Waterline - September 2011

September 2011 Issue No 159 ple

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

ase take one

Pressure pays off

ig F lyin g h

h

The Bay’s newest world champion sailor, Sam Meech.

See full story on page 13.

Cl

ip

p er

’s c o min g

G o o d ol d

da

ys

02 WATERLINE

HIGH TIDES

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

PH 07-578 0030 FAX 07-571 1116 PO Box 240, Tauranga.

1 The Strand, Tauranga email: brian@thesun.co.nz

Waterline advertising & editorial deadlines Edition

Deadline October 2011

16 September November 2011 14 October December 2011 2 December For advertising, call Sun Media’s specialist marine consultant Jo Dempsey 07 928 3041 email jo@thesun.co.nz Follow us on facebook www.facebook.com/Waterlinemagazine

26 27 28 29 30 31

Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We

3:51 4:50 5:48 0:28 1:20 2:11

1.6 1.6 1.7 0.2 0.1 0.1

10:03 0.3 11:00 0.3 11:55 0.2 6:43 1.8 7:36 1.9 8:28 1.9

16:31 1.7 17:26 1.7 18:18 1.8 12:48 0.1 13:39 0.1 14:30 0

0 0 0 0.1 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 1.6 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.7 0.2 0.1 0 -0.1

9:19 2 10:11 2 11:03 1.9 11:58 1.9 6:27 0.1 7:23 0.2 8:22 0.3 9:23 0.3 10:23 0.3 11:20 0.3 12:11 0.3 6:54 1.7 7:38 1.7 8:19 1.7 8:58 1.7 9:36 1.7 10:13 1.7 10:52 1.7 11:32 1.6 12:16 1.6 6:43 0.4 7:35 0.4 8:31 0.4 9:31 0.3 10:30 0.3 11:28 0.2 6:19 1.8 7:14 1.9 8:07 2 8:59 2

15:21 0 21:40 2 16:13 0.1 22:31 2 17:06 0.1 23:24 1.9 18:01 0.2 12:55 1.8 18:58 0.3 13:55 1.8 19:58 0.3 14:55 1.7 20:59 0.4 15:55 1.7 22:00 0.4 16:52 1.7 22:58 0.4 17:44 1.7 23:51 0.3 18:32 1.7 12:58 0.3 19:16 1.7 13:41 0.3 19:58 1.8 14:22 0.3 20:37 1.7 15:00 0.3 21:15 1.7 15:38 0.3 21:52 1.7 16:16 0.4 22:29 1.7 16:56 0.4 23:07 1.6 17:38 0.4 23:47 1.6 18:24 0.5 13:05 1.6 19:14 0.5 13:59 1.6 20:10 0.5 14:57 1.6 21:08 0.4 15:56 1.7 22:07 0.3 16:53 1.8 23:05 0.3 17:48 1.8 12:23 0.1 18:42 1.9 13:17 0.1 19:34 2 14:10 0 20:26 2 15:02 0 21:18 2

-0.1 0 0 0.1 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2

9:51 2 10:44 1.9 11:39 1.9 12:34 1.8 7:00 0.2 7:58 0.3 8:58 0.4 9:58 0.4 10:54 0.4 11:45 0.4 6:28 1.6 7:11 1.7 7:52 1.7 8:31 1.7

15:55 0 16:48 0.1 17:43 0.2 18:40 0.2 13:32 1.8 14:31 1.7 15:28 1.7 16:23 1.7 17:14 1.7 18:01 1.7 12:31 0.4 13:14 0.3 13:54 0.3 14:32 0.3

SEPTEMBER

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr

3:02 3:52 4:42 5:34 0:17 1:14 2:12 3:13 4:14 5:12 6:05 0:40 1:25 2:06 2:45 3:23 3:59 4:36 5:15 5:57 0:32 1:22 2:19 3:20 4:22 5:22 0:01 0:55 1:47 2:39

OCTOBER

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr

3:29 4:20 5:12 6:05 0:53 1:52 2:52 3:52 4:49 5:41 0:12 0:55 1:36 2:14

22:38 0.4 23:34 0.3 19:10 1.9 20:00 2 20:50 2

22:10 1.9 23:03 1.9 23:57 1.8 19:38 0.3 20:37 0.4 21:36 0.4 22:32 0.4 23:24 0.3 18:45 19:26 20:05 20:43

1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7

Tauranga tide heights in metres.

Bowentown: subtract 5 minutes from Tauranga (both HW and LW) Katikati (Kauri Point): add 30 minutes to Tauranga (both HW and LW) Whitianga: High Water subtract 2 minutes from Tauranga HW tide; Low Water add 2 minutes to Tauranga Low Water.

Every effort has been made to ensure that these times and tides are correct, no responsibility will be accepted for any inaccuracies, omissions, or misuse or misinterpretation of the values for tides and times published. Times used in the tide predictions are in New Zealand Standard Time (NZST1).

MARINE PRECINCT

WATERLINE 03

Heat’s off marine precinct Tenure issues surrounding Tauranga’s central harbour marine precinct are going to be sorted by a council task force.

Mayor Stuart Crosby says the fact the 5.5Ha Mirrielees Road site is council owned land has discouraged some interested developers.

Priority One CEO Andrew Coker welcomes the announcement.

“It’s a chance for council to look at that and find out are the means to provide sufficient tenure and conditions sufficient to make it viable for a developer – or do they need to look at selling that land to make it viable for that development,” says Andrew.

“But the key aspect is the council is absolutely supportive of the marine precinct there.”

The original prospective developer is still interested in building the haul out, repair and painting facility on the site, says Andrew.

“The negotiations have kicked up issues,” says Andrew.

The impact of the global financial crisis is ensuring that securing funding is going to be an issue for any developer these days. It has also focussed attention on the approach that councils can take with the land holdings they have in supporting developments like the marine precinct.

“A development of that scale will need a really long tenure,” says Andrew.

“Council has been through the process of negotiation and its highlighted issues.

There is a chance to get some elected members, their property team, the new CEO and other stakeholders involved, and work out what is the best way to leverage the value out of that land, and get marine precinct out of it.”

By Andrew Campbell

04 WATERLINE

TAURANGA BOAT SALES

Ready for another skipper Silver Crest is a Mariner 5000 – its owner was in the process of bringing up to survey before making the decision to sell.

An extensive rebuild is done, leaving inspections and paperwork to be completed.

Mariner boats are an icon throughout Australia and NZ is no exception, in 1967 Mariner pioneered production fibreglass boat building and from there the marque has been refined to win many awards.

This predecessor to the Riviera brand is no different with a hand laid solid fibreglass hull and quality workmanship throughout.

The current owner has over the last 18 months redefined the model throughout including vastly improving the electronics.

Silver Crest now features the very latest Furuno Navnet 3 Dimensional sounder technology, Twin Radars of 24 and 60 nm, twin GPS, improved again if needed to a 19” monitor which also encompasses free-view digital TV, and an engine room surveillance camera.

But it doesn’t stop there – local professionals were enrolled to repaint all topsides and the big cockpit, then install an enclosed large 250 ltr chest Freezer and a 5kg auto clothes washer for those extended trips away. All saloon windows were removed and resealed to ensure complete dryness. New gunwhale alloy moulds also fitted to express her smooth lines.

The interior has new carpets, drapes and refurbished timber work. All lighting is now LED, there is modern domestic refrigeration and a large Onan 12kva genset. Engine mechanicals were also given attention.

The owner says it wasn’t really necessary, but both upper engines were professionally overhauled, keeping the twin Caterpillar 375hp motors purring. Balance further enhanced with new rudders and propellers supplied by Henley’s.

Silver Crest makes an ideal potential charter boat, having a semi enclosed Flybridge, dual helm, twin heads and twin showers and ample accommodation for all with all the modern conveniences. A game chair and poles are available too, the vendor in fact has started the process of getting Silver Crest to do just this. It is a boat that appeals for a number of reasons, commercial or pleasure, big and beamy, comfortable cruising with safety in mind.

Details regarding any aspect of Silver Crest are available with the listing Broker Brett Eaton at Tauranga Boat Sales.

TAURANGA BOAT SALES

WATERLINE 05

HARBOUR MASTER

06 WATERLINE

Safety on the Seven Seas What was acceptable 200 years ago – or even 30 years ago - is mostly not tolerated these days.

In the good old days when I was swinging around high up in the rigging of a fully rigged sailing ship, 100 feet above the water in a North Sea gale with no safety harness, we thought nothing of it.

You just made sure you hung on tightly when the ship rolled away from you. Captain Cook and other sailing ship captains from the past all lost a few souls overboard in rough weather. Very few were rescued.

These days you can’t climb more than three metres high without a safety harness clipped on. But I digress - life has moved on and so has boating safety.

Boating rules versus personal freedom

bylaw is reviewed in a couple of years’ time. This will be publicly notified and you will have opportunity to make submissions, either for or against.

Vessel identification

The local boating rules that govern each area or region are called Navigation Safety Bylaws. They are fairly similar all around New Zealand, with slight variations to reflect the different requirements of each area. They are not very different from bylaws for example in Britain or Australia, except that ours are far more lenient. This is because we don’t have as many boats trying to use a restricted area of water. As the number of boats using the harbours and estuaries increases, so will the number of rules. It’s a fine balancing act, trying to keep law and order on the water without unnecessarily restricting personal freedoms.

Australian boating rules

In Australia, boat registration and skipper licensing have been around for ages and these rules are strictly enforced. In New South Wales, for example, a Boat License was made more difficult to obtain from last year. In order to operate a power boat that can do 10 knots or more, you need to pass both a theory and practical exam. You have to receive on-water training from a Recognised Training Provider or an experienced skipper.

Jet ski licencing around the regions

In Northland, Auckland and Waikato regions, it is mandatory to licence personal water craft (PWCs) such as jet skis. These three regions have found that this simple requirement has dramatically reduced the number of jet skiers misbehaving. Think of it like driving a car on the road with no number plate – if you couldn’t be traced, would you be tempted to break the speed limit?

