Tabla de contenidos para December 2024 en Boating NZ

December edition already with Christmas and the summer break just around the corner! Strangely enough, December’s magazine, while always very much a big summer issue, isn’t really our Christmas special. The reason is simple – everyone, including printers and magazine editors, takes a break for the statutory holidays. Consequently, December’s magazine, this one, comes out on November 21 and it’s our January 2025 issue, out on December 19, that readers can look forward to on their summer holiday. In this issue we wrap up our America’s Cup AC37 coverage from Lana Mihelčič in Barcelona, where Emirates Team New Zealand successfully defended the Cup for the third consecutive time. It was a remarkable achievement for Grant Dalton and his team, backed by some very impressive and innovative technology from New Zealand’s…

With less than a month to go until the 2025 season opener in Dubai, SailGP has revealed its starting line-up and largest fleet yet. A total of 11 teams will race in Dubai on November 23-24, with debut performances from Mubadala Brazil and an incoming Italian team spearheaded by SailGP legend Jimmy Spithill. France meanwhile will sit out the first event as it waits for its in-progress F50 to be completed, and will join the fleet in Auckland in January 2025. Elsewhere, teams have been unveiling their crew line-ups, with Switzerland announcing an almost brand new crew and Mubadala Brazil presenting an experienced roster after a series of high-profile transfers, including New Zealand flight controller Andy Maloney. www.sailgp.com…

Default KiwiSaver and Investment Fund Manager Simplicity has announced that its Private Equity Fund has acquired 35.9% of the Invercargill based Stabicraft Marine. The acquisition is the seventh for the Private Equity Fund, which invests in successful privately-owned New Zealand businesses. Established in 1987, Southland-based Stabicraft has grown significantly to become a household name in New Zealand, renowned for its high-quality fishing and adventure boats. Stabicraft founder, Paul Adams, remains the major shareholder and director. “We’re excited to have a New Zealand owned private equity shareholder like Simplicity onboard to continue the Stabicraft legacy,” he said. “We’re really looking forward to building on our success.” Sam Stubbs, Managing Director of Simplicity said, “We’re delighted to make this investment, which is focused on generating long-term returns for our members, while providing…

You’d be forgiven for not immediately recognising the Omikron Yachts brand. That’s because the yachtbuilder – based in Lavrio, just south of Athens, Greece – has been born out of parent company Olympic Marine, and the OT-60 is the first model to launch from the yard. The yacht has made a fast and hard impression, however – the OT-60 was presented at this year’s Düsseldorf boat show, where it was awarded European Power Boat of the Year in the long-range yacht category. A SAILOR’S MOTORYACHT So, what makes the OT-60 so special? The clue is in Omikron’s ethos for the model – a motor yacht that feels like a sailboat and, equally, a yacht that emotes feelings of calmness, serenity and luxury. Sailing-yacht hull forms make excellent bases when range…

Nestled behind the 6800’s wheel I looked pensively seaward as I pushed the throttles down to depart the Gold Coast Seaway. I’d glanced at the company representatives to ensure they were in agreement, because a fairly hefty swell awaited us outside. Earlier in the day, I’d done my walk-through of the very first 6800 Sport Yacht, the largest model in the Sport Yacht range so far after the 4600, 5400 and 6000. At a tad under 73-feet long (22.3m), this is a lot of boat to cope with as an owner-driver, something most Australians and New Zealanders choose. However, this vessel was destined for its American premiere at this year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and has enough space to include a crew cabin, along with three or four guest…

Our review day was special for Simon. He was celebrating REDHOT Marine’s 13th birthday, as well as recently being awarded Yamaha Service Dealer of the Year, 2024. Simon is a successful powerboat racer who uses his experience expertly setting up boats for customers at his dealership. Test day had dawned wet and windy, so we first took some time inside to look over the new Extreme 795 Game King and discuss several new features Simon had requested from Extreme Boats. In terms of layout, Extreme had incorporated a new central live bait tank, a new wheelhouse design with enclosed rear doors and a window; and a flexible internal layout with a drop-down table and expanded upholstery options. On the power and control side, the key words from Simon were “Integration…

