Waterline June 2014

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

JUNE 2014

Squealer’s unfinished business

02 WATERLINE

JUNE 2014

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

Phone 07-578 0030 Fax 07-571 1116 No.1 The Strand, Tauranga. PO Box 240, Tauranga.

Coromandel Peninsula office: 6 Robinson Road, Whitianga. email: brian@thesun.co.nz For advertising, call Kirsty on 07 578 0030 email kirsty@thesun.co.nz

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JUNE 2014

Tauranga boat in Fiji race

Left to right - Rod Taylor and Kevin Allen from NZ Windows, Jason and Kim Barry from Linkup Paints. Crew: Jon Tate, Skipper Bruce Goodchap, Darren Raggett, Michael Bills, Lisa Knapton and Ray Carter. Absent: Brian Kent and Carl Loveridge.

Unfinished business is the theme for the only Tauranga entry in this month’s Auckland to Fiji race.

Squealer was dismasted only 120 nautical miles from Fiji in last year’s race and this year they are back to finish.

The boat was sailed to Auckland a week before the race start on June 7 start for some of the pre-race checks, including a masthead photo.

“It’s for the Orions,” says crew member Lisa Knapton.

“A guy’s got to climb to the top of the mast and take a photo, so they can identify the yachts from the air.”

The race, known this year as ANZ Sail Fiji 2014, is 1100 nautical miles from Auckland to the Denarau Marina at Fiji.

Squealer’s second place overall in the Auckland-Tauranga race in April was a good result for a race the crew was taking on as a shake-down cruise, says Lisa.

The mast replacement and a subsequent re-paint mean Squealer hasn’t raced much since last June.

“We thought we would be a bit rusty, but after a couple of hours it all just clicked.”

“We’ve won that quite a few times,” says Lisa.

Squealer is owned by a syndicate of seven, who have been sailing together for about 14 years.

can be ‘a bit much’ over the course of the race.

Family, friends and supporters will be able to watch the race unfold via the live tracker and through the official website and Facebook page.

Those at home can also support the fleet by using #anzsailfiji on Facebook, Twitter and Instragram posts, which will be updated via the social media feed interface.

Royal Akarana Yacht Club and Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron are the two clubs able to fill a team of three from the fleet, and amongst those, five teams have been confirmed for the Interclub Challenge, a trophy that hasn’t been contested for some time.

The teams racing for the Interclub Challenge:

Royal Akarana Yacht Club Pahi Tere Team • Giacomo – Volvo 70 (Jim Delegat) • Akatea – Cookson 50 (Gary Lewis) • Bullrush – Elliott 12 (Ant Robinson)

Royal Akarana Yacht Club Wilkinson Team • Steinlager 2 – Maxi Ketch (Alistair Moore) • Iemanja – Peterson 40 (Steve Henry) • Blizzard – Farr 44 (John Miller)

Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Red Team The owners have also had to overcome a bit of a financial hump meeting the rig cost. It was insured, but there were a few noughts on the excess.

An advantage of Squealer’s syndicate ownership is it cuts costs which might floor a single owner. It is also sponsored by NZ Windows and Link Up Paint Supplies.

Squealer sets out on the race to Denarau with a carbon spar by Richard Bearda at NZ Rigging in Auckland. Another Tauranga boat Extreme has a similar ownership, says Lisa.

“We are the only one going further afield.”

As well as the new rig, there are changes to Squealer’s menu this year.

While most of their competitors are sticking with the freeze-dried menu, Squealer is adding a bit of variety as a constant freeze-dried diet

• V5 – TP52 (David Nathan) • Vamos – TP52 (Connel McLaren) • Carrera – Marten 49 (John Meadowcroft)

Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Blue Team • Wired – Bakewell White 52 (Rob Bassett / Brett Russell) • Crusader 35 – Elliott 35 SS (Anthony Leighs) • Django – J/111 (Andrew Reid) Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Gold Team • Lawless – XP44 (Laurie Needham) • Surreal – Beneteau First 47.7 (Tim Holgate) • Outrageous Fortune – Beneteau 45 (Quintin Fowler)

By Andrew Campbell

3a Landscape Road Tauranga

Tel: 07 576 3009 Mobile: 027 627 5448

JUNE 2014

04 WATERLINE

Cats, rats gone from

Boaties visiting the Mercury Islands are being encouraged to take greater care and responsibility over making sure boats and gear are pest-free.

With cattle stock being removed from Great Mercury Island at the end of May, clearing the island of rats and feral cats is expected to commence mid-June, weather permitting.

The Department of Conservation and the owners of Great Mercury Island – Sir Michael Fay and David Richwhite – are collaborating in the rats and cats removal programme to make Great Mercury Island safe for native birds, including kaka, kakariki and little blue penguins, plus native geckos, skinks and insects.

The rats on Great Mercury also pose a threat to native wildlife on the six other islands in the Great Mercury group because several are within a rat’s swimming distance, and they could again spread from island to island.

Red Mercury, Green Island, Atiu/ Middle Island, Kawhitu/Stanley Island, Moturehu/Double Island and Korapuki were cleared of pests in a similar programme in 1995.

Mice can squeeze into a 7mm gap and rats into a 12mm gap, says DOC ranger

and project manager Peter Corson.

“Having some form of pest control on board your boat is essential,” says Peter.

“It could also save you money. Some marine insurers don’t cover damage caused by vermin, so spending $10 to $20 to install bait stations on your boat will help keep Great Mercury pest-free and prevent rats or mice causing thousands of dollars of damage to electrical systems, hoses and sails.”

After rats were removed from Red Mercury, Stanley and Korapuki islands in 1995, Peter was involved in moving rare native species between several of the smaller Mercury islands.

“It’s a great relief to me that we’re securing the safety of the seabirds and native wildlife on all of the Mercury islands by removing rats from Great Mercury,” says Peter.

“This is a big job and that’s why DOC is working in partnership with Great Mercury’s owners to get it done.

“With Great Mercury we’ve got this wonderfully big island with massive potential once we’ve made it a pest-free sanctuary for native wildlife,” says Peter.

“It’s exciting to have the support of the island’s owners, the boating community and the public. Together we’re doing great stuff – and making Ahuahu/Great Mercury pest-free will mark a real conservation milestone for the Mercury Islands.

“I won’t be apologising if boaties can’t sleep near Ahuahu in the future, because of the cacophony of bird song,” says Peter.

The operation has involved three years of careful planning. It will include precisely-targeted aerial applications of bait using specially-designed buckets carried by helicopter. The helicopter pilots use satellite navigation (GPS) technology to ensure the bait is spread only where intended.

There will be two aerial applications of bait on Great Mercury, each lasting about three days. The public will be kept off the island during the drops. People on boats need to stay 200 metres away from the island’s coast during the drops, to ensure they and the pilots stay safe.

DOC has used aerial applications of bait to safely and successfully remove pests from more than 60 islands. This includes Tiritiri Matangi, Little Barrier/Hauturu, Motuihe, Rangitoto and Motutapu in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. These islands now provide safe, pest-free havens for endangered wildlife.

For example Motutapu – which is 30 minutes by ferry from downtown Auckland – was declared pest-free in August 2011. It now provides a safe home for 21 critically endangered takahe, of only 260 recorded.

By Andrew Campbell

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JUNE 2014

Great Mercury

James Russell with grey-faced petrel chick.

Common gecko on Great Mercury.

Biosecurity Sign.

JUNE 2014

06 WATERLINE

Considering tsunami hazards The July 2011 tsunami alert caused by an earthquake near the Kermadec Islands reminds us New Zealand’s entire coast may be at risk of tsunami.

A large tsunami could flood coastlines and cause devastating property damage, injuries and possibly loss of life.

A tsunami is a sea wave caused by large submarine or coastal earthquakes, under-sea landslides, under-sea volcanic eruptions or even big objects, such as meteorites, falling into the sea.

Tsunami waves can travel at about 600km per hour across deep oceans – as fast as some jet planes – and can be 10-30 metres high when they reach land.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii detects and warns countries about tsunami that may affect them. However, a tsunami generated close to NZ’s coast could arrive so quickly there is little or no time to warn people.

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Three types of tsunami There are three distinct types of tsunami. The type you encounter depends on the distance you are from the place where it is generated.

• Distant tsunami are generated from a long way away, such as Japan. In this case, we will have more than three hours warning time for New Zealand.

