MONTHLY NEWS OF THE WAIKAWA BOATING CLUB
latitude 41 Join the Evolution Women’s Regatta
Winter Series Wrap
TOP 7 BOAT CHECKS
Time to SELL?
AFTER WINTER
NZ King Salmon
Presentation is key
Aftermath of a
Deluge Introduction to Kaipupu Wildlife
Sanctuary
WILDING PINES
140 years in the making
Email newsletter
Vol. 01 | September | 2022
Welcome to the first edition of Latitude 41 We hope to bring you more insight into your club, its people and events. We welcome your contributions of photos, editorial content and suggestions and hope you enjoy this issue.
Contacts: By phone - (03) 573 6798 Physical address - 12 Te Ara Kaimoana, Waikawa Marina Web Address - www.waikawaboatingclub.co.nz Club Manager - Anna McLindon office@waikawaboatingclub.co.nz Assistant Manager - Julia Thomson events@waikawaboatingclub.co.nz Office Hours - Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm Club Executive Commodore Sue van Velzen svheatwave@gmail.com Vice Commodore - Anne Marett annemarett5@gmail.com Rear Commodore House - Susie Caley okiawbaylodge@gmail.com Rear Commodore Sailing - David Grigg tempello@xtra.co.nz Rear Commodore Moorings - Steve Dawson stevesuedawsaon@gmail.com Rear Commodore Crusing - Martin Cuthbert okiwabaylodge@gmail.com Executive Committee Graeme Riach - graeme.riach@harmans.co.nz David Nelson - davidnelson1507@gmail.com Liz Nelson - liznelson16@gmail.com Mike Gould - mikegould@xtra.co.nz
Email newsletter
Vol. 01 | September | 2022
Inside this month September 2022
Welcome to our newest members Opening Day Celebration Evolution Sails Women’s Regatta
Congratulations to Kevin Ormond and Karen Williams. This stunning photo won the vote and will be on our next batch of membership cards.
NZ King Salmon Winter Series Final Volunteer of the Month Living with no road in… Selling your boat? Top tips for you Introduction to Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary Local focal point on Brothers Island Wilding Pines Marlborough Sounds Restoration Trust
Join us and become a member We have two types of membership, Full and Crew. Crew Members: Join a racing yacht and take part in all our racing events as well as other club regattas. Enjoy members discount at our club bar. Have fun at our club social events and Friday club nights, including entry into our weekly members jackpot draw. Affiliation to both Yachting New Zealand and Clubs New Zealand. Full Members - All of the above plus:
Relax while cruising and enjoy the use of 100 secure and regularly serviced moorings throughout Queen Charlotte and Pelorus Sounds as well as D’Urville Island and Port Underwood Enter your yacht in any of our 80+ races held throughout the year as well as our annual regattas. Take part in our regular ‘on water’ cruising events. Make use of our discounted venue hire rates. Full voting rights. Eligable to stand for election on the club Executive. Click here for link to our membership application forms.
Welcome to our New Members Full members Jake van Tuinen Marty & Claudia McDowell David & Elain McLauchlan Mark & Trish Laming Mark & Cara Blyth Timothy Colson Peter Fry Ben Ensor Michael Hancox Colin Francis Crew Gavin Haines Crew
Bold Venture Motorsailer 13m Integrity Saster 34ft Serenity Superior 1050 Southern Southern 816XP Amelie Beneteau Oceanis 393 Delfino Warwick 36 Paradigm Davidson 16.5m Zephyrus Motor Sailer 11m
Crew members Pauline Caitlin Click here for full list of our current boat register
Are you new to boating? Check out this FREE online course from Coastguard Boating Education
MEET YOUR EXECUTIVE Starting with our Commodore Sue van Velzen Sue came into the role as Commodore at the AGM in July, following on from Steve Dawson. Steve inherited the role mid-term with the unenviable task of navigating the club through the challenges thrown up by Covid. Sue will be a familiar face for many of you with 7+ years as our Club Manager and a member since 2001. Sue has the background and club understanding and says she is grateful to "an enthusiastic committee" to help her through the her term. What most people don't know is Sue bought her first boat "Miss Rio" a 1939 38' kauri bridgedecker launch back in 1998 while living in Nelson. She says "I was working on deep sea fishing trawlers at the time, earning good money and thought about sensibly buying an investment property, but then saw Miss Rio advertised…." While looking for help to bring her round to Pelorus one year just after Christmas, a friend recommended Ron who maybe able to help out. He clearly did help out, the boat went to Pelorus for New Year, Sue moved over the hill to Waikawa a couple of months later, they got married and 21 years later they have been the proud owners of several different yachts. With their current yacht Heatwave (for those interested, an Angelo Lavronas designed Compass 47 centre cockpit) they have cruised to Tonga and Fiji twice, Banks Peninsula, several trips across to
! Urupukapuka Island - Bay of Islands
Wellington and of course Nelson, Golden Bay, Durville as well as racing locally and internationally (fun regattas in Tonga and Fiji). More recently to Northland for the winter, although Sue says this winter was not the year to cruise the so called ‘winterless north'. Having cut this trip short after two months mostly spent sheltering from rain and strong winds, they have left Heatwave on a mooring at Opua to return in the summer. As most of us know, Sue agrees we are so lucky to be able to enjoy the Sounds as our home cruising ground - there really is nowhere else like it. We have such a wide variety of anchorages, mooring locations and an abundance of sea and bird life, plus other friendly cruisers.
Sue wants nothing more than for everyone to enjoy our club activities, “after everything covid has thrown at us - it’s time! It’s a fantastic club, with wonderful people, lets enjoy it and keep moving forward.”
