Waterline - December 2018 by Sun Media

BOAT | FIS H | WAT E R SP O R T NZ

SU M M E R 2 018/19

Legends Regatta.

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The region’s favourite watersport and boating magazine, Waterline. Bigger, brighter and with increased circulation, Waterline is making more of a splash in the booming marine market, with a new look and a wider reach. It’s the flagship of the region’s boating community, embraced by clubs, active boat owners, fishos, divers and

watersports enthusiasts.

Unique event marks milestone

Kiwi’s world first for boat security

Chase a summer trout

Surf board rider and maker

Handy app for all fishers

Bioengineers tackle underwater biofouling 21

Taking a sentimental journey

A quirky restoration challenge

The Kirribilli Incident

The secrets of salt ice

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Unique event marks milestone

The fleet at rest at Mercury Cove (Huruhi Harbour). Photos: Pete Linde

Labour Weekend this year marked the 15th running of the Legends Regatta at Great Mercury Island. The regatta was conceived by Mount Maunganui Yacht Club stalwart Doug Harrison as an event where ordinary yachtsman could combine cruising, friends and fellowship with enough racing for those so inclined to stay interested. “It is all about participation,” says Doug. There is prize giving every night but the major prize is drawn randomly among those who have competed in at least three of the four events. The format of the weekend is to sail to Great Mercury on Friday and return home again on Monday. These two legs of the weekend make up 2 of the ‘events’ to qualify for the regatta grand prize and there is no set start time. This means that skippers can choose the time to leave that suits them best. In addition to the participation prize, there is also a trophy for the race results. “We wanted to provide an event for both the cruisers and those racers who don’t want to go through the rigmarole of doing the Coastal Classic”. The transit legs are also part of the race schedule and so there is a bit of tactics involved for those aiming for the trophy. Choosing the best departure time has meant some boats leave in the wee small dark hours. Because the organisers want to ensure that all the participants arrive in plenty of time to enjoy the weekend, there is a unique motoring clause in the rules. It means that if there is insufficient wind, a boat may choose to motor for as long as they wish. There are time penalties for this, but over

the years it has been known for the winning boat to be one that used its motor to best advantage. The other two events are normally shorter races around the islands and are held in the afternoon of Saturday and Sunday. “It’s great,” says Club Commodore, Adam Yates. “With a start at 1pm, there is enough time for us to have a leisurely breakfast and then we normally fit in a dive for scallops or fishing from one of the reefs. We are known as one of the boats that enjoy the racing but the handicaps favour the cruisers a bit and we’ve never been able to take home the trophy. Nor the major prize for that matter.” One of the key success factors for the Legends has been the many sponsors that have provided support over the many years. A large cohort have been involved of every regatta and receive support from our entrants in return. We usually get 25 to 35 boats entered and one year there was 52. Great Mercury Island is one of the gems of the Coromandel east coast. With numerous bays and stunning walks there is plenty to do. One of the great things about Mercury Island is that it is open to the public, even though it is a working farm. In 2011, the Rugby World Cup final was held during Labour Weekend and the organisers set up a Fanzone on the beach for everyone to get to watch. “I remember that the result was a close 8-7 to the All Blacks against the French and the whole crowd let out a collective sigh of relief at the final whistle. I think it would have been the most picturesque Fanzone in the country.” Putting on these regattas takes a bit of effort, but everyone seems to enjoy them. A few people have done most of

Prizegiving on the beach. Photo: Pete Linde

Organising committee member, Haeg Pettersen giving a tribute for local yachting legend, Mike McCormick. 4

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Grand prize winner: Mayor Brownless with Commodore of MMYC, Adam Yates.

the 15 but there have been a few false starts. The weather forecast for 2007 was for atrocious weather and the committee took the decision to call it off. Not all the skippers got the message and 30 of the 52 went anyway. Apparently they had an enjoyable time, but the trip up was a bit boisterous. “We’ve done the event 14 times and they have all been fantastic,” says Adam. “We’ve encountered our highest windspeed on one trip up (53 knots) but it was from behind so we just surfed through it, and our highest boat speed (17knots) at these regattas. The worst trip was when the wind was on the nose and blustery all day. So we chose to go to Mayor Island en route and spent a pleasant day waiting for it to improve. While all the other boats got thrashed, we had a nice walk, a bit of a sleep and then an equally pleasant night sail later. Suffice to say we didn’t win any prizes that weekend, but we did get two packhorse crays from just inside Southeast Bay”. 2018 has been dedicated to Mike McCormick. Mike is an icon of yachting in Tauranga. He has sailed hundreds of thousands of miles around the globe, participated in all the blue ribbon yachting events such as Sydney Hobart and Fastnet. “Mike is winding down his participation in yachting and we felt it was right to honour one of the legends of our city and yacht clubs. He has been to most of the Legends Regattas that we have held and we have all learnt something from him over the years,” says Doug. The results for the weekend, saw the island race prizes provided by Burton Sails going to Not Negotiable and Wizzard. The trophy was awarded to Wizzard for making the best use of the conditions (and was the only boat which chose to sail the whole leg home, while wind was at its best). The major prize, is a participation prize, drawn randomly among all the boats that participated. This year the prize was a B&G Vulcan chartplotter, provided by Promarine Electronics and $1000 cash from Karaka Pines Villages. This year it was awarded to our Mayor, Greg Brownless who participated in the event for the first time.

Mercury Cove. Photos: Pete Linde

Summer Adventure programme and NOW (Novices on Water) Mount Maunganui Yacht Club is dedicating its summer sailing programme to a series of Adventure Sailing days. There are a lot of yachts in the harbour that don’t get used all that often, says Club Commodore, Adam Yates. “We thought that we would encourage yachties to join in with others in some adventure sailing. This is not racing, but heading to some agreed location as a group and enjoying both the destination and the journey. Yachting is not just about the sailing, there is a great deal of enjoyment of just being there, wherever ‘there’ is. Having a group of likeminded people to share the weekend with adds to the enjoyment too.” The format of each Adventure Day will be set as the weather and conditions allow. The day may be a trip to Mayor Island or Motiti Island or just a casual trip up the harbour for a coffee and picnic at Omokoroa. “The idea grew out of our Legends Regatta weekend, where the majority of boats that join in are not racing boats but people wanting to join in with others. Sometimes, we just need a reason to go out sailing, so we’d like people to register their interest so that we can keep them informed as to what the plans for each event are shaping up as’” We also want to see more people involved in sailing but recognise that not everyone who would like to go sailing owns a boats or knows someone who does. This is where Novices on Water comes in. We have an opportunity for anyone who would like to try their hand at sailing to come along and we’ll find a boat for them to join. Over summer, people new to sailing will be able to discover the pleasure, and possibly the challenges, it brings. Registrations of interest can be recorded by sending an email to: Info@mmyc.co.nz

Action on the water.

The summer sailing calendar with MMYC November 2018 24th Saturday Adventure Weekend DECEMBER 2018 1st Saturday Adventure Weekend 15th Saturday Adventure Weekend and Christmas on the Beach JANUARY 2019 12th Saturday Adventure Weekend 25th Friday Whitianga Adventure Weekend 26th Saturday Whitianga Race 28th Monday Auckland Anniversary Day FEBRUARY 2019 9th Saturday Whangamata Adventure Weekend 23rd Saturday Adventure Weekend MARCH 2019 8th Friday Corporate Regatta 9th Saturday Adventure Weekend 23rd Saturday Adventure Weekend

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Kiwi’s world first for boat security When Rodney Horne’s boat was broken into he thought there must be a way to track unwelcome visitors in the future. So the electronics engineer decided to invent his own tracking device that he says is a first in the marine world. “I built a boat and it was on a mooring. I had trouble with people breaking into it and had general concerns for its wellbeing basically. So I wanted a system that could give me as much information as possible without actually being there. “The Floating Technology monitoring system was developed by us initially for use on our own boat, because while GPS tracking systems are readily available, we wanted to know more than just the whereabouts of our boat. “The result is a monitoring system, specifically designed to give boat owners more peace of mind, made right here in New Zealand, for anyone concerned about the wellbeing of their boat.” Simplicity of use and maximum accuracy were the key factors Rodney utilised. “I wanted to know if someone had got on board the boat without having sensors all over the boat. I wanted something simple, basically a box I could stick on the boat anywhere and it would let me know. “What is quite unique about what I have here is it has a motion sensor like you would have in a virtual reality headset giro. It is constantly monitoring the physical motion of the boat, the pitch and the roll. It will look for any anomalies in that information which would happen if someone got on your boat or it started sinking or another boat had collided with it.” The information is then emailed directly to the boat owner and there is an optional security camera with webcam feature.

