Versatile ‘shapeshifter’ from Beneteau

Lockdown debuts for new RNZYS staff

Story and pictures by Debra Douglas

Billy (or William, he answers to both) Woodworth, the Squadron’s new Communications Co-ordinator, is the first to admit the advent of level 4 lockdown in August was hardly an auspicious start to a dream job.

Twenty-three-year-old Billy joined the Squadron when level 4 was only a few days old and says his transition into the marketing and communications role involved giving his old laptop back to his former employer and receiving a new one to work from home, marketing Squadron on-line events and producing news posts, media releases and Mainsheet.

“But I am working in the sporting world and couldn’t be happier at the opportunity,” said Billy. ” I’m now looking forward to seeing what the role is like in its entirety and meeting members in person.”

Billy lives and breathes sport, having played rugby, league, football, squash, tennis, golf and hockey.

“I grew up in a small town south of Whangarei. It was always hard to get enough numbers to make up a team, so everyone had to be involved in every code.”

He has never sailed, however, so taking part in the Squadron’s Learn-to-Sail programme is top of his to-do list.

From Year 9 Billy boarded at Auckland Grammar and went on to tutor part time and coach rugby at the school. He spent a year in England as a PE teacher at Reading School and graduated from Auckland University with a BA in Political Science, Media, Film and Television in 2020.

Following graduation came a stint as an intern at Sky TV, working on visual and audio editing of sports, live television production and on-screen content. Then early this year he became a customer service ambassador for Inspire Growth Partners, a data-driven agency that works closely with some of the leading automotive brands in New Zealand.

Billy describes the job as having a lot of different moving parts to it, very much like his Billy Woodworth.

current role. As a corporate ‘fix it’ person, he would assist customers whose vehicle had failed in some way, even organising roadside assistance. He was also involved with introduction events for potential buyers when new models were launched.

Billy: “The attraction of the Squadron was definitely the sport side of things. There is also a massive amount of prestige and expectation involved in my role. I would not have left my previous position for anything less than this. It’s an awesome opportunity.” New RNZYS Finance Manager Donna Dicker also had to get to grips with settling into a new job whilst coping with lockdown land. “It has been challenging,“ said Donna. “When I was interviewed for the role at the beginning of September, we were ever hopeful we would be back in Level 2 on my start date.“

But that, of course, didn’t happen and Donna and her predecessor Sarah Weenink had to deal with the complexities of a remote handover.

The transition was successful, however, and now Donna has her feet firmly under the desk. “It was also difficult dealing with the club’s ‘non trading’ situation. I haven’t seen the club in full operation. In some ways it was a good thing, allowing me to focus on other elements, but I am so looking forward to seeing people here, the bars buzzing, the members happy.”

Donna has worked in a diverse range of business operations at a senior management level. Industries ranging from national and regional sports organisations, to multinationals, service and hospitality. This includes four years at Hockey New Zealand Inc. as Finance Manager and 10 years as the Finance and Commercial Manager at the Auckland Cricket Association.

Donna says she is versatile, with demonstrated strengths in finance, business and change management, revenue generation, events management and enjoys building relationships with people from all walks of life. “I have a reputation for challenging the status quo and seeking out opportunities for improvement, including streamlining and integrating systems, optimising efficiencies and

implementation of financial best practice to support the initiatives of the RNZYS and its stakeholders.”

Donna chose finance as a career when she was young, as it became apparent that numbers tell a story. “To me, financial management is not only about reporting results, it’s about being future focused. The numbers tell a story and my ability to interpret and communicate these provides insights upon which the business can make proactive decisions to run a slick operation. A key role in any business is to always be looking forward and accurate information makes all the difference in any organisation.”

Out of the office, Donna is busy renovating an old villa in Sandringham and training her miniature poodle. Although she is a sports fan, she has never sailed, but is keen to learn and is joining Squadron’s Learn-to-Sail Programme.

“I’m very excited about getting out on the water. It is a whole new adventure. I am keen to absorb the atmosphere of the club and meet everyone.”