BENETEAU MARKS its 140th anniversary with the launch of the all-new First 30. The First 30, an iconic name in the First range, offers two deck layouts – one tailored for day sailors and cruisers, and another for racers – both featuring spacious cockpits with ergonomic features. In collaboration with Seascape, Beneteau assembled a world-class team to create a yacht that blends performance with comfort. The interior reflects sustainable design, with cork flooring, magnetic doors, smart storage, and ambient lighting, creating a cosy, modern feel. Whether for a relaxing cruise or competitive racing, the First 30 offers versatility and innovation in equal measure. www.36degrees.nz…

For example, on a boat just over 35-feet long (the 34.1 is 10.77m LOA), you’re unlikely to need three separate double-berth cabins, so this boat comes standard with two generous cabins (three optional). You don’t really need two heads, either, so that space can be better utilised to provide a separate shower compartment. Storage space is always to be at a premium, so why not convert the port quarterberth into something really practical and usable, like a handy ‘garage’ for stashing sails and water toys? And how often do you need to use the chart table? Wouldn’t it be practical to have it fold up out of the way most of the time, meaning the settee can be a decent length and act as an extra berth as required? It’s…

Although it was nearly 50 years ago, I still clearly remember my first trip offshore. I don’t remember much about the day, or whether or not we caught any fish. But I vividly remember the ride out to our spot, with the boat careening from wave to wave like some sort of crazy fibreglass dolphin porpoising from crest to crest, bouncing and crashing for what seemed like an eternity before we finally arrived at our destination. Worse still was the realisation we would have to do it all over again to get back home, and the question of what would give out first – my kidneys, or my knees? I don’t get seasick, and I wasn’t fearful for my life, but the ride was just plain uncomfortable – to the…

WELCOME TO ‘A VERY BRIEF HISTORY OF…’ RESEARCHING THE HISTORY OF EVERYDAY MARINE TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION AND EVENTS KIWI BOATIES LOVE (OR LOATHE). The history of the anchor dates back more than 4,500 years, with early versions unsurprisingly being rocks with holes in them for securing to a rope. These primitive ‘proto-anchors’ can still occasionally be found on the shores of Cornwall in the UK as well as many other seafaring nations. Technology improved around 2000BC with the development of a combined stone and wood anchor, creating flukes (teeth) that would stop it from dragging along the sea floor. THE GREEKS Various combinations of wood, rope, stone, as well as anything heavy (like a bag of sand or lumps of lead) followed on, with Greek author Apollonius Rhodius writing about these…

RACE DATES 2025 January 25-26th – Napier February 15-16th – Taupo March 22-23rd – Whitianga New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Association’s (NZOPA) new season kicks off in Napier on January 25, 2025. There’s a new format with four races per weekend – two on Saturday and two on Sunday – across three venues to help keep costs down for participants. Also new this season is the re-introduction of the 140hp class, which was once very popular. There’s been great interest in this class, which is restricted to two- or four-stroke, four-cylinder outboards with a maximum capacity of 2.1 litres. Minimum boat length is 16 feet (4.88m). In addition, NZOPA is introducing ‘Nominated Speed’ races to entice more boat owners to get involved. Nominated speed works like this: the driver nominates a…

Fortunately, he nails it first go and with the pressure off, heads out with his mate on their fishing mission. It is a scenario many of us have experienced at one stage or another, with varying outcomes. For the inexperienced trailer boater, or someone learning the ropes, among the biggest fears or hurdles they anticipate include dealing with a busy boat ramp, along with those docking procedures that are often part of the boat launching process. The Boy Scouts motto is ‘Be Prepared’. Baden Powell, the founder of that movement, may not have had backing a boat trailer and launching a boat on his mind when he came up with it, but he nailed it. Preparation begins well before you leave home, boat in tow, for a day on the…

