Boating NZ April 2023

Like many readers I’m sure, I was glued to coverage of the SailGP event in Christchurch, March 18-19. What a spectacular event and didn’t Lyttelton Whakaraupo turn it on for both the fans and the sailors? The weather wasn’t too shabby either – sunny skies with a solid 15 knots of wind, but enough shifts to keep the sailors on their toes on such a short course. The upshot was some of the closest, most exciting racing so far this season. It was gratifying to see so many people packing the sold-out grandstand beside the finish line and gathered in the event village, along with all those crowding aboard the spectator fleet, all clearly enjoying the brilliant weather and great atmosphere. Also great to see three Christchurch-built King Watercraft K5000…

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The 2023 ABD Group Classic Yacht Regatta was held in Auckland, March 3-5. Crews from around New Zealand, as well as Australia, raced 26 yachts in a five-race series. Friday’s opening race was a light wind affair, but conditions improved over the Saturday and Sunday with a southwesterly to start Race Two, increasing in the afternoon to fully stretch the sails. With the stronger wind in Race Three, Ariki A3 made an attempt to frighten the photographers on the Boating New Zealand runabout, charging under full sail and taking longer than anticipated to gybe around the Motukorea buoy. Some deft crew work on both boats ensured a safe outcome! Sunday was sunny and again breezy from the southwest. Skippers had a difficult sail selection choice to make as the wind…

The popular Parque del Drago de Icod de los Vinos (The Dragon Tree Park) on Tenerife in the Canary Islands is the result of more than two decades of ecological restoration of the last thousand-year-old dragon tree of the archipelago and its habitat. An international design competition won in 1984 by the architects Fernando Menis, Felipe Artengo and Jose María Rodríguez Pastrana saved the mythical tree of the Canary Islands. The tree, which nearly died in the 1980s, is the oldest specimen of Dracaena drago in the Atlantic archipelago, Their design was based on removing a road from which vibrations and fumes were affecting the tree, which also allowed the biodiversity around the unique specimen to recover. An exhibition, open until April 28 at El Laboratorio de Tenerife, will celebrate…

Annually hosted at the Whangarei Deep Sea Angler’s Club (WDSAC) in early March, 36 Degrees Brokers Tutukaka One Base Tournament attracts anglers from across the country for a keenly contested, fun-filled event on one of Northlands’ most beautiful coastlines. Thirty entered boats saw anglers rigging their gear and selecting their favourite lures in preparation for a whirlwind few days of fishing with loads of great prizes up for grabs. The event delivered an action-packed competition, managing a contest tally of 14 marlin, alongside a collection of tuna, mahimahi, kingfish, shortbill spearfish and snapper. www.36degrees.nz…

Eyachts is bringing Sirena Yachts’ new 48 to Australia and New Zealand. World-class quality and an immaculate finish are as much part of the Sirena Yachts’ brand as bold and distinctive design, exemplified by the Sirena 48’s attention to luxurious detailing and functionality. The boat will also offer two alternative layouts for the spacious aft cockpit – a rarity in boats under 50 feet – and there are more options around the flybridge. Standard spec is for a spacious entertaining area, with alfresco dining and a huge expanse of sun pads forward. Owners are more likely than ever to take the helm of this boat themselves, with an intuitive flybridge helm station. Like her larger sisters, the Sirena 48 has a semi-displacement hull that is efficient in displacement mode but…