good depth. Fully rebuilt. Suit up to 29â&#x20AC;&#x2122; boat. Phone 07 576 1309. <$&+7 ¡ vanderstadt centreboarder, on launching trailer in hardstand. Very nice condition. 8HP yamaha outboard, alloy s/s rig. $12,990 neg. Ph 0274 272 054.

63,11$.(5 - off Davidson 32. 11.5m-6.8m, orange/ white. In good condition $600. Phone 06 868 8328 IW .HHOHU - a well maintained gulf cruiser, sleeps 5, Yanmar diesel engine, Furling headsail. $28,000 ono.

Phone, 07 864 7432. +$57/(< 48,.6,/9(5 mast and sails. Offers.

Ph 07 576 0207.

75$,/(5 <$&+7 9(1785( - Good condition on trailer price $5000 phone 027 332 3369. /$81&+ - Steel launch 30ft to 10ft. Little use View C2 Tauranga Marina. $38,000. Ph 07 843 4392 or 027 620 9712

)227 )<5$1 $/80,1,80 dingy and trailer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; trailer needs repairs. $1250. Ph: 576 6443 075 $/80,1,80 ',1*+< with aqualisers for added safety. 15 HP Yamaha motor on trailer. In good condition $2800. Ph 542 1509 12/(; 75$,/(5 <$&+7. Martin Marine factory built Launching trailer $4500 ONO Ph 07 218 1800 A/H 0225,1* )25 6$/( at tanners point, suit small to large vessel, private spot, $5000 o.n.o. ph.

078638450

To Rent 0225,1* )25 5(17 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Pilot Bay P47 $25 week.

Ph: 07 843 4392 or 027 620 9712.

0225,1* )25 5(17 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 100 yards from Bridge Marina. Very protected, great position. $180per month. Phone Jeff 09 426 8803 or 022 351 1334.

72:1 5($&+ 6:,1* 0225,1* â&#x20AC;&#x201C; For sale or rent.

Phone Peter 027 491 5616 or 578 0230.

0225,1* - Omokoroa. Phone 021 114 7339.

MOORING FOR RENT -Town basin, TA10, will take up to 30â&#x20AC;&#x2122; boat. Phone Ian, 5700333.

0225,1* )25 5(17 - Waikaraeo Estuary. Phone 07 843 4392 or 027 620 9712.

0225,1* - handy to Omokoroa Boat Club, suit up to 30â&#x20AC;&#x2122; boat. $17 per week. Ph 027 201 5113.

0225,1* - Omokoroa, close to beach. $20 per week. Registered mooring. Ph 07 548 0328.

0225,1* 7( 381$ â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Most sheltered area in harbour, handy position $12/week. Ph 0274 996 747.

Wanted <$&+7 25 /$81&+ in need of love or care. Up to about 40ft. Phone Jeff 09 4268803 or 022 351 1334.

)7 :22'(1 /$81&+ 70h/p ford. GPS, VHF, stereo, auto pilot, electric capstan. Sleeps 3, 2 burner cooker and oven, electric toilet, game rigged. Good condition, on rented swing mooring. Best of offer $20k. Ph 021 0277 4294.

02725 6$,/25 ¡ /2$ Kauri, shoal draft, twin keels. 20 Horse Yanmar. Painted ready for season. $66,000ono. Ph 07 211 9200. :22'(1 0$67 and boom with standing riggings, free for removal. Ph 0274 393 028.

:$17(' Volvo 200HP or 230HP. Phone 07 843 4392 or 027 620 9712. :$17(' 72 5(17 Swing mooring for 25ft yacht, also short term marina berth. Phone/text Marc, 027 200 2316.

HARTLEY 16 Fibreglass trailer sailer. Ph 07 576 0207.

