Tidelines: MIA president seeks a third term

Marine Industry Association president Bob Tait will seek a third term in the top job at the annual meeting on July 22. The AGM will be the 39th of the diverse grouping that began life as the Boating Industry Association and has become an important voice for the marine sector.

Boating business grows in United States

Newly released figures show sales of pleasure boats/motors in the United States reached US$9.62 billion last year, up from US$9.38 billion for 2002. Sales of personal watercraft rose from US$581 million in 2002 to US$597 million last year. The value of fishing equipment sold in 2003 was US$1.03 billion compared with $1 billion the previous year.

New holding tank for smaller craft

Just released in New Zealand is a new holding tank for big trailer boats and small moored craft. The Jabsco tank/waster management system is compact enough to fit in an under-seat locker or at the bottom of a hanging locker. It is self-contained and has a 38-litre capacity. The unit has a polyethylene tank and a macerator waste evacuation pump. The tank is easily discharged overboard (where permitted) and the system includes a dockside pump-out attachment for shore-based discharge. The system is available through the Lusty & Blundell dealer network. The recommended retail price is $1295 including GST.

Water-watch

Focus is on serious sailing this weekend with the first shorthanded sailing association race in the 2004 Simrad series.The barrier 50-miler starts off Orakei at 9am today with a fleet of at least 70 yachts expected. Orakei Wharf remains closed for repairs, but spectators will get a good view of the action from Tamaki Drive and Bastion Pt. Winter racing includes:

Saturday: MRX winter match-racing series (RNZYS); women's winter series continues (Ponsonby CC).

Sunday: Fully-crewed series continues (RAYC); Gill winter series continues (Ponsonby CC). Mid-winter fund-raising regatta (Kohimarama YC).

* Clubs and organisations planning events in or on the Waitemata or Manukau harbours should register with the ARC, (09) 366 2000.