After two months of drama, disappointment for some, and joy for others, the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup has come to an end. The oldest sporting trophy in the world was successfully defended and once again raised high by Emirates Team New Zealand, making them the first team in the modern history of the America’s Cup to achieve this feat three times in a row. In the final event of the competition, the New Zealanders decisively defeated the British team Ineos Britannia, which earned its right to compete in this edition of the America’s Cup after deservedly winning the Louis Vuitton Cup. While the Louis Vuitton Cup final was a thrilling event, the Kiwis were just too strong for any real competition to develop in the America’s Cup. The Ineos…

Simon is a marine mechanic with a love of powerboat racing, an expert when it comes to setting up outboard powered boats. He started REDHOT Marine in 2011 in the wake of Powerboat Centre’s closure. Originally a workshop and mobile outboard servicing business with no dealerships, REDHOT Marine began life in a small 250m² facility in Seaview, but Guard’s vision was always to grow the business. In 2015 REDHOT Marine secured a sought-after Yamaha outboards dealership, which allowed it to boost its repower business. A year later REDHOT won its first boat dealership, Extreme Boats, whose larger hardtop models quickly proved popular with Wellington boaties. With Extreme onboard, REDHOT had transoms for Yamaha outboards. The new dealerships stimulated business growth, prompting a move to larger premises, also in Seaview. REDHOT’s…

SARGO BOATS is proud to announce the launch of SARGO 31 Outboard, a groundbreaking addition to its rugged, seaworthy fleet and the first SARGO model equipped with outboard engines. The SARGO 31 Outboard is tailored for those seeking extra power, speed, and agility in coastal waters, with all the robust features SARGO is known for. Outboard power introduces a new dimension of versatility, making this model ideal for faster travel, easier maintenance, and improved shallow-water access. It also expands storage space, enhancing onboard comfort for the whole family or crew. The SARGO 28 will also be offered in an outboard version, promising a similar boost in performance and manoeuvrability, appealing to a new generation of boaters who value versatility and powerful design in a compact package. With both the SARGO…

ONSHORE MARINE ENGINEERING has opened a new workshop in Rosedale on Auckland’s North Shore. The space features a showroom where customers – whether seasoned marine professionals or a first-time boat owners – can explore the latest FPT engines, renowned for reliability and performance. These engines showcase the power and precision Onshore Marine Equipment stand behind. A dedicated customer support team offers everything from expert guidance to stocking the essential parts and oils that keep your vessel in top condition. They are dedicated to providing the highest level of service and expertise from their new location. www.onshoremarine.co.nz…

WARREN EVANS, a vastly experienced systems engineer with a background in building and integrating electrical and electronic systems, has joined Lusty & Blundell as a specialist service engineer. “With his 30-year history of designing, integrating and trouble-shooting advanced electrical and electronic systems (including those integrating optics and AI technology), Warren is the perfect fit for L&B as we pivot more into these areas,” says L&B managing director, Mark Milburn. Warren Evans will be based at Lusty & Blundell’s headquarters and showroom in Albany on Auckland’s North Shore. www.lusty-blundell.co.nz…

Born in 1951, Hugh was the second son of a Waikato farming couple, Eric and Gladys Stewart. Aged 14, Stewart had to leave school to manage the family farm when his father became ill. However, he started a motor mechanic’s apprenticeship with Holmes and Ryan Garage in Te Rapa 18 months later. “I was always interested in pulling things apart and putting them back together. They serviced everything: cars, trucks, tractors, farm equipment, and even vintage cars.” After completing his apprenticeship in 1972, Stewart joined Gillard’s Water Pumps to manage its vehicle fleet. After a couple of similar jobs in Hamilton and a stint operating his own garage in the late 1970s, Stewart joined Moller Motors Retail in Hamilton. Then, Moller was the importer and distributor of Volvo, Citroen, Jaguar,…