)RU :DWHUOLQH FODVVLÂżHG DGYHUWLVLQJ FRQWDFW Kirsty on 07 578 0030 or email kirsty@thesun.co.nz

&DOO )LQDQFH IRU DOO PDULQH Ă&#x20AC;QDQFH RU DYDLODEOH GD\V

WATERLINE 23

www.waterline.co.nz

Directory BATTERIES

BOAT SALES Continued

RIGGING

Battery Warehouse

Tauranga Boat Sales

Mike McCormick

Ph/Fax: 07 578 8056 or 0274 894 056

Tauranga Bridge Marina: 07 575 0512

Ph: 578 3071

25 Marsh Street, Tauranga

Sulphur Point Marina: 07 571 8443

59 Mirrielees Rd, Tauranga

Battery Direct NZ

Email: thecrew@taurangaboatsales.co.nz

TRAILERS

www.BatteryDirect.co.nz sales@batterydirect.co.nz 0800 267 468

Website: www.taurangaboatsales.co.nz

CHANDLERY

Prescott Trailers Ph 07-573 9130

Steves Marine Supplies

29 Station Rd, Te Puke

Ph: 07 578 9593

www..prescotttrailers.co.nz

Bridge Marina Travelift Tauranga

18 Cross Road, Sulphur Point, Tauranga

ELECTRONICS

CLUB CONTACTS

Ph: 07 574 7166 or 021 685 438

BOAT MAINTENANCE

101 Te Awanui Drive, Tauranga Email: travelift@xtra.co.nz

Bay Marine Electronics

www.bridge-marina-travelift.co.nz

Robert McAllister

Canvas Locker Marine covers and canvas goods

Ph: 07 577 0250 www.baymarineelectronics.co.nz

Mount Maunganui Yacht Club Ph: 542 0305

Mt Maunganui Underwater Club Ph: 07 575 5986 www.mmuc.co.nz

Ph: 07 576 3009 or 027 627 5448

FINANCE

Omokoroa Boat Club

Doyle Sails NZ

AFB Accept Finance Brokers

John Budden Ph: 548 1180

Ph: 0800 472 457

Ph: 07 574 0002

Alan Roberts Ph: 579 1967

www.doylesails.co.nz

FISHING & DIVING

Tauranga Game Fishing Club

GemCo Ltd R63 Hewletts Rd, Mt Maunganui Ph 572 2411

Hutcheson Boatbuilders Ph:07-578 8312

Marine Refrigeration Services

Blue Ocean Charters Ltd Ph 0800 224 278 www.blueocean.co.nz email: info@blueocean.co.nz

Tauranga Marine Charters Ph: 07 552 6283

www.logicool.co.nz

0274 351 353

Matamata Motor Trimmers & Upholstery

(PDLO ¿VKLQJFKDUWHUV#[WUD FR Q]

INSURANCE

Ph: 07 571 4421

Tauranga Insurance

Cnr Mirrielees & Cross Roads, Tauranga

Ph: 571 0405

BOAT SALES Gulf Group Marine Brokers Ph 07 579 9716

1 & 2 Den Place, Sulpher Point, Tauranga

Viking Kayaks

07-578 8312 or 027 489 704

6SHFLDOLVLQJ LQ ¿VKLQJ DQG

Email: hutchboats@xtra.co.nz

recreational kayaks.

MasterTech Marine

0800 529 253

www.sportcraftboats.co.nz

Gas Fire Cylinder Ph: 07 579 5939 58 Courtney Rd, Tauranga (PDLO LQIR#JDV¿UHF\OLQGHU FR Q] ZZZ JDV¿UHF\OLQGHU FR Q]

Bay of Plenty Regional Council

Hutcheson Boatbuilders

119 Hewletts Road, Mt Maunganui

OTHER

KAYAKING

www.freedomhawkkayaks.com

Ph: 07 928 7193

Ph 578 5512

www.boatexpo.co.nz

Ph: 0274 482 630

Sportcraft Marine

PO Box 14352 Tauranga

Tauranga Boat Expo

www.gulfgroup.co.nz

www.mastertech.co.nz

Tga Yacht & Power Boat Club

Tauranga

email: tauranga@gulfgroup.co.nz

60 Whiore Avenue, The Lakes, Tauriko

Ph: 578 6203

195 Devonport Rd,

Freedom Hawk Kayaks

Ph: 07 579 4240

Tauranga

MV Manutere Brett Keller

Ph: 07 573 6627 or 027 573 6627

Boat clears, canvas work, upholstery

Keith Allen Dr, Sulphur Point

www.vikingkayaks.co.nz

MARINA Tauranga Bridge Marina Ph: 07 575 8264 Fax: 07 575 8369 VHF: Ch 73 “Bridge Marina”