Open to all Members and members guests Friday Club night from 5.30pm New Spring Menu - on the next pages Members Jackpot Draw Raffles Reasonably priced delicious meals Members bar discount Bookings recommended - click here Tuesdays start October 4th from 7.30pm Bistro style meals Members bar discount Racing prizegiving
If you are looking for something a little different from the bar. try this alcoholic lemonade from the Kaiser brewery - now on tap 4.5% alc vol
NEW U N E M
Opening Day Sunday October 2 Starting at 1pm for the offical flag raising then out on the water for a fun flag race (racing yachts) and cruise (all other boats) with your ‘dressed’ boat. Back to the club for complimentary BBQ. Everyone welcome!
NZ King Salmon Winter Series 2022
Well, there you go folks, that’s a wrap what a wonderful winter series!!! A huge thanks to New Zealand King Salmon for sponsoring the series and providing such a delectable side of smoked salmon for the first place getters in each division. Div one was a little down on entrants but div 2 had a strong fleet of competing yachts. Of the ten races available we only lost one to extreme weather and were able to have 2 races run on one day to make up for no wind from a previous no wind race day. The clubs’ band of merry volunteers and race officers did their best to keep the races in the ‘wind zone’ and ensure all yatchs had a good time out there (cheers team). One of JA’s races had a down wind start with a gybe at the first mark another to round the headland and another at the next mark !! Good for crew work and I believe we should have some trapezoid courses included somewhere in the sailing season too. Race number ten was by far the the windiest but the run home from Hou Hou (such a shitty mark to go around) proved to be an enjoyable kite ride home !! Astruso topped out at 17 knots at one point, we had 10. The difference between planing and displacement hulls……. Till next winter Results from the NZ King Salmon Winter Series Division One 1st - Coup d”Etat - Clive Ballett (12 points) 2nd - Prime Suspect - David Gillies (21 points) 3rd - Taonui - John-Charles van Hove (29 points) Division Two 1st - Sequin - Bill & Adrienne Crossen (18 points) 2nd - Freaky - Rob Carpenter (23 points) 3rd - Portafortuno - Clive Harragan (31 points)
Race 10 Division 1 Winner Race 10 Division 2 Winner Matt Michel Bill & Adrienne Crossen Astruso Sequin
Thanks to Damaris Warnock for this super photo
Series Winner - Division 1 Clive Ballett with crew Coup d’Etat
Series Winner - Division 2 Bill & Adrienne Crossen with crew Sequin
Volunteer of the Month Bill Crossen
Yealands have joined with us to help recognise and show our appreciation to our amazing volunteers, without you we could not run the number or variety of events we do. A bottle of Yealands beautiful wine is heading your way Billy! Thank you for everything you do for the club, it is very much appreciated! So who is this Bill person - really… Bill is the person you call when you need something done. From arranging and delivering the chiller trailer for our regattas, to helping Adrienne sew dozens of division flags. Bill runs a couple of the racing series through the year, is on the sailing committee, the Women’s Regatta committee and no doubt will be on the New Year Regatta committee as well. Bill is an ideas person, a fix it, a glass half full kind of guy. With Adrienne and daughter Emma they are intrepid travellers, no normal holiday vacation spots for them. Orangutans in Borneo, Gorrillas in Tanzania, and the Galapagos to name a few of their adventures. Over to Bill: When Sue said, ‘Congratulations Bill, you’re our first volunteer of the month’. I thought cool I’m in for some bottles of Chardonnay, maybe a free shirt or a cap!! But no, you’ve got to write a blurb as to why you qualify, not what I was expecting. So how to tackle this task, like a CV, follow the format of our regional papers as in who to have dinner with? Whose your hero. Etc etc etc. And that’s how our daughter ended up with Teresa as her middle name………… I digress, as some of you will know, Ginge (Adrienne) and I have been kicking around the marina for a bloody long time. 25 years ago I was invited to sail on Man of War in one of the clubs twilight series, one of 23 on the boat that night. Fun’s times with Pat Smith and Co and the banter and rivalry with the Terminator crew.
To this day, I’m unsure how it happened but I started sailing on Dawn Allens yacht, Montezuma. Such a wonderful and patient lady. Her crew were the bubbliest and most fun bunch to sail with and I believe that atmosphere is maintained on Sequin to this day!!! I remember doing a New Year Regatta with her and after taking a tandem trailer load of gear off Monte we tail gated Shenanigan for two days and ended up in 3rd place. Or the time we were moored up in Ngaruru Bay down Tory channel for two days waiting for the weather to clear so we could get over to Wellington for the Line 7 regatta. Ash Davey and I had some success in the two handed series sailing on his Y88 and I believe his enthusiasm for two handed sailing has rubbed off on me along with his philosophy of giving back etc It was in the early 2000’s sailing with Meric Davies that over a few beers a team was selected to have a crack at the mens keel boat championships on the MRX’s up in Auckland. At the time I was Rear Commodore Sailing and have been involved with the sailing committee ever since, managed to get comprehensive sponsorship to fully fund the team. ‘Twas a steep learning curve !!!!! The Waikawa girls faired a lot better and came home with the Penny Whiting Trophy!! From this event, was born our first vessel, an Elliot 5.9. From there we progressed to an Elliot 6.5 one of two in Waikawa. Barb Williams and Jonathon Duffy having one each. From there a little 7.7 Tracker and onto an old 10m cruiser that was on the mooring belonging to the section we had just brought on the east of the bay. This was quickly exchanged for Smokey a Y88. They’re a great Sounds boat with a spacious cockpit and an open transom, great for scuba diving for scallops, I can no longer remember what they look like let alone taste like. It’s been soooo long! The Sounds is a wonderful playground to enjoy and with cruising becoming more of our focus our Farr 1020 morphed into Sequin, a Jeanneau SO 36.2, a popular charter boat in the Med in its day with huge volume. Now, with a few tweaks is proving to be a fun competitive vessel. Working in the wine industry for more than 4 decades the Wine Race to Wellington is still one of my favourite races and I am looking forward to this iconic event coming back into the sailing calendar. This coming sailing season is looking exciting with a hope that we can get back to days of old where the Commodore would shout the bar when more than 50 boats would be out on a Tuesday twilight!! On a final note, would you believe I actually went to Lincoln in the 70’s and became a wool classer - not a lot of use given the lack of sheep now in Marlborough!