The requirement to register jet skis like our neighbouring regions will most likely be proposed for the Bay of Plenty region when our

In the Waikato and Auckland regions, a vessel identification rule is in force. All boats four metres and over must display a name or identifying mark, such as a radio callsign, a Coastguard membership number or a trailer registration. Identification needs to be displayed on each side of the vessel in letters with a minimum height of 90mm.

In the Waikato and Auckland regions, non-mechanically powered boats (for example, kayaks, dinghies, sail boats) of less than six metres in length must be marked with emergency contact details and/or the owner’s name and contact details clearly visible in or on the vessel. This also applies to powered vessels less than 4m in length.

With the increasing number of boats using Bay of Plenty waters, it is becoming increasingly likely that mandatory identification of all vessels will be proposed when the bylaw is next reviewed. It would certainly assist the harbour master’s team to rapidly notify the owner when a boat is found drifting in the harbour or lakes. At the moment, when we find an unidentified boat drifting, it takes a great deal of sleuthing to find out who owns the vessel.

HARBOUR MASTER

WATERLINE 07

Lifejacket rule – no change at present Another rule getting air time at the moment is the lifejacket rule.

Last year, the National Pleasure Boat Safety Forum proposed a law change to require everyone on board boats less than six metres to wear a life jacket, unless the skipper deemed it safe enough to take them off. The change was proposed because research showed 85 percent of boating fatalities occurred with boats less than six metres.

However, the minister asked for more statistical information before taking it any further, so for now, the rule stays the same every boat must have the right sized lifejacket for each person on board, and for boats under six metres people may choose not to wear them unless there is increased risk - for example in rough seas or while crossing bars.

Compulsory lifejacket wearing

Some councils have taken the lifejacket rule one step further. The Queenstown Lakes District Council, Environment Southland and Environment Canterbury already enforce the compulsory wearing of life jackets under local bylaws. In these three regions, all people on vessels less than six metres in length must wear life jackets at all times.

Other councils have gone with the National Pleasure Boat Safety Forum’s recommendation to require everyone on board boats less than six metres to wear a life jacket, unless the skipper deemed it safe enough to take them off, for example Environment Waikato.

This has effectively reversed the wording - previously these councils’ bylaws stated that you only had to wear a lifejacket (in a boat less than six metres) if the conditions were risky, e.g. crossing a bar or in bad weather. Now you have to wear one unless the skipper says it’s OK not to. A bit pedantic perhaps, but that’s how it is. Failure to do so may result in a fine of $200.

Lifejackets around the world

New Zealand is not the only country looking at its boating safety.

Many other countries around the world are also tightening up on their lifejacket rules. From New York to New South Wales, the lifejacket rules are changing to become more stringent and to regulate when you have to wear them.

The days of ‘She’ll be right’ are regrettably long gone. These days, unlike in Captain Cook’s time, it’s not acceptable to lose the occasional man or woman overboard. On square rigged sailing ships, the crew now all have to clip their safety harnesses on when they are working in the rigging. No doubt many lives have been saved as a result.

What do you think?

Jennifer Roberts Harbour Master – Western Bay of Plenty

BOPSAT

08 WATERLINE

Call goes out to all Skippers After the incredibly successful event in 2010, this year’s Bartercard Father’s Day Family Fun Sail, needs all the available TYPBC skippers of keelers and big cats, to assist in making this year’s event largest Fun Sail Regatta ever seen on the Tauranga Harbour.

See last year’s amazing event and the great time people had by visiting - www.bopsat. com and going to the Photo Gallery. This was only made possible by the amazing generosity of the TYPBC’s skippers, who donating both their time and boats. If you own a boat and are available this Father’s Day, please contact Roy on 07 541 2341.

The BoPSAT is proud to announce that Bartercard is back on board as the main event sponsor for the 6th consecutive year.

The combination of this loyalty and the ongoing support from our ‘Gold Sponsor’ Steve’s Marine Supplies and Classic Hits, is a winning combination and has led to the raising of many tens of thousands of Dollars for youth sailing in the Bay. This year’s event will take place on Father’s Day, Sunday 4 September, at the Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club, 90 Keith Allen Drive, Sulphur Point.

BOPSAT

WATERLINE 09

A huge evening at the club

Family Fun Sailor’s need to arrive by 12.30pm, where they’ll be kitted out with life jackets, before going sailing.

After the sailing there’ll be a Lolly Scramble for the children and a buffet for all in the club house. There is a donation request of $25 per adult and $10 per child, which covers the family fun sail and buffet afterwards. Bookings are definitely advisable as last year’s event was a complete sellout.

For further information and to reserve your place on one of Tauranga’s big boats, call Roy on 07 541 2341.

Dine with the Champs

The junior Centreboard sailors have all returned from their overseas campaigns to the various World Champs and major overseas Regattas and all have a tale to tell.

Come dine at the TYPBC on the evening of Friday 23 September and hear about their experiences. It will be a huge evening at the club, with all those involved in the ‘Overseas Fund’ fundraiser being invited.

This includes BoPSAT’s Sponsors, sailor’s Supporters and their families and friends.

The Overseas Fund raised $1,500 for each of the 5 sailors this year and this will be the

Zak Merton, Julie Picqout, Lutz Reineke, Tom and Olly Maidment aboard Fully Charged. Photo by Tracy Hardy evening when they will be presented with their donation.

If you want to be up with the play and ahead of the game, go to the BoPSAT website and link through to our Face Book page and don’t forget to click on the ‘Thumbs Up’ before you leave. BoPSAT has a new

member on our team, Nicole Harris.

Nicole is going to be looking after our social media and putting up posts on our Face Book page, so as they say ‘you’ve got to be in to win’ or in this case, you’ve got to give the thumbs-up to find out what’s going on.

By Roy Walmsley

TYPBC NEWS

10 WATERLINE

Back on an even keel CLUB NEWS Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club

TYPBC Women on Water Tauranga Marine Industry Association

Mt Maunganui Yacht Club

Omokoroa Boat Club

New yacht club commodore Wayne Eaton wants the club to gets its focus back on sailing over at least the next year, after the last few years of focussing on building.

Wayne, who’s been a yacht club member for 50 years, is also owner of the Young 11 Kaimai Flyer.

He was previously a rear commodore of the yacht club 25 years ago, but at that stage had a young family and didn’t take it further.

He got roped back into the yacht club committee because of the recent building project with the basement conversion and the new sheds.

“People felt I had something to contribute so I got back onto the committee to do that,” says Wayne.

When the rotation to commodore came through, the expected candidate wasn’t available so Wayne put his hand up, for the time being.

“The club’s been through pretty big changes involved with BOP sailing academy and with the other groups now housed there,’ says Wayne.

“So now the club needs a bit of stability and to focus on its yachting.”

Over the last couple of years the commit-

Wayne Eaton. tee has been focussed pretty tightly on the building project and the related financial issues, says Wayne. While there were other contributors, the project still cost the club a lot of money.

Now he thinks it time to get back to a bit of sailing.

Wayne raced P Class for the club in the 1960s, and later raced other centreboard classes. He’s done a bit of sailing offshore, in other people’s boats he says. He’s owned Kaimai Flyer four years now.

Child on board

WATERLINE 11

Charlie (aged 5) the cabin boy.

Charlie (aged 2) at the helm.

As a WOW member and mother, I am sometimes asked about the realities (and surrealities) of sailing with a child on board.

If there is one way to pique their interest, it is to actively involve them. When they're very young you can have them help trim the sails (and I mean they've got their little hands around the line; they're not just observing), take the tiller (your hand is ready to grab it if necessary, but they don't have to know that), and make decisions about when to tack. It is very important that your child feels she or he is an active part of the crew, and that her actions are both helpful and important.

One of WOW's most important tenets is that, in addition to welcoming seasoned sailors, it actively recruits women who have had little or no sailing experience.

WOW has successfully introduced many women to the world of sailing. For many of these women, this is a life-changing manoeuvre. Sailing, after all, is a lifestyle sport; for many it is an all-consuming passion, and starting down the yachting path is often an action that eventually involves the entire family. There are important issues to consider when introducing our young ones to sailing. How do we keep children safe? How do we keep them happy? How do we keep them from suffering complete and utter boredom and swearing that they will never, ever, ever go sailing again? The safety factor is actually the easiest one to address. It takes ten seconds to put on a lifejacket and only a bit longer to effectively check the weather forecast. The happiness/ boredom factor is a bit more involved.

A sailor’s life

My decision to involve my son Charlie in sailing was steeped in equal amounts, "Yes! A sailor's life for him!" and "Let's be cautious here lest we put him off of sailing for life." Too often I have seen – and this goes with any pursuit – parents push their kids with unabated abandon, driving them to the point that they don't want to be anywhere near a boat. In this regard, sailing should be dangled like a carrot in front of a child's nose.

"Hey, Charlie, why don't we go for a sail after school and get an ice cream on the way home?" (Sorry, Plunket, I know that this is probably not a textbook example of good parenting, but there are larger things at stake here!) Make the first family trips on the water last only as long as your kids are happy. For some this is five minutes. For some this is three days. It may seem like an awful inconvenience to limit your time on the water like this, but it will eventually pay off big time. Your kids will grow – not be forced – to enjoy the sailing lifestyle.

Offshore package For longer trips, make sure that there are toys, books, and craft-type endeavours on board. For an offshore passage of, say, two weeks, I will bring at least ten novel-type kids' books (100 pages or longer) and double that amount of shorter books. If your child is into Lego, make sure you've got it on board. Kids learn to be very self-tending on long passages; I am very serious when I say that Charlie spends at least five hours of every day quietly working on Lego projects when we are offshore. And that includes sailing in very rough weather. The other 19 hours (aside from sleeping) are spent reading, drawing, folding coloured pipe cleaners into animal shapes-- you name it. Charlie recently turned six. He was three years old on his first trip from Nelson to Tonga. He quickly learned that there are times when he had to entertain himself; I could not come below to help him find his missing Lego piece when I was on deck reefing a sail. You would be surprised how self-involved they get; after our most recent trip from Tonga back to Nelson, when we were recalling our passage, Charlie was surprised to learn that we had sailed through two storms!

The bottom line is that a woman (or man) who is thinking about learning to sail, or thinking about beginning to include kids in the sailing equation, is absolutely making the right decision. Few pastimes work their way into our grain like sailing.