Ph 0800 884 880 www.boprc.govt.nz

Westfalia Towbar Factory Ph: 0800 61061061 www.towbarfactory.co.nz Tsunami-Warn.com www.tsunami-warn.com

SUMMER 2013

24 WATERLINE

White Island race

Visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv2xB478LLg&sns=em

Patchy, the 2013 Round White Island race started like a lot of our offshore races – in very little breeze.

At start-time, 10am Friday, the fleet, seeing five-10 kt from the nor’east, headed out the Rangi channel while the keel boats stuck to the shore and aimed out the other side of Rangitoto. Once out near Tiri, we began to wonder if the left side of the course was the right call, as we came across a full glass off and there looked to be breeze in close to Waiheke.

But persistence paid, and with a great deal of composure by the crew – not a problem for us as we are all so patient – we got into a little puff of left hand pressure and laid into the middle of Coromandel.

Lifting all of the time, we soon had the gennaker on with a completely un-forecast nor’wester of about 12-14 kt, until near Channel Island KP spotted some white caps and with a hasty solent deploy and gennaker furl we were on the wind again in a nice 20 kts.

Tacking offshore, past the barrier, we got into some more stable breeze although with

it a bit more seaway, so we tucked into some two minute noodles and freeze dried spaghetti bolognese.

On the wind all night with a long port tack we neared the volcano (White Island), getting knocked hard and flopping over to lay in on starboard. At about 5.30am we got the gennaker back on the prod and hoisted, rounding the island with a puff of sulphurous smoke for the 150 nm run home.

A couple of gybes later out the back of Mayor Island we came across the first of the monos, we guess Riki and Starlight, heading south. At that stage we were in a nice 15-18 kt sou’easter, VMG running in the mid-20s. We saw a good bit of puff off the Mercury Islands and really started to click off some miles hitting 30s a few times, but averaging nicely in the high-20s with some great waves to play in.

Often up on one wheel, and the foils working well, we wondered if the record may be within reach – our time to beat from last year was 27hr 2min 58sec.

Approaching Channel Island, again we clicked on the predict wind observations to realise we could be in for a long day, no

breeze around the corner. Hard to believe as we smoked in at 30 odd kt with spray flying, but unfortunately it was true. We rounded the channel at 11.30am-ish, 115 nm in six hours from White Island VMG, running was not bad. The rest of the day we drifted in, telling jokes, sleeping, getting sunburned and occasionally trimming the flappy red things. There were a few calls on whether we should pull the pin about 3pm, but were out-voted. We got in through the Motuihe Channel among a flurry of gennaker out, jib out, on the wind back down wind etc. etc. until we found the SW sea breeze near Islington Bay and got across the line at 18:49.17.

Thanks to our crew sticking it out in yet another drifter, one day Huey will smile upon us and we’ll get a real send. Cheers to Suellen and the team at the Royal Auckland Yacht Club for running the race. Well done to those keel boats which finished, a long hard weekend for some but well done for hanging in there – the final boat across the line coming in at 07:20 Monday morning.

By Stu McKinven, aka Disco.

Underfloor snapper stash gets a bit whiffy Ministry for Primary Industries compliance officers learned not to leave a boat search until after a weekend following a search in Kawakawa Bay in October.

MPI compliance officers inspected a recreational fishing vessel in Kawakawa Bay to make sure the owners were within their daily recreational catch limits. It was Thursday October 10.

The fish presented were all legal size, but an officer uncovered a fish wrapped up in a tarp under the floor boards of the boat. A closer inspection revealed a further 40 snapper – including three undersized – hidden under the floor of the boat.

