Waterline Magazine December 2015

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

Reef’s future in balance

Photo: Dale Hobson www.bayofplentyunderwater.com

Great Mercury pest free

DECEMBER 2015

Hinemoana adventure

Boat building memories

Windsurfing in Sardinia

02 WATERLINE

SEPTEMBER 2015

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 3110. PO Box 240, Tauranga 3140 email: brian@thesun.co.nz For advertising, call Katie on 07 578 0030 email katie@thesun.co.nz

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Edition

Deadline

March 2016 June 2016 Sept 2016 Dec 2016

20 Feb 2016 29 May 2016 29 August 2016 25 Nov 2016

DV LUH \OLQGHU 6(59,&(6

TIDES Date

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

DECEMBER 2015 1 Tu 5:43 0.1 12:10 2 We 0:30 1.7 6:30 3 Th 1:19 1.7 7:19 4 Fr 2:09 1.6 8:08 5 Sa 3:01 1.6 8:59 6 Su 3:54 1.6 9:52 7 Mo 4:48 1.6 10:45 8 Tu 5:40 1.6 11:37 9 We 0:06 0.4 6:30 10 Th 0:52 0.4 7:17 11 Fr 1:36 0.3 8:02 12 Sa 2:20 0.3 8:46 13 Su 3:02 0.2 9:29 14 Mo 3:45 0.2 10:12 15 Tu 4:29 0.2 10:56 16 We 5:14 0.2 11:41 17 Th 6:02 0.2 12:28 18 Fr 0:46 1.8 6:52 19 Sa 1:39 1.8 7:45 20 Su 2:37 1.7 8:43 21 Mo 3:39 1.7 9:43 22 Tu 4:42 1.8 10:45 23 We 5:45 1.8 11:47 24 Th 0:17 0.1 6:44 25 Fr 1:14 0.1 7:40 26 Sa 2:07 0.1 8:33 27 Su 2:57 0.1 9:23 28 Mo 3:46 0.1 10:11 29 Tu 4:32 0.1 10:57 30 We 5:17 0.2 11:42 31 Th 0:01 1.7 6:01

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

18:18 12:58 13:46 14:34 15:23 16:12 17:01 17:49 12:26 13:13 13:59 14:44 15:29 16:14 17:00 17:48 18:37 13:18 14:11 15:07 16:05 17:05 18:04 12:47 13:44 14:38 15:29 16:18 17:06 17:51 12:26

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

19:08 19:57 20:47 21:37 22:28 23:18

0.3 0.1 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.4

18:37 19:24 20:09 20:54 21:38 22:23 23:08 23:56

1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8

19:29 20:23 21:20 22:19 23:13

0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2

19:02 19:58 20:51 21:41 22:30 23:16

1.8 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.8

18:36 0.3

Date

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

JANUARY 2016 1 Fr 0:46 1.7 6:45 2 Sa 1:32 1.6 7:30 3 Su 2:19 1.6 8:17 4 Mo 3:09 1.6 9:06 5 Tu 4:02 1.6 9:58 6 We 4:56 1.6 10:51 7 Th 5:49 1.6 11:45 8 Fr 0:12 0.4 6:40 9 Sa 1:01 0.3 7:30 10 Su 1:49 0.3 8:17 11 Mo 2:35 0.2 9:03 12 Tu 3:22 0.2 9:49 13 We 4:08 0.1 10:35 14 Th 4:56 0.1 11:22 15 Fr 5:45 0.1 12:11 16 Sa 0:31 1.9 6:35 17 Su 1:25 1.8 7:29 18 Mo 2:22 1.8 8:26 19 Tu 3:22 1.8 9:25 20 We 4:25 1.8 10:27 21 Th 5:27 1.8 11:30 22 Fr 6:27 1.8 12:30 23 Sa 0:54 0.2 7:22 24 Su 1:48 0.2 8:14 25 Mo 2:37 0.2 9:03 26 Tu 3:24 0.2 9:49 27 We 4:08 0.2 10:32 28 Th 4:51 0.3 11:13 29 Fr 5:32 0.3 11:54 30 Sa 0:13 1.7 6:13 31 Su 0:55 1.7 6:55

0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.5 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.9 2 2 2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.8 0.4 0.4

13:09 13:53 14:37 15:24 16:13 17:04 17:55 12:37 13:27 14:16 15:04 15:52 16:40 17:29 18:19 13:01 13:53 14:49 15:46 16:46 17:46 18:45 13:27 14:20 15:09 15:56 16:40 17:22 18:03 12:33 13:13

1.8 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.7 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 2 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 1.8 1.7

19:21 20:05 20:51 21:40 22:30 23:21

0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4

18:47 19:37 20:27 21:15 22:03 22:51 23:40

1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.9 1.9 1.9

19:10 20:04 21:00 21:58 22:58 23:58

0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2

19:41 20:33 21:21 22:07 22:50 23:32

1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8

18:43 0.4 19:24 0.4

Date

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

FEBRUARY 2016 1 Mo 1:38 1.7 7:38 2 Tu 2:25 1.6 8:24 3 We 3:16 1.6 9:14 4 Th 4:10 1.6 10:08 5 Fr 5:06 1.6 11:04 6 Sa 6:01 1.7 12:00 7 Su 0:26 0.4 6:55 8 Mo 1:18 0.3 7:46 9 Tu 2:09 0.2 8:36 10 We 2:59 0.2 9:25 11 Th 3:48 0.1 10:13 12 Fr 4:37 0.1 11:02 13 Sa 5:28 0.1 11:52 14 Su 0:16 2 6:19 15 Mo 1:10 1.9 7:13 16 Tu 2:06 1.9 8:10 17 We 3:06 1.8 9:09 18 Th 4:07 1.8 10:11 19 Fr 5:08 1.8 11:13 20 Sa 6:07 1.8 12:12 21 Su 0:35 0.3 7:02 22 Mo 1:28 0.3 7:53 23 Tu 2:16 0.3 8:39 24 We 3:01 0.3 9:23 25 Th 3:44 0.3 10:04 26 Fr 4:24 0.3 10:43 27 Sa 5:03 0.4 11:21 28 Su 5:43 0.4 11:59 29 Mo 0:22 1.7 6:22

0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 1.8 1.8 1.9 2 2 2.1 2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 1.8 1.8 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.8 0.4

13:55 14:39 15:27 16:19 17:15 18:11 12:55 13:48 14:39 15:29 16:19 17:09 17:59 12:43 13:36 14:31 15:29 16:29 17:29 18:28 13:08 13:59 14:47 15:31 16:12 16:51 17:29 18:07 12:37

1.7 1.7 1.7 1.6 1.7 1.7 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 2 2 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 1.8

20:07 20:53 21:43 22:37 23:31

0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4

19:07 20:00 20:52 21:43 22:33 23:24

1.8 1.8 1.9 1.9 2 2

18:51 19:44 20:40 21:38 22:38 23:38

0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3

19:22 20:13 20:59 21:43 22:24 23:03 23:42

1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8

18:46 0.4

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.

SEPTEMBER 2015

WATERLINE 03

Old girl soon to get her ‘bum wet’ John Taylor ready to anti-foul psyche.

Psyche is about to return to the water after a project time of six years, says owner John Taylor.

John’s repaired the damage and wear tear to the former tug and trawler. He built a new deck house, splined the Kauri carvel planked hull, glassed and strip-planked with 6000 feet of Canadian oregon, before fairing and painting.

He’s still got a few odd jobs to do on the interior including connecting a toilet. “It was bucket and chuck it, which it was before,” says John.

After her re-launching Psyche will be moored off The Strand on the Town Reach. It suits John because it’s a 45-minute row down from Welcome Bay – and a similar row back at the other end of the tide.

He’s anticipating being back in the water after Christmas.

“When the old girl gets her bum wet she’s going to get bit of a shock, she’s been on the hard six years,” says John.

Other projects have come between the man and his boat. John just keeps doing noble things for other people.

The Marion Kennedy Centre in Palmerston North received a bit of a refurbishment and additions, John’s done the odd shed here and there, building an office space over a carport, and examined people for their boatmaster’s certificate.

He’s got a very understanding wife of 58 years, says John.

She has a bath run for the 76-year-old when he arrives, home, Epsom salts, and a brandy.

Psyche is a 48ft, 14.6m solid Kauri former sailing trawler built in Port Chalmers in 1903 at the yard of Miller and Tunnage.

She’s 10 feet and 3.048m wide and draws about five feet, 1.5m.

In the 1920s Psyche was believed to be piloting out of Lyttelton Harbour, bringing the sailing ships in. Then after the ships grew bigger, Psyche returned to trawling.

She fished out of Otago and Southland for many years, says John. She’s fished out of Riverton and Bluff and round to Fiordland, which he believes is an explanation for the 600 weight of coal he found under the bunks. There was a pot belly stove in the foc’sle to keep the crew warm on the cold southern nights.

During her working life Psyche has been involved in every southern fishery, including cray fishing, and oyster dredging.

The current engine, a 4LW Gardner, was installed in 1962.

“I met with an old guy in Port Chalmers,” says John. “He was in his eighties and said the motor never missed a beat. It runs at a gallon-and-a-quarter every hour, which is quite economical.”

She can be tow started. You lift off the compressors and drop them again when the propeller begins to rotate, says John.

Andrew Campbell

04 WATERLINE

DECEMBER 2015

New rules for the new w Great Mercury has changed. It’s now pest free and there’s a new responsibility on visitors to remain vigilant with biosecurity.

Above: Grey-faced petrel chick.

Photo: Jo Mendonca

Right: Tui. Photo: Peter Corson

Whaler Bay. Photo: Peter Corson

Checking boats and gear before departure is the key to keeping A Ahuhau pest free, says DOC ranger Pete Corson.

Doc will be making repeated efforts this summer to inform aand educate the public about being pest-free, including having sstaff stationed at the boat ramps.

“With the busy Christmas period it would be easy to overlook cchecking gear for pests. The island residents and regular visitors sstill pose the greatest risk to re-introducing pests,” says Peter.

Mice are the most likely ‘stowaways’ in gear and on boats.

“If we look for something as small as an ant, then we should aalso find the bigger things,” says Peter.