Club Calendar September Friday 16 - Evolution Sails Women’s Regatta Beach Cruise Saturday 17 - Day 1 Evolution Sails Women’s Regatta Sunday 18 - Day 2 - Evolution Sails Women’s Regatta Tuesday 20 - Race Rules Presentation - Angus Willison YNZ 6.30pm Tuesday 27 - Pre-Season Skippers Briefing - 6pm for 6.30pm start October Sunday 2 - Opening Day Tuesday 4 - Marlborough Sounds Marinas Spring Twilight Race1 Thursday 6 - Tempello Wines Twilight Spring Short Handed Series Saturday 8 - Boom Town Brewing Co Offshore Series - Brothers Island Saturday 8th - Beach Clean November Saturday 5 - Boat Bits Car Boot Sale & Market Day December Saturday 10 - Christmas Raft-up
From the Archives Waikawa Bay era - 1950’s I think taken by Whites Aviation.
REAR COMMODORE ROUND UP
house The House Committee have once again been busy supporting the events held at the club. Music Evening Unfortunately our music evening on 2nd of September had to be postponed due to Paul being "stuck" in Motueka. This will be re-arranged when the roads are accessible from all directions. Chairs We have been very productive stripping down the old and re-covering with the beautiful blue. Under the wonderful supervision and guidance of Cindy Vining. Thank you to all the helpers and partners. Staple guns, compressors, hammers, drivers, scissors and smiles were in abundance! We aim to have these completed by Opening Day, all going well! Evolution Sails Women’a Regatta The House Heros will be there to support Deanne with her enormous catering tasks throughout the whole weekend. Help will given to put together the Race Packs for each boat and skipper. Watch out for the black aprons and give them a pat on the back! Open Day Saturday 2nd October The House Committee will be serving up a BBQ after the opening ceremony and yacht/launch fun race with Ray White Boat Bits & Car Boot Sale - Saturday 5th November We are organising the Boatie Bits on the outside in the car park and tghe market stalls for inside the Club. So search out your no longer required pieces. Martin and Ash will be running the Club Bits stall. Beautiful crafts will be on display for your delight inside and of course the "famous" scones, jam and cream. We are having a cake stall and would very much appreciate "yummy" donations. The House Committee members look forward to seeing you all at the upcoming events. Susie Caley Rear Commodore - House
REAR COMMODORE ROUND UP
cruisING The Cruising sub-committee have been busy putting ideas together and................................ Sunday 2nd October - Open Day and Ray White's 1st Birthday An opportunity to cruise around the bay with Ray White for both launches and yachts. Prize for Best Dressed Boat. Saturday 8th October - The Big Beach Clean Held to coincide with the Brothers Offshore Race. There will be a beach clean up for folks on launches and yachts (location to be arranged - depending on weather conditions) A raft-up to follow joining the racing sailors for some fun at Furneaux or a bay. Please let Captain Marty know if you will be interested. okiwabaylodge@gmail.com Phone Marty on 027 275 0213 Saturday 10th December - The Christmas Raft-up Location to be arranged depending on weather conditions. Best Dressed people and boats and lots of fun and games! Watch this space. 25th December - Orphans Christmas Raft-up Location TBA 31st December - New Years Eve Raft-up Location TBA Sunday 22nd January 2023 Top of the South Island Chinese New Year. Fun and games for all the family. Grandads, Grandmas, Mums, Dads, kids and dogs!!!! Details to follow ............. End of March 2023 Beach Clean Up Let's see what has happened to our beaches following the busy season. Rubber Duckie Training Confidence building for those who would like to handle their rubber duckie independently. Master class in anchoring and stern line use. To be held in March when the weather is nice and calm. Expressions of interest to Captain Marty 027 275 0213 okiwabaylodge@gmail.com so that details can be arranged. Music Concert on the water in the Queen Charlotte Sound May 2023 Captain Marty's Treasure Hunt - theme "Space Pirates"
REAR COMMODORE ROUND UP
SAILING A lot of ‘behind the scenes’ activity happens prior to the season starting on Tuesday 4 October with Race 1 of the Marlborough Sounds Spring Twilight Series. The racing calendar pretty much determines the rest of the club activities to avoid double bookings, and while it stays mostly same as previous years the offshore races are where it all begins as these are scheduled according to favourable Cook Strait tides. Once the calendar is set, our valued race sponsors are confirmed to ensure the best coverage and promotion for them during the year. This year the pre-season Skippers Briefing is moved back a week to the 27th September. All skippers, crew, race officers and race crew volunteers are invited to attend a presentation from Angus Willison, Yachting New Zealand, on Tuesday 20 September 6.30pm. Meals will be available from 6pm and the bar will be open. Angus will cover: Safety category definitions & how to apply them Managing cat 4 & 5 at a club level SRS & amendments that have been issued since they were issued in 2021 YNZ relationship with MNZ What happens when there is an accident. Input of MNZ & the coroner followed by a Q&A from the floor, if any one wants to know about for example; Cat 2 and 3, Safety Inspectors, Virtual Inspections, Travelling overseas etc On Tuesday Sept 27th starting at 6.30pm (meals and Bar open from 6pm) is the preseason Skippers briefing. This event requires all racing skippers (or at a minimum crew representation) to attend. During the evening crucial entry and paperwork is gathered for databases to be set up for the various race series. The popular Race Pass begins a new cycle (those entering more races can pre-pay and receive a discounted entry fee per race) At $15 per race any saving is appreciated from the skippers. Any race changes or new race series are introduced at this briefing. The starters hooter will kick off the racing on the 4th October with the Marlborough Sounds Marinas Spring Twilight Series. This series, split into 3 divisions will often see more than 40 yachts competing. Thursday Twilight Racing is back, starting on 6th October with the Tempello Short Handed Series. A more challenging series, especially for those yachts normally carrying seven or eight crew! It is a busy time onboard with only one or two crew getting the boat around similar courses to the fully crewed Tuesday racing. First Offshore Race for the season is Saturday 8 October, the Brothers Island Race. This can be a rather frustrating race depending on the tidal flow around the islands when the yachts get there. Fingers crossed for helpful wind direction and strength.