Because of the quantity and the attempt to hide them, the boat was seized by the compli-

ance officers, and taken back to MPI’s secure exhibits shed to be stored for the weekend.

When compliance officers arrived at work the following Monday, they smelled something fishy.

The seized boat was the source of the smell; and after using a drill to remove a panel at the front of the boat, 208 rotting snapper were discovered in a compartment under the seat.

MPI district compliance manager, Manukau, Michael Greenstreet says the find is very disappointing, as the catch and size limits are put in place to sustain our fish stocks for future generations.

“This kind of blatant disregard for the rules has the potential to ruin New Zealand fisheries for everyone” says Michael.

“If convicted of this offence, the perpetrators could face a fine of up to $250,000, a community-based sentence and forfeit any item used in

the commission of the offence – in this case the vessel.

“If it wasn’t for the great work of the officers involved, this offence would have gone undetected.”

The public are urged to report any suspicious fishing activity by phoning 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224). All calls are kept strictly confidential.

“Despite the great work of our officers, we also rely on the public to let us know if they see any unlawful activity. We all have a part to play to protect our fisheries,” says Michael.

For further information about fishing rules and limits visit: www.fish.govt.nz Alternatively, you can get up-to-date fishing rules with the free MPI fishing app, by texting ‘app’ to 9889 or visiting: www.fish.govt. nz/en-nz/MFish+Apps/default.htm

www.waterline.co.nz

WATERLINE 25

Basking in the sun There’s a club formed especially for sea kayakers looking for paddling companions that has the perfect acronym – BASK – Bay Association of Sea Kayakers.

Almost close enough to touch.

View of The Mount from Rabbit Island.

It’s been around since the mid-1990s. Currently, BASK has about 90 members enjoying fortnightly trips on the sea, lakes and rivers in the Bay of Plenty region and further afield.

Members range in age from early 20s through to 70-plus.

“We have training days for skills, rescues and surf landings; and these are free to members,” says club member Robbie Banks.

“We have a quarterly calendar trip programme, which includes day, overnight, weekend and longer trips with the club,” says Robbie, who says make it easy for people to plan ahead.

BASK also provides a pool of expeditioners for privately-organised longer trips to places, such as D’Urville Island, Great Barrier Island and further afield, says Robbie.

The club’s enthusiastic trip leaders, offer a variety of trips with many relaxed local paddles.

“We have enjoyed a variety of trips locally and further afield,” says Robbie.

These include camping weekends at Slipper Island, Mokau River, Lake Rotoiti, plus a Lake Tarawera trip saw 21 paddlers enjoying a social paddle.

BASK safety officer Bevan Grant organises the annual paddle from Omokoroa to Athenree camp and hot springs, where participants enjoy a Christmas club barbecue the last weekend of November.

“Upcoming trips include both local trips, within the harbours and lakes, to more adventurous camping and multi day coastal paddles,” says Robbie.

“Bevan has a wealth of knowledge of the Tauranga Harbour, having sailed and paddled it for years. We also have members who are geographically spread out around the central North Island, who enjoy running trips within their area including, Taupo, Waikato, and Kawhia (Limestones).

“For anyone thinking about getting into sea kayaking, but doesn’t think they have the confidence, we are fortunate to have a qualified instructor available for individual and group instruction at very reasonable rates,” says Robbie. “Our club motto is to support and encourage supportive, safe, social, paddling experiences.”

Another Orca encounter close to the TYPBC. The annual joining fee is $25 per single or $40 per couple/family.

Fees are due July 1 each year.

Many BASK members also belong to NZ’s national kayaking body – KASK – Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers. Check out their website and those of other like-minded clubs, using the links below.

KASK host’s a national kayak forum each year; the next is in April

2014 at Outward Bound Anakiwa, Marlborough Sounds.