• Regional tsunami are generated between one and three hours’ travel time away from their destination. An eruption from an underwater volcano in the Kermadec Trench to the north of New Zealand could generate a regional tsunami.

• Local tsunami are generated very close to New Zealand. This type of tsunami is very

dangerous because we may only have a few minutes warning.

Know the natural warning signs If you are at the coast and experience any of the following, move immediately to the nearest high ground, or as far inland as you can: • Feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up, or a weak rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more.

• See an unusual or sudden rise or fall in sea level.

• Hear loud and unusual noises from the sea.

Prepare before it happens • Develop a household emergency plan and have a getaway kit ready.

• Know where the nearest high ground is and

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JUNE 2014

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Make sure you are prepared and know what to do how you will reach it. Plan to get as high up or as far inland as you can. Plan your escape route for when you are at home, as well as for when you may be working or holidaying near the coast.

What to do during a tsunami • Take your getaway kit with you if possible.

Do not travel into the areas at risk to get your kit or belongings.

• Move immediately to the nearest higher ground, or as far inland as you can. If evacuation maps are present, follow the routes shown.

• Walk or bike if possible and drive only if essential. If driving, keep going once you are well outside the evacuation zone to allow room for others behind you.

• If you cannot escape the tsunami, go to an upper storey of a sturdy building or climb onto a roof or up a tree.

• Never go to the shore to watch for a tsunami.

Stay away from at-risk areas until the official all-clear is given.

• Listen to your local radio stations as emergency management officials will be broadcasting the most appropriate advice for your community and situation.

Our experience with recent tsunamis has shown us strong surges are experienced flowing in and out of the Tauranga Harbour entrance.

These surges have been up to four knots in the case of the Japan tsunami, changing direction roughly every 10-20 minutes. The surges peaked several hours after the initial predicted wave and lasted – gradually decreasing in intensity – for several days.

This effect would be likely anywhere there are strong currents, for example at river mouths, around prominent headlands and between islands.

After a tsunami • Continue to listen to the radio for Civil Defence advice and do not return to the evacuation zones until authorities have given the all-clear.

• Be aware there will probably be more than one wave and it may not be safe for up to 24 hours, or longer. The waves that follow the first one are likely to be bigger.

• Stay away from boat ramps and beaches.

Gisborne’s 1947 tsunami In March 1947 an earthquake off Poverty Bay, probably accompanied by an underwater landslide, produced a 10m high tsunami north of Gisborne.

The force of the wave was enough to break off large fence posts at ground level. Seaweed was found in overhead wires. At Tatapouri Hotel outbuildings were damaged and destroyed, and

By Jennifer Roberts Harbour Master, Western Bay of Plenty

fish were collected from inside the hotel itself.

Kermadec Trench tsunami An earthquake deep under the sea in the Kermadec Trench off the north east of New Zealand could generate a tsunami that strikes the coast less than an hour after the event.

Initially, depending on the severity of the under-sea quake, waves up to five metres could hit the shore, rising to eight metres on shallower stretches of coast. Large waves are likely to hit the coast for several hours after the first strikes.

Your boat

Boats are usually safer in water deeper than 20 metres than if they are near the shore. Move your boat out to sea only if there is time and it is safe to do so. If your boat is kept in a marina and there’s not sufficient time to motor into deep water, double up on all your mooring lines, disconnect any shore power connections and get yourself to a safe place on high ground in good time.

After the tsunami, expect unusual currents in harbour and river entrances and assume there will be unpredictable tide changes possibly lasting for up to several days.

Fishing is reputedly poor around the time of a tsunami, so there’s no reason to head out in the boat until it all settles down.

Stay safe.

JUNE 2014

08 WATERLINE

Protecting your investment Winter is the time when many trailer boat owners think about maintenance and getting outboard motors ready for spring.

While there are a lot of people around able to service or repair an outboard motor, only authorised service centres can undertake works without voiding the engine’s warranty.

And when an outboard can cost between $20,000 to $35,000, going outside the authorised service network can cost. New engines generally require a regular 12 monthly service to keep their warranty.

For Mercury, Mercruiser and Honda engine owners, Sportcraft Marine Ltd is the only workshop in the Western Bay of Plenty that can do it to retain the warranty.

If a mercury or Honda outboard is in the warranty period – for example less than 5 years old - and you get it serviced by anyone other than Sportcraft Marine the outboard’s warranty will be void.

With Mercury products, the servicing has to be registered online on an Australasian database.

As well as guaranteeing the warranty, it provides a permanent service record for any technician who cares to look.

“If they want to remain in warranty they have to get their outboards serviced every year,” says Sportcraft director Jamie Black.

Sportcraft Marine has an excellent service department with four bays opening onto the

The Sportcraft team from left; Roger Beachamp, Spottie Guinness, Philip Green, Graham Raubenheimer, Drew Nation, Jamie Black, Jayson Hurley. Absent Marc Bonney, Ash Barrie, Wayne Kennedy.

yard. The service department is presided over

by Graham Raubenheimer, who has 18 years experience with boats. Sportcraft also employs the most experienced Mercruiser technician in Australasia - Marc Bonney.

Service checks are not just a quick once over.

All the big and small jobs are looked at, from replacing the gearbox bungs to inspecting the outboard thermostats. Outboards are also connected to Mercury and Hondas’ exclusive computer system to check for factory updates and improvements.

“We don’t want the customer to have a limited time on the water for the sake of a small item, this creates a false economy,” says Jamie.

Sportcraft Marine’s business style obviously works, and has gained international recognition,

as it’s the only NZ company to ever win Mercury Marine’s Australasia highest service award.

In addition to a service centre, Sportcraft Marine also sells new and used boats and outboards. They have their own range of alloy boats - the Bluefin and Scorpion range – and also sell the Fi-Glass range of GRP boats and Mercury inflatable boats.

The business boasts a well-stocked chandlery, offering everything a boatie might want from oars to fishing charts, VHFs, fishfinders, GPS, safety equipment and a large selection of lifejackets catering for every shape and size - as it’s important the lifejacket fits properly.

So if you are in the area, or just need knowledgeable advice, stop in and see the guys at Sportcraft Marine.

By Andrew Campbell

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JUNE 2014

Tauranga Boat Expo to expand this year

The 2014 Tauranga Boat Expo and Water Festival will run from Friday 31 October to Sunday 2 November.

This year’s Expo will again use the prime site of the Downtown Tauranga Strand Waterfront.

Boat Expo manager Peter Gibbs says this years Boat Expo will expand to include new exhibitors and include a new fishing village.

Included in this area will be a place for seminars where fishing experts will be on hand to deliver their advice and special tips.

“In addition there will be more happening on the water with boating and fishing displays where the public can see first hand how the experts use their gear along with

some amazing on-the-water demonstrations.

“With more exhibitors and more displays there will be something for everyone”.

Entry prices have been kept to a very low $5 for adults and school aged children visit free.

For more information go to www.boatexpo.co.nz If you would like to be an exhibitor at the expo, contact the Boat Expo organisers at info@boatexpo.co.nz

JUNE 2014

10 WATERLINE

CLUB NEWS

Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club

A month of national

April was the month of national championships, with three consecutive junior/youth regattas – Optis, Starlings and NZ Secondary Schools 420 Teams racing, meaning many sailing families were away for three weeks solid.

At least the children were active during the holidays and got to travel to parts of our beautiful country they may not otherwise visit – although poor parents felt a bit frazzled by the end of it.

First of the big regattas was the Optimist Nationals, which took place at Manly Sailing Club on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula during Easter. The tail of the cyclone hit just as competitors were reaching Auckland.

The morning of the first day dawned to much debris on the peninsula, a messy sea state and a stiff breeze. Fortunately, for the more than 150 keen competitors in the Open Fleet and more than 100 in Green Fleet, racing was able to get underway after a small delay.

There was a sprinkling of international competitors with a good-sized team of Australians, many of whom finished in the top half of the fleet, some from New Caledonia, as well as one American and one British sailor. It was

great for our Tauranga children to absorb a bit of French as they rigged up next to youngsters from Noumea.

Openers Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club had four open-fleeters with Tom Maidment finishing in the Gold Fleet in 53rd place; the 37th New Zealander. James Barnett, Joel Kennedy and Seb Lemberg were competing in their first nationals.