Rodney says when he went looking for a security system for his boat there was nothing available to do what he wanted. “What I have created is unique to each boat as each boat has a fairly unique way it responds to waves and its motion in the water. The system allows for waves all the time. It is almost like machine learning. It learns what is a normal attitude for the boat and compensates for waves. “But if someone was to jump on your boat it would affect the attitude of the boast and how it responds. The smaller the boat, the more difference that will make.” Boat tracking highlights: • GPS tracking with geofencing • Detailed pitch and roll motion information • Optional security camera feature with webcam • Low power consumption and battery saving, low voltage hibernation • Email alerts and access to your boat status via secure website For pricing and options, contact info@floatech.nz Peter White

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Chase a summer trout! Weather plays a part in all types of fishing, not just River Fishing and like a stormy sea that can stop sea fisherman, a swollen river can halt or ruin the best of plans, for us river fishermen.

Many of us know that when those river levels drop, there will be a run of Silver Steel Heads through the rivers. In autumn and winter I pray for rain and swollen rivers. I love the anticipation of knowing there are good numbers of trout in a river after rain. However we are moving into warmer months, where insects hatch and blow on warm breezes, to fall into a river

and be eaten by big, hungry trout. Believe me I love that too! Many anglers believe Taupo only to be a winter fishery. Most of the old fraternity, wet liners, put their gear away over summer, to dust it off in April. The art of nymphing in the district has seen more anglerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fish rivers like the Tongariro over summer. We have a healthy tourism

Happy angler hook up on Tongariro.

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Waitahanui Rip Brown Trout.

built around trout fishing in Taupo and many of the tourists visit Taupo and Turangi just to fly fish. Its summer reputation is starting to grow and so it should. I believe the summer fishing on all the Taupo rivers can be exceptional from spring all the way through summer. If you want variety of water all wrapped up with brilliant shore line fishing. Then Turangi and Taupo should be on your hit list!

gets a run of Browns a long way through it, not just in the lower reaches. Like their winter running cousins, Browns come into the Hinemaiaia after rain. Tauranga Taupo tough The Tauranga Taupo is a tough nut to crack in summer. Having a decent false cast really comes into play on the TT over summer, when it is low and clear. Definitely fish the fast bubbly water on this Taupo tributary but also pay attention to those deep pools. A long leader of 12 feet and 3.8Ml of Tungsten gets a good drift when the TT is low. Any heavier and you will drag the bottom and false strike. The other option is a dry fly and longer dropper of maybe three feet. These rigs are not easy to cast with stealth, but can make the difference between hooking up, or spooking a good fish. You should visit the TT if there has been rain, the river level has come up, then dropped quickly. You may be very surprised at the numbers of trout this Taupo tributary can hold over summer.

Waitahanui cold The Waitahanui is as cold as a Witch’s proverbial, even over summer. Its dense foliage all the way from the source of the spring, keeps it well hidden from the Sun. So when it enters the lake it is sitting around eight to ten degrees Celsius. Trout love this cold water as it contains more oxygen than lake water and attracts their main food source, smelt. This is a perfect place to throw a Green Woolly bugger or smelt pattern into the “rip”, where the river meets the lake. Pat Swift from Rotorua makes some amazing patterns, you definitely should have some of his in your box. Tongariro browns Some days when it is hot and still and the river fish have Then we have the Tongariro, a book in itself. Browns all the gone down, fishing the Waitahanui Rip can be nothing short way through, over summer, with massive concentrations in the of brilliant. The river itself over summer can fill up pretty fast lower sections. Resident trout throughout summer, who I believe with brown trout. These can be frustrating as hell to cast too, as come into the river for the food and oxygen it provides in the they lie dormant on the bottom like logs. My advice, is to change warmer months. Once they are in the nymphs on a regular basis. Have Tongariro system, why would they something hairy, have a flash back, want to leave? have something red and definitely The 2018 winter season was very have a Glo Bug. Change until you slow to kick off and I believe there either spook them off, or you get sick are still large numbers of trout aching of changing nymphs. However on top to enter our rivers, no more so than of the water is where it’s at, on the the Tongariro. This river enables an Waitahanui. The insect, cicada hatches angler to wet line, nymph or just use are epic! a dry fly, over summer. It is large I brushed through a small willow in Tongariro Dry Fly Hooked Rainbow. enough to wet line anywhere through the lower reaches one hot sunny day the system, with a slow sinker and and was covered by about 100 cicadas, Green Woolly bugger. This can be the tree erupted and they covered me. used all day but first thing in the morning can result in massive The ’Nui is crystal clear over summer and so spotting and casting battles with the large Browns lurking deep. to feeding trout can be a lot of fun. I really rate this river system The Rainbows love smelt patters in the Tongariro over over summer. summer. I will quite often Nymph up a run, get to the top, Hinemaiaia weed switch over to an intermediate sink tip and a 4 foot tapered leader with a Green Woolly bugger and fish back down. Those The Hinemaiaia’s river mouth is fished exactly the same as hits you get are pretty addictive. Using a dry fly and dropper for the Waitahanui, except I use a floating line in the Hine. This those trout in shallow water can be very effective. If you want a is another cold river that attracts trout over summer because bit of fun, then throwing a size six cicada pattern into some fast of the higher oxygen levels. The water level on the Hinemaiaia bubbly water, having it scoffed down then twenty feet of line over summer can be very low and so I use a big dry fly with a disappearing through your guides, is just for you. The Tongariro short tippet, to a slightly weighted dropper. The weed in the is an epic river and well deserves it name throughout the world. Hinemaiaia can be horrible and this rig deals with that pretty Summer is a fantastic time in Taupo if you are into chasing effectively. trout, make sure you get down here at least once this summer and This river gets a good rise in the evening, stay till dark if you try it out, you will be hooked, (see what I did there). can, you may be surprised at what is lurking there. This is a Go to to www.taupofishing.co.nz for nymphs that catch trout. beautiful river to wade with a five weight and flick ahead. You can pretty much wade the entire river, bar one or two deeper Shane French holes and these are where I concentrate on dark. The Hinemaiaia U Tube Channel - Rivergod21 waterline Summer 2018/19

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The future of fishing As far as Keith Southon is concerned, when he goes fishing there’s only one way to fly. He fishes from the Bay of Plenty up to the top of Northland with his AeroKontiki, a New Zealanddesigned and produced fishing drone, and he’s a convert. “It’s my only device that I use for fishing. And it’s a hugely successful way to go out to longline fish. “There’s been many different configurations of how you get your line out to where the fish are. This is just the simplest and the quickest. “We can launch a line of up to 25 hooks out to a kilometre in about four minutes flight time. It’s about five minutes to set up, bait up, organize the launching board, and then we’ll fly. “It’s similar to casting a surfcasting line but you’ve got 25 hooks on and you can cast it a kilometre.” Apart from the AeroKontiki’s user-friendliness, and the numbers of fish he’s harvesting, which are rapidly filling the freezers of friends and family, it’s the intelligent safety philosophy of the AeroKontiki that most impresses Keith. “There’s a heap of safety built into it. If it’s losing height, if it’s pulling too much weight, if the batteries get too low, it will

automatically release the line and take over to bring itself back. “If you fly more than 30m from your base unit, it will not drop below 15m. “So, you can’t reduce the revs on the drone to drop it into the water when it’s out at sea. “The drone decides it wants to live and it pretty much will ignore what you’re trying to get it to do and come back to safety.” It’s not only very effective, it’s a fun device – with ‘cool factor’ as one of Keith’s friends once put it - to play with. And incredibly well thought-out by a company that cares about its product and is very responsive to its customers, he says. “It’s been an evolution. They’re finding out the improvements they can make by people coming back to them and saying this happened to me, how can we get past that. They take it pretty seriously and come up with fixes for all the things we do to try and destroy this little machine.” At the end of the day, Keith says, “it’s not the fishing drone you’ll choose if cost is the only consideration. It’s just not comparable to any of the cheaper drones, because of what it can do for you.” “Some people run on cost, I run on performance. If for some reason my drone disappeared tomorrow the first thing I’d do is go back and buy another one, because it’s so cheap for what it does.”

Keith Southon with his latest catch.

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Turtle remains highlight need for marine conservation The remains of a leatherback turtle have been discovered near Motiti Island by a Tauranga cruise company. The turtle was found floating in the water by crew on board the Bay Explorer. Skipper Brandon Stone says it was found with a large mollymawk, or albatross species, right next to it. “We assume would have likely been eating around its neck.” He says upon inspection, the crew has also discovered its underside, fins and flippers had been eaten. “This would have definitely been done by fish and sharks after it died. “We suspect this has either died in a commercial net and has been released; it suffered from hunger or disease; or it has ingested plastic. “It’s unlikely it’s been eaten by local sharks until after its death because naturally they are able to protect themselves from sharks.

Max Martinez and Brandon Stone with the leatherback remains.