Ahuahu-Great Mercury Island is one of many pest-free islands iin the Bay of Plenty and Eastern Coromandel region including aall of the Mercury Group, Cuvier Island, the Ohinau Islands, the Aldermen Islands, Tuhua (Mayor), Karewa, Motunau (Plate Is.), and Motohora (Whale Is.).

Most have no public access but Ahuahu-Great Mercury Island welcomes the public as day visitors. Even though boaties may not land on many of the islands, they can still pose a threat as mice can swim over 50m and rats can swim well over a kilometre, says Pete.

Checking boats and gear for pests means looking out for rats, mice, seeds, plague skinks (also known as rainbow skinks), ants, or dirty footwear before departure. If anything is found pre-embarkation, remove and destroy it before departure. If anything is found en-route then remove and destroy it well in advance of reaching any pest free island. If you can’t remove the pest then don’t go near the pest free islands.

Dogs visiting the island with boat owners are to be kept on the beach and under control.

“This is a request from both DOC and the farm manager for visitors to keep their dogs on the beaches and under control,” says Pete. The island is free of hydatids, the larval stage of the dog tapeworm echinococcus granulosus that causes hydatid disease in humans and cattle.

“Because of the issues with stock and with hydatids, dogs are not permitted on areas other than the beaches. There are a number of birds such as the New Zealand dotterels with ground nests and chicks on or near several of the beaches. If there are NZ dotterels about, we request owners keep their dogs on a

DECEMBER 2015

WATERLINE 05

pest-free p Great Mercury lead, or preferably leave them on the boat.

“We’d like to thank everyone for the support they have given for the Island and the Great Mercury Island Pest-Free project. We are looking forward to mer. seeing many of you around the island this summer.

“Hopefully many of you will also start to see some of the changes we’ve been noticing.

Feel free to drop us a note if you see anything interesting. If you think you’ve seen a pest on one of the islands phone 0800 DOC HOT. “The Met Service is predicting a warm dry summer with predominantly westerly winds which should translate into lots of people out and enjoying themselves.”

Traps and tracking tunnels on the island were ed checked again in November and will be repeated every fortnight over the key boating period.

There will be a repeat survey of birds in March.. on There will be a larger survey using the detection ough dogs and handlers and to give the island a thorough check for cats or rats in April/May 2016.

“This will be two breeding seasons after the eradication operation and if nothing is found the Island can be officially declared pest-free,” says Pete.

Compared to 2014, winter and spring have been relatively quiet this year on Ahuahu.

There has still been ongoing work associated with keeping pests off the island and making sure the 2014 eradication operation was successful.

Kereru. Photo: Brad Windust

Above: Milo the Conservation Dog. Photo: Brad Windust

Left: Juvenile common geckos.

Photo: Cassandra Craig

“BJ, the Farm Manager, and the team on the Island have been doing a great job checking and improving the traps and tracking tunnel network across the island,” says Pete.

An infestation of moth-plant at the Southern end of Long Beach was sprayed in early October. Argentine ants also received another round of control in October. In May, and again at the beginning of October, conservation dogs worked across the island to detect if any pests survived or have re-invaded.

No sign of cats or rats has been detected. In total the catdetection dogs/handlers have tracked a total of 598km across the island. The rodent dogs covered a total of 219km as the dogs and handlers concentrated a lot of their time around buildings and structures.

“We’ve continued to notice a strong recovery from the flora and fauna on the island,” says Pete. “We recently found more than 80 active sea-bird burrows near Whaler Bay, most of these are likely to be grey-faced petrels. The lizard populations also seem to be responding well with juvenile and gravid skinks and geckos being found regularly.

“Common Geckos seem to be aggregating together which is a positive sign for a rapid recovery. Kereru, kakariki and kaka all seem to be increasing in numbers. New Zealand dotterels are breeding on the island with chicks already at Coralie Bay.” The privately owned island was de-stocked; cats and rats eradicated in 2014 in a $1.5 million operation.

By Peter Corson

06 WATERLINE

DECEMBER 2015

Top wreck dive in waiting The decision on whether recreational users will return to the Astrolabe/ Otaiti Reef is now expected in February instead of December, but it’s not likely to be the end of the road, says Mount Maunganui Underwater Club member Dale Hobson.

Dale is among a number of MMUC members who dived the Rena before the hearings.

“We were lucky when we did the dive, it was fantastic with no swell whatsoever.

“It was perfect conditions and some of the salvors were saying that was the best day’s diving they have ever seen out at the Rena, so we had like 30 metre plus visibility. When you have got those sort of conditions, any dive is a good dive.

“I did it again about a month afterwards and the visibility wasn’t quite as great on that one, but it is still a great dive.”

While the result of the hearings is going to be public well after this issue of Waterline goes to print, the word from the club’s lawyers is that the hearings are only going to be the first round in the process.

“They felt there were going to be quite a

Photo: Dale Hobson www.bayofplentyunderwater.com

few restrictions and conditions imposed upon the insurers, almost to the point where they will keep going through the courts to the next stage,” says Dale.

“I know they were talking about opening the area up in the meantime so people can fish and dive out there until it does go through the Environment Court.”

The ongoing clean-up operation will continue until February 2016, and the two nautical mile exclusion zones will remain at least until then, says Rena Project spokesman Hugo Shanahan.

The timeframe is subject to favourable weather playing its part for the New Zealand Diving & Salvage ‘NZDS’ team.

Hugo says when their operation comes to an end, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Harbourmaster, as authority for navigational safety in the region, will be in a position to announce details regarding the removal of the exclusion zone.

“Before this happens a range of informational materials about accessing the reef and wreck will be launched. In the first week of December two evening information briefings are being held at local diving and fishing clubs.”

The Mount club divers included Russ

Hawkins, Dale, Michael Torr, and Ian Sherwood, who presented the club’s view that the Rena as it now is makes a fine dive site.

“The Rena has become part of the Reef and is now covered in plant life,” says Ian. “To remove the Rena wreckage would not only be a dangerous and time consuming exercise, but this would also cause further damage to the Reef, and continue the exclusion from the Reef for years to come. If the Rena were to remain, and the exclusion zone was lifted, this would provide the Bay of Plenty Region with another wreck to dive. It would provide beginner, intermediate, and technical diving opportunities, along with allowing the wider Astrolabe Reef to be dived and fished again.”

As a wreck dive there is now less chance of entrapment on the Rena than on the Mikhail Lermontov, and shipwreck diving is safer, says Michael. More recreational divers are killed diving for crayfish or scallops, running out of air because they become task focussed.

“Those parts of the Rena wreckage located in shallow water can be dived by a recreational diver. Those diving to 30 metres should have advanced open water training and preferably deep water training as well.

“Those diving greater than 30 metres require deep-water specialty training about

DECEMBER 2015

WATERLINE 07

the hazards of deep diving. The wreckage should only be entered by technical divers with wreck specialty training and experience.”

Such divers carry more equipment and would practice decompression diving to allow them to explore in deep water for longer. With standard diving equipment a diver can only stay at 30 metres for up to 20 minutes total dive time to reduce the risk associated with deep water diving.

Providing accurate information on the recommended training levels for various parts of the wreck is a realistic mitigation measure.

“For any dive, it is crucial for divers to dive to their level of experience and training,” says Michael.

“Appropriate experience and training doesn’t always mitigate all the risks associated with shipwreck diving. It does make the diver more aware of the risks and what should be done if an issue arises. The level of experience for diving the Rena is similar to that required for diving the other nearby wrecks of the Taioma or Taupo.”

The salvors have done a very good job of removing entanglement hazards. Michael believes there is no more risk of crashing into jagged pieces of metal than there is of crashing into the rocks on Astrolabe Reef.

The part of the Reef where the Rena grounded is known to be exposed to weather conditions, swell, current, and drift. Both diving to appropriate qualifications and experience, together with diving in the appropriate weather conditions, are important and will reduce this risk.

MMUC’s laywer, Jason Welsh from Auckland law firm Chancery Green, told the hearing commissioners he considers the MMUC witnesses all have considerable diving experience, including unrivalled recreational experience in the waters surrounding the Astrolabe Reef, and considerable experience diving the Rena wreck itself.

“In my submission, the first-hand local experience of the Mount Club witnesses contrasts with the experience of the diver safety expert for the Crown, Stephen Wood, who I understand is an overseas-based diver who has not dived the Astrolabe Reef, or in fact anywhere in New Zealand.

“Instead, Mr Wood relies on videos and third party reports. Mr Wood states he is qualified as a PADI Open Water diver. I have been advised that this is an entry-level qualification. Mr Wood also states he has undertaken over 50 dives in the last five years. I have been advised that members of the diving community would consider that ‘holiday diver’.”

By Andrew Campbell Photos on this page courtesy of Ian Sherwood.

08 WATERLINE

DECEMBER 2015

DECEMBER 2015

WATERLINE 09

Cruising in traditional style

Designed by Roger Carey of Picton, Glenmark was drawn up to the plans of the fishing boat Caroline with alterations by Alan Baxter of Whangarei who added an additional 30cm of beam to give maximum space in the wheel house and side walk ways.

Roger Carey’s inshore fishing boats were designed and built to handle conditions in Cook Strait, and it was the sea keeping quality of the Carey designed and built fishing boat Caroline that decided Glenmark’s original owner on the design.

Glenmark is a trawler type pleasure boat offering displacement performance with a traditional styling.

Built is 1983, Glenmark is constructed of triple diagonal kauri with an outer skin laid fore and aft, and covered in fibreglass and painted in reaction lacquer.

Deck beams are laminated on 41cm centres with kauri stringers 13cm centres, fore and aft.

The decks are ply with matai cold moulded on top. The construction of the boat is almost all kauri, save for the jarrah capping on the bulwarks.

The double ender hull has three main living areas, a double cabin forward with two single berths, the main wheel house and an aft cabin with double berth. The aft cabin has the only head on the boat and a shower. There is a holding tank.

The engine is a Gardner5LW diesel which produces 70hp at 1300 rpm or 78hp at 1500 rpm. Glenmark has a top speed of 9.25 knots at 1250 rpm. Cruising speed is 8.5 knots at 1200 rpm. Fuel consumption is 6.8 litres per hour at full rpm. The Gardner also powers all hydraulics, a compressor and freezer. The hull is designed to be pushed at displacement speed in almost all conditions.