James managed to make the cut into the Silver Fleet and finished 67th Kiwi and 93rd overall. Joel had a bit of bad luck on the first day of the regatta but he continued to improve each day with a number of top 10 and top 20 results in Bronze Fleet, which saw him finish as the 91st Kiwi and 122 overall. Seb Lemberg worked hard to achieve his best race placing of 20th in the Bronze Fleet on the final day. Seb finished 112th New Zealand sailor and 143rd overall.

There were seven Green Fleet participants from TYPBC – all competing at their first nationals: Teaghan and Braeden Denney, Lachlan Dillon, Samantha Lemberg, Blair Mellsop, Patrick Moore and Olly Maidment.

They had to contend with 105 boats on their start line and raced two races per day during the five-day regatta.

Braeden Denney certainly didn’t let the

bigger fleet phase him as he went out and placed 3rd in the very first race. Lachlan Dillon won race six, as well as claiming several more top 10 results. Blair Mellsop got a second place in race nine.

The increased numbers of TYPBC Green Fleet participants at nationals is testament to the efforts of the club providing structured coaching throughout the season. There are a number of young sailors who’ve not only learned to sail but are also starting to enjoy racing. It’s wonderful to see the club grow at the junior level and to see new families become part of the club. Many of the newest sailors are continuing to sail and improve their skills during winter months, as TYPBC is one of the few clubs nationwide to continue racing in the ‘off season’.

Good quality racing The first two weeks of the Steve’s Marine Winter Series has seen record numbers of Optis with Hamilton and Taupo club members travelling to take advantage of the chance for some good quality racing.

Manly is a small club, but together with New Zealand International Optimist Dinghy Association’s help they put on a very professionally-run regatta. It was inspiring to see such useful innovations as competitor’s barcoded ID cards used for electronic sign on

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JUNE 2014

l championships

and sign off, use of large bow number stickers on Optis to aid results and safety, beach signs for grouping beach trolleys by clubs, portable showers – although these were a little susceptible to Green Fleet gremlins – together with large-numbered stickers on the motor for each support boat.

Race officer John Parish and his team kept the Open Fleet races to time and managed a complete series. Kim Admore made sure green-fleeters got to enjoy and learn from their racing. Add to this overall control of the regatta by pro Harold Bennet of America’s Cup fame, and we were treated to very enjoyable and fair sailing for all.

Starlings The Starling class nationals began straight after the Optis at Parua Bay, near Whangarei.

Parua Bay is a beautiful venue but unfortunately after the steady wind experienced at the Optimist Nationals, a high parked over the country for the duration of the event resulting in racing in light and shifty conditions.

TYPBC sailors competing were Elly Warren, Richard Wright, Cole Rippey, Dylan McKinlay, Jonathon Barnett, Julia Ebert, Jason Hewitt and Sara Dodds.

It was a tough regatta with conditions dictating sailors to get a good start and concentrate hard on picking the shifts in order to remain

in contention. Those with lots of sailing experience came out ahead in the end, and their consistency in such conditions stood out.

Winning the national championship was Nick Egnot Johnston of Murrays Bay, with Leonard fellow Murrays Bay competitor Takahashi Fry (Murrays Bay) placing second, four points behind, and Libby Porter of Kohimarama in third place. Top-placed TYPBC finisher and winner of the last race was Cole Rippey.

The minute the Starling prize giving was completed, many families were on the road again, direct to the NZ Secondary Schools 420 Teams Racing Nationals starting that evening at Algies Bay and continuing through the final week of the school holidays.

Tauranga Boy’s College, led by Trent Rippey, brother Cole Ripley, Dylan McKinlay, Josh McConnell, Ben Warren, Jonathon Barnett, Jack Revington and Tom Maidment qualified to race in Gold Fleet with their win at the regional regatta at Taupo in March.

Racing was very close during the week, with two days of good wind followed by very light conditions through to the last day. During the week only two round robin series were completed. Kerikeri High School won the event, with Auckland Grammar in second, and Macleans College placing third. Tauranga Boy’s College finished sixth.

In early-April three youth sailors from TYPBC – Trent Rippey, Sam Barnett and Zak Merton – travelled to compete in the British Youth Nationals at Weymouth, England. All three are members of the NZL Youth Sailing team, which will represent NZ at the Youth Worlds in July. The British Youth Nationals regatta was a training opportunity for the team and an opportunity to get in some bigger fleet racing.

The NZL team had a very successful regatta, coming away with several podium finishes.

Trent Rippey finished second place in the Laser Radial class and Sam Barnett and Zak Merton took out bronze in 420. These sailors will be working hard training in Auckland nearly every weekend through until early-July, when they depart for the Youth Worlds in Tavira, Portugal.

Also training hard throughout winter will be Coral Headey, who is heading to the Youth Olympics in early August as New Zealand’s representative in the Techno. Coral won’t be the only board sailor on the Tauranga Harbour throughout winter, as the class is growing strongly with about 20 sailors on boards, from beginners through to advanced.

Coach Herve Pruvost is continuing to run classes during winter and hopes many of those new to windsurfing will soon be capable of joining in club racing. By Pauline Barnett

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JUNE 2014

CLUB NEWS

Women on Water

A busy year for WOW After a pre-season gathering early-October, the 2013-2014 WOW season got off to a scary start on Halloween night in gusty conditions – seeing half the fleet opt out, preferring to talk the talk in the clubhouse. Races three and five were also held in strong breezes with all other races enjoying light to very light winds but it was low tides that caused the most havoc.

In race three a first-time WOW boat, called Alvarado, found ground well out of reach of help – so had to call the coastguard for a rescue.

Race five saw 22-28 knots and a dead-low, king tide, and Whatever cut too close to the bulge just after the start and found herself wind-driven hard aground.

After several attempts she managed a spectacular pirouette before continuing on her way.

Our stiff tidal streams together with failing breezes saw many struggling to round marks or even finish several of the races. Race four saw Whatever sail within one metre of the finishline when the breeze just stopped and she was sucked away, just managing to creep back 14 minutes later.

Finally, following last year’s programme, we finished with a Sunday long race in sunny, light conditions on an outgoing tide, so we headed out the harbour entrance to A Beacon.

Some cruising division boats preferred to raft up at Pane Pane to enjoy the 27 degree Celsius sunshine with a few wines, rums and nibbles. A sensible choice, it turned out, as the rest of us tried fruitlessly to punch through the opposing current in the entrance.

We experienced lack of steerage and sailing backwards in close proximity to each other, which ended in a protest from Smudge on Whatever – resulting in their unnecessary withdrawal and overall drop from first place to third. A hard pill to swallow.

The final results for the season were Heluva Hurry placing first, Freedom Express second, and Whatever third. All in all, it was another successful WOW season as no races were cancelled or abandoned. Attendances were down due to having fewer big keel boats but competition was still keen between crews on the smaller keel boats and trailer yachts.

This year our merchandise range includes our new WOW shirt of cyan blue with gold screen-printed logos as well as black polar fleece jackets. Wendy at the Canvas Locker generously made us 12 WOW monogrammed gear bags and Burnsco supplied us with Gill sailing gloves at a discounted price. We promoted WOW with a great flyer at the boat show and in Sport Bay of Plenty’s Play in the Bay directory and November Water Month, as we did last year. To further educate our members, we held an education evening showing the Penny Whiting ‘Learn to Sail’ video followed up by

Another great WOW social gathering.

tuition from Nicole Harris and myself, which was well received.

As in previous years, the Bay of Plenty Trailer Yacht Squadron at Lake Rotoiti hosted a windward/leeward racing regatta for us on March 8 and 15 of us participated. We attempted two sessions of dinghy sailing but strong winds meant only one session on March 13 was possible, with 17 members participating in similar light conditions to last year.

The highlight of this year would have to be the commitment of Rhonda Ritchie, owner of the Farr 9.2m keeler Smudge, to put a WOW team together to compete in the annual Auckland to Tauranga Race on April 17.

During the course of this WOW season, Rhonda and her crew, including daughter Aimee daughter, Jackie Holt, Leslie Goddard, Delwyn Hodgson, and Laura Vonk sailed at every opportunity.

Rhonda worked hard to get the boat up to Category 3 certification while trying to find sponsorship to help pay for the mission. It was agreed $1000 of WOW funds would be given towards this most historical event for WOW, as it was the very first time an all-female team had ever attempted to do the race. In addition, the Smudge team was also given money from Women’s Yacht Racing New Zealand charitable trust, which was set up to promote and support women’s racing in NZ. In preparation the Smudge team succeeded in completing the 65nm Tauranga to Whitianga Race back in January but unfortunately when April 17 came the weather turned nasty on race day. Even after a delayed start-time of 4pm, rough seas saw many boats withdraw including Smudge.