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“This sensory urge they have to come back to their breeding grounds is innate in them and they are coming back in larger numbers.” Brandon says a key characteristic of leatherback turtles is a light pink spot on their head, which is located directly above their brain. “It’s thought this allows light to reach their pineal gland, which may be used for migration. The pineal is an endocrine gland, found in vertebrates which affects weight, It’s underbody has sleep patterns and been completely eaten, functions of signal. likely by fish and sharks. “Light hits the spot which helps them gather information about time and they use this information to determine the “We encourage people to follow length of days to help them sync with the conservation advice to reduce plastics; seasons for mating and food.” not recycle but reduce. The World Wildlife Fund page “The environment out there is on Leatherback turtles says they are the sustainable for marine wildlife but we largest sea turtle species and also one of would like to see more areas protected the most migratory, crossing both the from commercial fishing.” Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The species put the Bay under a global spotlight last year, when Accidental bycatch a number of leatherback turtles In addition Leatherbacks can dive to were discovered to be making a more than a kilometre and can remain return to the region. underwater for four to seven hours. At the time, it was discovered Hundreds of thousands of sea turtles the typically solitary animals are a year are accidentally caught in shrimp actually former Bay of Plenty trawl nets, on longline hooks and in residents. “On one occasion fishing gillnets. during the summer of 2016Sea turtles need to reach the surface 2017 we found three leatherback turtles in one position also out by to breathe, and therefore many drown once caught. Known as bycatch, this is a Motiti Island. serious threat to leatherback turtles. Pink spot on head As fishing activity expands, this threat is more of a problem. “We gained international Sea turtles are dependent on beaches attention for that and ended for nesting. up with people coming as far as Sea level rise, uncontrolled coastal Costa Rica to find out why we development, vehicle traffic on beaches, found three. Typically they travel and other human activities have directly as a solo animal and the only destroyed or disturbed sea turtle nesting time they aggregate is to breed. beaches around the world. “We spoke with many science Turtle feeding grounds such as coral researchers during this time and reefs and sea grass beds are also damaged the conjecture that came from and destroyed by activities onshore, that is that the turtles were likely such as sedimentation from clearing decimated in the area by Maori of land and nutrient run-off from in the early days, and that they possibly lived on Papamoa beach. agriculture.

“We decided to bring it back in so we could get an autopsy done to find out the cause behind its death.” Brandon says the discovery highlights a need to increase conservation efforts in the Bay of Plenty.

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Surf board rider and maker...

Duncan with a few of his personal collection of surfboards. Photos Catherine Fry.

It takes around five minutes in the company of Duncan Mackay to realise he knows a lot about surfing, an awful lot. This 30-year-old Raglan resident has extensive knowledge of all aspects, from construction and the science behind it, to the actual art of riding a wave. He owns “more boards than he thought”, admitting that he may have an obsession in that area as he pulls them out for a photo. British-born Duncan remembers bodyboarding at age four years, while holidaying with family on the Norfolk Coast in England. “By the time I was 12 or 13, we were holidaying in Cornwall, and I was surfing the famous beaches at St Ives, Sennen Cove, Newquay and Gwynver,” says Duncan. “Sometimes Mum and I lived in a caravan for weeks in the summer holidays, she could work from anywhere.” His interest in the sport was so great, Duncan studied a BSc

Duncan with one of his favourite boards that he made and did most of the artwork – a 6’1” EPS/EPOXY performance shortboard by Camenzind.

Pouring resin into the fin box installation at the factory. 14

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Hons in Surf Science and Technology at Plymouth University. He surfed the Cornish beaches, worked in a surf shop, and made boards of his own in the evenings. “The degree covered many aspects, such as environmental science, oceanography, meteorology, sports science and psychology, materials science, and business studies.” As do many surfers from around the world, Duncan visited New Zealand and was drawn to Raglan. “I’d seen the movie ‘Endless Summer’ and Raglan is obviously very well known in the surfing world.” He approached Mickey T of Raglan Longboards in May 2011, only to be told he didn’t need anyone now, but come back on Labour Day. Duncan did as he was told and explored other parts of New Zealand for the winter, turning up on Mickey’s doorstep again right on Labour Day 2011. “I don’t think for one minute he thought I’d come back and his face dropped. I offered to work for $1 an hour to prove myself. “I worked for 28 hours, he paid me $28, and took me on. He did say he’d have to re-teach me everything the right way because I’d taught myself the wrong way.” Mickey obviously made the right decision as Duncan is still there. Duncan credits Mickey’s knowledge with his own improved construction technique over the years. Duncan leaves the shaping in the expert care of Mickey, but he turns his hand to numerous other aspects including glassing, hot coating, fin construction, sanding, glossing, polishing, and artwork. He doesn’t do dings. “No dings… not ever… maybe sometimes for pretty women who kiss me, put it like that.” One of Duncan’s passions is to experiment with board design shapes, using new materials and different construction methods with “varying success.” Nowadays, boards are made from EPS/Epoxy resins, so the boards are lightweight, strong and flexible. “I’m always looking to improve the method of stiffening the board without using a wooden stringer as the ‘backbone’. “I play around with different fibres such as carbon and fibreglass, and try different orientations to see how the board flexes and performs.” Outside the 32 hours a week he works with surfboards, Duncan is a dedicated ecologist and environmentalist. For 24 hours a week, he is a Ranger for Karioi: Maunga ki te moana, a biodiversity restoration organisation working on Mount Karioi in Raglan. “You can’t ignore the fact that the construction of surfboards uses some pretty toxic petrochemicals, that’s why I strive to make them last longer. “You’d hope for at least 25 years from a longboard. Wood is coming back, sustainable wood is good. If we could make those boards last 50 years that would be really good.”

and all round Raglan eco dude Duncan has never forgotten a university friend’s thesis, and the way it has made him think. “He basically worked out that the petrochemicals used to make a surfboard would be the equivalent of the petrol for one 25 to 50 mile car journey. “So in the big picture, owning a surfboard for 25 years is actually a low carbon emission way to enjoy the environment.” His aim is to keep functionality and performance in a board but increase their longevity. “There is a melting pot of talent in Raglan which I feel privileged to be part of. “We all work together, bounce ideas off each other, and empower each other to do better.” When it comes to actually surfing, Duncan gets out as much as he can, and he certainly has a large personal collection of boards of all sizes and shapes. He enters the Raglan Point Boardriders competitions six times a year. “When else do I get to go out in the water with only four other people? I’ve no illusions of winning but I hold my own in the longboard division.” Duncan has surfed at beaches all over the world, from midnight surfs in the summer white nights of Scotland, to living the beach life on the 200 kilometre Atlantic surf coast between Bordeaux and Biarritz in France. “I also surfed in Mauritania, and no one there had even seen a surfboard. They were watching in amazement. “Surfing around icebergs in Iceland was interesting. “In Morocco I surfed a few kilometres of point break and rode a camel back up the beach, complete with my board.” For Duncan surfing is a privilege and the culture is something he wants to protect. “There is no freedom quite like riding a wave, with water and wind in your hair, and breathing in the crisp, clean air.” Catherine Fry

Manu Bay, Raglan.

We’re bringing fresh water back Ford Road and boat ramp closures

Work to partially re-divert the Kaituna River and make Te Awa o Ngatoroirangi Maketū Estuary healthier is ongoing until June 2020.

Ford Road access to the Kaituna Scenic Reserve/Te Tumu Cut carpark will be OPEN to the public from 20 December 2018 until 7 February 2019.

Ford Road will be CLOSED again between 7am and 7pm on weekdays and Saturdays, from 8 February to 27 May 2019.

Ford Road boat ramp remains closed until 30 June 2020. Please use the alternative boat ramp at Bell Road during this time.

See www.boprc.govt.nz/kaitunarediversion or call 0800 884 880 for more information.

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Handy app for all fishers Developed by recreational fishers for recreational fishers, Fish4All is a handy App for logging catch, comparing stats, snapping and sharing shots and a great tool for running competitions – and it’s available in six languages; English, Te Reo Maori, Samoan, Mandarin, Tagalog (Filipino) and Hindi.

Chris Falconer having fun with the family.

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But it’s also a powerful sustainability tool, collating anonymous catch data, which the Fish4All Charitable Trust controls and will use to enhance recreational fisheries management and representation. Trustee Chris Falconer, a Waikato dairy farmer and lifelong fishing enthusiast, says it enables recreational fishers to become co-managers of the fishery. “I love it and use it religiously. It’s given me a much better understanding of my fishing take over the year, where I’ve been, what I’ve caught and where I want to go next and what species I target. “But, for me it’s about the Kaupapa of the App, to build more data enabling recreational fishers to take a seat at the management table along alongside commercial and customary fishers. “ The data is collected anonymously through encrypted software and only at a regional or sub-regional level, so no hotspots are given away. “Fish4All is not about telling tales it’s about contributing to how the fishery is managed. And the more fishers who use it the stronger the data can be.” Fish4All is seeking investment and partners to take the App to the next level by adding a swag of new features that have been suggested through user feedback, to create the ‘Fisho’s Best Mate’. Ideas include recognition software technology for instant species identification and measurement and which would mean that fish caught during a competition can be put back with a chance of growing for next year.