Puzzle no.325 Across 1. This can be used instead of rowlock (5,3) 6. ____ out – fits boat with latest gadgets (4) 8. Sheen of polished brightwork on boat (6) 9. These form on metal boat fittings that have no protective sealant (6) 10. ____ fishing – angling for the big ones! (4) 11. Your boating companion (8) 13. Skin _____ – measurement of yacht hull (5) 14. _____ hole - small storage compartment on boat (5) 16. Traditional sailor songs (8) 20. Swimmer’s ____ – skin irritation caused by exposure to tiny larvae in sea (4) 21. Ease or slacken nautical line (3,3) 23. _____ up – what sailing boat is said to do when it heads into wind (6) 25. Winch used to hoist anchor (8) Down 2.…

Emirates Team New Zealand concluded a historic chapter, winning the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup 7-2 after an epic final showdown in Barcelona against the Challenger of Record, INEOS Britannia, in a single race that ebbed and flowed from the outset but ultimately saw the Kiwis secure victory by 37 seconds. Emirates Team New Zealand have officially made history as the first continuous team to win the America’s Cup three times in a row, and the sense of elation around the dockside was palpable.…

Why not give a Coastguard membership to the boaties in your life this Christmas? Give the gift of peace of mind on the water this Christmas with a Coastguard membership. Enjoying time out on the water with friends and whānau is what Kiwi boating is all about. But things don’t always go to plan out there, a flat battery or dodgy engine can ruin any boatie’s day. That’s where Coastguard has your back this Christmas. With a Coastguard Membership boaties are covered 24/7 for on-water breakdowns, flat batteries, fuel issues, and more. We’ll get them up and running or back to shore safely without a steep towing fee. Because if things do turn pear-shaped out there and they’re not a member, it could cost them $350 an hour for non-urgent…

TOW WEIGHT ISSUES DEAR EDITOR, I have read the article in the November 2024 issue on towing by Grant Dixon and noted an important omission from the many salient points he has made. This omission is consideration of the two maximum load capacities specified by a vehicle’s manufacturer, i.e. Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) – the maximum all up weight for the tow vehicle including the trailer towball down-load (~10% of the trailer weight), and… Gross Combination Mass (GCM) – the combined all up weight of the towing vehicle and the trailer. Whilst vehicle manufacturers have succumbed to market pressure to rate their vehicle’s towing capacity at 3,500kg, you need to dig deeper into the numbers to determine what your tow vehicle can actually carry (payload) and tow. Toyota Australia has…

And so it was in our low-key Up the Creek adventure at the Pataua Estuary in Te Tai Tokerau Northland. It was lovely, precisely because it was so laid-back. With Skyborne, our 12m cruising catamaran up on the hard at Norsand Boatyard in Whangarei for much-deferred maintenance (hard labour for me, tough going on the bank account too), we thought we’d take a break to go visit an old friend who lives at the small seaside settlement of Pataua. And check on her new bloke. (Turns out he’s top-shelf – a dedicated classic boats yachtsman and craftsman too, so he certainly passed muster.) Where? Pataua is a little-known, little-appreciated slice of heaven in two parts. On the East coast of the North Island, halfway between Whangarei Heads and Tutukaka. Pataua…

INNOVISION BOATS has announced the launch of the IV7000 Amphibious Hard Top. This latest model offers unmatched versatility, with amphibious capabilities and a durable hardtop design tailored for both adventurous and leisurely outings on the water. Built to Innovision Boats’ exacting standards and equipped with the ulra-reliable Anura all-terrain wheel system, the IV7000 seamlessly transitions from water to land, eliminating the need for trailers and boat ramps and simplifying access to remote beaches and shorelines. The hardtop offers shelter from the elements, ensuring a comfortable experience in all weather conditions along with stability, and a smooth ride even in challenging marine conditions and the 7m vessel offers a spacious layout suitable for fishing, family outings, and extended trips. The IV7000 is backed by a 10-year structural warranty. Check out the…