All was not lost, however, as after some rest and recovery from sea sickness they continued

sailing at 5am next morning and completed the trip – still in rough and windy conditions –arriving Saturday morning. So they felt they’d succeeded in their mission. Somewhat disappointed but not defeated, Rhonda is now determined to have another go next year and I’m sure WOW will support her again when the time comes.

In summary, it’s been another great sailing season for the women of the Bay and a historical year for women’s sailing in NZ with one successful all-female team on Strider, skippered

by Ashley Rogers, competing in the Coastal Classic Race to Russell in the Bay of Islands.

Unfortunately, light conditions prevented them from finishing within the time limit.

Another all-female team was put together with the help of Lisa Lewis of WYRNZ but it dissolved when the skipper, Cherry McIvor, withdrew due to work commitments.

Thanks must be given to Lisa Lewis for all her encouragement and enthusiasm to get more women into long distance yacht racing; and I hope those of us out there that aspire to great achievements in sailing are encouraged by these small beginnings and will keep the momentum going.

I know Women On Water is a great way for women to start sailing but there’s so much more to learn. Some are happy just for a night out on the water, while others want to learn more and the WOW programme caters for both types. We are a very successful division of TYPBC and the envy of many clubs in the country – so let’s keep it going for many more years to come.

I wish the new committee and especially the new chairwoman of WOW every success in the future and hope to join many of you on a yacht someday soon.

By Megan Harris

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JUNE 2014

CLUB NEWS

BoPSAT

BoPSAT expanding programmes BoPSAT recently celebrated its 10th birthday with developments in its programmes, funding, and appointment of a new trustee. Read on because things are really looking up.

Sponsor a Sailor Programme Six lucky children from Merivale School are recipients of a new BoPSAT programme to help equalise the accessibility of sailing to Bay of Plenty youth.

The students are hand-picked by Merivale

possibility of giving them a crack at windsurfing.

“Those showing promise and a passion for the sport, we continue to assist to go as far as they can, whether that is club sailing, going away to regattas, or even representing their country overseas,” says trustee Roger Clark.

“We’ve always said sailing should not be just for the rich, which is a good reason why we have always supported secondary school team sailing – where you don’t need to join a club or own a boat.

“We are delighted to now be taking this one

BoPSAT Trustee Tina Kennedy with (left) Coral Healey and (right) 420 crew members, Zac Merton and Sam Barnett. principal Jan Tinetti and shuttled to and from the club by well-known sailing parent, Merivale staff member – and Jan’s husband – Dave Merton.

They all completed a course with Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club coach Rory Gleeson, paid for by BoPSAT in term one and sailing in BoPSAT Optis and sporting new wetsuits purchased by BoPSAT. The increase in confidence, pride in their achievements, and extra time with positive role models is showing through in how the children are behaving and performing at school, says Jan. Activities during winter for the six children include a sail on some big catamarans, owned

by BoPSAT trustee Roger Clark and Dallas Frost. We also plan to give them a go at radio-controlled sailing, using trustee Stuart Pedersen’s two radio-controlled Lasers.

We’ll be looking for six more keen youngsters in spring, to follow in the footsteps of Wiki, Matua and the others, so by summer we have as many as 12 in the programme.

They will then hopefully progress onto bigger and faster boats, such as our twohanded Topaz, and at the same time upskilling in terms of boat handling, seamanship and sailing faster.cThere is also the

step further with ‘Sponsor a Sailor’, and with community support, we hope to expand the programme every year.”

Overseas Sailors Fund Trustee Tina Kennedy presented $500 BoPSAT cheques to each of the youth sailors from the Bay who’ve been selected to represent NZ this year.

Congratulations Zac Merton and Sam Barnett, who will be sailing in 420, and Trent Rippey, who will be sailing Laser Radial at the ISAF Youth Worlds in Portugal this July; and Coral Headey, who will be sailing Techno at the Youth Olympics in Nanjing in August.

So, many thanks to all those clubs, schools, sailors, sponsors and grants bodies who’ve supported us this season and allowed us to help out. Go out there guys and make us proud.

‘Sail for Life’ Fund The trust’s endowment fund, administered by the Acorn Foundation, continues to grow towards the initial target of $50,000 at which it will start to generate income for our programmes.

Currently at $35,000, we have a donor who’ll match contributions from sailors and

other members of the public who like what we’re doing and want to make a lasting difference in their community. We just need $7500 to get us over the line.

In other words, one more donation of $7500 and we’ll be able to expand our ‘Sponsor a Sailor’ by six more children a year – forever.

Could that be you? Contact Stuart Pedersen on 07 574 1169 or use the contact form on our website – www.bopsat.org.nz

New trustee Welcome to Ken Tarboton, from Port Ohope Yacht Club, who has just joined us as a trustee and will be responsible for developing our activities with clubs and schools in the eastern and central Bay. Ken organised a successful sailing programme in January/February 2014 using some of our Optimist fleet, and more recently has been using our six Topaz with older children from the Whakatane district. He’s also just been elected commodore of the Port Ohope Yacht Club, and has the energy to make good things happen for sailing in the region.

What is BoPSAT? The Bay of Plenty Sailing Academy Trust is a registered charity incorporated in 2004, which aims to give every youth in the Bay, regardless of means or ability, the opportunity to experience the sport of sailing – and to create pathways to engage them in the sport for a lifetime. To this end the trust maintains a fleet of boats and boards, and other equipment, which it makes available at modest charges to schools, yacht clubs and individual sailors, and runs programmes to support youth sailors at all levels. By Stuart Pedersen

JUNE 2014

14 WATERLINE

CLUB NEWS

Omokoroa Boat Club

Omokoroa plans winter series Omokoroa Boat Club Winter Series

(all dates weather permitting):

The Omokoroa Th Omoko Om k roa Boat Boat Club Bo Club is Cl i contemplating a winter series of events for the senior sailors.

Judging by the last year, weather conditions are likely to range from flat, calm days with no wind to raging storms. We are hoping for fine days with gentle but good sailing breezes, says former club commodore John Budden.

Omokoroa Boat Club’s Annual General Meeting will be at the clubhouse on Sunday, June 29, at 3pm.

BOAT SUPPLIES

Th normal no all items norm items off business, b iness busi busin ness, wh ne hich h includes inclludes d The which subscriptioons the election of officers and setting of subscriptions and motions proposed for discussion with the members, will be circulated prior to the meeting.

After the AGM the annual prize giving will take place, rewarding those who’ve excelled in the pool tournament, club fishing championships, rowing races, and senior and junior sailing.

All members are encouraged to attend, and if available, stand for the committee. Nomination forms are available from the Secretary, (PO Box 17009, Omokoroa), or from the bar.

WATER SPORTS

FISHING GEAR

We will need to allocate points on the basis of line honours, and suggest all events start off D point, as for the Summer series, and all events are on Sundays.

June 8: briefing 11am, start 12pm, tide 1.6m high at 3.57pm June 22: briefing 11am, start 12pm, tide 1.8m high at 4.05pm.

July 6: briefing 10am, start 11am, tide 1.6m high at 2.26pm.

July 20: briefing 10am, start 11am, tide 1.8 high at 2.44pm.

August 3: briefing 9.30am, start 10.30am, tide 1.7 at 1.04pm.

August 17: briefing 9.30am, start 10.30am, tide 1.9m at 1.22pm All normal club sailing instructions apply.

ACCESSORIES

Having an extensively stocked shop is one thing, having staff with extensive experience and expertise is another ... because we love boating as much as you do.

MARINE SUPPLIES

18 Cross Road, Sulphur Point

Phone: 5789593 Email: info@stevesmarine.co.nz

Shop online at www.stevesmarine.co.nz

JUNE 2014

WATERLINE 15

Astrolabe wreck cleared for diving The wreck of the Rena has been cleared for use as a dive site, should the owners and insurers application to leave the remainder of the wreck on the Astrolabe Reef be approved by the Environment Court.

Contained in the resource consent information now available on line is a report from Tauranga commercial diver Shane Wasik, who after considering the risks, concludes diving Rena will be safer than other New Zealand wreck dives.