2022 Next weekend will see a welcome return of the incredibly popular Women’s Regatta. With over 200 crew entered on 33 yachts, this will be the biggest fleet to date for this event and the largest womens keelboat regatta in NZ. Event organiser Julia Thomson says “We are so grateful to our members in making their yachts available to the competing crews, the event could not happen without their support.” This year we welcome participants from all over New Zealand as well our our first international competitors, from Australia and Rarotonga. This is one of the few sporting events where women of all ages and experience compete together on the same course and class. We have our top NZ Keel Boat champions competing against Olympic sailors and Round the World crew alongside several who have little or no experience in yacht racing. With last years event falling victim to Covid it is very encouraging to have this level of support for the event in 2022. Hundreds of volunteer and office hours go into producing an event of this calibre and the reward will be on the day seeing the smiles and hearing the stories. The Regatta kicks off on Friday afternoon with the Cruise & Tasting, held once again at the beautiful McAlister property in Blackwoods Bay. Racing starts on Saturday with 2 races and a sold out dinner with inspirational guest speaker Annika Andresen Racing continues on Sunday and the regatta closes with the final prize giving and farewell later in the day.
A massive thank you to our wonderful sponsors for this event. we can’t thank you enough and encourage all our members and especially participants in the Women’s Regatta to support them wherever you can.
Evolution Sails The Gin Room Goodbye Lip Balms Cranky Goat & Moody Cow Seaside Gems Kiwi Yachting Office Products, Richmond Hark & Zander Picton Fresh Choice Giesen Wines Boom Town Brewing Co Marlborough Sounds Marinas The Vines Village Hiram Taylor - Ray White Real Estate Oddies Marine Tempello Wines
2022
Tuesday 20 September - 6.30pm start Attention everyone associated with yacht racing Meals available from 6pm and the bar will be open
Invitation to all Race Officers, Ray White crew, all skippers, crew and interested members. We have Angus Willison from YNZ giving a presentation on the safety regs and changes. Angus will cover: Safety category definitions & how to apply them Managing cat 4 & 5 at a club level SRS & amendments that have been issued since they were issued in 2021 YNZ relationship with MNZ Understanding & following the sailing instructions What happens when there is an accident. Input of MNZ & the coroner Followed by a Q&A from the floor, for example Cat 2 and 3 Safety Inspectors Virtual Inspections Travelling overseas
Skippers & Crew Pre-Season Briefing & Racing Prizegiving Please note new date - Tuesday 27 September The Pre-Season Briefing to be held at the club, meals and bar from 6pm with briefing start at 6.30pm. The briefing will be followed by the Racing Prizegiving. All skippers, crew and those interested are invited. Each racing boat must have representation who is authorised to sign the skippers declaration and on behalf of the skipper. Information on Sailing Instructions, each race series, new series, Wine Race and more.
Photo credit to Helen Ashworth taken on a flightpath over Waikawa last week
We asked Jon at Beach Road Marine to to cover off a few checks you should consider if your boat has not seen much of you over winter. Let’s do the WOBBLES (an acronym used in the marine industry): 7 checks for diesel engines By Jon Brooks – Beach Road Marine Here are some pre-departure checks that you can safely perform yourself, especially if you are returning to your boat after a break over winter. WATER Raw water – make sure the seacock is open and the strainer is free of debris with the lid properly sealed (hand-tightened only) water and air tight. Fresh water – check the level and colour of the coolant. Top up if necessary.
✓ ✓
OIL Check the level and top up if necessary. Keep a spare bottle just in case. Keep the oil close to the top mark on the dipstick but DO NOT overfill. Check the colour. Diesel engine oil normally becomes quite dark after only a few hours of operation. A milky appearance indicates water ingress. Gearbox oil (or ATF) should not change colour, even towards the end of its lifespan.
✓ ✓ ✓
BATTERIES Electrical cables should be securely fastened to the battery terminals and free from corrosion and traces of moisture. The battery, or battery box should be securely fastened to the boat to avoid shifting or tipping while underway. BELTS Check general condition (cracks, worn edges etc). Check tension. Push down on the belt with your thumb in the middle of the longest distance between two pulleys. It should not deflect by more than about 12mm. Slack belts slip and age prematurely. Black dust around the engine room indicates belts are slipping and need tensioning. If they break, your engine will overheat quickly.
✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓
LEAKS Keep your engine room bilge clean to spot leaks easily. Inspect the engine block and hoses, and the bilge underneath, for signs of salt water leaks (rust, corrosion marks, salt crystals) oil or coolant leaks. Trace and fix any found.