Users also want to see customised safety auto-prompts, access to best online bait and gear offers, best local fuel offers, real-time competition updates and entries, and boat uber (find a boat, find a crew). “Fish4All currently runs an annual best fishing experience photo competition that has proven hugely popular. The recognition software would enable real-time competition systems so anyone can set up a competition, snap their catch and enter it, and in real-time see what others are doing through leader board updates. “It will hugely simplify competition administration, and speed up results collation and prize giving.” Falconer says Fish4All will be inviting investors and trustees to come on board at the Fishing and Boating Show, to help take the App to the next stage. Fish4All uses a social enterprise model, operating with a commercial arm Fish4All Ltd and a charitable arm, the Fish4All Charitable Trust – which is exclusive data owner and manager. Fish4All Ltd partner Katherine Short says that means both commercial and charitable arms of Fish4all can access different funding options that generate income to support recreational fishing interests. “The Trust can utilise the funds for education outreach and research and data analysis, which is so crucial for ensuring we can better contribute to managing our precious inshore fisheries. “The Trust is made up of everyday Kiwi fishing enthusiasts who care deeply for our fisheries so it’s really in the right hands.” For more information visit the website www.fish4all.co.nz

Chris Falconer with a good catch.

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Bioengineers tackle underwater biofouling University of Auckland bioengineers have developed an innovative way to get rid of the underwater biofouling that creates such a headache for marinas, boaties and aqua farmers. Electroclear, a new spin-out company based at Auckland Bioengineering Institute is using electric fields to disrupt small organisms’ ability to live on selected underwater surfaces. It is a permanent, non-toxic solution that can be applied to a wide range of geometries. “We became aware that biofouling was a big problem when we heard about the invasive fanworms in the Auckland harbour,” says doctoral student Christopher Walker. Walker, and fellow doctoral student and company partner Patrin Illenberger, (both in ABI’s Biomimetics Laboratory) brought their bioengineering training to bear on the problem. “We had some terrible ideas at first, but then about a year ago we began trialling electric fields underwater,” explains Illenberger. They discovered that if they set up two separate electrodes underwater and created a fully encapsulated electric field, they could target and disrupt certain organisms. “These organisms will try to adhere, grow and spore and we try to stop them at every stage.” Electroclear has been experimenting at Port Opua (Bay of Islands), Outboard Boating Club (Orakei), and Westhaven Marinas looking at ways to create electric fields on different surfaces - boat hulls, rope, pontoons - and then connect these to small, land-based power boxes. There are elements of the process they are keeping secret but experiments during which fibreglass panels were hung over the side of a pontoon have proved their method. “The panels that had an electric field had no organisms attached after 50 days,” says Illenberger, “while the others with no field had bryozoans, algae and barnacles on their surface.” With the positive results of their marina trials, Electroclear is pushing to get this into more applications.

Chris Walker and Patrin Illenberger.

“As an island nation with such strong ties to our ocean, we have a real chance here to lead the world in anti-fouling and biosecurity,” says Walker. Applications for this technology seem wide spread, from boat hulls to drainage systems. “The way forward is to dive into applications; we want this technology being trialled in aquaculture and marine infrastructure around the country.” One of Electroclear’s goals is to develop a database of the different parameters that impact different organisms in different environmental conditions. “Which means a customer may be able to come to us with a problem with a particular algae or larvae in a particular area of the country and we will know the exact electrical field needed to control it,” says Walker. Electroclear recently won funding and mentor support through the University’s Entrepreneurship programme, Velocity, and is talking with research institutions and commercial partners to develop applications for both marine infrastructure and aqua farms. As well as Walker and Illenberger, the company includes Associate Professor of Engineering Science Iain Anderson, renowned for pioneering the University’s world-champion, human-powered submarine, Taniwha. “New Zealand has a unique ecosystem, if you add another creature from somewhere else, this society can be very much upset or disrupted,” says Anderson. “The end goal for Electroclear is to tackle a problem which is international, a problem that affects a lot of people everywhere, and make the world a better place.”

20 years for Nelson Lakes Antique & Classic Boat Show A boating event at 640m above sea level promises the unusual: coal fired steam boats, cedar kayaks, and speed boats built for boatlegging in the American prohibition era. The Antique and Classic Boat Show at Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park is in its twentieth year of attracting the beautiful and the bizarre among Kiwi heritage boats. Organiser Pete Rainey boat owners are willing to admit it is a bit mad to hunt down old clinkers abandoned in sheds and spend years sanding, polishing and tracing boat history and boat bits. Past winners have included Delta Lady, a 60’s jet that was restored from a shabby plywood hull bought at auction, an Idle Along sailing dinghy

Photos: Alan Doak

dating from 1938, and a replica Edwardian steam launch powered on imported Welsh coal. Get ready for two days of glorious hydromatic relaxation at Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park on the first weekend in March. Nelson Antique and Classic Boat Show, March 2 & 3; 10am – 4pm, displays on land in the morning and events on the lake in the afternoon, both days. waterline Summer 2018/19

Taking a sentimental journey It may have been 70 years ago but Alison Carruthers can remember landing a marlin off Mayor Island’s Southeast Bay as if it happened yesterday.

Alison was one of the very few women in New Zealand to land a marlin in the 1940s. She caught it on a 36 thread, Dacron linen line with 108lb breaking strain. “I did actually catch a sword fish and got a silver badge that said I caught a fish, which I gave to one of the children,” Alison says.

Peter and Alison Carruthers before the helicopter trip to Mayor Island.

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“I remember it took about an hour and a half to two hours. We used an oldfashioned Zane Grey fishing rod. It was very thin but very strong. You rolled it in and kept on turning the handle. “I could feel the fish and it started to jump in the air. It possibly weighed nearly 300lb but I can’t remember the exact weight. They weighed it on the beach. There was a video taken of us all standing there with our rods and all the fish lined up. They were so plentiful then. They are such beautiful fish. “I remember it was hard work and exhausting. My father was having the odd little glass of whisky in the background with excitement and telling us how to catch our fish.” Aggressive shark Alison also has vivid memories of catching a shark that was very aggressive when pulled on board the boat. “I caught a shark, the one with a great big long tail. The photographer on board was trying to take some photographs and this tail came right over and just about hit her. “The boats were wonderful back then. They did everything. They weren’t smart launches, they were quite old and not

to Mayor Island after 70 years like the launches they have these days with all those seats out the back for the deep sea fishing. “There was a Mr Chad Ban and Curly Stedman who had the boats that used to take us out.” Alison inherited her love for big game fishing from her father, Cyril Dentice, a founding member and life member of the Tauranga Sport Fishing Club, previously known as the Tauranga Big Game Fishing Club. He still holds a club record for catching a 304.1lb blue marlin on a 60kg line in March 1975. “I had an extraordinary father really. He was very keen on deep sea fishing and he was very well known at the club. Before he died he always wanted to catch a black marlin and he did,” Alison says. The club was based at Mayor Island from 1922 until 1991 when the new clubhouse was opened at Sulphur Point.

Alison Carruthers with a photo of her father Cyril Dentice at the Tauranga Sport Fishing Club.

Cyril Dentice, left, displays the catch.

Record-breaking feats Alison says her family came from Wellington in January and February to fish off Mayor Island. “We used to come up from Wellington a lot. I would go over to Southeast Bay with my sister and my mother and father. They are wonderful memories.” She has a precious cutting from a newspaper celebrating her father’s record-breaking feats that began in 1940. At the age of 78, he capped a long and successful fishing career in Mayor Island waters by landing a 669lb blue marlin after nearly three hours battling the fish. “There were plenty of big fish around then,” Alison says. “His best year was 1949 when in 11 and a half days in February he caught 28 striped marlin. In those days there was a limit of four marlin a day which was a rule my father helped create to protect the fish stocks.” Alison’s memories of her salad days spent at Mayor Island came flooding back last month when her husband Peter surprised her with a unique treat for her 90th birthday. “We have been together 40 years and just celebrated our anniversary but have known each other since we were about 10,” Peter says. “Alison speaks about Mayor Island from time to time about the good times they had there. I thought a bit of a sentimental journey perhaps. I started off thinking about going by sea but they have wooden seats in the boat and it takes three hours to get there and you have to have five hours on the island then three hours back. “I thought there has to be a better way by helicopter so I got hold of Aerius and they were happy to take us across in 20 minutes.” Alison loved being back at beautiful Southeast Bay after 70 years away.