Indeed, "pastime" seems altogether too flippant a word; "way of life" gets a bit closer to the heart of it. As WOW members, we encourage all women to give sailing a go. Then, take that sailing knowledge and share it with the next generation. You'll never

By Nicole Harris look back.

TAURANGA YACHT & POWERBOAT CLUB NEWS

TYPBC NEWS

TYPBC NEWS

12 WATERLINE TYPBC NEWS

Farewells from the Club This week’s news is sad for our club - we are losing two of our great ladies.

Firstly, Janet Paterson our Manager/ Secretary. I personally am very sorry Janet is leaving as she has been a great asset to the Tauranga Yacht Club. Janet came to us four years ago and inherited several problems that needed sorting out. Our function section was not functioning.

go. During Janet’s time as Manager we have seen the clubs finances improve back to where they should be and this is something she can take some credit for with Ken and Steve. I am sure I speak for our previous two commodores and other committee members in saying “It has been a pleasure working with her”.

Janet is leaving us to go to Australia with her husband Murray and they will make their home in Mackay. We wish them all the best.

Job well done

WOW chairman

As we all know the club then entered a major building program which added greatly to Janet’s job both in book keeping and general keeping the club functioning around the builders, a job very well done by Janet. Then we went through the process of firstly engaging a new chef soon followed by a new function and bar manager. Janet has worked well with both Ken and Steve and I am sure they are as sorry as the rest of us to see Janet

Secondly, Lise Mackie has been a member for three years but in that time has made more contribution to our club than many who have been around for ages. Lise has been a regular crew member on Fast Lane and I am sure Ray and crew will be sorry to lose her. For those of you who don’t know Lise was the chairwoman for WOW and did an outstanding job of this both getting people out on the water and making the prize

giving’s on Thursday nights something to enjoy. Well done Lise.

With being the chair of WOW Lise became part of the club General Committee on which she also worked very hard, not only having ideas to contribute but standing up and doing the work as well.

Sea School

Lise worked very hard at encouraging people to join the club. Her final big effort has been Sea School which has been extremely successful and I hope one of the other keen promoters of this program has the drive to keep it going. Lise is moving to Wellington and we wish her well.

To finish on a positive note The Flag Officers have employed a new Manager/ Secretary. Her name is Christine Heady and she will start at the end of August.

We will have a farewell night at the club for Janet and Lise on Friday, 2 September from 5pm and it would be nice to see you all there.

Wayne Eaton, Commodore

Annual swap meet returns The annual Boatie’s swap meet organised by the Trailer Yacht division is on again, the venue is the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club car park, Sulphur Point.

The cost to occupy a space is $ 10 and all money raised is used for the operation of the Club’s patrol boats.

The parking space can be used to display your nautical related treasure that you’re selling or park that boat that you are selling or even if you’re wanting to promote something – here’s a fantastic opportunity to get it seen and help a great cause. Payment for a spot is on the day and need to be on site and ready for a 9am am opening time.

There will be a sausage sizzle provided by the TYPBC Centreboard division, and with so much for sale make sure that you book the 8 October 9am am at the yacht club and grab yourself just that fitting or item that you’re been looking for and support us.

If you have any queries please give Brian Thompson (evenings) or John Knotts on 5444272 a call.

Spring trailer yacht regatta

The Trailer yacht division of the Tauranga Yacht club is hosting the TYPBC & Bay of Plenty Trailer yacht regatta, for all trailer yachts on Tauranga Harbour over the weekend of 3 September.

The regatta is sailed under NZ Trailer Yacht Assn divisions and handicaps so it’s all very even between all different boats and a lot of fun, having two days of back to back racing.

Saturday should see 4-5 races with less a Sunday to allow for prize giving and the out of town boats to head home. Saturday after racing there is a meal and social time this regatta is a fantastic opportunity for those new to trailer yachting to join in. Also you can organise a crew and sail an available boat, as was done in the last regatta two seasons ago.

So shake off those winter blues, grab your Notice of Race and entry form by emailing office@yacht.org.nz If you would like any further information then please give Alistair a call on 576 7129

By Doug Elliot

MMYC NEWS

14 WATERLINE MOUNT MAUNGANUI YACHT CLUB NEWS

Dealing with mother nature Sailing....or fishing?

Big Kite....little Kite?

No1....No2...or No3 genoa?

These are the questions our skippers are being faced with this winter series as Mother Nature throws variable conditions, crew members jump from boat to boat and the versatility of their vessels is challenged.

Race 6 started with very little wind and the prospect of getting up to Omokoroa and back. Fears were soon doused as the wind got up and the “pressure” came on.

Windarra chased Finesse all the way to the sand spit in front of Motuhoa Island then the tacking duel began up the channel and around “G”. Won by Finesse, she then put the big black bit of rag up and weaved through the moored boats at Omokoroa, with Windarra in pursuit.

Wizzard caught both boats the other side of Motuhoa and raced off to grab line honours, leaving Finesse still fending off Windarra and Marbles creeping up from the middle of the fleet.

It was noted half way through the race that Hanse Free didn’t appear to be performing to her usual standard. The Punching Neddy crew kept up with the “A” division boats until the downward leg and the kites went up. They decided to use a tried and true method of releasing pressure on their kite by parting the stitching at the head. DeJaVu got into a little bit of strife with her rigging and a junior crew member from Nelani experienced the sensation of being strangled by his lifejacket inflating........inside the boat!

It was an eventful race.............but what happened to Hanse Free, you might ask?

Post race, she was assisted into her berth

by Fred and “GG”, the marina tender.

Apparently, the crew were undecided as to whether they would sail the race... or go fishing. So, part way through, they decided on both, trawling a long line, with 25 hooks, a substantial lead weight and a buoy... leaving in their wake, a shaken fishing family bobbing about in their “tinney” minus their tackle!

For Sale: 1 longline fishing system. Contact Arthur on 0800 PREFER 2 SAIL.

MMYC winter series race 7

Sunday, 7/08/2011 With a steady 25 knots rising to gusts over 30, last Sunday’s race tested skippers, crew and boats. Despite the over abundance of wind, 16 boats started and 13 finished. There were no reported major catastrophes, proving that the Mount

Yacht Club has some pretty skilled sailors in its midst.

However, a couple of incidents did not go un-noticed. A crew member from Otway opted for swimming rather than sailing on the start line and I believe it was the same vessel, the only one, to fly a small kite... for about a minute on the 1st downward leg.

Conditions were perfect for the tuff ol’ lady of the fleet, Windarra. She’s well used to Wil putting her through her paces..... so with the top of her mast pulled back and genoa hard up against the spreaders, Wil set his sights on Rigmarole. A good portion of the race was spent keeping up and a “hairy” moment with a ship, a sand bank, Ruach, Rigmarole and mark 11, provided a challenge. Success came on the last leg and relief that there was no more runway, as Marbles crept up from behind to steal 2nd place from Rigmarole.

Jet Stream’s skipper confessed after the

race that he needs to attend sailing lesson “101” again, losing control of his boat a few times during the race and not being able to recover.....quickly. He also discovered that viewing aquatic life through the cabin windows is also an option should one lose interest in sailing during the race.

Post-race, the clubrooms were abuzz with stories of 40+ knot winds and gales that no man should be able to survive in, but the most telling observation this “journo” made of just what the conditions were really like, was the hair! Yes, a scan around the room at the skippers and crew revealed “knotted”, dishevelled, wet and wild hair. The “Bad Hair” prize would have to go to Bazza which isn’t surprising given Silas Marner showed us her bottom, pretty much all the way around the course. Well done to Bazza’s hard core lady crew.

The Start line!

By Carol Andrews

MMYC NEWS

Why become a member of Mount Maunganui Yacht Club? Brilliant location, Reasonable price, Innovative members, Social atmosphere There is Raffle night on every Wednesday night (quick fire) and Big Meat pack raffles plus 2 members draws. On Friday Night there is free members’ Jackpot and Meat Raffles MOSC has many great nights, which have included Hypnotist, Casino, Quiz nights, Who Dunnit, Mid Winter Christmas, Matt Watson and Grant Dalton. It also includes New Year’s Eve and tickets will be available from the bar around Christmas. There are always sporting attractions on the ‘Sky’ big screen TV. At the Mount Ocean Sports Club [MOSC] mosque as it is sometimes called, there is a 7-day Bar and Restaurant Open from 11am till late, in a world class position overlooking the active harbour.

MOSC has 3 contributing clubs [Yacht, Underwater & Fish] and is run by 2 Directors from each club with a permanent Administrator/Bar Manager As a member you are welcome to take friends and sign them in as guest, although this can only happen 3 times [under liquor licensing law], they will want to join before this anyway.

At the beginning of the Summer season the Yacht Club has a Champagne Breakfast barbecue (Mid Pilot Bay) on the beach at 9am (bring own drinks, glass, plates and cutlery) Food Supplied By Club. All Members welcome keep a eye for the date in the MMYC section of the ‘Waterline’ magazine.

The Yacht club runs Winter and Summer sailing program’s which has harbour and coastal races, we welcome new crew members to the fleet of keelers and new skippers with yachts.

After each race day, we normally end with prize giving, upstairs at MOSC from about 4.30pm a great place to meet new friendly faces and socialize.

Other regular sailing include; Whangamata Race (to or from Mount, alternate years).

The Best NZ regatta, ‘The Legends Regatta’, Labour Weekend The Peter Burgess Memorial race.

Our Major Sponsors include Power Co, Mills Reef Winery, Steve’s Marine Supplies, Mount Liquor Mart, Lion Breweries, Modern Kitchens Ltd, Bridge Marina, Wild Kiwi, Dave Peet Jewellery, Electrical Works, Blokart NZ, Bake Shack / Sew Hot Monograms and Windsheer.

We would like to get you involved with club or social events and will look at any suggestion you have.

To join this great Yacht Club, the application form is at MOSC, Salisbury Wharf, Mt Maunganui.

A dependable summer As we all put winter behind us and the days start to grow longer, our thoughts turn to the up coming summer and our beloved aquatic activities.

So once you drag the kayak from the back of the garden shed or flatten the weeds from under the boat trailer or dare to wander down the pier to your pride and joy, you must ask yourself: Is it ready?