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The cockpit aft settee slides back to create ample space for alfresco dining. Note the galley located immediately inside the large sliding doors to provide convenient access for meals inside the saloon, or in the cockpit. When it is time to play, the cockpit settee slides forward to enlarge the boarding platform.

Versatile ‘Shapeshifter’ from Beneteau

Targeted at comfortable passagemaking, with plenty of space for family and friends, the new Beneteau Swift Trawler 41 Fly has an arsenal of tricks up its sleeve to fulfil multiple functions and demands.

Like one of the creations in a Transformer movie, this boat features a number of moving parts that take on various shapes and configurations to shift space and purpose as required. Want more space in the aft cockpit, for example, and the rear settee slides back to accommodate alfresco dining and entertaining. Similarly, the stainless stairs leading up to the flybridge, slide forward to tuck out of the way.

When the fish are biting, or the kids are jumping in and out of the water, the cockpit settee can be shifted forward to enlarge the boarding platform.

Up on the expansive foredeck, sunseekers can spread out and lounge on the large sunbeds, which can quickly be transformed into a forward-facing settee, providing a great vantage point for sightseeing on passage, or taking time out with a book.

Inside the saloon, with the anchor down and appetites up, the helm seat swivels through 270° and lowers to the cabin sole to complete the fourth side of seating around the dining table. At bedtime, if the three cabins are already occupied, the dining table slides down to provide an additional queen size bed, complete with privacy curtains.

All this shape-shifting works to maximise space in what is already a big-volume boat. With its three-deck configuration and 4.2m (13.7ft) beam that is carried virtually the entire 13.43m (44ft) of its length, this boat does not lack for real estate.

Wide expanses of glass accentuate the sense of space and light, particularly on the

main deck, which accommodates the internal helm station, saloon and well-equipped galley and continues directly out to the cockpit. Large stackable sliding doors open to create a seamless flow between cockpit and saloon, with the galley sensibly placed between the two and accessible to indoor and outdoor dining options.

On the lower deck, accommodations include a master suite with aft-facing centreline bed, generous hanging and drawer space, a stand-up shower on the starboard side and separate head on the port side.

Straddling the centreline companionway aft of the master suite are a day head and singleberth cabin on the starboard side and a double cabin on the port side with two single berths that can be converted to a queensize double.

Up on the flybridge is a forward helm station and a lounging/dining area covered by a bimini, with an expansive sundeck aft, equipped with a BBQ, fridge, sink and trash compactor.

The flybridge helm station is equipped with aft-facing cameras to facilitate docking, but the internal helm position is also well placed for that purpose.

A starboard sliding door enables the helmperson to step out to the side deck and, with good visibility fore and aft, still be in easy reach of the twin throttle controls and the bow and stern thruster. A gate in the starboard

Above right: The saloon is spacious and bright, with contemporary fabrics and joinery. The helm seat can swivel 270° to provide additional seating around the dining table. Right: The owners’ stateroom features a large aft-facing centreline bed with separate ensuite head and stand-up shower.

SOLD

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hip-high bulwark allows the helmsman to step onto the dock once alongside and assist with line-handling in a short-handed situation.

Powered by twin Volvo Penta D4 300hp shaft drive engines, the Swift Trawler 41 lives up to the dual-personality implied in its name.

In swift mode, it planes comfortably at 12-16 knots and with the throttles wide open sprints to 25 knots.

In displacement trawler mode, it is capable of serious passagemaking.

“By our calculations, with the fuel capacity of 1,170 litres, you could cruise to Fiji at 7-8 knots,” according to Andrew Delves of 36 Degrees Brokers. In ‘swift” mode, the Swift Trawler 41 Fly sprints to 25 knots, maintaining a level attitude at all times. The hard chine and flared bow deflects spray down and away from the hull.

32 Herne Bay Road, Herne Bay $5.7mil 75 Marine Parade, Herne Bay $5.8mil

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YOUR LOCAL TRUSTED ACHIEVER

021 325 009 ı a.tait@barfoot.co.nz ı barfoot.co.nz/a.tait

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