“The hazards of diving the wreck by recreational divers acting within safe diving practice guidelines and within the limits of their level of experience are not considered to be significant when compared with other wrecks already in New Zealand,” says Shane.

That’s if all the suggested mitigation measures be undertaken, along with wreck access management procedures, education materials and monitoring as detailed in the consent application’s Wreck Access Plan and Monitoring Plan.

“As with any other wreck, the Rena will never be completely ‘safe’ to dive,” says Shane. “However the proposed measures will make sure that divers of average experience can explore the wreck in relative safety and the site is left in a responsible manner with more mitigation than other accidental wreck sites in New Zealand currently provide.”

There are risks, as with all recreational diving, says Shane. With the accidental nature of the Rena and challenging environmental conditions at Astrolabe Reef, there are potential risks to divers.

The Reef was considered an ‘advanced’ dive prior to the Rena struck the reef on October 5, 2011.

“As such the expectation is that divers should already be adequately prepared to dive there, regardless of the wreck,” says Shane.

“The Rena hasn’t been artificially prepared and scuttled as a diving attraction so will have potential risks common to other accidental wreck sites that recreational divers visit in New Zealand.”

Before the Rena collided with it, Astrolabe Reef was a nota-

Photo: www.renaproject.co.nz

ble recreational diving site both in the Bay of Plenty and New Zealand. The reef has a unique topography with gullies, plunging walls, shelves, caverns and caves and is exposed to prevailing west or south westerly winds and oceanic swells.

It was considered to be an ‘advanced’ dive site before the wreck.

Since the ship struck the Reef in October 2011 an exclusion zone has prevented any recreational diving on the reef. The exclusion zone will be lifted and public access restored as part of the resource consent proposal. The wreck only occupies a small part of the total reef and so those wishing to explore the Reef and not undertake a wreck dive will still be able to do so once the exclusion zone is lifted.

The Rena is the biggest, has the greatest depth range and gives the easiest access to depths exceeding recreational limits of all other New Zealand wreck dives. The wreck site, including debris field, is estimated to be over an area of around 10,000m2 and ranges from approximately 1m (bow section) to 56m in depth at the lowest point of the aft section.

As part of the Proposal, a Wreck Access Plan is to be provided which includes measures such as vessel manoeuvring arrangements and moorings, safe diving areas, safe boating guides and recommended operating conditions. The implementation of this plan is considered to minimise many of the potential dive safety hazards to recreational divers on the wreck of the Rena, particularly immediately after the exclusion zone is lifted and interest in diving the wreck is likely to be at its highest.

The wreck and debris field occupy less than two per cent of the entire area of Astrolabe Reef. Even if the area above the normal 30m maximum recreational diving depth of the reef is considered, the wreck still occupies a very small proportion of the reef.

Normal diving exploration of the reef will continue much as it had before the Rena grounded, says Shane.

“However, it is noted that a result of leaving the wreck on the Reef will be that divers will want to explore the wreck.”

Following the grounding and break-up of the ship and work done to reduce the bow section to below LAT -1m, what remains of the bow is now in several sections. The proposal is to leave these sections on the Reef.

16 WATERLINE

JUNE 2014

Two yachts – sister and d brother – take to sea ‘Geriatrics take to sea’ was written some time ago, but Free is still a lovely yacht sitting on a trailer in my hanger, awaiting a buyer.

She’s sailed around Stewart Island, as well as many other voyages.

The un-stayed rotating mast gives an easy movement and provides simplicity for singlehanded sailing. Cat rig, head sails can be added for extra speed. With the extension crane at the top of the mast, it creates more of a rectangular sail.

The wind aloft can be harvested by a sheet to the cockpit. Also of greater importance, there is more of an aerofoil wind entry to the sail. The small flexibility of the mast, especially the carbon fibre model, creates a more relaxed movement on-board the yacht; a shock absorber. Break-away couplings are there for sailing accidents.

Windsong is the sister trailer-sailer on its first off-shore trip. She was built to help the yacht-building industry in hard times and now must be sold, as I am now in my 84th year and cannot manage much longer.

Windsong is made from super light but strong paulownia timber, which is used in the best surfboards and skis. Then fibreglassed inside and out, I made the yacht to road-width (2.5 m), which is pulled easily by our Subaru.

She also has centre-board swings for downwind or shallows; and lead ballast plus water ballast dumped for trailering.

So let’s see how she sails in the ocean? I’ve made previous short sails around Karewa with lighter winds where the headsail was used also.

This time the cat main was all that was required and we averaged six knots and topped out at eight knots, broad reaching to the northeast corner of Motiti Island, where we anchored for a good night’s sleep in Hirinui Bay. Next day, let’s lay Whale Island. Again we broad reach up to eight knots. One accidental gybe proved having no stays to catch gives safety at sea. Anchoring in Salpha Bay, I thought would be okay until, out from the mainland, came this terrible storm cloud.

I said to Cloie: “it will pass” and my heavy anchor was well dug in.

Well, all hell broke loose with thunder and lightning immediately overhead plus extreme wind and rain. “We will get blown onto those rocks,” I yelled.

I struggled with the anchor; and with full power from the 10hp sail drive diesel, we just cleared the rocks and headed for Whakatane.

It seemed to take ages bashing into a heavy sea.

We spoke to the harbourmaster who kindly offered to guide us in against an ebbing

tide, then offered us a great mooring. Great service.

Of course the storm soon passed and the next day we enjoyed sightseeing Whakatane and catching up with Mick Orchard, who built Legend 2 for us many years ago.

We used Legend 2 sailing to and fro to our Fijian island Katafaga in the Lau group for some years.

I’ve described the numer-

ous yachts I’ve had and the races won in the Atlantic and Indonesia in my book ‘Born for Adventure’.

We were very impressed with the changes made in Whakatane. We were invited to use the mooring around the bluff in sheltered Otawairere Bay, so took off with ebbing tide.

Of course that meant the next day’s adventure was the walkway with magnificent coastal views. We returned completely exhausted to be revived by a cool skinny dip and a cold beer. Why sail up Coromandel against the northwest winds when going east is great and you can have a bay all to yourself?

The next day, White Island was on the nose and we’d already been there a few times. The last time in my three-masted 126ft Adventure, when we had just moved off before it blew up, covering a helicopter and other boats with ash.

So now we returned to Whale Island, McKewins Bay. We caught a few fish for dinner, plus some cool white wine from the fridge.

When I am at anchor, it’s ‘give thought’ time.

Windsong and Free at 27ft gives freedom from the necessity for crew, plus the ability to take your boat home. What next?

I have the frames, drawings and timber for the next yacht, which will have inflatable side extensions after off-road. I’ve already tried it on Free. These can slide out to fit a small catamaran when at anchor. Just add oars or an outboard motor. There’s nothing worse than trailing an inflatable, or it being tied on deck.

Next, the latest for on-deck or cabin tops are walk-on solar panels, so cheap now. Why carry lead for ballast when you can harvest solar power in batteries? The latest sail drive 10hp electric, silent, motor is half the weight.

One could motor to Mayor Island, from Tauranga, at night just on batteries if there was no wind.

When you sail, the motor-sailer converts to a generator. I’m still looking for a starter, for this model.

Back to Windsong at Whale Island. The anchor dragged at 6am as the wind increased violently until we were almost on the beach.

So sail back to Otawaiwere Bay, yet again.

We clambered over the rocks to Ohope at low tide for a good town lunch, then climbing up again over the cliff trail. Another strenuous walk.

Next dawn we headed westward with a kinder southwest wind, hoping to reach Motiti. Too hopeful. Wind increased to 25knots, but right on the nose. Wrong forecast. Making no progress, we did an about-turn to Whakatane. The Coastguard know us well by now and offered the use of their mooring again. In a flood tide the entrance was quite frightening riding in on surfing waves. ‘Why do old buggers take such risks?’ they asked on the radio.

By David Blackley

JUNE 2014

WATERLINE 17

18 WATERLINE

JUNE 2014

taurangaboatsales.co.nz

T& BOA

TH BER

T& BOA

TH BER

JUNE 2014

WATERLINE 19

Vindex with style ‘Nirvana’

Nirvana is a very tidy examplee d of the classic Jim Young designed Vindex 375. First launched in 1987, she has benefitted from w recent upgrades including a new flybridge hardtop and clears. Her twin 200hp Volvo diesels provide a comfortable cruise speed of 18 knots. Twin helm stations provide the versatility for both serious game fishing, and social family cruising.