The wheelhouse with 6’3” headroom, is the main living area comprising the helm station,

galley and day berth.

Electronics include a Simrad CX44 chart plotter, Robertson & Ritichie Electronics; radar, depth sounder, auto pilot, and VHF radio. There is hydraulic Steering and a Vetus Bowthruster. Glenmark also has a small working mainsail and stabilizer.

The galley is fitted with a four burner gas stove and oven, a fridge/freezer, and a drying cupboard heated by the engine exhaust.

Viewing will impress, contact Brett Eaton at Tauranga Boat Sales on 07 575 0512 or 0274 592 982.

LOA. 10.97m, 36ft.

Beam. 3.53m, 11’6” Draft. 1.4m, 4’6” Displacement. 10,160kg 23,400lbs Fuel 500 litres/120 gallons Water 500 litres/120 gallons.

Power. Gardner 5LW

Marine Reserve at the Mount?

Approximately 30 per cent of New Zealand’s land is protected to some degree as either a reserve, partially protected DOC land, or fully protected no go areas.

As a comparison only 7 per cent of our coastal waters enjoy the same kind of protection. And our two largest reserves at the Kermadecs and Auckland Islands account for over 97 per cent of this 7 per cent protected area. Have you been to the Kemadecs? What about the Auckland Islands? If you have you are one of the privileged few. Both are accessible only by a major expedition.

Okakari Point or ‘Goat Island” reserve was NZ’s first in 1977 and now attracts over 350,000 snorkelers annually. There’s a shop there by the beach, several in fact. They make a killing during summer. I know because the wife, who isn’t a creature of the sea, made me spend up large as penance for making her swim with the fishes (not figuratively; she’s fine, don’t

worry). To be fair though, she loved it. And this is an important point we will come back to.

Most divers in NZ have been to Goat Island, it’s like a pilgrimage. I had my very first dive there back in 1991, and it was amazing. Very few other places in NZ compare to it, the Poor Knights and Fiordland being two notable exceptions. The difference is Goat Island is accessible to anyone. It’s right on the beach, and all you have to do is swim a few metres to be amongst it. The Poor Knights require a boat, and the associated costs. Fiordland is even more expensive.

Just imagine, if you will, what our beautiful coast would be like if we had a Marine Reserve every 10 kilometres. The spin-off would be amazing. No take areas that breed fish are left alone to travel into the take area. Good news for all.

So, how would that work here at the Mount?

The issue is, it’s the only rocky/reef area close to shore in either direction for miles, and a major source of food gathering for everyone.

So while making it a reserve would produce an

amazing place, just like Goat Island, we would lose the only real close to shore hunting and gathering place in the Tauranga area.

Could a compromise work? The Mount and Leisure Island are hugely popular, especially in the summer. Every beginner diver uses them, as well as the free-divers. What if we made one side a reserve? Or half Rabbit Island? Or half the Mount?

Surely giving up half the area so that it can grow back and produce a significant increase of catch in the other half is worth it?

What if we made a large moored platform off Rabbit Island, on the sheltered side, and dumped rock to create a huge artificial reef that would be a Marine Reserve? We could make it a tourist mecca so when cruise ships arrived and disgorged their plethora of blue-rinsed goldlaying geese, they stayed in the Bay instead of all getting buses to Rotorua. Can you imagine the spin off for our Economy.

10 WATERLINE

DECEMBER 2015

CLUB NEWS

Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club

Sailing in the desert It’s been a very successful year for many of our TYPBC club members, none more so than Peter Burling.

Together with partner Blair Tuke he has taken his third 49er World Championship in Argentina and his 22nd regatta win in a row since the 2012 Olympics.

To top it all off he was also named the 2015 Rolex World sailor of the Year and NZ Yachtsman of the year. The NZ Herald recently commented that Burling and Tuke may be one of the most underrated sportsmen in the world given their amazing record. It is all the more amazing given how complicated sailing is and how many variables are at play.

I think everyone at TYPBC certainly appreciates how wonderful Peter’s achievements are and we all wish him a very relaxing Christmas break.

TYPBC Commodore Nigel Rippey was also in Argentina at the 49er Worlds, supporting his son Trent and sailing partner Isaac Mchardie. It was the young pair’s first international regatta in the Olympic 49er class, and they certainly struck a challenging venue and hot competition with many teams trying to ensure Olympic qualification for their country.

Trent and Isaac achieved some promising results to finish 46th overall. In the 49er FX Molly Meech and Alex Maloney finished 8th after a third in the medal race. The girls had some good results with a win in qualifying and a number of top ten results.

Optimists team The TYPBC had a good team of Optimists at the first major Optimist regatta of the new

Photo: Sailing Energy.

season - the North Island Championship.

This regatta is the first of a series of three day regattas over the season which makes up an Optimist sailor’s NZ ranking, and ultimately determines if they will be selected to represent NZ at a continental championship.

Napier is a wonderful venue for a big regatta with superb facilities and plenty of room for everyone. The hosting included Taste Hawke’s Bay showcasing local gourmet foods and wines as well as a barbecue dinner.

The first day of racing started with wind of up to 20 knots, then there was the hail and squalls and periods where the wind dropped completely – and sometimes all of that in the one race.

James Barnett had the most consistent day with two top 10 and an 11th.

Braedyn Denney shone in the third race to take an 8th and Lachlan Dillon a 12th. The second day saw a rolling swell and an easterly wind – it also saw a few TYPBC supporters feeling a little icky.

James managed another good day with a 4th and a 9th and with the drop kicking in was in 16th overall.

The end of racing saw the fleet of 110 divided into Gold and Silver with three TYPBC in the top half and the others in Silver Fleet. The last day had a forecast of medium north westerlies, but instead the racing was in an even bigger swell and an easterly which eventually died off allowing only two races to be run in the finals series.

James finished in 12th position overall and 10th kiwi. Braedyn finished 34th, Lachlan Dillon 56th, Joel Kennedy 57th, Blair Melsop 66th, Max Scott 71st, Tane Herbert 79th, and Teaghan Denney 108th. As well as our Open fleet optis, TYPBC were represented in the Green Fleet by Serena and Tomas Sanchez and Monty Carter. Tomas was top scorer in 9th place, finishing 2nd in the final race of the regatta. His sister Serena finished 19th overall and Monty was 28th. It was great to see these young sailors taking on their first really big regatta and looking like they had a good time.

Samantha Kennedy had a consistent weekend in the Starling Fleet with a score line of 2, 3, 2, and 1 (dropping a 4th). She was just pipped for first place on count back, finishing equal on 8 points with Jayden Abbott of Torbay.

Doha champs James Barnett recently competed at the Asian and Oceania Optimist championship in Doha, Qatar. James was one of a team of 10 – three girls and seven boys who braved the desert sands and extreme temperatures to experience sailing in a very different and challenging environment.

Qatar is a fascinating place to visit – we were there in the cool season, you could hardly call it winter when the temperature was between 30-37 degrees.

There was wind every day so sailing was always possible. Mostly it was light conditions and somewhat humid. The air was sometimes very dusty and there was a brownish haze and coating on nearly everything.

The sailing club has recently been moved so the regatta was run from a huge air conditioned tent adorned with chandeliers, satin curtains, and the odd hunting falcon. We travelled by bus each day past the many glittering skyscrapers of downtown Doha.

Everywhere is a construction site as the city gears up to host the 2020 Football world cup and the rising stadia can be seen in many parts of the city along with a new light rail system.

For now though the car is king and they are either very big or very expensive and are driven rather quickly.

The NZ team had some good results in the Asian championship with two of the team making the Gold Fleet. James unfortunately became ill on the last day of qualifying and was unable to sail the last day. It was a very

WATERLINE 11

DECEMBER 2015

Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club

worthwhile learning experience given the calibre of the fleet with the Singapore team comprising many of their World’s team and other top sailors.

P Class resurgence It would be fair to say that the P Class is having a mighty resurgence at TYPBC as a result of centerboard chairperson Greg Scott’s enthusiasm for the class. Greg has managed to cajole nearly all the current Open fleet opti sailors into getting a P. Many of them took part in the Bay of Plenty P class trials over two days in light conditions.

Lachlan Dillon, showing a nice turn of speed, was victorious in nearly all the races and took out the honour of becoming the BOP representative for 2015/2016, following his sister Niamh who was the BOP representative last season. Lachlan will be flying our flag at the Tanner Cup raced in January next year at the Bay of Islands Yacht Club. The Tauranga Cup for the National P Class championship will take place straight after and it looks like there will be quite a contingent from Tauranga.

The Laser North Island Championships were held in Napier in the last weekend of November. The Laser Radial group from TYPBC

experienced some fairly blustery conditions on the first day which ultimately resulted in no races being sailed that day. Sunday was warm with a big chop, and light to medium breezes allowing four races to be held. The Laser radial was won by Josh Armit of Murrays Bay with Dylan Mckinlay of TYPBC in 4th place.

Jon Barnett finished 19th, Elly Warren 26th and Richard Wright was 29th.

On the International front, the Finn World Championships were held the last week of November in Takapuna.

TYPBC member Andrew Murdoch had a brilliant start to the regatta, being in first place after the first day with tricky light wind conditions. Andrew dropped after a difficult third day, but was able to regain his form to head into the medal race in third place. He was unfortunate to tie on points following the medal race, finishing 4th on countback.

Many regattas Coming up are many regattas over the summer months with the next on the calendar being the perennial favourite – the Sir Peter Blake regatta. This year the TYPBC looks to have one of its biggest contingents with more than twenty sailors taking part across a number of classes. The regatta is always a popular one and brings together many sailors from around NZ – a true celebration of sailing and the wonderful opportunities it offers us.

It’s wonderful to see the club so busy with

three full time coaches and action on the water every day and night of the week.

Last Thursday it looked like the harbour was in need of expansion or some traffic lights as the Women on Water fleet looked magnificent on their keel boats, an adult learn-tosail group headed out on Topaz’s, the Starling training group and Pclass training groups were out, and then the Sea Scouts and Young Mariners went afloat.

I met up with a young family from Switzerland who had heard of the wonderful kite boarding opportunities in Tauranga and were enjoying the early summer evening kiteboarding with several other enthusiasts before they headed back home for a white Christmas.

They were interested to know about our different local boats the P and Starling. Sailing is a great way for everyone to get together no matter what country you come from or which age or gender you are.