Peter and Alison Carruthers on the beach at Southeast Bay.

“It was absolutely wonderful. I wasn’t scared of the helicopter. I just wasn’t sure if I could do it or not but I did. I am thanking Peter very much. He made me sit in the front seat with the pilot, who was such a lovely boy. He came from the same place as us in Greenhithe, Auckland which was quite amusing. “The flight was beautiful. It was such a really wonderful day. We sat and had a picnic lunch on two chairs that caretaker Vicky (Harimate) had organised for us. She made it possible for us and we are so grateful to her. “She put off everything so that she could enjoy us on the island because of my being there 70 years ago. I was able to tell her things about the island. “I just sat there and looked at the beautiful little waves coming in and it was so relaxing. Southeast Bay is very protected from the winds. It left me feeling very, very peaceful.” Peter White waterline Summer 2018/19

BOAT OF THE MO

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NTH

7362T STRONGMAN 44 BRIDGEDECKER Strongman 14m Bridgedeck displacement launch built in kauri carvel by Ken Turner 1968, powered by a 671 GM of 190hp, 2capstans, walkthrough transom, separate toilet and shower, fridge/freezer, 4 burner oven, 7 single and 1 double berth, 2 cabins, a large volume vessel with 3.95m beam. NZ$ 145,000 Ph Brian Worthington, A/hrs 027 447 2393.

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Beverlene means relaxed boating Eight knots will get you to Mayor Island in about two and a half hours.

WLDec17

Maybe not quick enough for everyone, of course, but for those who appreciate the virtues of a little dignified simplicity in the time they invest in their recreational pursuits it’ll do just fine. That’s what boats like Beverlene – named after her original owner’s daughters - are all about. At her eight knot cruising speed she won’t get you to your favourite bay ahead of your marina neighbour’s wave-skimming diesel-guzzler but the relaxing sense of pushing gently through the seas rather than ricocheting relentlessly off the top of them as you make your way there might just offer compensation enough for that. And her classic displacement lines will attract more than their fair share of admiring glances once you get there. Beverlene was crafted in 1968 by renowned Auckland firm Owen Woolley Boatbuilders, with solid timber planked topsides using that prince

of materials, New Zealand kauri. She’s the type of boat that’s about as reassuringly uncomplicated as they come. The robust 140hp TS3 Commer diesel will push her along at that eight knots without breaking sweat. And will keep doing it all day. These engines are such workaholics they take personal offence when you ask them to shut down. With 11.9m (39’) of LOA and 3.6m (11’9”) of beam to play with Beverlene’s accomodation is the sort of space you would be happy to spend time in, en-route or after you’ve dropped the pick. She’s a practical boat too, with a roomy saloon, well-appointed aft galley, side opening door by the helm station and walk-through transoms. Beverlene is currently on the market. To give yourself the chance to enjoy the kind of stress-free boating contentment she offers, contact Brian Worthington, Gulf Group Marine Brokers on 0274 472 393.

TAURANGA MARINA 26

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‘Avid anglers’ all set for Rotorua streams opening Anglers are making plans to catch some big wild trout in particular, as some of Rotorua and Waikaremoana’s best known streams re-open for summer. The popular Lake Rotorua tributaries open on Saturday, December 1, later than other local waterways, to protect the late spawning that occurs on these streams. They are the upper sections of the Ngongotaha Stream (above SH 5), the Waiteti (above Hamurana Road) and the Utuhina (between Devon Road and Pukehangi Road). Fish & Game Officer Mark Sherburn says these streams are closed from the end of June to protect the wild spawning that occurs there. “The upper sections of these streams have good gravel which is vital for trout spawning. “Avid anglers, typically fly fishers, turn out to target a mix of fish from post spawning rainbows to big brown trout on fresh runs upstream. “The streams are noted for good runs of browns into December and our monitoring trap on the Ngongotaha Stream has shown there are lots of browns from 2.5kg to 3kg, and some even bigger. “There are a few fresh run rainbows in good condition too.” Mr Sherburn says that brown trout from the Ngongotaha Stream are regarded as some of New Zealand’s best. Most experienced anglers will be nymphing or using globugs but big traditional wet flies fished downstream on sinking lines work well too. He says that anglers who take advantage of the change of light and fish the streams in the early morning or late evening usually do the best. While some areas are fly fishing only, spin fishing is permitted on some streams.

Fish & Game Officer Anthony van Dorp checks a licence Ngongotaha Stream.

Mr Sherburn says anglers are advised to check their regulation booklets for where they can spin fish, or phone Fish & Game on 07-357 5501 to ask. Fish & Game officers will be out ranging at the opening of the streams, and in the weeks that follow, talking to as many anglers as possible, and checking their compliance with licence and other regulations. “Please remember to have your fishing licence with you,” says Mr Sherburn. At Waikaremoana, the Mokau and Hopuruahine Streams open on December 1, providing anglers with exciting prospects for the summer. “Many of the fish will have left the Waikaremoana streams by December after spawning over winter, but it’s likely there will still be a few present for keen anglers to pursue.”

Insurance Brokers Bay of Plenty

insurebayofplenty@bwrs.co.nz waterline Summer 2018/19

All good as Brett tries out the hydraulic propulsion system for the first time.

It’s probably one of the more unusual labour-of-love vessel restorations you’re likely to see pottering around Tauranga Harbour this summer.

Brett watches anxiously as the reborn Let-Us-C hits the water for the first time at Tauranga Marina.

Brett and Sarah McGrath’s Let-Us-C began life as a rubbish collection barge helping beautify Sydney Harbour for the 2000 Olympics. Even though the Aussies couldn’t quite get it humming it performed an Olympian task, gathering something like 7.5 tonnes of plastic waste over four months. Then they gave up on it. “That was it, they never really used it again and it sat decaying,” says Brett, a fifth-generation Tauranga fisherman who’s spent most of his life on the water and acquired his nautical and engineering knowledge ‘old-school’ from his father. They spotted it lying derelict on Goat Island in Sydney Harbour. “It was too much of an odd thing to walk away from, and if you didn’t give it a go you’d kick yourself for the rest of your life.” It was the quirky engineering setup of the barge, driven completely by hydraulics, that fired Brett’s interest. “I’d never seen a boat set up with just hydraulics instead of shafts, and I was like, ‘that’s a challenge.’ And so we figured it out like big kids’ Lego because we had no instructions.” It wasn’t just the intellectual demands of the project that drew him to it though. They’ve got every intention of putting it to good use. “Once we figured out before we bought it what it does we thought that’s a great idea because we’re just sick of rubbish. We didn’t have it when we were kids growing up playing on the beach so I don’t see why my kids should have to have it.” Two-and-a-half years on from shipping the barge home, during which it took pride of place on Brett and Sarah’s front lawn and crowded out the family’s car-parking space, Brett’s got the whole thing figured out – he’s pretty sure. He’s re-engined it, and rebuilt the novel hydraulic system from scratch. “It’s run off a little 2D-40 Volvo motor, supplied by Coastline Marine, and a three-stage hydraulic pump. That runs our propulsion system and conveyor belts. “We’re starting from scratch so we know everything’s good to go.” It’s not just rubbish and plastic waste Let-Us-C will be good for, says Brett. It could also be effective tackling Tauranga Harbour’s notorious sea Let-Us-C ready for lettuce problem, which helped prompt launch after Brett the name selection. and Sarah’s two“We sat around a table, had some and-a-half year beers and threw names in a hat. restoration. We really don’t know what this boat’s going to do so we’re like ‘let us see.’ And it’s also sort of a pun at the lettuce.” It’s good to have the family front lawn back, now it’s in the water, Sarah says. Not that everything’s plain sailing from now on though. “I’m just a bit scared now what he’s going to put on there next.” Chris James

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Foiling fanatics kite up coast in classic yacht race

In an event reserved for the prestigious yachting community, two Ozone New Zealand kite foilers set themselves an ambitious goal and unofficially took part in the PIC Coastal Classic yacht race from Devonport, Auckland to Russell.