✓ ✓
EXHAUST / ENGINE Some white smoke upon start up is usually nothing to worry about and should clear as the engine warms up. Stop the engine immediately if you notice: o Black smoke (could indicate injection issues or a blockage in the air intake) o Blue smoke (engine burning oil, can have catastrophic consequences) o Any unusual knocking sounds or excessive engine vibration Check water flow from the exhaust twice – immediately on startup and after a couple of minutes. Allow the engine to warm up so it ‘ticks over’ smoothly before setting off.
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
SOUND / SPARES Listen for drops and spikes in the revs (hunting) and screeching sounds (belts slipping). Let your engine warm up gently, do not over rev a cold engine. It is a good idea to carry spare fuel, oil, coolant, filters, belts, impeller and suitable tools
✓ ✓
1a Waikawa Marina Te Ara Kaimoana Ph (03) 573 8141 email: brmarine@xtra.co.nz www.beachroadmarine.co.nz
aftermath of a deluge From members - Liz & Ron Ives - Ngakuta Bay Sounds idylic, living in the paradise, stunning vistas, the beach just down the way and more importantly with road access - what could possibly go wrong??? I asked Liz & Ron to give an account of their lives post almost a metre of rain over 3 days last month. Liz is the Principal at Linkwater School and Ron works at Airbus in Woodbourne, this is their account of the first few days adjusting to a new reality. To a sailor, a little bit of rain never hurts anyone, but is that true for landlubbers? As I drove home from work on Thursday night along the Linkwater straight towards Ngakuta Bay, the water level in the paddocks on either side threatened to flood the road. With the rain pelting down on my windscreen, it was difficult to tell how deep the surface flooding was or if in fact my car would soon become submerged. Parts of the road had already disappeared to the sea and cracks in the bitumen resembled a recent earthquake. The roadside appeared to crumble into the sea and slips narrowed the road to a single lane. Manuka trees sprawled across the road and scratched at the paintwork of my car. Power poles lurked on angles that threatened to drop onto the gritty road or into the sea below at any moment. As I approached the bay I was met by a barricade of large orange cones and signs displaying ‘Road Closed’ that would isolate me for weeks to come.
Ron fuelling the ‘genny’ and coming home with the shopping, hope the wine is there! We are fortunate to have our own boat for transport
I learned later that evening that severe surface flooding and slips had closed several major roads including both State highway 6 and Queen Charlotte Drive, consequently, Ronnie was stranded in Blenheim for the night. The rain continued to lash down and the extreme weather had made the six o’clock news. Roads were not going to open in a hurry and the whole of the Rai, Canvastown, and Queen Charlotte had been badly hit. The rain was persistent and while we had a yacht and a small power boat, neither were practical for the conditions that presented that afternoon in the Sounds. Ronnie arrived home the following night on the Cougarline, which was certainly not a common sight for local residents. By 5:30 pm the power went out and we foraged around, searching for our headlamps. That’s about the time you realise all the good ones are still on the yacht! A candlelit dinner and glowing fire was a novelty at first until we woke the next morning to find the power was still off and the freezer was defrosting! Some quick thinking and organisation on Ronnie’s part saw us heading off to Picton in the power boat to pick up a generator. As we returned to the bay the devastation to Queen Charlotte Drive became apparent with so many slips falling away to the sea, leaving destruction in their path and churning the sea into a caramel thickshake.
The slumping is a major Issue to fix
One of many
The barge on delivery and extraction duties
Sir Roy from Outwad Bound on delivery duties
Local catch up time
After that, it was boys with toys as the conversation turned to discuss the size and best models of generators. Before long, boats raced up to Picton to collect generators that had been brought out from Blenheim by family and friends. The Ngakuta Bay community rallied together to organise generators that could be shared amongst neighbours in an effort to save food in freezers. The rest of the day was spent delivering water and checking on elderly residents who were fragile and not only in need of water but hugs too! Covid was a distant memory… The next morning the rain was persistent and even though we were promised sunshine, it didn’t arrive. Families were running out of food, gas for cooking, and fuel for boats. With the Power still out, the sharing of generators continued, and the hum resonated throughout the bay. Emergency instincts kicked in as a young family with a baby was running out of food, another resident hurt her back requiring urgent medical attention, and college students were expected at school come Monday. Boating was the only option to help these people and we offered our yacht, which was quickly superseded by a large local launch. Reality struck on Sunday as we all realised that the bay had been reduced to ‘boat access only’ and how our lives had changed in an instant. If you didn’t have a boat you relied on others and if you couldn’t do that you had to pay the fare. This added extra stress for some families and many opted to get their car out of the bay and leave it in Picton. Five cars left the bay the day the barge arrived! Linkwater School was supposed to open on Monday and local residents were expected to return to work but with Queen Charlotte Drive closed from Picton to Havelock the enormity of the situation really hit home. Anakiwa was cut off as were residents in Kenepuru. Our community communicated best through our Ngakuta Bay Community Facebook page and soon the page members doubled as Bach owners requested property checks, and families were desperate to contact their loved ones.
The extent of the damage was still unknown and helicopters occupied by engineers and Civil Defence personnel hovered daily over houses that were surrounded by slips, in order to assess and red or yellow sticker them. Power went off again and generators hummed, as poles were barged to the bay to be collected by helicopters that would lift them into place. Locals rode off daily on their bicycles carrying shovels to shift soggy clay from the slips in order to make tracks that might allow access to other bays. Chainsaws revved, but trees continued to fall as the rain pushed sodden dirt onto the already damaged roads. By Tuesday the local school was not allowed to open due to road closures and the first opportunity for online learning was quickly abated when a digger clearing a slip accidentally cut a network cable that took out the internet access for over half the students. As soon as it was restored, several hours later, communities reached out to each other, desperate to know what was happening in other parts of the Sound. On Wednesday the Outward Bound boat kindly delivered medicines and mail to Ngakuta Bay. Communities throughout the Sounds began networking to share information. Aroha mai, aroha atu! Simple tasks such as getting to work, collecting mail, disposing of rubbish, and buying a bottle of milk were no longer taken for granted. To date, the road is not open and while life has returned to normal for many in the Marlborough Region, those living in Ngakuta Bay and the surrounding areas know there is still a long haul ahead.