Nirvana’s teak interior features a rare island double-berth forward, and separate head/shower stall. A large salon area means plenty of room for friends or family. The galley is up and aft, with easy access to the large cockpit and walk-through transom. A large duckboard is ideal for swimming or diving, or just relaxing at the end of the day.

Nirvana is offered for sale by Tauranga Boat Sales asking $163,000.

Contact listing broker Ian Thomas to view.

Call 07 571 8443 or 0274 976 010.

20 WATERLINE

JUNE 2014

Council slammed over moorings

A ‘greedy and out of control’ Waikato Regional Council is being slammed

by Coromandel mooring owners over a move to impose a new $485 mooring fee.

Mooring-holders already pay $170 a year in annual charges, plus a $62.50 navigation safety fee, and $185 every three years as a maintenance fees to mooring contractors.

The council says the annual charge is only partly covering the consent process and the rest is paid for by the general ratepayer.

The $485 fee is for a 15-year consent, which doesn’t go well with people who own moorings up to 100-years-old.

BLUEW

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BLUE WATER MARINE SERVICES LTD

The Resource Management Act and Regional Coastal Plan require all moorings to have resource consents. The council claims the $485 is for administration and monitoring involved with the consent process. It will first affect about 350 mooring-holders across Whangamata, Tairua and Whitianga harbours.

Waikato’s other harbours will be next.

The Waikato region’s 800 or so mooring owners already pay about $136,000 in annual consent-holder charges and $50,000 in navigation-safety charges each year.

Suggestions to come from a recent protect meeting in Whitianga, attended by about 60 mooring owners, include changing the council’s to make moorings in zoned areas permitted activities. They will not require

consents and mooring owners won’t incur fees, but it will mean an annual loss of $136,000 for the WRC. A letter to the council purporting to come from mooring owners accuses the Waikato Regional Council of being “greedy, out of control, and using the Coromandel Peninsula as a private goldmine”.

The meeting decided mooring owners with outstanding fees can ask for their application to be put on hold, without risk of having the mooring taken or without the need to pay an application fee.

Those who have paid and are up to date on current fees need to contact the WRC to learn how that will be managed.

By Andrew Campbell

WATERLINE 21

JUNE 2014

Clubhouse next on marina plan

Construction on the next phase of the Tairua Marina is about to get underway after dredging of the marina side of the development was completed in early June.

The new marina officially opened at Easter and has since been in use by boats able to access the marina through the channel, which is 1.3m at low water. This is the same depth of the bar, which has also acquired new

navigational marks.

“If you can’t get over the bar you can’t get into the marina,” says property development manager for Tairua Marine Ltd, Laurie Flynn.

It’s a bit different at high tide with the depth in the channel at 2.7m. Depth in the marina itself is 2.8 to 3.5m.

“There’s plenty of room, once you are in there you are fine.”

The next stage in the development is the construction of the commercial building,

housing marina club rooms, manager’s office, restaurant and dive/chandlery shop.

“That’s expected to begin construction in the next couple of months,” says Laurie.

Laurie says they are currently promoting villas, but won’t begin construction until about half are pre-sold, and he’s not expecting sales to pick up till summer.

The marina is being developed by Tairua Marine Ltd, with Watts and Hughes Construction and Total Marine Services.

By Andrew Campbell

Crossing the Coromandel boating border Boaties crossing regions need to remember lifejacket rules are different in the Coromandel, which is under Waikato Regional Council.

The rule was changed in July 2013. In the Bay of Plenty, there is still some discretion.

While lifejackets must be carried on vessels of less than six metres, they do not have to be worn.

The Waikato council was the sixth in New Zealand to make lifejacket-wearing on small boats compulsory, but neither Auckland nor the Bay of Plenty Regional councils have done so.

Mercury Bay harbour master Matt Collicott says it’s been particularly challenging educating people from the Bay of Plenty and Auckland.

In the Waikato jurisdiction, boats larger than six metres must carry properly-fitting jackets

for everyone on-board.

While it’s rare to find boats with no jackets at all on-board, Matt says he’s come across a number of boaties who have no idea about what happens when a life-jacket is inflated and the danger of having ill-fitting jackets.

“I’ve been putting a huge amount of time into showing people how to inflate them and how to service them,” says Matt.

Next summer he’s planning demonstrations of what happens in the water when a lifejacket is inflated.

Coromandel harbour master Stuart Crawley says lifejackets were the single biggest challenge for him this summer.

Stuart, who is also harbour master for Thames and Tairua-Pauanui, started in the job towards the end of last year after spending years at sea, delivering yachts across the Pacific; and before that, commercial fishing.

Changes in boating demand a more proactive approach in the job, says Stuart. In the

last 15 years boats have got bigger and faster – and more of them operate for 24 hours.

Numbers of boats are increasing too and Stuart believes will “go through the roof ” during the next 15 years will.

“There are a lot of people out there who have no idea about gear, or the weather, or the area they’re in,” says Stuart.

“There are more inexperienced people pushing the boundaries further.

We have got to be more prudent and our systems have to be more robust.”

22 WATERLINE

Situations Vacant

JUNE 2014

For Sale CRUISER 32ft WITH MOORING – has a 160 Ford turbo diesel engine, game rigged, 2x helm stations, 2x fridges and freezer, radar, chart plotter, depth sounder. Has a shower toilet, live bait tank, sleeps eight. $38,000.

Ph: 07 570 0333 CATAMARAN 32ft – inboard 30hp diesel engine, shower/toilet, 7 berth, Autopilot, Bow Thruster. Great for coastal conditions or live aboard. Excellent condition. Ph: 075700333 VOLVO MTR 200 HP x2 $14,500 each. 140 HP $8500 or to be run in. FORD 250 HP $6500. May trade. Ph 07 843 4392 or 027 620 9712.

MOORING FOR SALE OR RENT at Tanners Point. &HUWL¿HG PRRULQJ 3K FARR 6000 TRAILER SAILER - Good condition but electrics need attention.

Includes a choice of 2 outboard motors. Has WOF and rego. As new squabs.

Main, Jib, storm jib, spinnaker, assymetrical spinnaker, porta potti and other extras. Now reduced to $7000. Trailer and outboards recently serviced.

Phone Keith at 07 552 0215 SOLE MARINE DIESEL Sole - 20hp, excellent condition, $3000.

Phone Ian on 07 570 0333.

4.95 ALUMINIUM MAST AND SAIL - plus centre board, rudder and anchor.

All in very good condition. Reasonable offers considered. Please ring 576 0294 for more info.

MOORING - WHITIANGA HARBOUR. South end, handy to Robinson Road boat ramp. Heavy duty double block, 2.4 tonne total. Suitable any size boat up to 60 tonnes. 15 year resource consent fee paid. $5200 . Ph 0274 996 747 MOORING - Waikaraeo Estuary #5. Good position, good swing, good depth.

Fully rebuilt. Suit up to 29’ boat. Phone 07 576 1309.

GOIN2C - Personalised Plate $700. Ph 0274276445 TANNERS PT MOORING for sale. $1500-00 ono Phone Grant 0212063919 LAUNCH - Steel launch 30ft to 10ft. Little use View B46 Tauranga Marina. $34,500. Phone 07 843 4392 or 027 620 9712

WATERLINE 23

JUNE 2014

Great weekend fishing, and we got some lovely Kahawai. This fish, I find, is best smoked and even better when you have a good man in the house to do that! We love it and the kids go crazy over smoked fish. We ended up making fish cakes and inviting the neighbours over for dinner

Fresh Mussel Fritters

Smoked Kahawai Cakes

24 large mussels 3 spring onion stalks chopped heap of fresh parsley chopped 1 red onion diced 3 eggs flour to bind salt and pepper cooking oil

1kg potatoes mashed with a little butter, salt and p pepper pp to taste 2 eggs Flesh of 3 Kahawai from the bones Lupi Light Olive Oil 2 Large onions diced 3 Tablespoons fresh chives ess or Parsley 5 Pieces of crushed garlic 3 Tablespoons seed mustard (I used Dijon mustard) Salt and pepper to taste Breadcrumbs In a pan sweat off some onion until soft and add garlic. Remove from heat and stir in mustard. To the mash potato mixture add the fish, onion and garlic mixture, herbs and eggs. Stir with a little salt and pepper. Roll into mini fish cakes and coat with breadcrumbs. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes before cooking. This will help set the potato mixture and they won’t fall apart when cooking. Fry the fish cakes in a little oil until golden on both sides and finish cooking in the oven on 180°C for 10 minutes. I served mine with fresh silverbeet and cheese sauce. We ended up making quite a few so we put the rest in the freezer for another rainy day!