Ozone co-founder Matt Taggart and Sam Bullock hit the water with their support crews to attempt the 119 nautical mile yacht race over Labour weekend. For Taggart, taking part in the race was a bucket list dream since 2012 and crossing the finishing line with a time of 6 hours and 45 minutes, beating the record-holding Frank Racing Trimaran by 23 minutes was a highlight. Fellow kite foiler Sam Bullock crossed in the line in 6 hours and 32 minutes. Taggart averaged a speed of 22.6 knots with a top speed recorded at 29.3 knots and while his first thoughts on landing the kite in Russell were “never again”, after a hot shower and big feed he and his support crew were already talking about ‘next time’. Re-capping on the event via social media after the event Taggart shared, “we made it. 6.45 hours to finish the 220km course of spectacular coastline, not that I had any bandwidth to take it in. “Full-on concentration for that time, my brain is pretty fried. On my incredible R1V2 15m and my Mike’s Lab foil and Boards Unlimited board. Holy moly what an adventure. Started at 10am, finished at 4:45pm without a break. Head down, loads of foil outs at full speed... 45% of the course was upwind, legs were screaming. So stoked to have ticked that one off my bucket list. Huge thanks to my support crew Morgan, Jim and Luke, there is no way I could have done this without your safety backup and encouragement.”

Sam Bullock at Cape Brett. Photo: Morgan Coster

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There were some sobering moments amongst the action. Checking in with his crew upon seeing Cape Brett on the distant horizon only to be told he was only half way from reaching the headland; to almost hitting a Great White Shark after his first gybe into the Bay of Islands, won’t be forgotten. Race conditions were far from perfect, but Matt says he was ecstatic to have beaten the Oram 60’ Frank Racing Trimaran. “It’s such an incredible, powerful, legendary ocean-going racing yacht with an incredible history of race wins around the world. It certainly was a motivator for myself and Sam to keep pushing hard with the dream to beat her across the line.” Hopefully we can work with Yachting New Zealand and satisfy the incredible PIC Coastal Classic Race organisers so we can work towards being able to sign up as an official entry. Obviously the only way a kiter can race is to have incredible safety backup and support which we organised ourselves at our own cost. I couldn’t have done it without my support crew,” said Matt. The Coastal Classic Yacht Race from Devonport Wharf to Russell Wharf in the Bay of Islands is New Zealand’s premier fleet yacht race and has been held annually at Labour weekend since its inception in 1982. If you are interested in learning to Kitesurf, Hydrofoil (Surf and Kite) then contact the friendly team at Ozone NZ with their Ozone flagship store, 9 Bow St, Raglan. Phone 021 0244 7902 www.ozonenewzealand.com

Sam Bullock finishing the race. Photo: Joshua McCormack

Finish line on back of support boat (from left) Luke Wigglesworth, Matt Taggart, Morgan Coster and Jim Burcham.

Nearing Cape Brett. waterline Summer 2018/19

y a d l a i c e p As

for Late A Gain

Old salts, like fishermen, like nothing better than the chance to get together and tell a few tall tales. So that’s just what the ‘birthday’ celebrations for well-known Tauranga trailer-sailer Late A Gain in February are all about. Current owner John Burns says over the years innumerable Tauranga sailors have crewed on Late A Gain, a classic Farr 7500, and the boats she used to race against, and he’s hoping to see as many as possible on the day. “Trailer-sailers were very popular in the ‘70s and ‘80s,” says John. “She was one of the early ones, and has been Lunch at Hunter’s Creek with original here in Tauranga for owner / skipper Frank Mackie and friend. many years.” The ‘birthday’ function, Tuesday February 12 at Omokoroa Boat Club, will begin with a fleet voyage departing from Tauranga, with current owners each taking a few of the old-timers along for the ride. “Anybody who currently has a trailer-sailer and would be willing to come out and take some of the old sailors would be absolutely wonderful,” says John. After lunch at the Omokoroa Boat Club, he says, “We’ll spend some time telling lies about the old days, and showing some photos. “And have a birthday cake.” A not-so-serious awards ceremony will follow. “Like the person who’s travelled the furthest, who’s owned their boat for the longest time, that type of thing. “We haven’t determined all those yet.” John would love to hear from you if you’re a current or former trailer-sailer owner or crew and would like to join him for the celebration. Call him on 0273396730, or email johncolleenburns@gmail.com Late-A-Gain on hardstand.

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Veerle ten Have loved the fresh conditions on the way to her silver medal at the Youth World Sailing Champs in the US. Photo: World Sailing

Veerle and Max ready for boardsailing breakthrough It’s been a year of moving onwards and upwards

struggle as conditions remained relentlessly light. Her highlight was winning race four, otherwise it was a succession of mid-pack for Tauranga’s windsurfing whizkids Veerle ten Have finishes, leaving her 13th overall. On Instagram she made her thoughts clear on the board she and Max van der Zalm despite disappointment at had to use. October’s Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. “No more techno for me, ever. It was a love-hate relationship. As I already thought, it was a super-tough regatta, finishing just The pair flew to Argentina with out of the top 10. their sights set on success, but had “And unfortunately I got sick on to settle for mid-table results after the second to last day leaving me ill-luck, illness and penalties threw with no energy.” obstacles in their path. For Max it’s also been a congested Veerle went into the games with international year after sailing in high expectations as 2018 had been the US, Dutch and French events. something of a breakthrough year Like Veerle, the Oceanbridge for her. NZL Sailing Regatta and Oceania New Zealand’s top female Championships winner was looking boardsailor’s biggest success came with a silver medal at July’s Youth for an eye-catching performance at Sailing World Championships in the the Youth Olympics. United States, revelling in the breezy “Aiming for gold but I definitely conditions. want to finish top 10,” he said She then backed it up with Max van der Zalm on the River Plate at the Buenos Aires before boarding the plane. “And I handy efforts at the sailing world Youth Olympics. Photo: NZ Olympic team/Twitter. want to place for a medal so that’s championships in Aarhus. my top goal.” “I’ve learned and improved so much this year,” ten Have said The lessons were harsh for him though, as he started with a before leaving for Buenos Aires. “It’s been like climbing a ladder. disqualification and picked up two more penalties in later races. “The biggest lessons came at Aarhus. I got a test of what the “I’m disappointed and annoyed at my result,” he said. “Overall, real level is like, and it’s brutal, but it makes me want it more I was consistently having top-10 results and would have been because I know I can get there.” sitting in around sixth place but for some unnecessary penalties One of the biggest challenges for ten Have at the games was that ruined my competition completely. getting to grips with the Techno 293+, which is smaller than the “I’m happy that I’m understanding the game properly. I’m RS:X 8.5 she normally uses. almost making my way to the top. Just felt like the odds were She was also hoping for wind, thinking her competitors would see her as a threat if it blew, but the regatta turned into a constantly stacked against me.” waterline Summer 2018/19

waterline Summer 2018/19

110 year history

The Smuggler Strata 900 powered by twin Evinrude E-TEC G2 250HP engines – leaving compromise in its wake. Photos: Hugo Schutte

In 2019 Evinrude celebrates it’s 110-year history and it is quite a story. In 1906 a young man in pursuit of love faced a daunting challenge; how to prevent ice-cream from melting when trying to impress his girlfriend. Rowing simply did not do the trick any more, but there was no other solution available. Our intrepid engineer and inventor, Olé Evinrude, sat pondering this problem for a while. The lady in question, Bess, was simply so beautiful and Olé was so in love, a solution had to be found. Tinkering in his shed, an idea took shape that forever changed the way we travel on water. This was the birth of outboard technology as we know it today and Evinrude still leads the way in innovation and technology.

The repower market is booming and new boats are taking to the water daily. Buyers have become a lot more discerning when it comes to choosing the right outboard for their particular need and more are drawn to Evinrude’s E-TEC technology when doing their own research. And with good reason. In the modern age, with information at your fingertips, it’s relatively easy to find what you’re looking for and verify the data. And, we like that. Given that Evinrude has always been at the cutting edge of technology we like the fact that buyers are taking the time to make an informed decision rather than being a slave to a sales-pitch. We like the fact more people are using technology to identify the best outboard technology out there. What we are saying is that Evinrude’s two-stroke technology is more advanced and simply out-performs anything else out there. It’s cleaner, more fuel efficient and more powerful than comparative four-strokes. The modern-day fuel-injected Evinrude engine is certainly not your grand-fathers two-stroke.

