Boating NZ September 2021

Tempting fate Welcome to the September 2021 issue of Boating New Zealand, my first as editor. This is my second attempt at the Editorial Comment. My first was themed around how fortunate we are to live in this country, with its relative freedom in a Covid-19 restricted world, especially in the light of what’s happening to our closest neighbours. Then, not two hours after I despatched the story to the printers, came the bombshell announcement of Covid-19 community transmission in Auckland, the first case in 169 days. It was quickly followed by a nationwide Level 4 lockdown. Had I tempted fate writing about New Zealand’s good fortune to be Covid-free? While the whole world was (and is) caught up in the Covid-19 pandemic, by some combination of good management, geographical…

ENTRIES OPEN FOR SAILING WEEK ENTRIES TO NEW ZEALAND’S BIGGEST MULTI-DAY KEELBOAT REGATTA ARE NOW OPEN, AS CRC BAY OF ISLANDS SAILING WEEK ORGANISERS BEGIN THE COUNTDOWN TO THE EVENT’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION. Well over 100 boats are expected to take part in the regatta from 25 to 28 January, 2022, with entries regularly attracted from around New Zealand and overseas. CRC Bay of Islands Sailing Week, which falls in the week before Auckland and Northland Anniversary Weekend each year, enjoys broad appeal among sailors thanks to the variety of divisions and courses on offer. The Notice of Race and online entry form can be found at www.bayofislandssailingweek.org.nz …over 100 boats are expected to take part in the regatta from 25 to 28 January, 2022… MOTITI PROTECTION AREA NOW IN…

Italian manufacturer Azimut is the world’s largest producer of large luxury powerboats, building a full range of motor-yachts from its seven shipyards in Italy for more than 50 years; and it has seen no let-up in demand despite the global pandemic. The company is currently taking orders for 2022–23, and it’s not just European owners getting in on the action: five Azimuts were sold to Kiwi owners last year and an additional five sales in 2021 include a second S7 to be launched here in November. “People are becoming more conscious of luxury products here – look at the cars you see on the roads these days,” says David Hawke of Azimut’s New Zealand agent Pinnacle Marine. “Many owners are demanding more style, luxury, sophistication and technology from their…

Some 10 years in planning, the new Waikawa NorthWest Marina is nearing completion and will create 251 additional berths just north of the existing Waikawa Marina. Catering for vessels between 12 and 30m LOA, the marina will also include a number of purpose-built berths for multihulls. The first berths are scheduled to become available this summer, with the marina completed by mid-2022. The project – Port Marlborough’s largest capital development to date – will relieve much of the pressure on the existing marinas at Picton, Waikawa and Havelock. Picton and Waikawa have both been at near capacity for a number of years – so the new facility will be particularly appealing to visiting boaties wishing to explore the Sounds. Port Marlborough estimates around half of the new berths will be…

The latest launches from Riviera, Riva, Lagoon, Prestige and more will vie for attention with amphibious vessels and the latest component technology at this year’s Auckland Boat Show. Since the show’s first edition in 1998, it has become a focal point for new, innovative and industry-leading products from its position on Auckland’s waterfront. This year’s show, which will run from a new location at Jellicoe Harbour, previously the America’s Cup team bases, will have a bumper range of exciting new products when it lands on October 7. Among the impressive vessels on show with Riviera, the Riviera 5400 Sport Yacht Platinum edition boasts an entertainer’s cockpit with sunroof, barbecue and wet bar, central aft galley, spacious saloon, helm station with sports-inspired console, master stateroom, guest accommodation and maximised storage throughout,…

Located in Gabador Place, Mt Wellington, just five minutes off the motorway and conveniently close to Sylvia Park Mall, Tamaki Marine Park will be Auckland’s newest and most modern marine precinct once construction is completed later this year. The area already has an established marine presence, with boat builders McMullen and Wing and Chris McMullen on the site’s southern boundary and the Rayglass Boats service centre next-door to the north. Being located only five minutes off Auckland’s southern motorway, with easy access enroute to the shops at Sylvia Park Mall, it’s perfectly positioned for pre-departure provisioning or as somewhere to drop off the family while doing odd jobs on the boat. Once at Tamaki Marine Park, there is plenty of secure parking and once the lines are thrown off, Browns…