Tidelines: Drystack plan

Westpark Marina at West Harbour is investigating a new drystack in a bid to overcome the acute summer trailer-parking problem. General manager Russell Mathieson says he has had talks with Waitakere City planners and the marina company is planning to survey trailerboat owners. Besides freeing up scarce waterfront land traditionally used to park trailers and tow vehicles, the drystack solution gets boat rigs off the roads. Drystacks are an integral part of marina developments in Australia, Asia, Europe and the United States. The only full-service drystack in Auckland is at Orams Marine at Westhaven.

Big increases

The American Marine Manufacturers' Association reports big attendances at the January San Diego Boat Show with a 7 per cent increase to 28,000 people. Similar increases have been reported from the Fort Lauderdale and New York Shows late last year and this year's San Diego show.

Women afloat

Genmar took its Women Making Waves programme to the Minneapolis Women's Expo from January 16 to 18 to ask what would make boating more enjoyable for women. The company hopes this will help to determine what women demand in terms of performance, styling and ease of handling. It took four boats to the show ranging from 5.5m to 9m.

Water-watch

The Mahurangi Festival today concludes the 150th anniversary celebrations of the first European settlement on the peninsula. More than 60 classic and traditional craft are expected to take part in the racing, which begins at 1pm. Prizegiving and a barbecue at Scott's Homestead will be followed by the anniversary ball, the climax of the celebrations. Other on-the-water activity includes:

Saturday: Cruising series (RNZYS); Cruising race (Gulf Harbour YC).

Saturday and Sunday: Flying 15 North Island Championships (RAYC); North Island teams racing regatta (Gulf Harbour YC).

Sunday: Women skippers' race (Panmure YBC); Round-the- Islands Race (Devonport YC).

* Clubs and organisations planning events in or on the Waitemata or Manukau harbours should register well in advance with the Auckland Regional Council customer service centre on (09) 366 2000. The new 24-hour response number for the ARC maritime unit is (09) 362 0397.