The elements of this world will deteriorate nearly every type of product known to mankind.

Most kiwi males think they have the ability to fix or maintain the toys they own to a very high standard.

When we venture out either in the lake, harbour or out into the wild blue yonder we all put a lot of faith into what we deem to be a safe and reliable craft.

With every trip made we put a number of lives at risk whether they are on the craft or end up as a part of a recovery team.

The need to regulate the marine industry and repairers is becoming more evident with one in every four home owners having access to some type of water craft.

A vessel that has sat unused for a winter will need some form of check before heading out so now is the time to make a plan to visit your local marine specialist.

You will have a choice of reputable services to choose from so make time to check out who you entrust your vessel with. The Tauranga Marine Industry Association (TMIA) is a membership organisation that as a whole strives to deliver high quality goods and services at a fair price. A full directory of member businesses can be found on our website at www.tmia.co.nz. The cost of a check or repair is minimal compared to total replacement or loss of a life. A serviced motor or a washed hull can save fuel or a huge repair bill so don’t leave it too late as summer will be here before we know it. Happy boating

MOUNT MAUNGANUI YACHT CLUB NEWS

Become a member

WATERLINE 15

OBC NEWS

16 WATERLINE OMOKOROA CLUB NEWS

Great progress at the club Introducing Phil Cox. After moving from Wellington in 1996 and with a passion for sailing and fishing our family joined the Omokoroa Boat Club in December 2005.

and toilet facilities will be connected by the time this goes to print. The official opening for club members is being planned for 3 September. The club is currently on the lookout for boating memorabilia to help decorate the club rooms and would appreciate any potential offerings. Subscriptions are now due and a timely reminder to all we need to start enforcing our licensing laws re membership and the three visit rules.

Many thanks to Ranald for the time he has put into the newsletter over the past year’s and the advice he has offered during the changeover.

Building report

Phil Cox, Commodore.

My wife Donna and daughter Stevie enjoy being involved with club activities and I joined the committee in 2008. I am looking forward to my time as Commodore and enjoying the friendly atmosphere the Club and its members has to offer.

Commodores report

Welcome to the new season of the OBC. Firstly thanks to John Budden for the great work done thus far I am pleased to say that John will be staying to run our sailing programmes. This year the largest committee on record is already down to business with subcommittees working well.

The new building extension will be painted and ready for vinyl and carpet also lighting

After the holdup in March, Steve and his crew have made great progress and we are now at the painting stage. There have been a few changes from the original plan - new entrance, larger windows on the south side and large glass panels on the south deck.

All of these have enhanced the building and all comments have been very positive.

In the next few weeks the painting will be finished, carpet and vinyl will be laid.

Phil managed to buy a complete Bar counter, taps, stainless steel benches and sinks. This was a great buy, looks very smart and will be connected in a couple of weeks.

Looking back from when Anthony was approached to do the plans there has been a great input from the Committee and members of the club who have had contacts and advice which helped make the extension possible. The initial plan was to build the deck and shell but with Pat Neil, Anthony and Kay Ducat’s substantial input, we managed to secure a $92,000 TECT Special Community Grant. Many thanks to you all. Special thanks to the painters, Ken Blackett, Greame Cheeseman, Hugh Reynolds, Murray Jamieson and Ken Atkinson and our special procurer

of stainless steel Lex Bacon.

Last but not least a big thanks to all those who use the Club. The extensions would not have gone ahead without your patronage and I hope you all enjoy the new facility. The Committee is having a grandstand erected in the new area for the world cup. See you there By Sean McPherson

Social Committee

The RUGBY...

“Members will be pleased to learn that the new clubroom will be ready in time for the Rugby World Cup matches. Usual added attractions include big screen, grandstand, themed nights, menu specials and competitions. So sort out your club (any sport) shirts and stand by for more details.” By Alison Badger

Kitchen Committee

Now that the AGM is behind us and the new committee is up and running, we have set up a kitchen sub committee. The purpose of this committee is to liaise with the kitchen to ensure both members and the caterers’ requirements are being met and that the kitchen is informed of up coming events so they can be prepared for their involvement.

We welcome member feed back and or suggestions to enhance the service provided for all our members. If you would like to make contact with us we ask that you leave a letter at the bar addressed to the attention of the club kitchen sub committee or post it to P.O.Box 17009, Omokoroa 3154. Don’t forget to leave your name so we can respond. All correspondence will remain confidential and your name will only be seen by the kitchen sub committee. We look forward to meeting you at the club soon.

The Kitchen sub committee Norma, Sue and Tracy.

CLIPPER RACE

WATERLINE 17

Clipper race coming to Tauranga The first yachts in the ten-strong fleet are expected to begin arriving from Geraldton WA about November 25. Tauranga will be home to the sailors, their families and the support crews until December 4 when the re-start takes place at A Beacon.

Katie Beney and Tony Arnold.

The race has already started with the fleet heading for Rio de Janeiro in Brazil as Waterline went to press.

From Rio, the ports are Cape Town, Geraldton, north of Perth in Western Australia, and Tauranga.

“There are 17 crew on each boat, and a commercially qualified skipper,” says Katie. “Ten of them are on board round the world, they are doing the whole race. The other seven are either on for one or several legs.”

The ages of the sailors range from 18-72.

A single leg costs seven thousand pounds, or about NZ$11,000, Staying on board for the whole 40,000 miles of the longest ocean race costs about NZ$80,0000 at current exchange rates.

“It’s the first time this race has ever come to New Zealand,” says Katie.

The decision to add the New Zealand-Australia East Coast leg was partly because Australians represent the second largest nationality among the race crews. There are eight kiwis taking part in the 11-12 race, one of whom is from Tauranga, says Katie.

“We re very excited about coming to New Zealand for the first time. We’ve also found a lot of crew that have done previous races who want to sign up for this leg.”

The boats are 20.7 metre or 68ft long masthead cutters, designed by renowned English yacht designer Ed Dubois and built in Shanghai, China. Their construction is glass fibre composite sandwich construction, with a balsa core. The boats are extensively refitted before each race. http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/index.php

The next leg takes the Clipper fleet to a Gold Coast port, then on to Singapore and China.

The race is run by Clipper Ventures chaired by Sir Robin KnoxJohnston, the first sailor to sail single handed around the world non-stop.

Clipper Ventures also runs the Velux Five Oceans Race, the solo, professional race which called at Tauranga in 2002.

The same team has been behind organising the Tauranga port call for the Clipper Race, says Tauranga Bridge Marina director Tony Arnold.

They include harbourmaster Jennifer Roberts, Peter Melgren from Tauranga City Council, John Buck and Wayne Eaton from the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club, Bruce Goodchap and others.

For Tauranga the Clipper fleet arrival will mean the whole shore based community including media, sponsors, plus family and friends of the 180 crew will be in town for the period round the ten day port call.

There is a mobile workshop in a 40ft container that will be set up at the travel lift hard stand, and the race office will be in port until the December 4 restart.

Unlike professional races where the crews are paid, in the Clipper Round the World, the crews pay.

And they come from all walks of life and all nationalities, says Clipper Round the World sponsorship manager Katie Beney.

“The ratio is about 60-40, male female and 40 per cent of them have never set foot on a boat before,” says Katie. “But everybody gets five weeks training back in the UK.”

Missed an edition of Waterline?

Keep up to date with Waterline and your local marine news on SunLive.

Everything you need including weather, tides and weekly fishing reports.

www.sunlive.co.nz

MARINE NEWS

18 WATERLINE

Things you find on the internet Fishing fanatic Luke Buist-Jones was looking for marine course to help him maintain the 20ft Fyran he and his brother own, and came out with a super yacht crew qualification.

He obtained 20 certificates from the three-month course, at the Mahurangi Technical Institute Warkworth, half of which was spent on the water.

“It was a fun course though, spent half the time out sailing, driving round in little power boats, turning, high speed manoeuvres,’ says Luke. “We did jet skis for a couple of days.”

He came out of the course with a power boat handling level two certificate, basic diesel and outboard maintenance, a marine radio operator’s certificate, first aid, wine appreciation, food safety and basic firearms.

Luke Buist-Jones.

“Went clay bird shooting for a day, and got the NZ Mountain Safety Certificate,” says Luke.

They also obtained the Personal Safety and Social Responsibility Sea Survival and basic fire fighting.

“We went sailing for a whole week and stayed on the boat (a 40 ft keeler). We didn’t come to land but overnighted on the boat in marinas.”

He’s also now got a liquor licence, done a barista course and knows how to get in and out of helicopters safely.

“It’s mainly just to prepare you for over in Europe on the big massive boats,” says Luke.

I was just looking for short course to help out with the boat, it was summer time up north by the beach, so I was happy with that.

“If I did go overseas I would give it a crack, see if I can get a job over there.”

One of his classmates went over to the Whitsundays and started work on a boat, another went to Antigua. A third already had a job on a superyacht in Auckland.

Boaties blamed for missing mark Boaties tying up to navigation markers are being blamed for trouble with cardinal marks and the Eastern Sea Farms aquaculture farm about 9km north of Opotiki.

There is a continuing problem with boats tying up illegally to the navigation markers, says Eastern Bay of Plenty harbour master Brain Spake.

Four large yellow and black buoys identified the area of the aquaculture farm, and Brian believes boaties using them as moorings contributed to the loss of the Eastern Mark in June and the disappearance of the southern mark a month later.

The eastern mark is believed to have sunk and has not been recovered. The southern mark was later found, but was very low in the water, says Brian. The buoyancy chamber is now filled with foam.

“We’ve had boats tying up them, which doesn’t help, they pull them over,” says Brian.

“It’s an offence within the Navigation Safety Bylaw to do this and it carries an infringement fine of $200. The markers are there for navigational purposes only.

However, boaties are welcome to tie up to the actual marine farm mussel buoys.”

The replacement eastern mark will also be foam filled.

New boat rescue for Tauranga Coastguard Two people couldn’t wait to put the new boat in the water, went out in atrocious conditions one Sunday and encountered more than miserable boating weather.

In freezing 20-30 knot winds they ran out of fuel, lost their anchor, and were forced called Tauranga Coastguard when they began blowing towards the shore.

