Napier rowing-boat builder appeals for stolen $25,000 package to be returned

Rowing boat builder Simon Lack is appealing for the package (pictured) to be returned. Photo / NZME

A Napier rowing-boat builder is appealing for a large package to be returned no questions asked, after allegedly being stolen from a driveway with $25,000 worth of equipment inside.

SL Racing co-owner Simon Lack said the package included parts valuable for their specific boats.

However, he said they were of “absolutely no use” or value to anyone else.

The package was stolen after being dropped off by a courier 200m down the company’s driveway on Puketapu Rd, between Taradale and Puketapu.

The package was left next to a gate, which is visible from the road.

It was taken between 6.45am and 7.20am on Friday, February 27.

The larger of the two boxes pictured was allegedly stolen soon after being dropped off. Photo / Supplied

The package included eight carbon sweep riggers, destined to be used on a new eight-man boat at the Maadi Cup competition later this month.

A huge amount of work had gone into the design.

Unless they are returned, there is no way replacements can be made in time, causing huge headaches for SL Racing and the impacted high school.

“They are worth a lot of money to us but to anyone else, they look nice, but there is absolutely no use [for them],” Lack said.

“You can’t modify them. You can’t change them. They are built for our boats.”

What the missing carbon sweep riggers look like. Photo / SL Racing

He called on anyone who knew their whereabouts to get in touch, or drop the package somewhere it could easily be found.

“If they drop them off somewhere and let us know, no questions asked,” he said.

“I just want them back.”

Although they have insurance, he said he was more concerned about recovering the parts, and was offering a $200 reward.

“It’s not really about the money, it’s about getting them on the water, in use, and trying to win races.”

He said that while he could not be 100% certain the package was stolen, he could not think of another plausible explanation.

He has reported the incident to the police.

He said the 20kg package could not have fitted into a small car and would “need to be a van or station wagon or trailer, that sort of thing”.

Another smaller package was also dropped off by the courier but was not taken.

Lack did not want to comment at this stage on why a valuable package was left unattended at the gate by the courier, and is in talks with his contracted courier company.

He has cameras outside his business, but the cameras did not capture the incident.

SL Racing is a highly-regarded boat maker and its customers include Olympic athletes, such as gold medallist Emma Twigg.

Police confirmed they have been notified of the incident.