Building up to fever pitch

By ROBIN BAILEY

It's the start of something really big. That was the verdict after the second annual Boating Industry Training Organisation (BITO) trades challenge at Pah Farm, Kawau Island.

The challenge is a race that combines innovation and expertise.

Teams of four must build a boat to their own design, but from a restricted list of materials. They get an hour to build the boat, and then a two-person crew from the building team has to sail and paddle it around an inshore course.

Two members of each team must be apprentices. They can prepare their craft in kitset form in advance of the contest, but no components can be joined together and no holes pre-drilled. Only hand tools are allowed.

Dreamed up by BITO general manager Robert Brooke, the challenge is designed to bring staff and management of marine companies together in an exercise that lets them demonstrate teamwork, imagination and a host of practical trade skills.

Brooke, a well-respected boatbuilder in his own right, said he was astounded at the range and quality of this year's entries created by 17 teams from 13 companies.

Craft ranged from long and sleek racers, to Optimist-style yachts, dories, catamarans and outriggers.

The level of design and technology was fantastic, he says.

"I was stunned by the amount of thought and work that went into the boats - it's pretty clear why New Zealand is the world's No 1 boatbuilding nation."

All but one of the entrants successfully completed the course, although two were decidedly low in the water as they struggled towards the finish line.

Mt Wellington company McMullen and Wing out-built and out-sailed the competition to retain the title it won last year.

First-time entrant Yachting Developments took second place, just ahead of another novice team, Specialist Marine Interiors.

The building part of the challenge was held in the huge Furuno Big Top at Pah Farm that usually hosts the Lion Red Furuno fishing contest.

Once the teams were in position, the start gun - a cannon provided by John Street from A. Foster and Co, and fired by Team New Zealand shore boss Roy Mason - set off some frantic building.

The McMullen and Wing team finished first in 42 minutes, with Gough, Gough and Hamer close behind and Babcock NZ third.

The completed boats were then moved outside to be judged acceptable, seaworthy and within the contest's rules.

The expert judging panel, convened by Boating Industries Association (BIA) vice-president Phil Gilbert, consisted of Alan Wright, Ralph Roberts and John Street.

Organiser Brooke says the event has now become a fixture on the marine industry calendar and is likely to be expanded next year to become an interdominion event.

Australian BIA executive director Roy Privett was among the guests at Kawau and has taken the invitation for next year back to his members.