The coastguard crew got to the 20ft Bayliner with two people on board about

4.30pm, by which time it was in the shallows off Ferguson Park.

The owner had also rushed into the water without joining the Tauranga Volunteer Coastguard and may find the cost of the rescue is added to that of the new boat.

HARBOUR

WATERLINE 19

A scientific summer for Tauranga Marine scientists will count fish and shellfish in Tauranga harbour this summer as part of an ongoing study of the harbour’s health.

Scientists from the Cawthron Institute, Massey University and the Regional Council will seek out the shellfish beds, counting the different species, checking the numbers of each and determining their state of health.

“It’s one of those things where each individual organisation would not have the resources to go alone,” says Tauranga harbour programme co-ordinator with the regional council, Bruce Gardiner.

More is currently known about the harbour sediments, and plant species than is known about fish species and current stocks, says Bruce.

“We don’t have a lot of information about these things. They have got quite a bit more information on that in the Hauraki Gulf than we have here.”

The summer study follows up on the Manaaki Taha Maori report published in June which summarises what is currently known about the health of Te Awanui Tauranga Harbour.

The study finds there are several gaps in current scientific knowledge of the harbour.

Information on biodiversity of flora and fauna does not exist at harbour scale. Studies that link changes in biodiversity with varying stressors such as sediment, nutrients and pollutants have not been

a o

t t

W ac ky c p ti N con e Send us the best silly caption for this photo, and we’ll top off your day with a fine Waterline cap. brian@thesun.co.nz,

Fax 07 571 1116, Waterline, PO Box 240, Tauranga.

Last month’s winner from Kerri: “Is this the off ramp?”

Thanks to our other entries: “Sunday splash” from Letitia “Controversial new shipping policy sees Japanese exporters compromise on quality. In other news, Nissans float pretty good”.

conducted within Tauranga Harbour. There is also little is known about the diet of fish in Tauranga Harbour - information needed to understand the importance of specific habitats or species assemblages to higher tropic levels and the importance of the harbour as a nursery habitat for fisheries.

There is also currently limited information to assess abundance estimates of dolphins and whales that use the harbour and, therefore, the extent of top down predation on food webs.

The Manaaki Taha Maori report which is also a Massey University study, recommends starting with a broad scale survey and using the resulting information to investigate factors affecting populations of key species such as seagrass, mangroves and shellfish.

Shellfish, seagrass beds and mangrove habitats have been tagged for further research because of their cultural and ecological importance and the documented impacts on these ecosystem components. http://www.mtm.ac.nz/pdf/Health%20of%20Te%20Awanui%20 Tauranga%20Harbour_MTM%20Report%20No1_rev1.pdf

WAKEBOARDING

20 WATERLINE

Wakeboarding prowess about time Tauranga wakeboarder Talor Walters is hoping for more practice time on the water before his next major competition after finishing seventh at the world champs in July.

These were the 2011 International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation Wakeboard World Championships, held in Milan, Italy, and Talor competed in the under-15 event.

He was pitched against wakeboarders from Australia and America who practice all year round.

“They train for months just before worlds and the people who beat me ride like three times a week, everyday for an hour,” says Talor.

“And then people like me have just a couple of weeks to train for comps because New Zealand’s so cold.”

Talor says the amount of training a wakeboarder does is reflected in the difficulty of tricks they can do.

“They are doing better tricks like backflip 360s and roll-torevert.”

The most difficult tricks Talor performed in Milan were 540 rotations and tantrum-to-fakie.

Handy to boat ramp

 (07) 552 5751  thestoragehub.co.nz  storagehub@netsmart.net.nz 262 Snodgrass Rd, Te Puna, Tauranga

-No worries self storage-

BOP Marine Painting New Work • Full Fair & Paint • Antifouls • Prop speed Interiors & Exteriors • Touchups • Repaints Allen Hartridge - Qualified Marine Spraypainter ph 027 472 6655 a/h 07 570 3646 email bopmarinepainting@xtra.co.nz

WL1004jdBOPMarine

Self Storage that suits your needs at a great price!

WAKEBOARDING

WATERLINE 21

Growing confidence The best competitors in his under-15 class at the world champs were completing 720 rotations.

Talor says to get up to this level he needs to spend a concerted period of time in training.

“It’s really just time on the water, when you spend lots of time on the water, your confidence gets a lot bigger and you are more confident so you try new tricks, but when you are not riding that much and only get a couple of weeks in the year, it’s hard.

“Those tricks are pretty complicated but I guess if I had a lot of time on the water I would be able to learn them.”

Talor is a busy teenager as he attends Tauranga Boys’ College and plays rugby for the school’s elite under-15s team.

While Talor enjoys playing rugby, he thrives under the pressure of performing on the waves.

“In the team sport if you are not performing that good you got other people who are performing good that help you out, but in wakeboarding if you are not performing good you are not going to do well,” says Talor.

“In a team sport there is not so much pressure on yourself, but in an individual sport you have got a lot of pressure because you are doing it for yourself and the people who backed you.

“It’s good to have pressure to push yourself – having people put the money and time into you and then succeeding so that they didn’t waste their time and effort is a good drive to have.”

Among Talor’s best supporters is his dad Darren Walters.

Darren accompanied Talor to Milan, something for which Talor is grateful.

“It was amazing to be in Italy with dad.”

Among Talor’s major sponsors to get him to Italy for the world champs was Pak n’ Save Tauranga and his board maker, Liquid Force New Zealand.

By Edward Scragg

CLASSI

22 WATERLINE

Call FOR SALE

Finance for all marine finance 07-574 0002 or 0274 435 524 available 7 days

PELIN FOR SALE - 28’, professionally built, reconditioned Nissan ED 33 110HP diesel engine, mint condition. Comes with dinghy and outboard. $49,000. Ph 07 579 4128 or 027 291 2929.

YACHT FOR SALE - 7mtr catalina yacht trailer sailor. Trailer warranted, registered and ready for the road. Pop top cabin, sleeps four, dual batteries, VHF & CB radios, stereo system. Price $17,500 neg.

Ph (07) 542 3102 or 027 628 7900.

STARLING FOR SALE - “CARPE DIEM” 1130, Professionally built & launched oct 1994, Built on same jig as “Helter Skelter” (1131), This yacht and fittings are in excellent condition Has been compliant with Bow Jig. Extras include Aluminium Beach Trolley, Road Cover and Spare Mast. Asking Price $3,900.00. Telephone 021 120 7060.

CATAMARAN - 3yr old 11.4 mtr, Roger Simpson, Wildside, Twin 10 hp Yanmar, Diesels. 3 Queen, Size Double berth. Galley. Nav Station, Heads. Saloon. Usual instruments. Ph 07 866 5157 or email cox. wall@xtra.co.nz.

LIDGARD 7.9M - Launched approximately 1956. Kauri planked, powered by 60hp nissan diesel, 7.5 knots cuise, economical at 5 ltrs/ hr cruising Accommodation for 2, toilet, gas cooker, game rigged.

Electronics include VHF, GPS, chartplotter, depthsounder. Vessel is in sound condition. 027 447 2393.

WATER PUMP - 25PSI, Sureflow. As New $120. Ph 0274 333 220.

BOAT AND SULPHUR POINT MARINA BERTH 26ft hartley sedan launch. View boat and full details at berth B43, Sulphur Point. Boat $20,000 ono. 8 metre marina berth $16,036 with launch. Has cruised and fished to Mayor, the Mercs and Great Barrier. Ready to go again.

Passed insurance survey December 2010. Ph 07 543 4099 or 027 239 6445 MAIN SAIL - 7.5oz, hoist 43’ 7”, foot 14’ 9”, 5 reaths, 5 7/8 slides, very good condition. $400 ono. Ph 021 243 5555.

FOLDING PROP - briski, 16 x 12. 25mm shaft. Right handed NZ. $500 ono. Very good condition. Ph 021 243 5555 OMOKOROA MOORING - Prime location opposite Boat Club. Suitable for up to 40ft boat $8000. Recently surveyed - September 2010. Ph 548 2314.

QUARTER SHARE IN VINDEX 10 METRE LAUNCH - Shaft drive, 180 hp Ford Diesel Turbo, Sleeps 6, two showers, 3 steering stations cruises 10-12 kts. This syndicate has been operating successfully for 6yrs. A great opportunity to enjoy the pleasures a launch offers whilst sharing the costs. Based at Tauranga Bridge Marina. Price $20,000 Ph 548 2314.

YACHT - Moonraker 26ft keeler. 5 sails, 4 stroke vovlo 2 cyl inboard motor. Fully serviced. Starts every time. Hummingbird depth sounder, marine radio, radio cassette, toilet, gully, includes 2 burner stove. 6 berth. 20l water tank, 20l fuel tank, last slip March 2010. Draft 4’6”, 8’ 2” beam. 2m fibreglass dinghy. $12000. 07 548 2114 or 027 548 2114.

HARTLEY TS18 - ‘Antares’ is in really good condition. Trailer has WOF. She has been beautifully built inside and out with painted wood interior and can sleep up to 4 people. Comes with Honda 5HP outboard motor with stand for easy storage. Drop keel makes her a great family boat for going to places in and around the harbour. She has had new aluminium mast and rigging by Mike McCormack and new winch and guide bars added to trailer, for easy launch and retrieval. All ready to go for 2011.

Asking price $4,500 ono. Phone Ian Gray 07 578 5022 or 027 572 9439.

4.95 ALUMINIUM MAST AND SAIL - plus centre board, rudder and anchor. All in V.G. condition. Open to reasonable offers. Please ring 576 0294 (has answer phone).

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

027 307 9009.

MOORING FOR SALE - Waikaraeo Estuary #5. Good position, good swing, good depth. Fully rebuilt. Suit up to 29’ boat. Phone 07 576 1309 YACHT - 26’ vanderstadt centreboarder, on launching trailer in hardstand. Very nice condition. 8HP yamaha outboard, alloy s/s rig. $12,990 neg. Ph 0274 272 054.

OHOPE MOORING FOR SALE - #28, 50m from wharf. Excellent condition and serviced. $1500 or trade trailer sailer and cash difference.