Our two-stroke engines are powerful, effortless and responsible. Our technology is clean, measurably cleaner than our competitors. This may not appeal to everyone, but if you enjoy the thought of keeping our waterways, lakes and oceans clean and enjoy breathing fresh air, well…. simply put, Evinrude offer you the planets cleanest outboard. Period. Because of direct-injected two-stroke technology, our engines run more efficiently resulting in better fuel consumption and enabling you to spend more time on the water. No matter your activity, fishing, cruising, water-skiing or some white-knuckle racing, no engine takes you farther on a tank of gas. And all of this with 30 percent more torque at your disposal. Our Intelligent Piloting System now includes I-DOCK, allowing even a novice to dock like a pro. Our power and hydraulic steering allows for effortless driving, clean rigging and more space on your boat. All the components that make up an Evinrude have been engineered to provide a better boating experience. When Evinrude was inducted into the NASA Hall of Fame in 2018, it was because we developed a high strength, wear-resistant aluminium alloy for space exploration. This is the same alloy you find in a modern Evinrude. When this cutting-edge technology meets the water, it delivers the class-leading Evinrude two-stroke performance we have become familiar with, leaving you with a boat that gets up on the plane faster, goes further on a tank of gas and simply leaves compromise in its wake. Get in touch with one of our dealers countrywide at evinrude.co.nz and get the only outboard that lets you have it all. Hugo Schutte, Evinrude New Zealand

waterline Summer 2018/19

Rocky Shaw

It’s that time of the year when fishos are fizzing at the gills at the sight of a workup on the ocean surface. Birds in a frenzy in the sky, predator fish in a frenzy from the depths, and bait fish in a panic in the middle. Who would want to be a bait fish? The proverbial meat in everyone’s sandwich. They must have been particularly bad in a previous life. Work ups generally mean that fishos can crash the party, and also get an easy feed. But there’s a few logical and common sense “rules” that ensure everyone gets a fair crack, safely and without crossed lines or crossed words. Particularly if there’s more than one boat on the scene. Generally it’s considered a smart idea to circle around the work up if you’re trolling, rather than blaze a trail through the centre. This is less likely to spook the target fish below. It also means several boats can proceed around the edges of the work up, and generally keep clear of each other’s trolling lines. It makes sense for all boats to circle in the same direction. I know this rarely happens, but when it does, everyone gets a fair lash at the party. And here’s a secret… you don’t need much line out to get

strikes. Close up in the prop wash is as good as it gets. And that makes it easier to keep your lines clear of other vessels. Some fishos prefer to idle to the edge and cast lures into the boil up. It’s a good idea to stay as clear as possible and perhaps try casting as well, if there’s already a crew working the fringes. It’s worth keeping a long cast rig set up and ready for these occasions, rather than trying to hurriedly rig up a lure on the spot. Gannets are always considered a very good sign. They’re amazing to watch, dive bombing from a great height and slicing their way through the bait schools. It’s a good idea, when you see gannets congregating, to stand off for a while and let the workup develop. Avoid racing in while they settle into their work. Don’t go blasting in at a thousand knots expecting to instantly land a monster. Because the big predator fish, such as snapper, feed on the scraps and carnage left behind by the gannets. Pieces of shredded pilchards, and even whole, stunned baitfish, sink below the workup and are picked off by the opportunist snapper. It can take a while for the workup to reach a frenzy, but that can be ruined by enthusiastic fishos gallivanting in with engines revving and rods thrashing. Allow the work up to happen, the gannets to get ganneting, and the snapper to come a-running, before carefully approaching the edges with a lure or bait.

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The Kirribilli Incident Gun Caundle

“A yacht lies stricken on rocks near Whangarei …” March 18, 2018. It was around 5 pm, and I had just poured an Appletons and ginger beer for my wife and my daughter, and a Captain Morgan and Coke for myself. We were tucked into a corner of Paradise Bay on Urupukapuka, in the Bay of Islands, having been forewarned of foul weather in the area the Metservice calls ‘Brett’. “Listen to this,” said my daughter, looking at her phone. “A Coastguard boat is on its way to help two men in trouble on a yacht off the Northland coast, in waves nearly six metres high. A 12m Beneteau yacht made a distress call last night reporting it was unable to reach the safety of Whangarei Harbour with large seas knocking their boat down and problems with their electronic navigation system. The men spent the night battling galeforce winds and huge waves…” (It turned out to be a man and his wife.) I beeped the channel button on the vhf until 16 showed. “Kirribilli, Kirribilli, Kirribilli. This is Maritime Radio Whangarei Romeo One. Do you copy? Over.” … (We could only hear one side of the transmission.) “Copy that Kirribilli. What is your correct position? Over.” … “Roger Kirribilli. To confirm: you are at the Poor Knights. What is the weather condition at your current position? Over.” “Roger Kirribilli. To confirm: you have fifteen, one five knots wind, and zero point

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View from the Gopro attached to the St John Intensive Care Paramedic. Photos from St John.

two five metres swell. How much diesel do you have on board? Over.” … “Copy that Kirribilli. I understand you have about one-tenth of a tank of diesel. How much is that in litres? Over.” … “Roger Kirribilli. To confirm: your diesel tank is about one-tenth full and you are unable to assess the amount in litres. Are you in a position to drop an anchor considering the current conditions? Over.” “Copy that Kirribilli. Please confirm you are unable to drop your anchor without your engine going. There should be some mechanism on the winch that allows you to release your anchor chain without the engine running. Over.” … “Roger Kirribilli. I am unable to advise you on that as you are the master of your own vessel. Please standby. Over.” “Kirribilli, Kirribilli, Kirribilli. This is Maritime Radio Whangarei Romeo One.

Do you copy? Over.” … “Copy that Kirribilli. The police advise you to find a way to anchor your vessel, even if you have to cut the chain later if it can’t be lifted. Over.” “Roger Kirribilli. To confirm: you intend to make your way to Whangarei Heads. Maritime Radio Whangarei standing by.” “Kirribilli, Kirribilli, Kirribilli. This is Maritime Radio Whangarei Romeo One. Do you copy? Over.” … “Copy that Kirribilli. The Rescue Coordination Centre is downgrading your situation from Distress. Please switch to channel 67 for further communication. We shall maintain a one hourly communication schedule. Maritime Radio Whangarei out.” Northern Advocate, Tuesday, March 20: “A yacht lies stricken on rocks near Whangarei at Taiharuru Heads after a couple were winched to safety around 5:30 am yesterday ….” At the time the distress call was logged at 6 pm on Saturday, March 17, the yacht was 10 – 15 nautical miles off Whangarei Heads and they were low on diesel and fresh water. Weather conditions reported gusts over 40 knots and swell just under 6 metres. Around 7:30 pm that evening, Tutukaka Coastguard dispatched their rescue vessel. The conditions were so rough, Tutukaka Rescue could only assist by giving the distressed yacht a compass bearing for Bream Head. Whangarei Coastguard then dispatched Circa Rescue from Marsden Cove, but within thirty minutes, they too found a rescue attempt impossible. The struggling couple were then advised to stay out to sea as far as possible, deploy a sea anchor, turn off the engine to conserve fuel, and wait for daylight. Conditions worsened even further, and communication was hampered by no response from the yacht until around 1 am. The couple felt they were dangerously close to shore and had inflated their lifejackets. They gave their location as half a nautical mile off the northern end of Ocean Beach. Coastguard requested EPIRB activation for a more accurate position, and a signal was received by the Rescue Coordination Centre, but without location advice. The situation showed a need for an immediate rescue, and a chopper set off from Whangarei at 2 am. Lack of visibility and the atrocious conditions rendered a rescue unachievable. Only boaties who have survived conditions like this can imagine how the couple spent the first night of their ordeal.

At first light, the Whangarei Rescue Vessel set off again from Marsden Cove with diesel and fresh water. The swell had dropped to 4 metres, but the wind was still blowing 40 knots. Again, the rescue attempt was aborted. (A Google search identifies Tutukaka Rescue as a purpose built 9.5 metre AMF Quick Response Vessel, powered by twin Yamaha 250 hp outboard engines; and Circa Rescue as a 10.2 metre Naiad Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat, also powered by twin Yamaha 250 hp outboard engines. Impressive.) Around midday Sunday, a second chopper went out and lowered a paramedic into the 4 metre swell, who swam to the yacht and climbed aboard. The situation was assessed and deemed safer for the couple to stay onboard and seek shelter at the Poor Knights. The paramedic was winched back on to the chopper and Coastguard Radio guided the couple to the calmer conditions at the Poor Knights. Northland Police Search and Rescue repeatedly advised them to remain there until the weather improved. Coastguard Operations said that in situations like this, the safety of the rescuers involved is carefully assessed. The couple, a man aged 77, and his wife, 70,

St John Intensive Care Paramedic being winched down. Photos from St John.

from Auckland, were sailing between the Bay of Islands and Whangarei when they made the distress call at 6 pm on Saturday. Early Monday morning the Kirribilli struck rocks off Taiharuru. It was still dark when the Northern Rescue Helicopter lowered a medic on to Ipurau, a rocky island at the entrance to Taiharuru Estuary, on to which the couple had climbed after their yacht began sinking. Both were

winched off and treated at Whangarei Hospital, with the man being admitted to a ward and his wife discharged. Back on board our boat in Paradise Bay, I mentioned to the captain [my wife that is, not Morgan], how pleased I was we had remained in the Bay of Islands until the weather improved. (Acknowledgements: New Zealand Herald, Northern Advocate, Coastguard Northern Region.)

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Changing view with new generation masks Brian Rogers

I wasn’t looking for a new dive mask when I sauntered into the Whitianga Dive Zone to deliver the latest Waterline mags. But I left with the best mask I’ve ever laid eyes on.

