Jolly good boat show

The annual New Zealand boat show enjoyed fine weather, a large pool of people and some closely contested prizes, reports ROBIN BAILEY.

Good weather, good sales reports and an all-round air of success. That's the summary after the 2001 Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show in Auckland over Queen's Birthday Weekend.

At a touch over 39,000 payers through the gate, attendance was down a bit on predictions. Organising committee chief executive Ian Witters says he felt the return of the giant pool could have attracted more through the gate.

But the back-to-the-70s water-ski show and the other activity on the pool proved popular and it looks as though it's back for good, he said.

Apart from a few traffic and parking problems on the opening day, the show has been successful for both exhibitors and patrons, with Rotorua visitor Barbara Fredericksen winning the $70,000 gate prize package.

Water Safety New Zealand and the Coastguard Boating Education Service used the gate prize promotion to help to emphasise the Skipper Responsibility message that is the safe-boating theme for 2001-2.

WSNZ marketing manager Chris Robinson said the joint promotion had been effective and Shirley Butenko from CBES reported people queuing at the stand to sign the Safe Skipper pledge.

As predicted by industry insiders, the Rayglass 2150 Legend won Boat of the Show. The winners, with a brief judging comment, were:

All Purpose Open: Rayglass 2150 Legend. Five of the new releases at the show were entered in this category. The 2150 won by a narrow margin with just 300 judging points (out of a total of more than 1500) between 1st and 6th.

All Purpose Under-6m: Reflex Chianti 515. Just 37 points between the top two boats.

GRP Fishing Boat, Open: Rayglass1950 Legend. Less than 70 points between top two boats.

GRP Fishing Boat, Under-6m: Buccaneer 550 Billfisher. Clear winner.

Aluminium Fishing Boat, Open: White Pointer 8m Hardtop. Ten boats entered in this category, but only 12 points between first and second.

Aluminium Fishing Boat, Under-6m: Sutras Workmate 5.5. Clear winner by a huge margin.

Sports Boat: Tristram 600 Sport. Five new releases in this category, with the first three well clear of the rest and just 28 points between the top two.

Launch: Genesis 400 Targa Open. One of the closest contests with just 185 points between 1st and 5th.

Yacht: Beneteau Oceanis 331. There were no entries in this category last year, five for 2001, which is encouraging.

Best New Release and Boat of the Show: Rayglass 2150 Legend. More than 20 new in this category and an incredibly high standard overall.