Our ‘car’ for now and Ronnie's transport to our car in Picton to get to work at Woodbourne.
Looking for a venue? Our club Wardroom is available for hire for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, funerals, meetings and training seminars. Seating for up to 100 Catering and bar options Member only discount on hire fee Dance floor Waterfront venue and large deck
Contact the club office: 03 573 6798 email to
events@waikawaboatingclub.co.nz or click here for link to website
Tips & Tricks
Rafting-up
It is absolutely fantastic to be able to connect with friends or meet new people with the same interest when cruising. You still have your own space, but can share a cockpit 5 oclocker and snacks if you wish, not to mention a game or 3 of cards and plenty of yarns is guaranteed! You are new to this rafting up thing - what on earth are they talking about… This is where you see two or more boats tied to each other either attached to a mooring or anchored with a stern line. It’s not difficult as long as you take it slowly, practice and be prepared by getting your fenders and lines (ropes) out well in advance and tied to your cleats - remember to take the long end (the end you will be throwing to the other boat) under your life lines or rails before bringing them back onboard over the top. It is a good idea to ask the boat you will raft up to which side they want you to tie to. This diagram on the left shows the boat on a mooring (black) and the boat rafting up (blue) with its fenders well positioned and bow and stern line already thrown across. In a perfect world you will be able to stop alongside and pull yourself into the black boat (once they have tied off your lines) and then tie off your spring lines (the diagonal ones running bow to stern crossing over in the middle these lines stop back and forward movement) Remember slow and steady is the only way to approach the moored boat, this still gives you control and ability to fend off if necessary without harm to either boat or human. NEVER ever put your hand or foot between the boats, it is very easy to get caught with the offending appendage painfully crushed. The main idea is for the largest boat to have the mooring and other boats tie off to it. Key Points: In windy conditions it may not be suitable to raft up given each boat will move according to its own weight and damage can occur especially if waves or ferry wash for example is likely. Be sure to ask to raft-up and do not attempt this if no one is onboard the other boat. When rafting up two yachts together ensure the spreaders are not directly in line, stagger the boats by adjusting the spring lines to offset the spreaders.
Focus on Marlborough Community Organisations
KAIPUPU WILDLIFE SANCTUARY Kaipupu Sanctuary: A sanctuary on our doorstep Kaipupu Sanctuary is a community-driven conservation project that demonstrates that the collective power of the community can influence change, and together we can create a thriving wild area. This little 40ha patch of bush, next to the ferry terminal, is part of Picton history: it was partially farmed before the endof the 19th century when it supported the Picton Freezing Works. When the works closed it became a Scenic Reserve in 1987. In 2005 the idea of creating a predator-free area, managed entirely by the community, was floated; this vision became a reality when the predator-free fence was built in 2008. Every trap, seat and metre of track has been fought for and funded by the community. The work didn’t stop there; 600 traps maintained by volunteers ensure rats, stoats and possums that swim around the fence are quickly removed. Weed infestations that once smothered the regenerating forests have been significantlyreduced, allowing native plant species to thrive. An extensive education program has seen many Marlborough children visiting the Sanctuary and learning about conservation. Kaipupu Sanctuary is a sanctuary for our heart, mind and soul. Amidst the hustle and bustle of our busy port town, at Kaipupu Sanctuary people can take the opportunity to relax, meander through the forest, listen to the bird song and enjoy the intricacies of nature. Come and spend a sunny afternoon and experience this amazing community project. The Sanctuary is accessible by boat, with a jetty in Shakespeare Bay, and a 2.8km loop track that takes through old growth and regenerating forest. Check us out at www.kaipupupoint.co.nz/ | www.facebook.com/KaipupuPoint "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes." Marcus Proust
Thinking of Selling your Boat? Vining Marine share these four simple steps for success. We are often asked … what do I need to do to my boat to make it saleable? If you are thinking of selling here are a few basic pointers to help you achieve a sale. Presentation is Everything!!!!!! Far too often when we go to inspect a vessel it’s looking like last Saturday nights “happy hour” was a good one and no one has been back to clean up the mess! Prior to any photography happening ensure the interior is clean and tidy, everything put away in its proper place, all the pots, pans, crockery and glasses are on the shelves or out of sight! Keep onboard food and personal items to a minimum and stowed tidily out of sight. Think less is more! Have a hard look at the squabs, are they clean and in reasonable condition? If not then get them dry cleaned and repaired if necessary. Grotty looking squabs that should have been replaced ten years ago do not help! If they look grotty to you they will look worse to a buyer! Check out the interior timber work Does it need oiling or a re-varnish? If so take the time to do it! Badly stained woodwork is often a sign that moisture or condensation is affecting the interior. Lots of boat owners run a dehumidifier or a small oil filled heater over the winter months and as long as the temperatures are set low enough they will keep the interior feeling warm and dry without doing any harm to the boat.
Give the engine bay a thorough cleaning If the engine needs it, give it a good clean as well. At this point you should have a think about when it was last serviced, if it was more than 12 months ago then you should get it serviced including new filters etc. Where possible keep all service records and have them in a folder so prospective buyer can check the service history themselves. Have a look at the exterior of the vessel and at the very least give it a wash then polish the topsides! Make sure any canvas work is in good condition, if not get it repaired! Buyers tend to avoid boats where all they can see is maintenance bills stacking up before they even get to enjoy it! Having completed these four tasks it’s time to have a think about whether you really want to sell it!!!??? This photo shows a well presented new Pascador 35 on our sales berth.