Enjoy!

For Rent TOWN REACH SWING MOORING – For sale or rent. Phone Peter 027 491 5616 or 578 0230.

MOORING FOR RENT -Town basin, TA10, will take up to 30’ boat. Phone Ian, 5700333.

MOORING FOR RENT - Waikaraeo Estuary.

Phone 07 843 4392 or 027 620 9712.

Wanted WANTED - Mooring suitable for 50 foot yacht /16 ton - in Bridge or Pilot Bay area for lease or temporary swap. We have a mooring in Scots Landing Mahurangi which we could swap for up to one or two years use. Please phone Mark 021 933 821 WANTED Volvo 200HP or 230HP. Ph 07 843 4392 or 027 620 9712.

The boys went diving and came back with some whopper mussels among other seafood. I was so excited as I love the fruits of the sea. I have said this time and time again but we really are lucky in New Zealand with our seafood!

cllean and d dice. dice dic di i e.

Part steam the mussels, remove from shell, clean Place in the dish with the rest of the ingredients and mix with enough flour to bind (not to much as you will loose that mussel flavour).

You are looking for a doughy consistency.

Place in fridge for 30 minutes before frying with a little oil.

Serve with a fresh slice of lemon.

Trades and Services BATTERIES Battery Direct Nz www.batterydirect.co.nz sales@batterydirect.co.nz 0800 267 468 BOAT MAINTENANCE Matamata Motor Trimmers & Upholstery Boat clear, canvas work, upholstery Ph: 07 571 4421 CNR Mirrielees & Cross Roads, Tauranga

FINANCE AFB Accept Finance Brokers Ph: 07 574 0002 or 027 4435524 Available 7 Days KAYAKS Viking Kayaks 6SHFLDOLVLQJ LQ ¿VKLQJ DQG recreational Kayaks 0800 529 253 www.vikingkayaks.co.nz

pleas

DECEMBER

e take

on

e

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The Bay of Plenty

& Coromandel’s

own watersports

news. Phone 07

578 0030

DECEMBER

2012

Reluctant

the water Weekends on Clip Taking trailer boating

to the next level

Set sail for summer

p of local A piece t es reatu Sea creatures

history

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King of the river

pers p pe eerrs to to the the coas oast astt

24 WATERLINE

JUNE 2014

Secret behind the look

Some of the BOP Marine Painters from left: Kevin Kindred, Jory Withington, Allen Hartridge and Adrian Cole.

There’s a Tauranga team behind Napier boatbuilder Dickey Boats’ four prizes taken from this year’s Hutchwilco boat show.

The Napier manufacturer of luxury, custom aluminium launches was awarded Boat of the Show for the Dickey Custom 950, and Best New Model. The Dickey Custom 750xs won Boat of The Show, Aluminium Fishing Boat Open, and Boat of The Show All Purpose Open.

The Dickey boats are standouts even to nonboaties because of the smick finish, and many who think they know better don’t believe the flawless gleaming, mirror finish paint is on an alloy hull – until they touch it.

“People come up and tap on the hulls; they can’t believe it’s alloy. They think it must be glass,” says BOP Marine Painters proprietor Allen Hartridge.

BOP Marine Painters is the team responsible for the finish, achieved by starting with epoxy filler.

“There are three more epoxy coats before we go to the final coat,” says Allen.

In an unusual step in the high quality marine paints world, BOP Marine Painters

uses a mixed system; the primers and undercoats from one manufacturer and the final undercoat and top coat from another.

It all takes place in a shed on Mirrielees Rd, which is transformed internally from sanding to painting with the addition of plastic tenting to house the boat, and blowers to create a positive pressure environment inside and keep dust out.

“We’ve been part of the Dickey’s Boats team right from the start; seven years we’ve been painting their boats. They are going from strength to strength.”

Allen started as an industrial spray painter in Rotorua. He says he was getting a bit bored when the opportunity came to spray a boat.

“I sprayed it and they handed me the job pretty much,” says Allen. “I’ve been doing it ever since; and I did an apprenticeship as a boat painter as well, through Pachouds.”

One of the Pachouds employees knew Jason Dickey from Napier, says Allen.

“So he helped Jason on his first boat and I just gave a lot of advice over the phone; products, and I think we loaned them some sanding boards and stuff like that,” says Allen.

“Then because Jason got to know me that

way, when the next boat came along we were first in line to paint it. So we’ve been doing them ever since.”

As has BOP Marine Painters. He’s got 10 staff and is looking for more.

“The one thing that sells these boats is the ride quality,” says Allen. “They are designed

by Dickey Boats in-house.”

The characteristic plumb bow, the 22 degree deadrise and long keel contribute, says Allen.

The boats themselves are built like superyachts with a traditional ship interior construction of ribs, stringers and trademarked custom interlocked CNC cut frames.

It’s the second year in a row a Dickey Boat has won boat of the show at the Hutchwilco boat show.

Another thing the punters don’t believe at the shows, is that is how the boats really look.

They are not specially prepped just for the shows, they are borrowed from their owners.

This year all the boats were borrowed, says Jason Dickey.

“That’s how they are. They are all built to order. We don’t have any stock or show boats.

This year we managed to borrow two boats in Auckland, which made life a bit easier.”

WATERLINE 25

JUNE 2014

Coastguard’s new operations hub Altex Yacht & Boat Paint, suppliers of marine paints and Vivid Antifouling, congratulate BOP Marine Painting for their 5 awards for work on Dickey Boats.

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Technical Freephone: 0800 429 527

Coastguard communications in the Bay of Plenty area are going regional with the establishment of a 24 hour radio room at the eastern region’s Mount Maunganui headquarters.

It’s a development of Radio Over Internet Protocol, which will link the communications of all regional volunteer coastguard offices, allowing 24/7 radio watch to be maintained.

For boaties in the eastern region it means that no matter where they are or when, there will be someone listening when a VHF radio call is made.

The Coastguard eastern region covers an area from Whitianga, round East Cape as far as Gisborne and back up inland with Taupo and the Rotorua Lakes.

Smaller volunteer coastguard units dotted along the coast such as Whangamata, Waihi Beach, Maketu and Whakatane cannot man the 24/7 radio watch.

Tauranga, which is the biggest unit in the Eastern Region, can only offer daytime coverage.

“Essentially what we are doing is we are providing a communications network that connects all the individual units together,” says Coastguard Eastern Region regional manager Graeme Hull.

“Some units may not have any operators, in which case we will monitor them all the time. Other units might have a number of radio operators but can’t provide a 24/7 cover, so we arrange for the cover for the night. So it’s literally on a case-by-case basis.”

The 24-hour operation works by using the ROIP as opposed to Voice Over Internet Protocol – VOIP - used for phones.

When a boatie on the water calls the local coastguard on the VHF it is picked up by repeaters which feed it onto the internet and deliver it to an operator at another location.

“Because it’s an internet based radio network, it doesn’t matter where the radio operators is sitting,” says Graeme.

“I quite often joke and say they could be sitting in Bombay for all we know.

“If there’s a local operator they will man it, or as soon as they don’t have someone it goes to another dedicated operator. It’s totally seamless.

“It’s taken four years of trialling to get it to the point where it is today.

We have still got quite a lot of work to do... a big upgrade of our equipment planned this year, subject to funding.

“It’s an ongoing process. Now that we have ironed out a lot of the early teething issues with new technologies, it’s actually a great service.”

It means the Coastguard can now deliver 24/7 VHF radio cover, says Graeme.

“Call Coastguard and there will be someone listening out for you.

Prior to the network, even big units like Tauranga couldn’t offer that service.”

NZ Coastguard Eastern Region is looking for radio operators to operate the Mount Maunganui communications hub. They want a pool of about 20 operators. Possessing a marine VHF licence helps, but training can be given.

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Coral sails into Youth Olympics Tauranga windsurfer Coral Headey is among the trio of rising sailors selected to compete at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China.

Yachting New Zealand announced the side to represent NZ in windsurfing and single-handed sailing, comprising of Coral, Picton’s Alastair Gifford and Finn Croft, Auckland.