To find out more, call Bevan Grant 07 576 8885 or Robbie Banks 07 574 9848 Or view the BASK Facebook: www.facebook.com/ groups/227309180756061/ Or visit KASK’s website: www.kask.org.nz

26 WATERLINE

SUMMER 2013

After a failed revival attempt, this one came home to the smoker.

Spawning snapper Shay Ward, with one of many successful releases.

Snapper (Pagrus auratus) are easily New Zealand’s most targeted table fish by recreational anglers off our coastline – and at the moment they’ve got their rub marks.

The snapper spawning season is well underway and the sizes and numbers of big reds have increased dramatically, giving anglers more of a chance to land a trophy.

Fishing during the November and December months can be more fruitful, as a large portion of fish are shoaling away from their usual rocky hiding spots. Clear sand areas are where most of the “action” happens; they move depths throughout this time and seem to be found predominantly between 30 and 50 metres deep.

With less foul to get snagged on in these areas, the chances of landing a ‘horse’ are in

your favour, as you can let the fish peel off line, without having to lock up the drag. Letting them run also increases the chance of a successful release, as the snapper are healthier when brought to the surface.

The more natural-looking baits usually entice bigger fish to bite; using a stray-line or running rig has been very successful for me. A standard ledger rig will also work well during the spawning season, due to the fish having something else on their minds.

The natural look and movement of soft baits also get their attention. I like to use soft baits that imitate what they are eating. I find blue and silver colours very successful, as they mimic pilchard.

Snapper are equipped with some very strong jaws, and having the power to bite through mussel shells with ease means your trace isn’t safe. I recently fell victim to the old Kiwi saying, “she’ll be right”, after running my

hand down my trace. The fish had no problem with running me around for 10 minutes; to my frustration I tightened the drag and my 80 lb trace broke. Never again will I send down inadequate gear.

Many anglers release the bigger fish during the spawning season to help with keeping the stocks healthy; on the odd occasion they cannot be revived though. In this case, I smoke the bigger fish and utilise as much as possible, including the head and roe.

But there is no guarantee that you’ll go out and catch a 20 pounder at the moment, I have fallen short for more than 20 years; but chances are much higher at the moment.

Recently, I snuck out for an afternoon fish with a friend and experienced the best snapper fishing all year, throwing back 10-18 pounders all afternoon.

So you should get out there, and try your luck at the benchmark.

By Reese Flaxman

BATTERY WAREHOUSE

WATERLINE 27

www.waterline.co.nz

Snapping up ďŹ sh heads

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Cover story.

Many Kiwis spend their spare time on the water off our coastline, making the most of the food resources on offer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; now FreeFishHeads.co.nz is helping anglers go the extra mile to make use of their catch.

The website is based on giving anglers an avenue to give away their left-over ďŹ sh frames and heads to others, who may not want to go ďŹ shing or get out on the water to get hold of fresh delicacies.

The website, which has a tab (on the left) for those wanting to give away free ďŹ sh heads; and a tab (to the right) for those wanting some free ďŹ sh heads, aims to conserve ďŹ sh resources by bringing the two groups of people together.

Those interested in receiving can register their details to be contacted for pick-up or delivery by anglers, who can undertake a short regional search to ďŹ nd names and numbers of nearby people wanting ďŹ sh heads.

Terence Palmer from the Fresh Fish Market shows whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on the menu for many Kiwis.

During summer months especially, ďŹ sh heads and frames wash up on our coastline leaving an aroma that can turn stomachs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; or they end up buried in gardens or rubbish bins â&#x20AC;&#x201C; so anglers are already seen to be utilising the free website, which has 2600 Facebook likes, and in turn minimising numbers of discarded ďŹ sh.

Fishing enthusiast Shay Ward says ďŹ shermen have welcomed the website for these reasons but also because it can help families in need. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I always try and give away the frames where ever Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m ďŹ shing, but sometimes it can be difďŹ cult and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where the website really proves its worth.â&#x20AC;?

The website states thousands of anglers donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want ďŹ sh frames and heads, but thousands of others do. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Trouble is, people that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t eat ďŹ sh heads often donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know the people that do. So thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why freeďŹ shheads.co.nz has been established, to bring Kiwis together, make people happy and reduce waste,â&#x20AC;? says the website.