Island Cruising NZ, formerly known as the Island Cruising Association, provide resources for cruisers wanting to prepare for long coastal or offshore voyages. We also run yacht cruising rallies around New Zealand and the islands of the South Pacific; namely Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Our rallies are designed to allow sailors to cruise the islands aboard their own boats, or assist as crew on someone else's boat. Although our rallies have typically attracted owners of sailing yachts, we welcome owners of offshore capable motor boats to join us too. We provide education for sailors to prepare their vessels for sailing offshore, suitable for both new and experienced ocean sailors, through our online cruising preparation workshops and members resources. We can provide assistance with Customs, Immigration, Health and Biosecurity in and out of each country and we hold social events at various points along the way. VIKI MOORE: +64 21 438 977 EMAIL: info@islandcruising.nz
A sponsor of our club for more years than most can remember Aaron and his team at Oddies are so much more than just a chandlery… Locally owned and operated in Waikawa since 1993, Oddies has a reputation as the best place to come for product advice, hands on assistance and generally all things boating. Here are a few things they do you may not realise: Anchoring, Mooring & Berthing- Oddies sell more Wilco fenders than anyone else in the South Island • fenders • mooring lines • splicing service • cleats • anchors and winches • the right rope and chain for your winch Dinghies- Oddies don’t just sell dinghies, they also do repairs with the right products • Nautilus dinghies and others • outboards • oars and dinghy covers • spare and replacement parts • importer and installer of the genuine Weaver Davit System Haul Out and General Maintenance - Oddies give advice on the right product for the job; check your anodes and order them first thing • Altex, Carboline, International paints and antifouls • Propspeed • wood treatments • anodes • brushes, rollers, gloves, overalls, sandpaper and everything else you’ll need Safety- Don’t cut corners on safety; Oddies holds Hutchwilco and Baltic lifejackets in stock • lifejackets, personal flotation devices and dog vests • flares, lights and horns • charts • VHF radios, EPIRB, PLB • grab bags Clothing • jackets, salopettes, pants, boots, shoes • casual wear, inshore comfort or offshore necessity and blocks, stainless fittings, lighting, fishing, toilets, glues, cleaning products and much, much more
41 Beach Road, Waikawa Marina info@oddiesmarine.co.nz I www.oddiesmarine.co.nz
Pine and Wilding History Since the 1880’s conifers (e.g., cedars, pines, and firs) have been planted around homesteads and farms across New Zealand including parts of the Marlborough Sounds, primarily for shelter, firewood, and harvesting. When conifer cones mature, they open to release masses of wind-blown seeds, which can travel kilometers downwind. New Zealand’s environment is perfectly suited for them to take root and grow, thus they have ‘jumped the fence’ and become invasive weeds within native bush areas. Now wilding conifers cover more than 1.8 million hectares of New Zealand. Despite control efforts they are spreading at an estimated rate of 5% a year, that's about 90,000 more hectares a year. Without large scale funding and control, within 20-years, 20% of New Zealand is likely to be covered with wilding pines. Anyone who travels the Sounds by boats will see the impact of this spread locally. Wilding conifers, particularly radiata and maritime pine, have spread across whole hillsides displacing native vegetation, undermining the distinctive Sounds scenery of rolling bushclad hills, sucking up water sources and creating a fire hazard. Furthermore, when wilding conifer needles fall, they alter the soil's acidity, lessening the chance of native growth underneath. Without any control, they are likely to form dense forests that shadow any understory and have negative consequences on our native ecosystems, use up scarce water and alter iconic landscapes.
The Birth of Marlborough Sounds Restoration Trust In 2003, a group of volunteers came together to set up the Marlborough Sounds Restoration Trust. We had a simple yet ambitious goal—to restore and protect the natural environment of the Sounds. The Trust’s flagship project has been the removal of these wilding pines that were taking over Sounds hillsides, raising funds locally and through national funding agencies, and employing local contractors to undertake this back-breaking work on our behalf.
The Sounds Key Management Sectors For the last 14 years the Trust has taken a strategic and staged approach to wilding conifer control, dividing the Marlborough Sounds into 14 management sectors, each ranked by priority for control. A management plan has guided decisions regarding control in these areas: Inner Queen Charlotte Sound, Outer Queen Charlotte Sound, d'Urville Island, Kenepuru Sound, Outer Pelorus Sound. Much of this work is highly visible from the water, as hillsides transition from wilding conifers back to native forest. Building on this success, the Trust is committed to continuing wilding conifer control into the future as well as providing information, resources, and support to local communities to control wilding conifers on their own private land. The Trust often get involved in projects outside of these management sectors, where landowners and resident groups are seeking assistance to deliver wilding pine control in their corner of the Sounds. The Trust actively encourages landowners to undertake their own small-scale wilding conifer control, as a complement to its own programme. A comprehensive document that provides guidance on converting pine plantations to native forest has been produced by the Trust, DoC and the Marlborough District Council and is available on the Trust’s website (details below)—along with additional information on control methods.
Collaboration We are extremely grateful to the myriad of different community members who support the work we do. Waikawa Boating Club is one of the community members who support our endeavors, having provided us with an annual donation for several years which contributes to the wilding conifer control. This helps to restore natural ecosystems, resulting in the pristine look and feel of the Sounds you see today.
There is still much work to be done, but we are optimistic about the future with the ongoing community, who’ve played a huge role in supporting the progress we have made over the years in restoring an iconic part of New Zealand.