Hope everyone has a wonderful time with their families this Christmas beside the sea in beautiful Tauranga.

By Pauline Barnett

12 WATERLINE

DECEMBER 2015

CLUB NEWS

Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club

Windsurfing in Sardinia

In October two TYPBC windsurfers, Max van der Zalm (16) and Veerle ten Have (14) set off to Sardinia, Italy to compete at the 2015 Techno293 World Championships in Cagliari. With a total of six children from Auckland, Nelson, and Tauranga sailing in the age groups of both U15 and U17 Boys and Girls, team New Zealand was represented very well.

During a week of practicing with brand new charter gear, the team got the chance to get over their jet-lag and to get used to the Mediterranean conditions. Then the racing started.

What an amazing sight to see 350 windsurfers from 28 countries at the same time on the water making their way to their specific course in their own class.

Although Max had some experience of windsurfing in a big event at Noumea last year, for Veerle it was her first overseas racing. It was quite a challenge to be in a start group of 50 very skilled and experienced windsurfers.

Both had been hoping for strong winds, but unfortunately the prevailing winds turned out to be mainly light.

There was lots of pumping with even a day

waiting on the beach, something Max and Veerle had not expected in ‘windy’ Cagliari.

Luckily the waiting time proved to be the perfect moment to bond with other teams and to make new friends for life.

Despite these challenging light conditions, Veerle set her best result of the week with a 31st place on the third day by pumping the whole race from start to finish. An incredible achievement due to focus, pure determination, and hard work. During the week, Veerle got more and more into the tactics of racing.

From having fantastic flying starts and coming in the top 5 at the top mark to challenging downwind racks or disastrous rounding of the buoys, she always stayed optimistic and positive, enjoying the whole experience.

Max’s class was split in a Gold and Silver fleet after three days with 55 competitors. The qualifying races had proved to be a challenge as the skill level of windsurfing in the kings class turned out to be extremely high. Luckily the Mistral had set in on the fourth day, which sent Max flying through the course while showing his amazing skills in stronger winds.

Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club

He was in his element.

Due to strong starts combined with clever tactics he finished on a well-deserved 4th and 5th place in the Silver fleet on that day. His spirits were lifted with even more powerful wishes for more Mistral days which unfortunately never came.

With a dark sky, some rain and a shifty moderate wind nobody had a chance to get bored on the last racing day. The Race Committee had to change the course more than once with even Race 12 for the U15 Boys Silver abandoned late into the evening because it was not possible to verify who had sailed the whole course.

Then there was time to celebrate for everybody with 12 races completed for most fleets.

Max’s final placing was 6th overall in the U17 Boys Silver and Veerle came 48th overall in the U17 Girls. With each having been able to achieve their individual goals while above and all having enjoyed the time on the water with teammates and new friends, Max and Veerle can look back at a wonderful and well organized event. A life time experience to never forget.

By Pauline ten Have

Before getting on the water - check and re-check Season’s greetings, fellow trail yacht and other water bourn enthusiasts.

Mother Nature has shown just how fickle she can be. I would like to ask how well prepared you are for the sudden change of seasons while on the water?

I urge you to recheck everything associated with the day’s activities on the water. Let someone know your intended route(s). Communicate via your VHF a change of location or use that cell phone backup, to notify your whereabouts. It’s too late when your day turns to mush.

Your trailer will probably need some TLC, likewise the trusty outboard motor. When in doubt check it out, and fix it before you head for the briny.

Over the coming summer, the cruising division will be out. Visit the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club for our scheduled activities www.yacht.org.nz Wishing all water users a very safe and Happy Christmas and New Year.

By Graham Vincent. Chairman division, Trailer Yachts TYPBC

DECEMBER 2015

WATERLINE 1 13

CLUB NEWS

Women on Water

Flying season start for WOW WOW has got off to a flying season start with three races under the belt at the time of writing.

With 13 boats in the water most weeks, it makes for some good competition and great socialising. Boats include Chaos, Candidus, Fly Away Sam, General Jackson, Hound Dog, Invincible, La Rochelle, Late A Gain, Le Ghost, Limbo, Passing Time, Rascal Tom, and Whistler. With the exception of week one, the wind has been behaving, turning up with the right amount of power for some good sailing.

As well as race nights, this season has already seen WOW host a basic sailing skills night, advanced sailing tips night, and a dinghy sailing night on the Thursdays between races.

The basic sailing skills night gave newbies and the regulars an overview of some of the basics. This included how to operate a radio and what to report, different types of life jackets and how to operate a winch. It was also very useful to recap basic terminology (there are so many names to remember), practice tying different knots (still a work in progress), and learn more about wind direction and when who has right of way. It was also a great

TYPBC Women on Water

WOW Dinghys with sails ready.

opportunity to learn more about our beautiful Tauranga harbour.

The advanced sailing tips night gave more detail on race starts, sail trimming, and understanding the aerodynamics of the sails.

It also covered reading the wind on the water to identify lifts and knocks, as well as some information about reading weather.

Next up was the dinghy sailing. 18 women donned their wetsuits and wind protection tops to brave taking out a Topaz dingy for a sail. With most ladies first timers to dinghy sailing, there were a few laughs, capsizes, and

lots of learning. Lucky for us, we had a solid safety crew and Alice, the instructor, who ensured we all understood which direction to head, how to tack and how to recover from capsizing. It was great. Capsizing personally taught me that it’s not scary and pretty easy to get the dinghy back the right way up (perhaps the jelly fish spurred us on to do that just a little bit faster than otherwise).

The last sail before Christmas sees boats don their santa hats and tinsel to up the fun just that little bit more and see off the year in style.

By Sophie Heady

DECEMBER 2015

14 WATERLINE

A big year for Arethusa The 2014 -15 season proved a big one for Arethusa. In the 2014 Coastal Classic race to Russell, Arethusa finished fourth across the line in Division 3, third on handicap.

it. We have a great team. We have a great time.”

Arethusa won the TYPBC Division One Summer Series outright and in the 2015 Auckland – Tauranga race, Arethusa won overall, including B Division line honours.

Arethusa finished fourth across the line in Division 3, third on handicap.

“I was pretty happy with that,” says Ross Currie, the owner and skipper of Arethusa. “It was our best result from the 17 or 18 Coastal Classic races, and we won the major spot prize; a brand new BMW for six months with compliments of PIC Insurance.

“It’s a big commitment doing these coastal races, particularly the Coastal Classic. It’s a long way from the Bay of Islands to Tauranga, and we can’t afford to miss too many Wednesday races.”

Arethusa, designed by Beau Birdsall and built in 1977 for George Knightley. The hull is constructed from fibreglass cloth over Kauri and glass cloth over plywood for the decks.

Arethusa finished 15th across the line from one hundred and one entries in the 1978 Sydney – Hobart race. It has also competed in two Auckland – Fiji races and sailed hard in Auckland harbour races.

When Ross bought Arethusa, he was aware of some maintenance issues.

“When you buy an old wooden boat you expect that,” said Ross, “When the teak covering the ply deck was removed, more serious issues were revealed. But she was structurally sound. ” Arethusa lived in a shed at Hutcheson’s boat yard for eight months. The decks from amidships aft were replaced, the combings and cockpit seats rebuilt, the front end of the cabin reshaped and the transom opened up.

While delivering Arethusa for the 2000 Auckland – Tauranga race ‘she had a bit of an oops’, as Ross describes it.

“We were up the top of Fitzroy Harbour near the wharf motoring around looking for an anchorage. It was a low Easter tide and the tip of the keel hit an unmarked object.

You don’t expect to hit anything in that situation.

The locals reckoned

The crew Debbie Dench has sailed on Arethusa since Ross purchased it in 1996, and her husband Richard has crewed on it for about 10 years.

Wayne Hunter has 15 years under his belt, Tim Wrinch 8, and Hanzie Eichholz 14. Richard, whose title is ‘Headsail Trimmer’, is the decision-maker. This allows Ross to get on and sail the boat, and they seldom disagree.

“I have absolute confidence in Richard,” say Ross. “He understands the boat. Arethusa is not a lightweight flyer, it weighs seven ton and is designed for off shore racing not harbour racing. It’s quick in light to medium airs if we sail it properly.

“The reason we have been on Arethusa so long is because we haven’t had a better offer,” says Richard Dent, laughing.

“The core crew though, have been together a long time and this results in a lot of shared experiences” added Richard. “These friendships are well established and therefore it would be difficult for anyone to make a better offer. We’re a competitive but social group and that suits me.”

“I have been sailing with Ross since the days of Xtsea,” says his wife Debbie. “For me, the social side of Arethusa is as important as sailing on

Maintenance issues

it was an old mooring block. Seven tons doing four knots coming to an absolute sudden stop did some serious damage.

“The next day, after help with repairs for locals and DOC staff, we tootled out of Fitzroy in calm conditions and motor sailed back to Tauranga in light conditions without incident.”

A late starter The full extent of the damage wasn’t apparent until Arethusa arrived back in Tauranga. All the structural timber where the aft end of the keel joins the hull was broken.

Ross regards himself as a late starter into yachting. He first experienced sailing at the Outward Bound School as a 20-year-old.

“I liked the cutter because if there was no wind, you had to row it.”

Ross was a cox’n at age 11, then moved up to rowing, while also joining the Timaru Yacht Club. The Curries moved to Tauranga in 1980 with a Caribou in tow, but sold it soon after when Ross built Pure Magic, a ‘Noelex 22’.

“We took it to the nationals in Gisborne before it was even launched. We were screwing on fittings in the camping ground.”

Pure Magic finished 15th, and the following year they finished 3rd at the Nationals in Timaru. Ross puts the improvement down to a good crew and lots of racing in Tauranga.

“If there were yachts and a start gun, we’d be there.”

The following year (1985) Pure Magic won the Noelex 22 National Championships in Napier, and in 1987 they finished 2nd at the Nationals in Tauranga. After that Ross hankered for a ‘Ross 780’.

Trailer yachting was at its peak at the time and Tauranga had a seven or eight ‘780’s sailing regularly with good sailors. In Xtsea, Ross won the National Championship twice in 1991 and 1993. Xtsea also won the prestigious Gulf 100 mile Classic.

