Boating NZ February 2020

This time of the year always presents the crew here at the magazine with a multitude of material in the form of anniversary celebrations, regattas and boat shows. A collection of events that are unique in the sense that they bring together such extraordinary diversity – all within a single industry. It spans everything from small sailing dinghies to luxurious superyachts, from century-old, steam-powered launches to modern cruisers, from meticulously-restored classics to state-of-the-art racing machines. Where else in the world are you likely to find such variety compressed into a few weeks? It all begins with the CRC Bay of Islands Sailing Week – this year in its 18th edition and featuring its biggest-ever fleet of entries. A week later the country’s biggest city celebrates its 180th anniversary with the…

Today climate change is transforming the Arctic at the fastest rate in human history. This May the British Museum opens a major exhibition detailing the history of the Arctic and its indigenous peoples, through the lens of climate change and weather. The Arctic’s been home to communities for nearly 30,000 years, cultures that have lived with the challenges of one of the planet’s most dynamic environments. Today climate change is transforming the Arctic at the fastest rate in human history. The exhibition – Arctic: Culture and Climate – comprises a large and diverse circumpolar collection. From rare, 28,000-year old archaeological finds excavated from the thawing ground in Siberia, to unique tools and clothing adapted for survival, they reflect the extraordinary relationship between Arctic people and their world. The Arctic Circle…

New research points to fishing bycatch as a major cause of the alarming decline of Antipodean albatrosses. The Department of Conservation report underlines the need for urgent action to fix New Zealand’s fishing rules, says Forest & Bird. Published late last year, the report (Antipodean wandering albatross census and population study on Antipodes Island 2019) confirms the number of female Antipodean albatross has fallen to 42% of their 2004 numbers. The species has a ‘nationally critical’ threat status. “The Antipodean albatross is one of the great albatrosses of the world, with a wingspan of three metres or more. We have a special responsibility to protect this bird which breeds almost exclusively on our Antipodes Island in the Sub-Antarctic,” says Forest & Bird seabird advocate Sue Maturin. “The research, which tracked…

A review of an Etchells mould created by the Australian Association in 2011 is underway, following queries about the symmetry of the mould, along with the laminating schedule used to create the actual vessels. Over its 50-year history the Etchells Class has regularly reviewed itself to ensure uniformity across the three licensed builders (one each in the UK, Canada and Australia). All items that require a modification to the Class Rules (say electric bilge pumps), go through the Technical Committee for analysis before being voted on by the Governors. The Class Measurer also undertakes reviews at World Championships, and liaises with the builders throughout the year, including factory visits. In 2011, the Australian Association produced a new mould from scans of boats produced by all three existing moulds. This was…

The 2020 edition of the New Zealand Millennium Cup (29 January – 1 February) has attracted unprecedented interest from the international superyacht market – heralding the start of a bumper series of superyacht events leading into next year’s 36th America’s Cup. The most-recent big name to come onboard is Italian superyacht powerhouse, Benetti Yachts, which joins last month’s signing, Royal Huisman. “Benetti is very pleased to join the New Zealand Millennium Cup,” says Peter Mahony – Asia Pacific general manager at Benetti Yachts. “With the 36th America’s Cup fast approaching for New Zealand, we see the opportunity for superyachts to explore the amazing South Pacific and we hope this will include many Benetti yachts.” “We see the addition of Benetti to the sponsorship family as a significant milestone as we…

Maritimo’s international race team was crowned UIM XCAT World Champions and XCAT Pole Position World Champions in Dubai late last year – becoming the first team in XCAT history to win both titles and also the first non-UAE team to win a world championship. Maritimo’s lead designer and race team member Tom Barry-Cotter says the win came after a year of high and lows and was a long way from the serious accident that saw the team’s boat destroyed in an accident in April 2018. “We competed in a new boat designed and built by Maritimo on the Gold Coast and first raced in Italy in Round 1 where it secured pole position and second place in Race 1 in its first outing. We developed the boat all year, improving…