Ph 07 345 9080 SPINNAKER FOR SALE - off Davidson 32. 11.5m-6.8m, orange/white.

In good condition $600. Phone 06 868 8328 28FT KEELER - a well maintained gulf cruiser, sleeps 5, Yanmar diesel engine, Furling headsail. $28,000 ono. Phone, 07 864 7432.

TO RENT

MOORING - town reach by Kestrel. Newly surveyed. Ph 578 0230 or 027 491 5616.

MOORING - Waikareao Estuary. Ph 578 0230 or 027 491 5616.

MOORING - Tanners Point. Excellent position, available for rent or for sale. Ph 07 570 0333 MOORING - Omokoroa, best position. For rent or for sale. Ph 07 570 0333.

MOORING to rent or buy Tanners Point. Ph 0274 915 616.

MOORING available to rent Te Puna.Good depth and close to wharf.

Suit boat up to 30ft.Ph 548 0006.

MOORING - Omokoroa. Phone 021 114 739.

MOORING TO LEASE - Tanners Point. Suit launch or multihull. Long term. ph 5490091 SWING MOORING - for rent or sale at Tanners Point. Recently serviced. Ph 578 0230 or 027 491 5616.

MOORING - Pilot Bay, suitable for 28-38’ yacht. In reasonable order.

Available 10 months of the year, from 1st March to 31st December. Ph 021 960 720 MOORING FOR RENT - Pilot Bay PT47 $25 per week. Phone 07 843 4392 or 027 620 9712 MOORING FOR RENT Waikaraeo Estuary. Phone 07 843 4392 or 027 620 9712 LAUNCH - Steel launch 30’. View B46 Tauranga Marina. $48,000. Ph 07 843 4392 or 027 620 9712

WANTED

SWING MOORING by Tauranga Bridge marina. Long term. For 8 tonne boat. Phone 021 963 399.

MOORING TO BUY - either Bridge marina area or slipway side of Pier at Omokoroa.

Phone 0276 769 802.

MOORING TO BUY - Te Puna, shallow mooring fine. email simon. ifes@gmail.com. Phone 07 552 4694 WANTED TO RENT: Swing mooring for 25ft yacht, also short term marina berth. Phone/text Marc, 027 200 2316.

HARTLEY 16 Fibreglass trailer sailer. Ph 07 576 0207.

SPINNAKER to fit a Noelex 30. Ph 06 868 8328.

BIG ANCHORS - anything considered. Ph Tony 575 8264.

SWING MOORING - Pilot Bay. Suitable for H28 yacht, preferably close to shore for purchase or rent. Ph 572 2205 or 021 155 1245.

SWING MOORING - suit 30’ yacht, Pilot Bay or bridge marina. Ph 021 244 7117 or 07 579 8083.

DIRECTORY

WATERLINE 23

BATTERIES

FISHING & DIVING

Ph/Fax: 07 578 8056 25 Marsh Street, Tauranga 0274 894 056

Ph/Fax 07 575 9056 15 Newton St, Mount Maunganui Ph/Fax 573 4493 155 Jellicoe Street, Te Puke

Battery Warehouse

Battery Direct NZ Free delivery in NZ www.BatteryDirect.co.nz sales@batterydirect.co.nz 0800 267 468

BOAT MAINTENANCE

Big Fish Bait and Tackle Co

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

Mount Dive Shop

GemCo Ltd

15 Newton Street, Mount Maunganui Ph: 575 4418

Hutcheson Boatbuilders

MV Manutere Brett Keller Ph: 07 552 6283 0274 351 353 Email: fishingcharters@xtra.co.nz

R63 Hewletts Rd, Mount Maunganui Ph 572 2411

Ph:07-578 8312

Robert Page Engineering 27 Glasgow Street, Tauranga Ph:07 578 4171 www.robertpage.co.nz

Matamata Motor Trimmers & Upholstery Boat clears, canvas work, upholstery Ph: 07 571 4421 Cnr Mirrielees & Cross Roads, Tauranga

Tauranga Marine Charters

INSURANCE

Tauranga Insurance Ph: 571 0405 195 Devonport Rd, Tauranga

KAYAKING

Oceanz Stainless Engineering

Canoe & Kayak BOP

BOAT SALES

Viking Kayaks

Ph:07-571 4130 30-34 Mirrielees Road, Tauranga www.southernoceanmarine.co.nz

Challenger Boats

142 Newton Road, Mount Maunganui Ph 07 575 0497

Ph:574 7415 3/5 MacDonald St, Mt Maunganui OPEN 7 DAYS 9-5pm

Specialising in fishing and recreational kayaks.

0800 529 253 www.vikingkayaks.co.nz

www.challengerboats.co.nz

MARINA

Ph 07 579 9716 email: tauranga@gulfgroup.co.nz www.gulfgroup.co.nz

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

Gulf Group Marine Brokers

Hutcheson Boatbuilders 07-578 8312

Mastertech Marine 60 Whiore Avenue, The Lakes, Tauriko Tauranga Ph:579 4240 www.mastertech.co.nz

Tauranga Boat Sales

Tauranga Bridge Marina: 07 575 0512 Sulphur Point Marina: 07 571 8443 Email: thecrew@taurangaboatsales.co.nz Website: www.taurangaboatsales.co.nz

CHANDLERY

Steves Marine Supplies Ph: 07 578 9593 18 Cross Road, Sulphur Point, Tauranga

DELIVERIES Ross Hislop

Ph: 07 543 1023, mob 0274 770078 Email: hislopra@xtra.co.nz

ELECTRONICS

Bay Marine Electronics Steven Gillett Ph: 07 577 0250 www.baymarineelectronics.co.nz

FINANCE

AFB Accept Finance Brokers Ph: 07 574 0002

Tauranga Bridge Marina

RIGGING

Mike McCormick

Ph: 578 3071 59 Mirrielees Rd, Tauranga

TRAILERS

Prescott Trailers

Ph 07-573 9130 29 Station Rd, Te Puke www..prescotttrailers.co.nz

Greerton Engineering Ph 541 0024 64 Maleme Street TAURANGA www.greertoneng.co.nz

CLUB CONTACTS

Mount Maunganui Yacht Club Ph: 542 0305

Omokoroa Boat Club John Budden Ph: 548 1180 Alan Roberts Ph: 579 1967

Tauranga Game Fishing Club Keith Allen Dr, Sulphur Point Tauranga Ph: 578 6203

Tauranga Marine Industry Assn.

PO Box 13303 Tauranga Steve Glover www.tmia.co.nz or secretary@tmia.co.nz

Tga Yacht & Power Boat Club PO Box 14352 Tauranga Ph 578 5512

FISHING

24 WATERLINE

Whitebait season returns The whitebait season is with us again, opening Monday August 15, and closing November 30 amid warnings that four of the five whitebait species are in decline.

“Whitebait is the young of native fish, swimming upstream once a year, and we are losing more of them every year,” says Biodiversity Programme Manager for DOC in Tauranga, Chris Clark.

“Four of the five main whitebait species are now classified as in decline, including inanga, the most commonly caught species.

The Department of Conservation is promoting measures to sustain whitebait populations through habitat protection, maintaining fish passage and getting whitebaiters to follow the legal whitebait fishing

regulations. “Whitebaiters must ensure they know the Whitebait Fishing Regulations and comply with them. This includes maximum net sizes, not fishing near bridges or culverts and restrictions on fishing hours,” says Chris.

The decline in whitebait species is mostly due to a lack of clean healthy rivers, streams and wetlands for adult native fish. The whitebait catch from the Kaituna River has dropped from a reported 20 tonnes each season in the late 1940s, to less than 100kg in recent years.

The reduction is mostly attributed to the conversion of swamp to farmland. In the Bay of Plenty, only 1.5 percent of the freshwater wetlands that existed in 1940 now remain.

Off-river wetland lagoons, ponds and creeks are the preferred habitat for inanga, the predominant species in most rivers' whitebait runs. Planting and fencing stream edges can improve their habitat.

“We encourage keen whitebaiters to assist with whitebait habitat protection to help maintain healthy fish populations, so the Kiwi tradition of whitebaiting can be enjoyed into the future”, says Chris. “Protection of stream habitats by fencing out stock and planting up with native trees are worthwhile projects to get involved with.”

DOC rangers will be patrolling waterways to check whitebaiters are sticking to the regulations, but if people see anyone breaking the rules they are asked to report it to the DOC HOTline (0800 362 468).

Political angling over kingfish future The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council’s Fisheries Management Update 3 is released showing there is a fight going on over the future of kingfish.

O u r f i s h i n g t r i p s a re

legendar y

FISHING TRIPS • Reef Fishing-half and full days • Hapuka Fishing-day/overnight • Tuhua (Mayor Island)-fishing/ tramping/camping • Team Building/Corporate Groups • Individuals or Charter Groups • Discounts for Seniors and Kids (conditions apply)

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE

Phone 0800 2 CHARTER (0800 224278) OR 0800 FISHPLENTY (0800 347475)

blueoceanchartersWL912

*SPECIAL: PAY FOR FIVE - SIXTH PERSON FREE*

Email: info@blueocean.co.nz

Website: www.blueocean.co.nz

The NZSFC is challenging the Ministry’s approach on kingfish quota, saying the MFish practice of steadily reducing public allowances and transferring these to ITQ shareholders is a continuation of taking fish resources from the public and giving them free of charge to private interests in perpetuity.

Operating a catch-it or lose-it principle in respect of non-commercial catch; and a take it for perpetuity principle, regardless of even ability to catch, in respect of commercial catch is inequitable, say submission writers.

The possible declines in availability of kingfish to recreational fishers have not been addressed in any way in the MFish Initial Position Paper.

The Ministry is proposing a nine tonne increase in the Total Allowable Commercial Catch, while making no changes to the recreation figure.

The increase is proposed to cover a persistent commercial over catch, with the NZSFC says cannot be considered sound fisheries management advice.

The concern is kingfish are being caught by trawling factory ships fishing the west cost for a high volume low value species like jack mackerel. These vessels which are regularly catching in excess of 30,000 t of jack mackerel a year off the west coast, have started fishing further north and the bycatch of high value species such as kingfish is potentially very large.