Last season with Arethusa was probably their most successful. “It was gratifying after all the efforts to get the boat up to such a level.

Leading home A div boats in the Auckland / Tauranga race including Squeeler and Frenzy, was a buzz.

Everything lined up for us in that race. New sails, a good crew and ideal conditions.”

By Jenna Kerr

DECEMBER 2015

WATERLINE 15

STOP THE SPREAD OF MARINE PESTS Marine pests are a threat to great boating, diving and seafood supply. They’re easily spread through ballast water and hull fouling.

fa nw orm

Antifoul regularly

•

Haul out to clean heavy hull fouling

•

Check and clean your hull before you travel somewhere new

ca te sea squirt

un ica te s ea squirt

t

•

d be Club

Keep your boat bottom clean – no more than light slime, all the time

ni tu an Australi

Don’t let marine pests hitch-hike on your fouling fuzz: •

GD154336

KEEP THEM OUT OF BAY OF PLENTY

n ea Mediterran

These marine invaders have become established in parts of Auckland or Northland, but not the Bay of Plenty.

Tauranga marinas have new hull hygiene rules for visiting vessels. Contact Tauranga Bridge Marina ph 07 575 8264 or Tauranga Marina ph 07 578 8747 for details.

ddle n pa Asia rab c

JOIN THE PEST PATROL Keep watch, call it in.

Please report any marine pests or heavily fouled boats you see in Bay of Plenty waters.

Call Bay of Plenty Regional Council, phone 0800 STOP PESTS (0800 786 773) or email STOP.PESTS@boprc.govt.nz

Find out more at www.boprc.govt.nz/ marinepests

Photos courtesy of G.Read, S.Wilkens & Northland Regional Council

DECEMBER 2015

16 WATERLINE

Voyaging venture att Positions on the Hinemoana Waka’s first voyage are filling up with Hawaiki Rising’s first youth voyages looking likely over the summer.

The voyaging waka Hinemoana is offering 10 day youth voyages presenting experiential learning, personal growth, and development.

The waka’s Tauranga base is secured with the backing of yachtsman Simon McDonald. After selling his business he had sufficient fund ‘to do something philanthropic’.

He wanted to give something back via a youth oriented ‘rite of passage’ experience similar to Spirit of Adventure or Outward Bound, and something that

Gena and Pat Mohi and Simon McDonald on board Hinemoana

particularly appealed to young Maori/ Polynesians.

“I was reading Andrew Crowe. He’s been writing a book about Polynesian voyaging looking at the anthropology and history and linguistics and the navigation.

“He asked me to read the manuscript for a book he is writing. As I read I became increasingly in awe of what the Polynesian explorers and voyagers did back then. It’s boggling. They discovered virtually every island in the Pacific.

“They were able to build ocean going vessels that could withstand storms, to get people from A to B and back.

Extraordinary achievement that’s all but forgotten.”

There are not many Maori and Polynesian kids that get on board the Spirit of Adventure, says Simon, and 70 per cent of Merivale Primary School pupils have never been to the sea.

“I think a project like this clearly strikes a chord. We are getting quite a lot of enrolments at the moment and are pretty close to filling up the first voyage.

“It is really about hope. When anybody sets out in a boat to cross ocean they need a lot of hope. So when the early Polynesians set, they had to have a heap of hope that they were going to get somewhere.

“And we are hoping we are going to give the kids some hope. The opposite of hope is hopelessness and that’s one of the things that is probably leading to youth suicide. It’s very sad people of that age want to kill themselves, very sad and very common,” says Simon.

Hinemoana is one of seven waka designed and built in 2009 for Te Mana o Moana, the Spirit of the Ocean voyage. Hinemoana was the flagship.

“She was built to cater for all the small islands that couldn’t maintain and keep the vessel by themselves,” says project leader Pat Mohi.

“So on the deck and throughout the

DECEMBER 2015

WATERLINE 17

tracting t waka crews

vessel are designs and symbols that come from each of the different islands. She is the pan-Pacific vessel incorporating all the traditions of Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia.”

As the flagship waka, Hinemoana has been everywhere, from one side of the Pacifc Ocean to the other and the islands in between. The design, with the characteristic raised sterns, originates from Rarotonga.

“This is the type of vessel they believe was used to discover and migrate to the lower South Pacific,” says Pat. “They were the ocean voyaging waka, the buses of the ocean from Rarotonga where the whole science came from.”

The 10 day coastal voyages along the North Island east coast are not just for Maori and Pacific Islanders, they are for all, says Pat.

commercial vessel and has on board all the modern navigational and safety requirements, GPS, an EPIRB, and VHF radio. She’s powered by sail and electric engines powered through the large solar panel array between the halls aft of the steering oar.

Hinemoana’s hulls are made of fibre-glass. All beams are connected to the hulls through traditional lashings.

They require no use of fossil energy as they are purely wind and solar powered. Hinemoana embodies the best of traditional knowledge and design with modern technology, and is a showcase of different cultures coming together.

For those who voyage on them they become more than just a pair of hulls and a mast, they become and entity, says Pat. “They are also our care giver, our sustenance. Without a waka under you on the ocean, you will end up under the ocean.

“Just the short story of what Hine’s done and who “It’s a programme for all New Zealanders. We have always been keen to she’s been involved with, if you walk onto this vessel it is already a state of, ‘okay I’m not just down the road at having everybody and anybody.

“It’s about uniting cultures, finding the shop I’m on something of significance’. So the buy some kind of culture that is neutral, in is automatically established. and the ocean and the environment is “This one has a huge potential to affect young perfect for it. people.”

By Andrew Campbell “And the vessel, the waka itself sets the scene about tradition, about helping one another, about working as a team. All those things kids need to work towards before they can actually get into the sailing side of it. They have to be a team first.”

On the practical side, having Simon on board means they have a bus.

They can sail with the wind for 10 days in one direction, and the bus picks up the crew at the end of the voyage. They don’t have to cut voyages short and turn round for a beat back to Tauranga.

A blend of the ancient and present day, Hinemoana is a surveyed

18 WATERLINE

DECEMBER 2015

Tales of kayaking...

Several decades of coastal boating, between East Cape and North Cape, made me more inquisitive to explore the numerous estuaries, rivers, and streams of the North Island’s Eastern coastline.

New Zealand’s earliest settlers utilised our coast’s convoluted estuaries for shelter, habitation, and food gathering. With a complete absence of breadfruit, pawpaw, coconut, and mango, our earliest humans foraged the shallows and relied heavily on the protein rich tuatua, pipi, and toheroa for readily available sustenance.

Rivers and streams provided highways to the hinterlands, at a time when dense forest and undergrowth all but prohibited forays inland.

These restrictions also largely applied to the early European settlers.

Tauranga harbour typifies our classic East coast geography, albeit in a larger scale than most Eastern harbours. Multiple streams flow from the massive catchment of the Kaimai Ranges, and Mamaku plateau. For both Maori and European settlers, a trek following the shoreline of the Tauranga harbour required multiple river crossings.

Centuries ago, our streams were much more substantial. Over thousands of years, streams gradually carry silt down, and build embankments either side, reaching further and further out into the harbours. The embankments grow mangroves, which eventually fall and decay,

thereby providing a base for other vegetation which repeat these cycles and eventually evolve into low-lying land.

This natural process is greatly accelerated by deforestation, which results in erosion, and therefore more silt washing down. Over time, a harbour like Tauranga gets much shallower, and progressively smaller.

What were once significant waterways utilised by waka to commute and trade between the scattered pa, later on to became the principal trading routes for the early loggers and farmers, are now small streams reaching inland only a few kilometres. But they still exist, and by kayak one can explore the nooks and crannies once plied by small, shallow-draft steamers. There is a sense of history as you glide inland through these old highways.

A gem amongst these is the WAINUI: Launch at Pahoia reserve and paddle West past pleasant scenery. Swing left into the Wainui after about 20 mins paddling. Deep and narrow, this little river weaves through much farmland and a substantial herring population is often gathered at its headwaters.

WAIMAPU: Launch anywhere around the harbour bridge or Memorial Park. Paddle South towards Hairini and cross estuary towards Yatton Park. Stream weaves all the way to Oropi. Scenic and interesting. Strange little huts and one or two boat hulks on the embankment.

WAIPAPA: Launch Omokoroa. This stream is seldom paddled, and is one of the more interesting. Some quaint picnic areas and backyards to be seen, and be prepared to be startled by the ducks as they suddenly launch from the rushes under your bows. Navigable section ends at the road bridge. I saw plenty of kahawai in the freshwater near the bridge.

TUAPIRO: Definitely the most picturesque.

Launch at Tanners Point. Top of the tide is essential as the estuary crossing is shallow. Quite

BATTERY WAREHOUSE

WATERLINE 19

DECEMBER 2015

Tauranga & beyond an English feel, with willows and lilies lining the banks. Well worth it.

AGONGATETE: Difficult access. Shallow entrance but wide and deep stream once located.

Divides into two near main road. You can paddle as far as the Morton Estate winery. Head out before the tide drops so you can clear the entrance.

TAHAWAI: Launch Katikati. Paddle down Uretara stream and across estuary. Tahawai is a narrow, interesting mangrove-lined stream. You can paddle a few hundred meters up past the road bridge.

REREATUKAHIA STREAM: Launch at Katikati. A long paddle South past Tutaetaka

MAUAO: Launch Pilot Bay. Paddle through Harbour entrance past Moturiki Isand and around Rabbit Island. World class scenery.

Athenree. Launch near motor-camp. Narrow Waiau stream works its way well inland in a North-westerly direction. Stay at the Anthenree camp at the end of the day and soak in their hot pool.

WAIROA: Biggest local river. Launch by Wairoa bridge and allow the greater part of a day. A good physical workout if you make it as far as the power station and back.

TE PUNA: Launch at Te Puna estuary. Good first paddle up a long, narrow stream.

Other local diversions.

KAITUNA RIVER: Seek permission to launch at Paengaroa Jet-boating fun park. Excellent two or three hour paddle to the sea. Watch out for overhanging willows which can entangle your kayak and roll you out.

RATAHI ROCK: Launch at Pahoia and head towards Flax Point. Long paddle in open water.

Legend has it that the Ratahi rock pile is the ballast stones of the voyaging waka Tainui, which passed through the harbour in the 14th century.