FreeFishHeads.co.nz is part of the LegaSea group, which aims to help with keeping ďŹ sh stocks plentiful, and also being resourceful with every opportunity. LegaSea has been also heavily involved in the snapper quota debate.

Fish markets also have heads and frames available for the public at a reasonable price, where many are scooped up by restaurants to make ďŹ sh stock and seafood chowders.

With many different ways to make the most of the head and frames, including smoking and soup, transforming them into a tasty seafood cuisine.

Visit: www.freeďŹ shheads.co.nz

By Reese Flaxman

SUMMER 2013

28 WATERLINE

Safe boating for younger generation on the way New Zealand’s Coastguard Boating Education is pushing the importance of lifejackets and water safety to the younger generation, with the start of summer being marked with two deaths on the first day.

CBE general manager Neil Murray says the deaths on Lake Tarawera this month may have been avoided if the right size lifejackets had been worn.

On December 1, a man and his six-year-old daughter died after falling out of a kayak and drowned before rescuers could get to them.

Reports suggest the young girl was seen wearing an adult-sized lifejacket, which is believed to have fallen off, while her father had no lifejacket on.

Neil says the importance for children and their families to learn about safety on the water is vital.

“It’s a message that really needs to be heard if we’re going to avoid more tragedies of this kind on the water,” says Neil. “Wearing a lifejacket really should be standard behaviour for all boaties, particularly aboard smaller boats.”

The CBE’s Safe Boating initiative is targeting the younger generation, working alongside aquatic centres throughout the country showing survival techniques and safety.

Survival techniques are put to the test in real life situations.

By Reese Flaxman

I S N OW O N L I N E The Bay of Plenty’s own boating, fishing, sailing, diving and watersports publication

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DECEMBER

“We’re aiming to turn primary and intermediate school children into safety ambassadors, in the hope that teaching them how to be safe on the water will save their and other people’s lives for decades to come,” says Neil.

The full cost to set up the safe boating initiative cost is about $7000 per centre.

Aquatic centres work with the CBE to identify what gear is needed, sourcing community funding and sponsorship to supply gear needed. The gear will last three to four years.

Completing the programme as a primary or intermediate student, they can further their learning at college, including a completing day skipper course. This may contribute unit standards towards NCEA results at certain schools. CBE courses and unit standards are recognised at 84 high schools nationwide.

Neil says CBE is gearing up swim instructors with professional boating safety training and equipment to reach thousands of children through their local swimming pools.

“It doesn’t matter whether the children are swimmers or non-swimmers – the programme benefits them all.”

Neil says the CBE believes the Bay of Plenty is next in line for the programme, expected to start here in early 2014.

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news. Phone

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the water Weekends on Taking trailer boating

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Club success stories

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Sea creatures

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Cylinder specialists Gas Fire and Cylinder Services in Courtney Rd offers Tauranga boaties a locally-owned and operated one-stop shop for all cylinder services; dive bottles, gas bottles, fire extinguishers, and even soda stream Co2.

The business has been an active part of the Tauranga boating and diving community for more than 30 years.

Gas Fire and Cylinder Services hydrostaticly test dive cylinders, which needs to be done every two years; and they visually test the cylinders every other year.

The company also does a hydrostatic test on the fire service’s BA cylinders, and fill both dive and BA cylinders.

“We are a locally-owned and operated cylinder testing station that has been operating in the Bay for more than 30years,” says owner Merv Ingram.

“We operate with four staff members having a combined 19 years’ experience in testing and filling dive cylinders alone. We have rental cylinders available if you don’t have your own or you need more for that long weekend away.”

Gas Fire and Cylinder Services can also service dive gear, and they test and service all types of fire extinguishers.

They test and fill all LPG cylinders, regardless of valve type. They offer an LPG Swappa service, or an overnight fill on your own cylinder.