Simple Steps to Support Just as Waikawa Boating Club has done, the Trust is only able to operate with community support. Your assistance will help protect paradise in the Marlborough Sounds- the gateway to the South Island. Donate: We welcome donations from the public and like minded organisations. Check out our Givealittle page: https://givealittle.co.nz/org/msrt Volunteer: The Trust is always on the look-out for volunteers to help us on field days, to provide boat transport, or even to assist with the governance and management of the Trust. If you are able to help, please contact us. Partner: The Trust has formed valuable partnerships with a range of businesses in the Marlborough Sounds. If your business would like to become a partner of the Trust, please contact us through either our Website or Facebook. Follow us: You can follow the work we do through our Facebook page. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarlboroughSoundsRestorationTrust Or check our highlights on our website: http://soundsrestoration.org.nz/
Deanne and her team are available for all your catering needs, from morning teas and lunches to weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, funerals and business events. Deanne will work with your specific requirements and any dietary needs.
Give Deanne a call on 021 186 8823
Do you have an idea, an article or photos of interest for our members? Let us know what you would like to see in our new monthly newsletter. Give Sue a call on 021 287 8225 or email to events@waikawaboatingclub.co.nz
The history of Brothers Island Lighthouse The Brothers Island Lighthouse, built in 1877, replaced the light on Mana Island, which sailors often confused with the light at Pencarrow Head. The lighthouse was built on the larger of the two islands. The tower was built on the highest tip to provide all round visibility of the light. The island is an extremely isolated and desolate rock, which made building the lighthouse a challenge. There was not enough soil for the workmen to pitch their tents. They were forced to build huts for their accommodation. There was no drinking water on the island and all water, food and supplies had to be shipped in. It took 60 days to land the first shipment of building supplies because of gales and rough seas. Brothers Island was the last manned lighthouse in New Zealand. Operation of the Brothers Island light The light began operation with oil-powered illumination in September 1877. It was converted to diesel-generated electricity in 1954. The station was automated and the last keepers were withdrawn in 1990. The original light beacon has now been replaced with a 50 watt tungsten halogen beacon which is powered from batteries that are charged by solar panels. The light is monitored remotely from Maritime New Zealand’s Wellington office. Life at Brothers Island light station Brothers Island was the least popular of all New Zealand’s manned lighthouses. New Zealand’s only rock station, it was notorious for sending keepers “rock happy” because of the isolation. This station was deemed unsuitable for women and children because of the hazardous landing and the confined living conditions. Keepers were completely dependent on the mainland for their supplies, including water. Even when supplies arrived unsoiled, by the third month the meals had become very limited. .
The letter books to the Marine Department, written by the keepers, are full of complaints about the poor quality of the supplies. Despite the difficult living conditions, some keepers enjoyed the peacefulness of life at the Brothers. For many it was a good training ground for a life in the lighthouse service. Originally the island was manned by four keepers but this was later reduced to three and then finally two. When the keepers were not rostered out to the Island, they would work at the marine department in Wellington. The island is now a restricted-access wildlife sanctuary administered by the Department of Conservation. It is home to tuatara and numerous other endangered species.
Lighthouse features Location: 41°06’ south, longitude 174°26’ east Elevation: 79 metres above sea level Construction: wooden tower Tower height: 12 metres Light configuration: modern rotating beacon Light flash character: white light flashing on every 10 seconds Power source: batteries charged by solar panels Range: 19 nautical miles (35 kilometres) Date light first lit: 1877 Automated: 1990 Demanned: 1990 Thanks to Maritime NZ for this article
The almost - but not quite back page quiz 1. How many Interislander ferries have there been beginning with the letter A? 2. What colour light is on Luke Rock? 3. What year was Kaipupu Wildlike Sanctuary first an idea? 4. What year did the Waikawa Boating Club begin? 5. What does this dayshape signify? 6. What is the name of the holes that are cut to let water run off the deck? 7. As you sail into a peaceful cove you notice, to your front, a small boat displaying a flag, white at the hoist and blue at the fly. What important message does this flag indicate to you?
8. What is this vessel doing, and what type of vessel? Answers: 1. 5 - Aramoana, Aranui, Aratiki, Arahura, Aratere 2. Green 3. 2005 4. 1959 5. Vessel at anchor 6. Scuppers 7. Dive flag, diver down, stay at least 200m and reduce speed to 5kn 8. Motor vessel making way, viewed from the from - coming towards you.
Members Classifieds Sail Numbers If you are looking to replace or add sail numbers, we can machine cut them for you. Price ranges from $6 to $8 depending on size per number/letter. Available in black, grey, blue, yellow and pink. Phone Sue - 021 287 8225
Mooring available to rent at Anakiwa. 4 tonne block, suitable up to 14m vessel. Available now to mid March 2023. $120 month. Phone Marty 027 275 0213 Swap your Waikawa Mooring for a mooring in Whangaroa, Northland - this mooring has a 3 tonne for a 14.6m boat. Contact John for more info - 027 231 3001.
Wanted to Buy mooring in Waikawa Bay for 14m yacht. Contact: Liz 027 217 1564 or Dave 021 073 3612 Marina Fenders For Sale Boat Cover Company brand Made for 12M berth 3 x 1.5m fenders 1 x corner fender. $500 Contact Amy 021 089 02042 Looking for Chrome locking winch handles in the Anderson style or similar for classic yacht. Any size considered. Ph: Ben 021 104 4879 Heading away from Waikawa Marina for a time in 2022? 13m yacht seeks a berth for a few months. Contact: David, 022 505 2302 pinotd@icloud.com
If you have something boat related to sell/buy or swap, these ads (now with photo) are free for our members. If you would like a full or half page ad please talk to us. Please email to events@waikawaboatingclub.co.nz