The ballast stones were was offloaded to allow the waka to navigate the shallow central portion of the harbour. This is the only rock structure within the Tauranga harbour other than at each entrance. Legend has it that this structure

Island to the entrance of this stream. Winds up through kiwifruit orchards. Good little adventure.

WAITOA STREAM: Launch at Tye Park, Welcome Bay. Paddle Northeast along the shoreline for about 40 minutes until reaching the stream entrance. You can paddle a kilometre or two inland. This is the closest waterway to the significant Pa sites of the Papamoa Hills.

Without doubt this exit river from the Kaiate Falls harboured a flotilla of fishing and war waka over a period of several centuries.

OHOPE: Launch at Yacht club. Paddle Westwards past Ohakana Island to Ohiwa Oyster farm cafe for lunch. Paddle back around the other side of Ohakana. Highly recommended.

OPOUTERE: Launch at motorcamp into the stream that runs through the camp. Paddle estuary at high tide. Picture perfect.

COOKS BEACH: Launch at Purangi Estuary, Eastern end. With a bit of homework you can enjoy a pleasant paddle to the Purangi winery.

WHITIANGA: Paddle to Coroglen Tavern for lunch. Allow the greater part of a day.

slowly grows over time. Flax point is a distinct pa site, showing some evidence of ring-ditch pa defensive earthworks, probably dating back to the 17th century, when skirmishes with Eastern tribes became more prevalent.

All these excursions need to be done near the top of an incoming tide. With some planning, it’s possible to explore the entire Tauranga harbour and tributaries over a week, camping out in many of its quiet outposts, and timing the tide carefully.

By Geoff Collins

20 WATERLINE

DECEMBER 2015

A microcosm of a material,, An enduring memory as an apprentice boat builder in Tauranga was on a cold winter’s morning under the flat bottom of a turn-of-thecentury scow we had just slipped.

I was rolling oakum on my leather apron, then driving the coarse hemp into some overhead totara seams, with a mallet and iron when an old codger materialised beside me and nodded approval.

“That’ll put some muscle on ya lad ... not like these plastic men on plastic ships ya’ got nowadays.” He proceeded to cough some phlegm and spit in the general direction of one of the shiny yachts on the hardstand nearby. I ducked another squirt from a sea anemone and pondered his remark for a few seconds before re-commencing battle with the evasive leak.

For probably eight centuries, mankind crafted sea-going vessels from timber, copper,

iron, oakum, and calico. Dug-out technology generally evolved world-wide to include extra topside planks which allowed larger vessels, and this evolved into plank-on-frame, sometimes incorporating steam-bent timbers in order to form a ‘rib cage’.

Punts, coastal traders, warships, exploratory vessels and some of the most elegant sail-driven works of design in the history of mankind were crafted in this similar fashion.

Steel and various alloys gradually made their way into the industry, but the pleasure boats and coastal fishers were still largely built of timber until mid to late 20th century.

A rapid evolution of boat building material and method unlike anything before began to take place after WWII. Major catalysts for this change were due to refinement in timber-milling equipment, plywood, and the development of strong, waterproof glues.

Most small to medium sized vessels built by Tauranga’s small group of craftsmen up till 1960 were carvel planked i.e. single-skin on sawn frames and ribs, riveted and caulked.

No glue was used in the hull construction (as per the preceding centuries), but plywood was

making its way into deckhouse fabrication bit by bit.

The 1960s saw the huge swing to glued double and triple diagonal planking on frames and stringers. As this was not as geometrically complex as carvel construction, home-builders embraced this method for mid-sized vessels, while plywood secured its place for smaller and/or lighter boats.

Kiwi designers helped lead the charge world-wide, and in time the readily available plywood was often substituted for timber in multi-layered hull construction. Around 1975 some experimenting was done with various foam cores between plywood layers, lead by innovative builder Dooley Wilson.

Solid fibreglass construction was now well established nationwide, and Tauranga’s equally passionate innovator, Jack Williams, established Harmony Yachts in Judea where he gained a tenuous foothold in this historically volatile industry. Jack utilised some balsa and coremat between layers of fibreglass to increase panel-stiffness as necessary. Jack Stevens also went into fibreglass construction of a range of motor-sailers, also in Judea.

Geoff’s photo album memories of his boat building ventures.

WATERLINE 21

DECEMBER 2015

and method revolution...

Glassing, turning and launching.

By this time, the late 1970s, the other boat builders in town were all skilled in multi-diagonal hull-builds, and the only steam-bending and carvel work taking place was in repair work, so this centuries old, time-honoured method came to an end in new-builds over a period of just 20 years.

Kiwi’s were also amongst the leaders in stripplank builds. By the 1980s, this method, a development of some early experiments done on sawn frames, evolved into lightweight shell construction over a temporary framework (mould), which was faired, then glassed inside and out before fitting bulkheads. Once again, this was well suited to home-builds, and the younger boat builders in town produced some nice racer-cruisers during this period.

Around 1987, Harry Harris returned from Australia, and joined Alastair Hutcheson (now Hutcheson Boat Builders). Harry had learnt how to work the new generation foams, and also knew the benefits of vacuum-bagging.

Harry made a vacuum pump out of an old milking shed pump, and we built 3 oceangoing sailing catamarans, for clients, out of Divinycell foam, kevlar and E glass. Very light

and strong, the only timber in these boats were the fiddle-rails around the bench-tops.

Local boatbuilding would never quite be the same again.

In the meantime four local companies were producing timber launches flat out, in what was clearly going to be the last burst of its type in the industry. There was some experimentation with ply-cedar-ply hulls, but the writing was on the wall, and the imported yachts and launches were being landed at the right price on the Auckland wharf for the buying public.

The industry swung as predicted to the niche larger yacht/launch market, and, much more permanently, towards the trade becoming for the most part, a service industry. But not before an interesting diversion by Southern Ocean Marine into the carbon composite race yacht market.

Younger (and some older) boat builders in Tauranga got a chance to build several 60’ and 70’ race yachts using technology that was on the absolute leading edge in a world-wide sense. Varying specialist foams and Nomex honeycomb made up the cores, and much componentry was made with pre-impregnated

carbon cloth, vacuum bagged and cooked.

The plans looked like a highly complex variation of a dressmaker’s pattern. All a far cry from an era in-which we quite often crafted a boat using a photograph supplied by a client, a few sketches and some long battens! Several local veterans of this foray into carbon work went onto help manage significant projects in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

As we draw close to 60 years since the demise of carvel plank-on-frame, and since then the massive technology changes that have taken place, I feel privileged to have be part of a unique era that was able to work hands-on with each and every one of these methods.

There was an exciting blend of wood knowledge, chemistry, exo, and endothermic reactions, #8 wire inventiveness, a bit of daring, a lot of sweat. The unforgettable smell of freshly sawn kauri and cedar. The resonant ring of a correctly swung caulking mallet.

The salty characters. Not like the plastic men on plastic ships which are all we’re left with nowadays … but yeah, I guess we’re guilty of building some of the plastic ships.

By Geoff Collins

22 WATERLINE

DECEMBER 2015

CLASSIFIEDS For Sale H28 Yacht can be viewed Sulphur Point Marina, Pier A2. British registered.

Engine serviced, new windows, upholstery lining and bridge stove. $14,500 Ph 027 270 6565 VOLVO MTR 200 HP 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 Farr 600 T4049 – Firlex jib Bimini, Yahama 8hp. Reid trailor (excellent condition) Offers. Phone: 543-1755.

12ft Aluminium dingy plus trailer. Trailor needs some repairs. $1,200. Phone 07 576 6443.

LAUNCH - Steel launch 30ft to 10ft. Little use View B46 Tauranga Marina. $34,500.

Ph 07 843 4392 or 027 620 9712

For Rent 16M MARINA BERTH – for rent at Bridge Marina $600 per month. Ph 027 492 4988 MOORING FOR RENT - Waikaraeo Estuary. Phone 07 843 4392 or 027 620 9712 MOORING TO RENT – Whangamata. Good spot, close to Marina channel. $25 p/w Ph 022 132 3671

Wanted WANTED Volvo 200HP or 230HP Phone 07 843 4392 or 027 620 9712.

Trades and Services BATTERIES Battery Direct Nz www.batterydirect.co.nz sales@batterydirect.co.nz 0800 267 468 BOAT MAINTENANCE Matamata Motor Trimmers & Upholstery Boat clear, canvas work, upholstery Ph: 07 571 4421 CNR Mirrielees & Cross Roads, Tauranga FINANCE AFB Accept Finance Brokers Ph: 07 574 0002 or 027 4435524 7 Days

Yakityyak Kayak Club 7KXUVGD\ 'HFHPEHU .D\DN 6XUÀQJ 6HVVLRQV Thursday’s from 6pm (weather/swell dependent). Meet at Shark Alley near Leisure Island 6pm. We move further away from the Mount up the beach to avoid swimmers/surfers.

Sunday 20 December Orakei Korako & the Squeeze A great paddle with heaps of thermal action. You will get wet so be prepared. Bring lunch. Meet at the shop at 8am for a ride in the van/trailer or meet at the boat ramp 10am by the bridge on the Waikato River at 1188 Tutukau Road. A shuttle will need to be arranged in the morning. All attendees need to be current club members & have completed a 2 day skills course.

Tuesday 22 December Longest Day Paddle around the Mount. Short & sweet paddle around the Mount to Rabbit Island & back. Meet at Pilot Bay mid toilets 6pm. You will need a headtorch & ideally an all round white light on your kayak.

Monday 28 December Double Lake Day Boxing Day Holiday Explore both Lake Rotorua & Lake Rotoiti in one day from Hamurana to Okere Falls.

7KXUVGD\ 'HFHPEHU .D\DN 6XUÀQJ /HVVRQV Thursday’s from 6pm (weather/swell dependent). Meet at Shark Alley near Leisure Island 6pm. We move further away from the Mount up the beach to avoid swimmers/surfers.

Saturday 16 January Sea Kayak Beginners Course – BOP Your beginning to discovering the world of sea kayaking, with the skills to match.

Sunday 17 January Beginners Sea Kayak Trip Local short trip at a leisurely pace for beginners.

Sunday 24 January Lake Taupo & the Maori Carvings Simply stunning paddle if you love clear water, mountains & something different.