Coral and Finn will compete in the Techno 293 classes, while Alastair will take to the water in the single-handed class.

Just one spot per country is available and those spots were earned through results. The trio won their country qualification spots at their Oceania Championships; held in Manly, North Shore for the Techno 293 and Brisbane for the Byte CII. They will be supported by legendary New Zealand windsurfer and double Olympic medallist Bruce Kendall, MBE who will travel to China with the group as coach.

“These sailors are currently campaigning in youth classes and this event will provide them with a taste of what the Olympic Games are all about,” says YNZ Talent Development Manager Ian Neely.

“It’s a really great opportunity for them and I know they are very excited.”

Coral, a 15-year-old Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club member, has been windsurfing for nearly three years, having started sailing in Optimists at the age of seven-years-old at the Thames Sailing Club.

Through some fantastic support from TYPBC and Bay of Plenty Sailing Academy Trust, Coral has enjoyed success as the Girls National Champion two years in a row, as well as becoming Oceanic Girls’ Champion this year.

The sailors will fly out with the entire New Zealand team to attend the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games on August 12.

Racing begins for the sailors on Lake Jinniu on August 18 before finals on August 23.

Tauranga windsurfer Coral Headey.

Engraving gifts professionally and fast From the engine room to the helm station, and all the stops in between, there must be hundreds of places for engraving on a boat.

Engines, power supplies, fuel lines and connectors can all be clarified with engraved labels. The same with electrics and switchboards, which a skilled engraver like Barclay Engravers can produce a custom design to customer requirements.

Ian suggests people check out the Barclay Engravers website for photos of the type of work they can do on a wide variety of surfaces.

Click on all products, and commercial/industrial.

Parts, switches and dashboards can all be engraved. It doesn’t stop there. Custom crockery and glassware can take a boat’s name. And then there’s the fishing gear. Penn reels have been engraved for presentation.

Rods can also take the treatment as can outboards, rowlocks etc.

Barclay Engravers can also engrave a pretty cool fishing trophy, sailing trophy, or any other nautical celebration.

Using the latest in printing, plus rotary and laser engraving technologies, Barclay Engravers can inscribe names or special messages onto anything from wood, brass, aluminium and stainless steel, to crystal, glass, acrylic, plastic and more.

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Local boating identity passes Boating identity Murray Crapp passed away suddenly on May 24 Saturday after working on his boat Dovetail, on the hard at the Sulphur Point marina. He was 73.

Among other things, Murray is remembered for dressing in the santa suit on Christmas day, visiting the anchored yachts in Mercury Cove and delivering presents to children on board.

Murray was involved in boating and sailing out of Tauranga and the eastern coastline all his life. He started out as a house builder but slipped into boat building, fitting out a Raven 26 in the shed on his Avenues property.

Yachtie David Peet says Murray’s house was well known to sailors who used to take their sails to Murray for minor patches and repairs.

“When I first came to Tauranga he had a little keelboat, he sold that and was building one of the early Ravens,” says David. “He ordered

his without the raised deck. He ordered a hull, bought it as a shell and finished it off.

From house building Murray moved into boat building and spent a lot of time at Donald Boat Builders when the business was based out in the countryside.

The Raven named Rhumb Runner. One of the features was the Rolls Royce interlaced ‘RR’ on the bow.

Bill Faulkner remembers Rhumb Runner for the size of the spinnaker. They could always see the boat’s mast swaying back and forth like the pendulum on a grandfather clock.

He eventually sold the Avenues house and built a house at Harbour Drive, Omokoroa.

Murray owned several boats when he died.

The catamaran he was working on that he bought from Whitianga last year, the old sounds boat Resolution (featured in this edition), and a multi chine Yachting World keelboat named Gem.

Resolution as her former self Rio Rita.

Rio Rita

Rio Rita was built by Collings and Bell and launched in 1929 at St Mary’s Bay Auckland, Rio Rita later moved to the Marlborough Sounds where she took on the appearance of a more traditional bridge decker and worked the mail run, taking passengers supplies and mail to the sound settlements that in those days were only accessible by boat.

She’s built of carvel planked kauri, 12.8m LOA with a beam of 3.35m that’s 41’11” and 10’11” in imperial. They like their eleven inches at Collings and Bell because her draught of 0.91m is 2’11”.

In the style of the day Resolution has large walk around decks, wheel house side doors, and a large covered cockpit. She’s powered by 5LW 74 hp Gardiner diesel. Rio Rita was later sold to an owner in Resolution Bay in Queen Charlotte Sound, and renamed.

The late Murray Crapp bought the boat many years ago and brought her to Tauranga where she now lies on G pier at the Sulphur Point Marina.

Resolution as she is today.

Murray Crapp: Pi Picture t Bill Faulkner F lk

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International bathtub racer Whitianga bathtub racer John Booker’s tunnel hull cat that’s taken him to the top of New Zealand’s bathtub racing scene will be left behind when he takes on the competition in Canada.

John Booker.

The prize for winning the inaugural Bay of Islands Bathtub Racing Classic on May 24 was a trip to watch the World Classic Bathtub race, but moves are afoot to try and organise a bathtub for him to race in.

John’s first prize win is a trip to Nanaimo in Vancouver Sound for the World Classic Bathtub Race.

The Bay of Islands race is intended to be an annual event, with plans to have a local tub built in Nanaimo for future New Zealand winners.

Conditions and style of racing are different in Canada – and John says should he get a race, he’ll be happy to just finish.

There are about 200 entrants in the Nanaimo race. Up until now, the biggest field John’s raced in is the 15-strong field in the Labour weekend racing at Whitianga.

“I have been told out of the 200 entrants only about 25 per cent end the race,” says John.

“I think they have quite a few mechanical and hull failures and things like that and just the sea conditions they run in.

“I think you have to pace yourself pretty well over there. I think we are going to run standard class outboards, standard props.”

He’s going to get to Canada a couple days early to get the hang of their boats, and to get it tuned up and running how he likes it.

“Just changing the outboard height makes a difference to how it holds on in rough water or how much boat speed you get out of it,” says John.

Bathtub racing rules requires the bath to be built into the boat.

“Some guys build flat-bottomed boats, some build deep vees and put the bath on its side and one side of the keel. Myself, I build little tunnel hull cats and the bath is in the roof of the tunnel,” says John.

“I haven’t used any composite. My boats are real simple; just made out of ply resined over, with a little bit of glass reinforcing, but very little; just keeping it real simple, very light.

“Some of the boys have built moulds and are laying up glass boats in moulds. When we go over to Canada they run in the ocean, so it’s pretty unprotected. They generally run deep vee boats of relatively similar design.”

The New Zealand contingent going to Nanaimo this year includes second place winner Te Puke bathtub racer George Oates, the BOI race events manager Noel Brown, and their wives.

By Andrew Campbell

BATTERY WAREHOUSE

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Serious boat ...

... for the serious bluewater sport fisherman Detroit has it all. Launched 2009, Scott Robson design, built in Whanganui by Q-West and Dave Norris.

Detroit has an alloy hull and tankage, and GRP superstructure. It’s powered by twin 760hp 8V 92TA Detroit diesels delivering 25-28 knots.

The boat is game-rigged. A game chair, tuna tubes, live bait tank, tuna tower and a refrigerated fish hold make this vessel the state-of-the-art custom fishing machine.

Detroit’s accommodation is configured with four berths forward, a two-berth cabin starboard and a day toilet and shower to starboard. Port side there is a double-berth stateroom complete with ensuite.

Step up into the large roomy saloon, and you’ll enjoy wrap-around leather

settees, table and aft galley. There are two fridges, two freezers, electric two-burner oven and 900W microwave. Step down into the large roomy fishing cockpit, and it has another shower and toilet.

Detroit has the main station in the enclosed flybridge, which is well equipped with Raymarine electronics.

There’s VHF, SSB, Sonar, Majestic Stereo system throughout this vessel and flat screen TVs. Detroit has fished the South Island’s west coast tuna, Three Kings and the Northland coast with many fish-catching records. A well-proven, purpose-built vessel, with sport fishing and game fishing in mind. This vessel has just completed its four-year SSM survey and is ready to go fishing.

Detroit is on the market for $950,000.

Contact Brian Worthington, Gulf Group Marine Brokers Ltd, Tauranga. Detroit will be on J Pier at Sulphur Point.

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