LUSTY & BLUNDELL is now distributing Digital Yacht products in New Zealand. L&B offer an extensive range of local inventory with fast delivery and a reliable support team and service for its full line of products. Digital Yacht manufactures a niche and innovative range of marine electronics, including AIS systems, navigation sensors, 4G/5G routers, marine PCs, and a wide variety of networking devices and NMEA gateways for integrating tablets, sensors and PCs into boat systems. Nicolas Guerin, Head of Sales at Digital Yacht, commented, “Boating is New Zealand’s largest recreational activity with over 350,000 boats, so it’s time for Digital Yacht to expand our business in New Zealand. Lusty & Blundell is the leading marine distributor in New Zealand and will provide excellent sales and technical support.” www.lusty-blundell.co.nz…

SYDNEY BROTHERS Sam and Ryan Short of Short Marine have announced their further expansion into the New Zealand market, joining forces with Sean Condon and Lauren Thomas, owners of Auckland’s highly regarded Condon Marine Services (CMS). This strategic alliance will introduce New Zealanders to Short Marine’s portfolio of globally acclaimed boat brands: Grady-White Boats, Valhalla Boatworks, Viking Yachts, and Capelli RIBs. Each of these brands has built a solid reputation for world class quality and performance. Grady-White’s renowned seaworthiness and diverse range of leisure and fishing boats, Valhalla’s power-packed high performance centre-console designs, Viking Yachts renowned as the world’s leading boat builder in Luxury Sports Fishing Yacht space and Capelli’s sleek Italian style make them top choices for anyone who loves life on the water. “We couldn’t think of a…

SAILGP HAS CONFIRMED that its new high-speed T-Foils will be added to its entire international fleet of F50s in January 2025, ahead of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Auckland. SailGP CEO Russell Coutts said the development would be a ‘game changer,’ anticipating the league’s latest upgrade would bring faster speeds and the most competitive racing to date. The global racing championship has carried out testing over the past 18 months at venues around the world, with a number of teams getting first-hand experience of the new test foils in training. The Canada SailGP Team clocked 101.98kph (in a wind speed of 32kph) using the new foils while testing in San Francisco, the fastest-ever speed registered on an F50. The T-Foils will replace the existing L-Foils that have…

One only has to walk into a well-stocked fishing tackle shop to see a plethora of jigs available. And because most are designed for specific circumstances and techniques, they come in a huge variety of shapes, weights and colours. Such a variety, in fact, that we will restrict ourselves to types weighing up to 200g – basically ‘snapper-type’ jigs. So which ones might suit your needs and how should they be used? First though, we need to acknowledge the huge impact braided line has had on our ability to fish jigs effectively. A third the diameter of monofilament nylon and possessing very little stretch, there’s less surface area and therefore less water resistance to hold up the line, and anglers can feel every little touch or bite and also more…

There are legions of sailors (and, I’ll bet, launch owners) who haven’t the faintest interest in a boat with two hulls (and please, don’t call cat hulls pontoons). Traditionalists, wooden-boat aficionados, keeler cruiser/racers, folks with limited mooring space and tight boat-buying budgets – nope, not us. Happy where we are. But it doesn’t cost anything to look and learn, does it? And never say never, right? My wife, Harriet and I grew up as staunch mono-hullers. Our parents owned a gaggle of single-hulled boats, from racing dinghies to cruiser/racers. The hallowed names of legendary yacht designers and America’s Cup winners and solo circumnavigators are imprinted in our consciousness. Back in the day, man, those were real sailors. Those were real boats. But times and needs and boats change, and in…

Rarely does the opportunity to own an iconic vessel, like the Grand Banks 53 Aleutian, present itself. With only a limited number of boats built in this model range, true Grand Banks enthusiasts will recognize the rarity and value of this opportunity, especially with this gem available right here in New Zealand. Recently serviced and in possession of a clean hull certificate, this vessel offers a turn-key opportunity for you to enjoy the upcoming summer in sophisticated style and privacy. UNIQUE FEATURES AND IMPRESSIVE SPECIFICATIONS This Grand Banks 53 is further distinguished by its extended hull and custom-built Carbon Fibre Hydraulic Swim Platform, boasting an impressive overall length of 64.63 feet (19.7 meters). The vessel has been the pride and joy of a single owner since new, and it has…