Saturday 30 January Lake Tarawera & Hot Water Beach Amazing back drop with Mt Tarawera & the opportunity to soak at the infamous hot water beach. Bring your togs!

Saturday 6 February Whangamata Explorer - Waitangi Weekend A great place with heaps of opportunities for paddling with the harbour, river & coastal paddling all on the doorstep. Not forgetting the amazing ‘Hidden Lagoon’.

Saturday 13 February Sea Kayak Beginners Course – BOP Get the skills you need to be a safer paddler & start your sea kayaking adventures with the club.

For more dates contact Yakkity Yak, 49 Totara St. Call in advance 574 7415.

Want to come along? bopyakityyakkayakclub@gmail.com Helmets & buoyance aids must be worn at all times. Airbags in white water kayaks a must. Kayaks, helmets & PFD’s available from Canoe & Kayak.

Elements Watersports Monday 1 February National Sailing Day Meet at Kulim Park between 1-5pm & get a taste of sailing. $10 adult & $5 kids sailing tasters.

Surf Life Saving NZ Saturday 5 December Papamoa IRB Classic at Papamoa Beach. Ph Shane 029 222 0735 Rowing NZ Friday 11 December Coxswain Workshops Seminars to improve your coxing skills. Free event, please register as spaces are limited. Held at Lake Karapiro, Don Rowlands Centre, Cambridge 6-7pm.

Email: sonya@rowingnz.kiwi Tuesday 16 February 2016 Bankstream NZ Rowing Championships Feb 16 -21 at Lake Karapiro, Mighty River Power Domain, Cambridge 9am – 5pm.

Saturday 27 February Elite National Selection Trials Feb 27 – March 4 at Lake Karapiro, High Performance Centre.

To list your water sports event please email: julie@thesun.co.nz with Water Sports in the subject heading.

WATERLINE 23

DECEMBER 2015

Missing the razor gang?

There’s a generally disliked fish out there that’s roundly cursed because of its habit of taking hooks, sinkers, and severing traces.

They’re generally regarded as inedible, but some fishers miss them when they are not around.

Allan, a keen fisher, recently contacted Waterline concerned that for the first time in a decade he hasn’t lost any gear to barracouta, and he’s concerned the population might be declining.

He rang one charter fishing operator who told him there are no fish out there, full stop.

Top Catch’s John Bain says he still has cursing fishers lining up to buy new sinkers.

“Couta are one of those things that if you get onto them you really get onto them,” says John.

“A few guys have run into them and they have had a terrible time. A few guys jigging out at Schooner - but nothing compared to how bad it can be. I know they have been huge when they have run into them, but certainly not as bad as they have previously been.

“I wouldn’t say there are none out there. You are pretty good if you are not losing the odd bit of gear to a ‘couta.

“I wouldn’t say they are non-existent, probably like the snapper, very patchy. They’ve got to put a bit of thought into it.

“The guys that are thinking about the situation, why they are not catching fish, end up

getting fish. The guys that just go out there and think there’s no fish out there, they are not really getting too much.

“But they are good fish, carrying a lot of their winter weight, so they are in really good condition when you can get a hold of them. You have to work for them.”

Fat Boy Charters’ Russ Hawkins is thankful they haven’t seen a lot of barracouta this season.

“They can just annihilate the gear. Worse case, we probably had three, whereas a couple of years ago I can remember losing 38 sets of gear in two days.”

What they have been catching on the 80m contour between Schooner Rock and Motiti is blind eels or hagfish, says Russ.

“Like a bucket of snot on the end of the line,” says Russ. “We probably got eight to ten last time out.”

Tauranga Marine Charters’ Brett Keller says there are plenty of barracouta about. In the last little while he’s lost 30 sets of sinkers, hooks and traces.

“I lost 15 sets of gear yesterday and I’m losing them anywhere between 20m and 80m. The only difference is in 20m they are smaller and more aggressive,” says Brett.

Barracouta (thyrsites atun) is a species of snake mackerel. It’s a QMS fish with a TAC level of 36,672 tonnes.

Niwa Chief Scientist – Fisheries Rosemary

Hurst says the Bay of Plenty Barracouta come up from Kaikoura to spawn.

“I did a tagging study on them during the 1980s and that’s how we confirmed they migrated from places like Kaikoura during the winter, and spawn in early spring from Kaikoura up to the Bay of Plenty,” says Rosemary.

“We have confirmed the fish move that far, and in South Africa they also make long spawning migrations.”

The last catch data, from last fishing season, will be presented in December.

“They are usually there sort of August through to October. Maybe they haven’t noticed any fish there this season for some reason. But we don’t have any information on whether that’s correct, or the overall pattern or what might be driving it.

“There isn’t anything that monitors what happens with that fishery on a real time basis,” says Rosemary.

Most New Zealand recreational fishers reject barracouta as a table fish as it is often wormy.

In South Africa, where it is known as Snoek, it is sought after for smoking, and Rosemary says some of the New Zealand catch is smoked

By Andrew Campbell before export says.

DECEMBER 2015

24 WATERLINE

Marine Insurance There can be hooks‌. so it makes sense to use a professional INSURANCE BROKER who knows the ropes.

Why not contact our Marine Man, KEIRAN VLIETSTRA, Mobile: 0274 960227 because he knows about boats.

Now part of BrokerWeb Risk Services BR-j8540

at 195 Devonport Road, Tauranga

Phone (07) 577 0007 Insurance Brokers Bay of Plenty insurebayofplenty@bwrs.co.nz

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.

DECEMBER 2015

WATERLINE 25

Maritime mishaps and mayhem

Once again, summer and the boating season are nearly upon us. The days are starting to stretch out and boat owners are preparing themselves for the summer months ahead.

Whilst you are busy with the paint brush, polish, and toolbox, down at your insurance company the claims people are gearing up for the inevitable flood of claims. Sinkings, strandings, collisions, thefts (and the odd dubious mishap) will have the novice claims clerk scratching their head and pouring over their company’s boat policy wording trying to extract some semblance in the fine print to relate to the circumstances on the claim form.

The completion of a claim form is approached with trepidation by some, as if the slightest error, innocent miscalculation, or honest mistake on the reporting of the incident will bring the wrath of the insurance industry down upon them and see their claim form thrust back in their face. Others will be quite blasé offering only the barest of details of the event and rejecting any query by the insurance company as if it was the Spanish Inquisition.

Quite often in these cases, apart from the date and approximate location, there is very little similarity between the facts as reported and the facts as they actually happened.

In many instances descriptions on claim forms and assessors reports will provide the entertainment at Friday night staff

meetings for many months and possibly recounted years from now. The very good stories will be swapped company to company – names and personal details changed of course to protect identities.

The following are three examples of claims lodged over recent years. There is only slight literary embellishments and factual exaggerations from the originals.

Reversing mishap “Dad had backed the car and boat down the boat ramp and I undid the winch ratchet and I pushed the boat off the trailer – the hook was still attached to the boat. I called Dad to go forward so I could unhook and clip hook to the trailer frame. I meant for him to go forward a few feet, but he took off in the direction of the trailer park. I yelled out to him.

Dad is partially deaf in one ear and totally in the other – didn’t hear me. Others on the ramp signalled for him to stop, but by then the boat was completely out of the water and half way up the ramp.”

When asked how the fish finder managed to get damaged in this manoeuvre he replied, “Mum normally boards the boat before we launch and she grabbed hold of the nearest item when the boat lurched forward, which was the fish finder. The mounting ripped out and Mum fell back onto the chilly bin which was on the seat, breaking two bottles of wine and a dozen beer. Can we also claim on these items?” Cost of claim $1,365.

GPS demo disaster Another good one was, “I was demonstrating to my mates how the new GPS

worked. We were watching Astrolabe Reef come up when Bill noticed a ship on the horizon. We took guesses as to how far away it was. I flicked on the radar and it takes about 30 seconds to warm up. It worked out to be around 12 miles.

By the time we turned our attention back to the GPS – CRUNCH – we felt the stern leg come into contact with the reef which was covered by about two feet of water. It swung the boat hard around – which explains the claim for the rum stains on the upholstery.” Cost of claim $17,400.

Seeing the light This one has not been altered at all.

“We got down to the boat at 10.30pm.

We keep the keys on a hook in the cupboard. It was pitch dark and I didn’t have a torch. I used my cigarette lighter.

With the fumbling around the Meths bottle fell over. The cap could not have been put on properly. Instantly, we no longer had a problem with insufficient light. I grabbed the fire extinguisher but the pin had rusted in. We tried to find a pair of pliers to remove pin. By now a neighbour had come over and he was able to remove said rusted pin. By now the flaming meths had run down onto the cockpit floor. We got the fire out. Can we claim on filling the extinguisher?” Cost of claim $2,110.

Enjoy the season and safe boating.

By Keiran Vlietstra Broker with BrokerWeb Risk Services Disclosure Statement available on request.

26 WATERLINE

DECEMBER 2015

Waterline’s summer book selection Kia Kaha, Kahawai!

Kahawai are known as the people’s fish, being plentiful and second only to snapper as NZ’s most caught recreational fish species; and very accessible. They can be caught close to shore, at rivers, currently have a bag limit of 20, and no minimum size.

That makes them something of a staple on the menu of many along our coastline, so it’s fitting that Gerard Hindmarsh’s new release is titled ‘Kahawai, The People’s Fish’.

Hailed as the complete guide for all NZ fishers, boaties, foodies, and anyone else who treasures our marine environment, this book is a celebration of what is often an under-rated and under-appreciated catch.

Kahawai translates as ‘strong in the water’ and these magnificent fighting fish are

incredibly versatile and easy to prepare, if treated right.

Gerard’s 200 pages, with full colour throughout, tells the story of this remarkable fish. With 30 recipes by Melanie Walker, it makes fascinating reading and bolsters the reputation of kahawai as an eating fish.

Everything from smoked, barbecued, caviar, to risotto and fish cakes is detailed with mouthwatering colour photos.

As a fisho who has been appreciating the humble kahawai as long as I remember, this book was brimming with fresh ideas and background information on the fish we often take for granted. The recipes are easy and inspiring, simple and rewarding; much like the fish celebrated on these pages.

Published by Potton & Burton, RRP $40.