In 2002-03 over 90 t of kingfish was reported as bycatch of the jack mackerel fishery the year before they were placed in the quota system. The suspicion is that since then any large catch of kingfish disappears into the fish meal plant.

Very few small catches of kingfish per shot are reported in the mid water trawl fishery. It seems if a species is less than 500 kg it does not get recorded. Returns of tagged kingfish from these vessels have only been reported when observers have been present on board at the time of catch. The conclusion is that when there are no observers, kingfish disappear into the meal plant, whether tagged or not.

NZSFC want 100 per cent observer coverage on these vessels while in New Zealand waters.

FISHING

WATERLINE 25

Snapper out in numbers The Bay fishing has continued to impress, the snapper are usually in much smaller isolated schools by this period of winter but the numbers are still there and the fish wide spread.

The fine weather summer fishos’ missing out on some great sport. Weather has been consistent, a mix of good and bad, the good spells being very productive.

We have seen the usual species movement between zones, the expected winter quiet zones like the harbours, have been quiet but the snapper haven’t really moved far off the beach and have been there in better numbers than usual.

Surfcasters

The surfcasters have continued to have some great results off the beach. There have been a lot more bait fish in close along the shoreline this year which has meant a few more kingfish hanging around and plenty of big kahawai. Snapper have been caught in reasonable numbers, fish up to 3kg.

Quite late for snapper but they are feeding

up on paddle crabs and the plentiful supply of tua tuas. The top of the tide coinciding with the dusk period is the most productive time for snaps. Good sized baits seem to be more productive and a good cocktail like tua tua and pilchard or tua tua and fresh kahawai are working well.

The beach longliners are still going great guns, again sets after dark bringing best results. A mix of baits doing well, mullet and squid are working well, salted blue mackerel seems best for gurnard which are now around in good numbers.

Tarakihi

The tarakihi fishing has been very consistent both inshore and out wider, the 25m zone fishing well with some bigger specimens and good numbers of red/golden snapper and some big trevally holding in the 60-70m zones.

A Recent mechanical jigging competition based at The Tauranga Game Club saw a good number of fish weighed with prizes also given for the longest fish. The biggest kingfish weighed in at just over 32kg but caught down at the Ranfurly Banks. Specimen’s caught locally have been more around

the 15kg mark with the odd 20kg fish putting in an appearance. The measuring of fish a good way to encourage fish being released.

The boaties fishing in close have been catching snapper both soft baiting and bait fishing. Straylining and bottom fishing working well, john dory a very welcome by catch, really good numbers being caught.

Last year we had a good number of nice big blue cod come in. This has happened again this year so another welcome species in The Bay to supplement the range of fish available to us.

Deep reefs

The deep reefs continue to be reasonably productive, reasonable numbers of bluenose, the odd bass and plenty of gemfish. There are a lot of barracuda over the shallower reefs, easy to target for bait for the deep reef species on the way out to the grounds. August sees the start of the white bait season. There was a very early run of bait in July evident by the schools of kahawai working in close to shore and in the Tauranga Harbour, so we could be in for a bumper season.

26 WATERLINE

MATAITAI

Mataitai reserve announced for Gisborne The Ministry of Fisheries recently announced that a new mataitai reserve has been approved at Hakihea, near to the township of Whangara and north of Gisborne.

The purpose of a mataitai reserve is to prohibit all commercial fishing but to retain recreational fishing, as oppose to a marine reserve where all forms of fishing are banned. Tauranga locals will be familiar with the concept of mataitai reserve as Mauao has been protected as a mataitai for a number of years. Gavin Lockwood, Ministry of Fisheries Deputy Chief Executive Fisheries Management, said “Establishing a mataitai reserve does not prevent access to a reserve.

It provides for customary fishing and management practices�.

The Hakihea mataitai reserve covers nearly four km2 from the western side of Te Ikaarongamai Bay (south of Pokatakina headland) to the northern boundary of Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve. The seaward boundary extends north of the Marine Reserve along the eastern tip of Whangara Island and the edge of the reefs.

Mataitai reserves are looked after by the Ministry of Fisheries, as opposed to marine reserves which the Department of Conservation is responsible for. By establishing a mataitai reserve, local Maori are able to recommend bylaws to the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture to help protect the sustainability of the fisheries.

Whilst there are 14 mataitai reserves in the South Island, there are only six in the North Island including this latest reserve.

The Hakihea Reserve is the first

mataitai reserve between Gisborne and the East Cape, and it is likely that more reserves will be established in the future, particularly if this one is successful at protecting the fisheries for future generations.

BATTERY WAREHOUSE

GREERTON ENGINEERING

WATERLINE 27

Thinking of spring and summer boating With the days beginning to grow longer it is time take the boat trailer to Peter Anderson at Greerton engineering.

Greerton engineering are able to fix just about anything. They are spring specialists and are able to repair boat trailers for the summer, and also any other engineering work that needs doing.

“It’s coming up towards spring, people need to start thinking about repairing the trailer and making it road legal. They will go and get their spring warrant and they will need to get things fixed – or they are not thinking about it, and it will be a Christmas warrant.”

Christmas warrants are for the people who discover when they are about to go on holiday that the boat trailer hasn’t a warrant, says Peter.

Greerton Engineering is also the home of the SEEL Trailer Boat Launcher, a device that extends the life of any boat trailer simply by keeping the wheels out of the water.

It is a hinged sliding frame that fits onto the rear of most trailer frames and allows boats to be launched without getting trailer wheels or even feet wet – and increases the range of places boat owners can launch from.

Apart from offering the luxury of winter launching without anyone having to get wet, the slide-out extension’s other big advantage is it makes many ‘off road’ launching sites available.

River banks, lake shores, ramps with drop-offs under water, steep ramps, and launching at the beach will all be easier with a SEEL Trailer boat launcher.

Peter from Greerton Engineering.

“The trailer wheels can be kept out of the water, which is better for the bearings and springs as well as the trailer.” www.trailerboatlauncher.co.nz or www.springworks.co.nz for pictures and video of the SEEL in action.

COME ON GUYS Summer’s nearly here and the boat trailer needs to be up to scratch.

DON’T WAIT TILL THE LAST MINUTE! THE FISH ARE COMING! Launch your boat without getting trailer wheels or even your feet wet.

Designed to fit most boat trailers from 3.6 metres (12 feet) to 5.5 metres (18 feet). Custom fitted to the trailer and boat trailer boat launcher

Phone/Fax 07 541 0024 64 Maleme Street, Greerton www.greertoneng.co.nz

GreertonEngWL809

Is your tow vehicle sagging? We can repair the springs on your car, ute, truck or trailer.

VOYAGES

28 WATERLINE

The continued journey of Siola Tau Continuing the story of Catherine and David Simmons’ adventures aboard a 15.2 metre Indonesian perahu (sailing ship) which they rebuilt from a wreck on Darwin’s Fanny Bay foreshore and sailed to Indonesia and back.

It was with a feeling of achievement that David and I sailed into Bali. This was the goal we had in mind when we began rebuilding Siola Tau and view of the many obstacles encountered we had reached it without too many difficulties. To contemplate returning was another matter…

On the second day in Bali, we sailed ST on to the beach at Tangeng inside Benoa Harbour. The water had continued coming in faster every hour. We lay ST on alternate sides with each tide to check the exterior.

Patches were caulked on the hull and keel.

by a few farewelling friends. It was nice to feel the wind in the sails once more and to re-establish oneself with life at sea after our complacent, easy lifestyle at Kuta.

The north-westerly winds that were to carry us home had not begun and we were in the transitional period between them the south-easterly winds, so we figured on winds from various quarters but never considered no wind at all!

I could somehow feel that this would be a long trip and I couldn’t quite rid myself of an uneasy feeling of what lay in store for us en route. David had promised our two new recruits – Louise and Marie, an exciting trip – a safe assumption, due to our unorthodox ship and methods.

Last-minute clearances, gathering of supplies and celebrations once more caused us to overlook an important fact – this time that we had left port on a Friday. There is an age-old superstition among sailors that you should never do this.

We set a course that would take us along the northern coast of Lombok, Sumbawa and Flores, through the Larentuka Straits, down the Roti and then to Darwin, winds permitting.

Large swells After three days of this and complete havoc on board due to ST almost constantly lying on her side, we decided to employ three Balinese boat bulders to remove ST’s ballast and repair the leaks. While this was completed under the watchful eye of Nick, who was staying in Tangeng, we headed off to Kuta Beach where we based ourselves for the next six weeks. We relaxed our troubled minds and bathed our bodies alternately in the heat of the sun and cool waters of the Kuta and Legian.

We had wild shopping sprees that only cost a few dollars and long pushbike rides through the lush countryside.

During the time spent in Kuta, we check on ST constantly and she was always a welcome recluse. Finally we began provisioning her for the journey homeward.

We recruited three Australians, one male and two female, as two of the previous crew and gone their separate ways upon arrival in Bali.

We once more tacked out of Benoa Harbour on Friday 7 October 1977, escorted

As we sailed up the Lombok Strait, the wind increased until ST was rolling and pitching through the large swells. All aboard were introduced to the contrary ways of the sea on our first night out and Louise and Marie certainly performed well, considering they had never sailed before, by going below and preparing a splendid meal. Not wanting to push my luck, I stayed on deck!

Apart from ourselves and the four crew members on board, we also had Fred and Maureen who we’d agreed to take as far as Flores. Only too soon we realised it was a mistake to bring eight people on board. The cramped conditions made everyone uncomfortable and caused friction among the crew.

Fred and Maureen, feeling awkward and not enjoying sea life in general, asked us to drop them off at Sumbawa Besar, the largest town on the island of Sumbawa. So four days after leaving Bali, we dropped anchor in a sheltered bay and rowed them ashore.

Everyone welcomed the decision to remain at anchor for the night and get a good night’s sleep. In fact if it wasn’t for the crew of a perahu anchored closed by hassling us

to leave at 4.30pm because the winds were favourable, we may have stayed longer!

So far we had experienced pleasant weather but little wind. These conditions prevailed but the scorching heat in calm seas became harder to handle and the only escape was the water. While becalmed we jumped in and out continuously and while there was slight movement we would dive in at the bow and resurface in time to catch the rope ladder at the stern. When we moved faster we often trailed a rope with knots at various intervals, at the end of which we would lie and be dragged along. The many windless periods were often spent throwing someone overboard and generally entertaining each other with our own unique ways of “how not to become bored”. It was becoming a slow journey.