Authorized

No one’s asked me to write this review; I just have to share my enthusiasm when I find products such as this, that really perform. The Mares i3 Liquidskin. It’s taken 50 years for this remarkable mask to find its way onto the front of my face, after decades of putting up with mediocre fit and dubious watertightness. From crusty old purge-valve dungers, to super low volume spearfishing specials, I’ve must have tried them all, with mixed success. Getting older and the odd face wrinkle hasn’t helped! However Mares seem to have cracked it with this three-lens panoramic wonder. It features moderate volume, a single lens across the width of

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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the frame and butted glass side lenses each side. This means the field of view is vast, and the single main windscreen means there’s no distortion that is common with two-lens masks. With the side panes it’s like wearing a bay window on your face. The super soft silicone skirt is one of the few designs that fits my face well and doesn’t leak. The silicone closer to the frame is firmer, adding stability to the fit. The side windows give an extra glimpse left and right, adding to the diver’s general peripheral awareness, alerted to movement and light changes in the far left and right quadrants. It proved fatal for the moderate size kingie who appeared left of field on my first outing with the i3. Would I have spotted it with my old mask? Who knows, but the panoramic outlook must have helped. It might not sound like a lot, but underwater it makes a huge difference to situational awareness and dramatically reduces that ‘tunnel vision’ effect of a dive mask.

I opted for the black silicone version, as I find the clear silicone allows too much distracting light entering the field of view, without offering any clear vision from those extreme angles. The clear silicone is great for cruising around scenic snorkelling and looks flash with the colour range… but for hell-bent huntergatherers, the black skirt offers more focus, less distraction and better concealment. The i3 proved one of the easiest of masks to equalise. Either the design, with small ribs around the nose or the softness of the silicone or both, means an easy nose pinch for those who need it. I know many divers, especially those ‘advancing in years’ may be putting up with less than perfect masks, and some still persevere with the purge valves, believing that all masks leak and therefore you may as well have one with a blowhole in the bottom. It’s like having a leaky boat and installing a bilge pump instead of fixing the hole. Well, that was my experience. That has all changed and my diving is all the better for it. I’d recommend the new Mares i3 is worth a try. Check them out at your local Dive Zone; there may be hire masks available for test driving. And while you’re at it, check out the latest purge snorkels. They too have come a long way from the rattily gurglers of the old days. I slapped a new Mares Ergo onto my new mask (it would be rude not to) and found a new level of super-dry breathing to compliment the improved outlook. Suggestions for reviews of boating and watersports gear welcomed. Message: brian@thesun.co.nz

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The secrets of salt ice All the experts tell us the best way to keep your fish fresh, is to immediately plunge it into a slurry of salt ice. By the time you get home, the fish flesh will have set, be easy to fillet and the goodness and taste retained to the maximum. The salt ice slurry is best, because it holds the temperature down, but not so ice-cold that the flakes in contact with the flesh ‘burn’ the fish. Fresh water ice isn’t as good, in fact has a detrimental effect on salt water fish. The science behind this is fascinating. Salt in water has quite an effect. When cooled, salted water needs a lower temperature to reach freezing, so salt ice is actually colder. Which is why it stays colder, longer. It’s got a head start on standard ice. There’s another tricky science thing going on between fish, water and salt. Seawater fish swallow water as they go about their fishy day. This is because fish naturally have less salt content than the water they’re swimming in. Water migrates to balance concentrations,

so effectively the water in fish cells moves out of the fish to try to ‘balance’ the higher concentrations of salt outside their bodies. So to avoid dehydration, fish are constantly drinking seawater to make up for this effect. Therefore, when you plunge a fish into a slurry of salt ice, the concentrations inside and outside are more or less the same, so there’s little movement of water between the two, avoiding loss of flesh quality. However, if a salty fish is plopped into fresh water slurry, the salt concentration is much higher in the fish than the surrounding ice, water moves into the fish, attempting to reach equilibrium, meaning the flesh is spoilt by water ingress and the fish goes softer the longer its left there. Logically, the same principles apply for freshwater fish. They’re best stored in freshwater slurry, or they will dehydrate as the water balancing phenomena goes to work. Some astute fishos make their own salt ice. It can have a lower salt concentration than standard ocean water. About two teaspoons per 10 litre bucket makes a solution matching the salt water fish’s salt concentration, meaning the water movement between the flesh and slurry will be minimised and creating the best keeping qualities for your catch. Rocky Shaw

as ire ylinder SERVICES waterline Summer 2018/19

The Waikato Regional Council Wearing a lifejacket helps prevent drowning, but if you can’t call for help then no one can rescue you.

Waterproof communication tools are one of the most essential things to take boating to increase your chances of survival when faced with an onwater incident. If you can attach your communication tools to your lifejacket, so they’re worn at all times, that’s even better!

Learn what type of communications are best suited for coastal or inland waterways, and make sure you are carrying at least two suitable forms while you’re out boating this summer.

Communication tools Marine VHF radio A waterproof VHF radio is the most reliable way to call for help when out in coastal waters, but only if you know how to use it. The biggest advantage is everyone tuned to channel 16 can hear your call for help, especially Coastguard and Maritime Radio.However, VHF may not always be suitable for inland rivers and lakes because of limited radio coverage. Any person operating a maritime VHF radio must hold, as a minimum requirement, a Maritime VHF Radio Operator Certificate (unless transmitting in an emergency or a distress situation on channel 16). Certification is available through Coastguard Boating Education. See boatingeducation.org.nz or call 0800 40 80 90 for more information. For VHF channels, check the MarineMate app or visit waikatoregion. govt.nz/maritime-services.

ALWAYS CARRY

TWO FORMS

OF WATERPROOF COMMUNICATIONS

www.waikatoregion.govt/waterproof-communications

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tips for safe summer boating Cellphone in a dry bag Cellphones are rarely designed to be waterproof, so keep yours in a sealed waterproof bag that you can still use if you are in the water. Remember, not all locations have cellphone coverage, particularly remote lakes and rivers, so make sure to take another form of communication that will work. Distress beacons EPIRBs (emergency position-indicating radio beacon) and PLBs (personal locator beacons) are the most effective way of letting people know that you need urgent help, wherever you are. All beacons must be registered with the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ), with details kept up to date. It’s also important to regularly check the battery life of your beacon. Flares Always carry torches or flares. They are essential if you want rescuers to locate you, particularly at night or in poor visibility.

Marinemate MarineMate, by Waikato Regional Council, is a smartphone app that gives information on tide times, boat ramp locations, VHF channels, and local boating rules for the whole country, all at the palm of your hand. Download it now!

Bar crossings You could be doing all the right things, but anything can happen when you least expect it, especially when crossing a bar.

To help keep safe: • contact Coastguard before and after crossing. • everyone must wear a lifejacket while crossing the bar. • check the weather. • listen to any warnings on VHF radio. • secure anchor, ropes and other loose objects. • avoid low tide. IF IN DOUBT, DON’T CROSS! More info at waikatoregion.govt.nz/waterproof-communications

42 Dive Cres, Tauranga | 07 571 1161

All new hull More storage Touch screen display with pin activated security Foot well drains Cruise assist RiDE system

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WANTED! DO YOU HAVE A STORY? Fishing, Boating, Diving or any Watersports Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to hear of any stories you may have to share in your area! email kathy@sunmedia.co.nz

Classifieds Batteries - Battery Direct NZ www.batterydirect. co.nz sales@batterydirect.co.nz Phone 0800 267 468. Boat Maintenance - Matamata Motor Trimmers & Upholstery. Boat clear, canvas work, upholstery. Phone 07 571 4421 Cnr Mirrieless & Cross Roads, Tauranga. For Sale - Lasers for sale - Two to choose from. One classic older beach boat, perfect for cruising around the harbour/lake. $1000. Another highly specâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d Laser, former national champs boat. Been in storage for several years. Heaps of gear, several sails and spares. Also a complete Radial rig and sail, never used. Would suit aspiring racer as this boat has plenty potential. $5000. No beach trailers. Both Lasers in Tauranga. May deliver in BOPCoromandel. Ph 027 4 99 6747. For Sale - Volvo MTR 200 HP x 1 $11,500. 130 HP $4,500 or to be run in. May Trade. Phone 07 843 4392 or 027 499 6543. For Sale - Steel launch 30ft x 10ft. Little use. View B46 Tauranga Marina. $18,000 Ph 07 843 4392 or 027 499 6543. Mooring for Rent - 10.5m Tauranga bridge marina berth, just $100 per week. Ph 07 843 4392 or 027 499 6543. Wanted - Volvo 200 or 230. Phone 07 843 4392 or 027 499 6543. List your classified here! Contact Jo on 07 557 0506 or jo@thesun.co.nz

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