Hector, explorer and scientist The incredible life story of James Hector – explorer, scientist and leader – is the subject of a new release by author Simon Nathan, detailing the life and times of a man of many achievements.

Hector was the founder of the colonial museum, now Te Papa, standardised NZ time, introduced radiata pine and macrocarpa to the nation, and yes, gave his name to those endangered dolphins.

James Hector was a dominant personality

Retro and Vintage Boats There was a time when elegance, form, and style ruled the waves. Classic boats have an air of richness that has to be seen, touched, and smelled to fully appreciate.

‘Retro and Vintage Boats, Kiwi Portrait’ gives a tantalising taste of that bygone era on our waterways.

Don Jessen’s latest effort is a stunning, heavily pictorial collection of beautiful old boats and their stories. From the man who wrote the 2014 bestseller ‘Retro Caravans; Vantastic Kiwi Collections’ comes 250 colour pages and hundreds of boats, straight out of NZ’s rich maritime history. Many old boats are alive and well, still plying our inland waterways and coastlines.

The book is divided into sections of

different types of boats. From clinkers and picnickers, to steam launches, runabouts, cruisers, jet boats, and the earliest of speed boats.

A common thread is the lavish attention these vessels receive from their besotted owners. Don talks of the warmth that he encountered with every family while compiling the book, and that passion exudes from every page.

This is one of the most stunning books that has crossed our desk in recent times and a beautiful addition to any boatie’s book collection. It’s great timing for anyone looking for a special gift for water fanatics who appreciate the class, elegance, and style of bygone boating.

Published by Bateman, RRP $40.

in the small scientific community in NZ in the 19th century, and one of the first observers to report on the 1886 Tarawera eruption.

Anyone with an interest in NZ history, science, and exploration will find this book immensely interesting, as it covers the many achievements of a talented man who made a life time contribution to the country’s science.

James Hector, Explorer – Scientist – Leader. Published by Potton & Burton, paperback format, RRP $45.

DECEMBER 2015

WATERLINE 27

28 WATERLINE

DECEMBER 2015

New maritime qualifications on offer in 2016 Crewing (Level 3); this programme leads to the internationally recognised Certificate in Advanced Deckhand (Fishing), which can lead to employment opportunities in New Zealand and overseas.

This programme is mainly for students at work on fishing vessels. It is mostly completed while working, with a short block course requirement at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic’s Windermere campus to complete the practical assessments.

Also on offer is the New Zealand Certificate in Domestic Maritime Operations (Level 4) Skipper Restricted Limits* which leads to the MNZ Skipper Restricted Limits qualification, essential for operating an inshore commercial vessel.

There has also been a fundamental change to way in which these programmes are now delivered. The sea time requirements have been reduced and there is an emphasis on students doing more training when they first start a maritime career.

For more information, or to apply, boppoly.ac.nz or call 0800 BOPPOLY.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic offers a significant range of maritime courses, and in 2016 there will be even more options available for those looking to build on their existing experience.

The first of the new offerings, the New Zealand Certificate in Domestic Maritime Crewing (Level 3), leads to the Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) Qualified Deck Crew Certificate. It is designed for people with no maritime experience who want to get a head start on their maritime career.

The 12 week full-time course covers topics such as identifying the common parts, operational areas, and equipment of a vessel, health and safety, hygiene practices, pollution prevention, emergency procedures, and fire prevention. This is an entry level deckhand qualification for passenger boats, charters, ferries, fishing vessels, and other roles in the maritime industry.

Also new in 2016 is the New Zealand Certificate in Fishing Vessel

A range of new courses is on offer in 2016.

*Programme pending NZQA approval

WATERLINE 29

DECEMBER 2015

At sea off season

- from the Ligurian to the Ionian

destination in Greece before the storms set Catherine and David Simmons took in. As the days got shorter and the weather leave of everyday life in Tauranga, systems a bit more frequent, we started to and swapped their solid roots for a mentally prepare ourselves for the onslaught of yacht in the seas of the Mediterranean. winter. Even though we felt that the best of the summer weather was behind us, it felt good Catherine ‘charts’ their odyssey as off to be on the move, the real cruising season sailors. just beginning.

At the end of September we Our landfall in Greece was at found ourselves weather bound Othonia which is the northern in Santa Maria de Leuca on most island in the Ionian the tip of the heel of the boot group. The wait to get there of Italy. The storms and gales was worthwhile with an that had marched across the idyllic sail in calm condiAdriatic for over a week, tions. A Mahimahi caught thwarting our attempts to on cue just before we cross to Greece gave us, again entered the shallower waters and again, one more day to around the island became enjoy this region of Italy. an al fresco dinner of fresh One more bottle of pinot fish and salad after we had David at grigio or a nice Puglian red to add tied up to the town quay and the helm to the ships stores in anticipation of explored the little fishing village. the approaching Northern Hemisphere It seemed summer had returned winter; another loaf of that crusty bread, with hot calm weather infused with that neither baguette nor ciabatta, but irresistible late in the season special stillness. Here we in huge chunks lathered with butter and soft were among islands only a leisurely sail from cheese. One more gelato savored during a each other with bays affording protection walk along the now nearly deserted streets. from every angle. We could see why this area Italy was starting to shut down for the winter, is often referred to as the ‘Jewel of Greece’. our expectations of more long, hot days along The layers of history spanning conquests, with it. invasions, occupations, myths and legends lend a mystical quality which permeates the The adventure begins Greek culture and the land itself.

Our adventure started in Italy near the French border after a successful online search for a Colourful Corfu yacht that would serve as a comfortable home Motoring down to Corfu Island we found for two to three years. It also had to eventudeeply wooded coves, overlooked by steep hills ally get us safely back to New Zealand via the with villas, positioned for the view, dotted Atlantic, Caribbean, and Pacific oceans. among the lush vegetation. The island is very We spent about 10 weeks on the Italian green, a result no doubt, of some serious and French Riviera whilst provisioning and downpours as well as all year round humidity. commissioning Dremmwel, a Dufour 455, for Anchoring in the bays on the north east the cruising ahead. The plan was to head east corner of Corfu we went ashore and explore and winter over somewhere further south. We the quiet laneways leading from the waterwaited until after August before setting off for front villages past ancient olive groves studded Greece via Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily hoping with cypress trees. These bays face across a to miss the busiest month when it seems that narrow stretch of water to the high barren all of Europe is on holiday and the anchorages peaks of Albania, the layers of which become are crowded. a fainter shade of blue with distance and onto We loved our time in France and Italy and which the sunsets cast a magnificent palette of the challenges provided by a coastline with mauves and pinks. limited safe anchorages, constantly changing Previously planning to tie up in a marina in winds and huge numbers of other craft and October, the glorious weather tempted us to their crews’ often dubious anchoring practices, extend our cruising for as long as we could gave us lots of opportunity to bond with to take advantage of the low season and less Dremmwel and adjust to the cruising life. crowded bays. Lazy days were spent swimming We left France in early September moving in the clear turquoise water, still a delicious quickly to cover the distance to our winter temperature, reading and enjoying the warmth

of the sun in ever shortening days. Before long we were eating dinner outside under candle light.

We explored the islands south of Corfu, heading first to Paxos, tying up in the beautiful harbour of Gaia. The last of the charter flotillas joined us on the town quay which meanders around the picturesque waterfront bounded by cobbled streets and quaint buildings, overlooked by steep hills. We walked quiet lanes hugging the coast to discover bays so protected they are almost landlocked.

Living like a local Moving south we visited the island of Lefkas to explore the waters protected by this island to the west and by the mainland to the east.

Meganisi Island with its numerous long bays mainly deserted for the season, was so still and peaceful with water so clear we felt suspended in air. Then onto Skorpios, the beautiful island Jackie Kennedy frequented after her marriage to Aristotle Onassis.

Whereas in the height of summer the Greek Islands are flooded by fleets of charter yachts, we now found ample room to tie up stern-to the town walls or swing at anchor in the prime spots in the pristine coves. Alone in anchorages, sometimes the only sound you could hear was the tinkle of the metal bells around the sheep’s necks as they forage ashore among the olive groves.

Forgoing the buzz of the busy summer period when all of the tavernas are open, their patrons spilling out from under vine covered terraces, we never the less found a few hardy establishments still open and more eager than ever to entice us in to enjoy a traditional Greek meal with local beer and wine. We met families who own whole bays and all of the establishments within.

Encouraged by the taverna owners we tied up to rickety jetties and sampled delicious local recipes handed down through generations; leaving with plastic bottles of their own house wines which turn out to be surprisingly good. We don’t want this time to end but eventually winter starts to make its presence felt; time to hunker down in Corfu and use the yacht as a base for winter adventures.

In the two days it takes to sail back to Corfu, we don’t see another yacht. From the comfortable confines of Gouvia marina we prepared for the next stage of our adventure, eagerly anticipating more leisurely uncrowded cruising when we set off again in spring, long before the busy high season.

By Catherine Simmons

DECEMBER 2015

30 WATERLINE

Strong safe heritage cruiser

Built in the 1930s as an offshore hapuka boat named Enterprise, but put into service as a light house tender for the South Island.

Later saw service as the department of conservation ranger’s boat in the Marlborough Sounds and was re-named Sounds Ranger.

Built by Ernei Lane on Shelley Beach in Picton of Kauri carvel plank construction, she is powered by a 98hp Gardner 5LW sand was

in survey until 1998.

A nice pleasure conversion has been done on Ocean Ranger with accommodation for five single berths and one double in two separate cabins. There is a separate toilet and shower, fridge, two burner oven, and grill.

Comes complete with solar panels, electric capstan. Electronics includes JRC radar GPS, Lowrance plotter, Faruno depth sounder, fish finder, and a Uniden stereo/cd player and Uniden VHF.

A great strong safe f coastal cruiser or live aboard currently on the market through Brian Worthington at Gulf Group for $90,000 ono.

Fuel use is said to be 4.5 litres per hour at 8 or 9 knots depending on conditions.

There is a 500 L main tank, and a 200L wing tank which is not currently in use.

There is also hot and cold pressure water, 1 Jabsco Head and holding tank, 2 solar panels, 2 battery chargers, EPIRB, GPS equipped.

Anchors are CQR and Danforth type.

Celebrate YOUR WAY

DECEMBER 2015

WATERLINE 31

32 WATERLINE

DECEMBER 2015