We could see Flores for a few days before eventually landing there at Maumere. “She” became something of a joke with comments like “well, Flores is looking good today”.

“She” seemed to be so elusive, like a woman playing hard to get, and the thought of a rest ashore and fresh food made her all the more tempting. Seasickness being so obvious by its absence, caused food supplies to drop to an all-time low.

We were often surrounded by other perahus and it was always interesting to note the different tactics they used to gain maximum wind.

On the 16th one of our crew described an incident in the “blue book” which was for the purpose of letting everyone thrash out their various views on paper. “Last night one of our crew tried to abandon ship and decided, once over, that this was a bit rash.

She freaked out, started swimming at a speedy rate to return and only did so with the help of the skipper. And she was quiet for a while – an exhausting experience!” In fact she had miscalculated the speed of the ship when diving in and had panicked when she resurfaced and realised the ST had sailed past!

We dropped anchor in Maumere Harbour in the afternoon of the 17th and hurried ashore for a nasi goring and ice drinks.

We found the town quite westernised and comparatively affluent to other small island towns. We stayed for three days and word soon got around. The town swarmed with mountain dwellers trying to temp us with their wares. We stocked the ship with fresh foods including pineapples and bananas and delicious green coconuts which we found to be a good supply of cool, nourishing fluid.

The last morning David and I spent getting clearance from the Harbour Master, who was so far the most affable official encountered on our trip.

SIOLA TAU

WATERLINE 29

A lesson that will never be forgotten He was obviously a learned man who spoke excellent English and even provided us with kopi susu and piseng goring while we waited.

With ST’s stocks replenished and all crew aboard, we prepared to weigh anchor. We got off to a rather disastrous start, nearly sawing off the end of the bowsprit of another perahu, but their faith in our seamanship must have saves us as all the while we were drifting toward them they were busy waving us goodbye!

Later that night I was at the helm and, obeying instructions from Nick, keeping closer to a small island we were passing then I had intended. Suddenly David, sitting on the stern rail, looked down and yelled, “Hell, I can see the bottom!” and indeed it looked to be only a few feet below. We had 1.4 metres draft but as I steered ST away it appeared to get shallower. There were a few tense moments as it seemed we would surely hit the coral reef. However, we were spared, but it was a lesson I would never forget. One which prompted me to vow that in future I would use my own common sense above and beyond any orders when on the helm.

For the next three days we experienced very lift airs and were becalmed occasionally – we were beginning to get used to this now. On the second day out of Maumere we encountered a series of large whirlpools which spun us rapidly around three times.

Our trusty Seagull outboard affectionately named “Jonathon” saved the day this time.

There were 11 other perahus in sight at the time and we were relieved to note some of them were caught also! They escaped with the help of large oars.

When sailing close to other perahus there was always a certain amount of competitiveness between them and their traditional skills and us with our Western techniques.

However were instantly disgraced ourselves and were disqualified from any competition if we employed anything as technical as “Jonathon”!

The following morning a huge whale passed by. These enormous mammals never ceased to amaze us. They always seem to be on a set course with no intention of altering it so we were thankful his course never coincided with ours.

Altered course

A large standing gaff ketch was spotted from a distance. We altered course to get a closer look and sailed within a few yards of it. Some of their crew launched a sampan and came over for a short time and we discovered that they were from Bima and had a cargo of kerosene. Their perahu resembled something from another age. It was 21 metres long with a huge upsweeping

bowsprit and was under full sail with twin headsails, main and mizzen gaff and two topsails set by going aloft.

That afternoon we sailed through the Larentuka Straits with a strong following wind – the best for days. Next morning found us wallowing in the after-affects but

This was further than sailing through the Roti Straits, the way we had come, but the winds were still mainly SE and we felt there was no choice of our beating out of the Straits and fighting the current as well.

After only one night in Roti were ordered to leave by the Army Commandant who

eventually we cleared the Straits and set a course SSE for Roti, which we sighted after three days. Another good breeze allowed us some exciting sailing down the coast of Rot, but prevented us from beating into Baa Harbour until the following morning as ST made only about 45 degrees into the wind.

It had been a long haul from Bali to here but we felt as through we were nearly home with Darwin only 500 miles away in a straight line. We planned to stock up on food and water in Roti, sail up the Eastern Coast of Timor and take a tack back to Darwin.

suspected us of gunrunning to the Fretelin freedom fighters in East Timor. Much arguing by Nick, who speaks Indonesian fluently, did nothing to alleviate this awkward situation and after making hurried farewells to all our friends and getting some water, se made a quick exit. It was then that we decided to stop in Kupang to get necessary supplies and we arrived there on 28 October after two attempts at crossing the Roti Straits.

We anchored fore and aft among many other perahus in the roads at Kupang.

Depths deceiving

We only saw that huge rock when we were nearly on top of it but once more the depth of the water was deceiving and luck would have it that we cleared it by a few inches! The bay was very exposed and strong winds made it difficult to secure our two anchors so that ST was parallel to the other perahus.

Of course the Indonesian sailors were delighted to have us as such close neighbours, especially since there were three females on board, and often when dressing we would look up to see several curious, dark faces peering through the hatches.

We stayed in Kupang for four days and found it to be the nicest most friendliest place we visited. The city was clean and we were able to obtain the necessary food supplies. On 1 November we weighed anchor and steered a course for the top eastern tip of Timor, expecting a 2-3 week passage to Darwin.

NEXT MONTH: Attacked by guerrillas.

By Catherine Simmons

LEILANI

30 WATERLINE

Fishing legend changes hands

Leilani is a former northland game fishing charter boat with a lot of history and a lot of game fish caught since she was launched.

Leilani was launched in Blenheim in 1960. She was designed and built by Tabbet and Cardoh of kauri and hardwood. She is of V bottom single skin construction with 1 ¼” (31.75mm) planked bottom and 1 inch (25.4mm) topsides. Hull planks are screwed to tansverse sawn frames, longitudinal chines and gunwales, sawn transverse floor timbers and structural bulkheads.

Her decks are tongue and groove on beams. Cabin tops have since been sheathed in fibreglass while coamings are solid timber, with an aft addition being plywood.

The deadwood is internally bolted with bronze bolts.

Leilani sleeps six. There’s a double forward with ensuite, there are two single berths in the main cabin and the galley, another head and two more berths aft. Leilani is 14m LOA, 5m beam, and 1.5m draught.

Her original owner was George Wooller, former managing director of Waihi based Pye Electronics. He is recorded in the Bay of Island Sword Fish Club book as catching two record fish, a national record black marlin of 773lbs (360.62kg) and two weeks later a 654lb (296.64kg) world record blue marlin.

George later bought Fullers Ferries, with Leilani fishing for some years alongside the Lady Doreen, another famous northland game fishing boat.

Leilani was chartered under the Fullers flag for a number of years, before being bought by fishing guru Bill Hall in the early 1970s.

Bill has skippered or caught 19 world records. He was the first in New Zealand and probably the world to land 10 marlin in one day, all 100kg plus.

“Leilani’s always been known for fish catching. Bill Hall caught many New Zealand and world record game fish with the boat,” says her sole agent at the Gulf Group Brian Worthington.

“Bill later sold her and bought anew boat and renamed her Leilani II.” Leilani has spent some time in Tauranga, says Brian. She was owned for a while by people who wintered her in Tauranga and during the summers chartered Leilani out of the Bay of Islands.

Leilani began life powered by a GM tank engine. That’s since been replaced by a Ford 2007, 180 in a major refit that included refastening, rewiring, new shaft new stern tube, propeller and fuel and water tanks.

Gulf Group moved to new premises Two shearers from down South, Neil Cameron and Ian Campbell came to Tauranga in 1982 and purchased Tauranga Boat Sales which was a boat yard on Chapel Street with a slipway on the Waikareao Estuary and a hard stand.

The boat yard was a place where boaties met for a chat and yarn or two over a cuppa tea or beer and a deal was usually done by a man’s word and a hand shake.

From this Tauranga Boat Sales moved to a temporary yard on Mirrielees Road to make way for the expressway. Once the expressway and Harbour Bridge were built and the Bridge Marina established they moved to

the marina and set up offices, Neil doing the sales and Ian doing boat maintenance and repairs.

In 2002 Tauranga Boat Sales was sold

by Neil and Ian. Ian remained doing boat repairs.

Neil Cameron and Bruce Leggatt who owned Bruce Legatt Marine Brokers in Whangarei got together and purchased Gulf Group Marine Brokers, a well known Auckland brokerage. The Gulf Group has since expanded to be New Zealand’s largest marine brokerage with 11 branches throughout New Zealand, and an office in Fiji.

Gulf Group has large listings of yachts, launches and commercial vessels with over 70 vessels on their books. Gulf Group also offers a very competitive marine insurance rate, finances, written valuations.

Neil is a regular visitor to the branches

throughout the country, and is often at the Tauranga Branch on a Monday or Friday.

Tauranga Branch is run by Brian Worthington who is well known in the boating industry and has been on the waterfront since a kid. Brian has an extensive knowledge of boats up and down the coast.

Gulf Group relocated around the corner at 58 Cross Road and now can be found around by the Nautilus Apartments facing the boat ramp.

GULF GROUP

WATERLINE 31

32 WATERLINE

Formula 45

Launched approximately 1998, GRP construction, powered by twin 310hp Cummins diesels.

6’2� headroom, 3 cabins with 3 double and 2 single berths, toilet, shower plus ensuite, fridge, freezer, 4 burner/oven, waste disposal, microwave, watermaker and down stairs station.

Electronics include VHF, radar, autopilot, GPS, chartplotter, depthsounder, fishfinder, CD, TV, DVD and Sky TV. Hard top, cockpit covers, leather upholstery, linen, inflatable, outboard, genset and holding tank. Possibly sell marina berth - to be negotiated. Asking $375,000 8626 CONTACT: Brian Worthington. PHONE: 027 447 2393 Email: tauranga@gulfgroup.co.nz