They also test and fill Co2 cylinders for welding and have food grade Co2 for brewing. They also fill small steel soda stream cylinders.

Shop hours: Monday -Friday 8am to 5pm.

Gas Fire & Cylinder Services is an IANZ (International Accreditation New Zealand) laboratory, capable of testing domestic and industrial gas cylinders.

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WATERLINE 29

Caught off the rocks with hand-line and paua Sent to catch some fish for his grandma Luwina Wiwarena, on Motiti Island, on his return Jade Rewa was asked how he got on.

Jade replied casually: “I only got one”.

The 12-year-old Jade, who had walked down to the water with a hand-line and a bit of paua meat, had brought home a snapper around the 15 pound mark.

According to Jade, the big moocher apparently didn’t put up much of a fight – or was it just skill on the youngster’s part?

Fish around the 15 pound mark are hard enough to catch off a boat with a rod, let alone off the rocks with a hand line. Great catch.

By Reese Flaxman

Jade Rewa (12) shows you don’t need a rod to catch a big fish.

30 WATERLINE

SUMMER 2013

Traditional southern girl

Caroline’s life began in 1951, when Gilbert Rivas of Whitianga had Roger Carey of Picton build a launch suitable for game fishing, charters and crayfishing.

Launched in 1952, she was steaming on her delivery voyage from Picton up to Whitianga when she encountered bad weather and stern gland problems. For many years Caroline operated out of Whitianga, commercial fish-

ing and doing charter parties.

She’s a much-admired double ended classic, with those commercial fishing boat lines and powered by a superb sounding 42 hp 3LW Gardner diesel.

Caroline still has the small fish hold that’s being used as storage, has a small steadying sail, a covered aft deck, double wheel house doors, and large walk around decks.

Electronics include VHF GPS/plotter, radar, fish finder, depth sounder, CD player.

Caroline has a roomy two-berth cabin forward and a small galley aft of the wheelhouse.

On the market for $59,000, Caroline is a great vessel for the traditionalist who enjoys his fishing. Contact Brian Worthington at Gulf Group Marine Brokers for more details on this beautifully presented traditional vessel.

Outsider an Aussie-Kiwi combo

An Australian designed and built hull and decks by Australian Boat Co with a Kiwi interior finished in teak and leather, by Kerry Alexander Boats New Zealand.

Outsider is one of two built this way by Kerry Alexander in the late 1980s. Outsider ticks a lot of boxes for the serious blue water game fisherman.

With a rather large teak cockpit, a Cyril Jordan stainless steel game chair, under floor bait freezer, live bait tanks, tuna tubs, rocket launchers, game poles, cockpit controls, and an electric capstan to winch the big ones through the transom door.

Outsider was re-powered with twin 420 hp Caterpillar diesels in 2005, Onan genset, 1400 litres of fuel, 680 litres of water.

The interior is very roomy, done in teak and leather, and features an aft galley with two fridges and a four burner oven/grill. There is a settee berth to port with a teak table with drop down leaf sides and a settee opposite.

Forward of the main cabin are three cabins, one double with ensuite, a two berth cabin, toilet and shower, and two berth cabin in the fore peak all with wardrobes and drawers.

Under the saloon floor is a storage workshop area, aft of this is the engine room with access from the cockpit.

This vessel has a fully enclosed flybridge with opening windows and clears aft. Plenty of seating on this bridge.

Electronics include SSB, VHF, GPS, plotter,

fish finder, depth sounder, electric hydraulic steering, auto pilot, radar, sea temp, auto anchor, CD player, weatherfax.

Outsider comes complete with game rods and assorted game fishing gear, an outboard and many extras.

There is also a Sulphur Point marina berth and a Whitianga marina berth that can be negotiated with this boat.

Outsider is seriously on the market through the owner’s agent Brian Worthington from Gulf Group Marine brokerage for $395,000 for this boat only.

A serious sport fishing boat for the serious fisherman. Modern lines, well-constructed and presented in great order.

www.waterline.co.nz

WATERLINE 31

32 WATERLINE

SUMMER 2013