Sail power to the fore at New Zealand Boat Show

By ROBIN BAILEY

One of the main criticisms of the mid-year New Zealand Boat Show has been the scarcity of sailboats on display. For this year, the organisers have addressed that gap.

The accent is still on power, but there is a lot listed that will appeal to those who love the feeling of wind in their sails at the country's longest-established marine exhibition which runs at the Auckland Showgrounds from June 3 to 7.

The Queen's Birthday Weekend show is traditionally the time many manufacturers and importers release new models, and manager Dave Gibbs says he cannot remember a year when so many exhibitors will have new product on the floor.

Virtually every boat manufacturer and importer exhibiting will be releasing new boats - family runabouts, specialist fishing boats, ski boats and sailboats.

Local manufacturer Stock Yacht Projects is launching the Kitboat 420. Designed to appeal to the aspiring home builder (an almost forgotten breed in recent years), the 420 is 4.18m long with a beam of 1.42m. Construction is a combination of 9mm and 18mm BS1088 marine plywood.

For ease of handling, the kitset breaks down into two packs of about 2.4m x 0.8 x .25m, each weighing 35kg and consisting of pre-cut computer-drawn components. There are just on 50 pre-cut and bevelled components in the kitset and the package will be offered for $1990 at the show.

Christchurch company South Shore Sails will demonstrate its innovative imports of WindRider trimarans and WindGlider multi-purpose watercraft.

The WindRider 17 is a versatile trimaran with a fully battened mainsail on a rotating mast, with telescoping beams and foot-pedal steering. The little WindGlider is a combination of windsurfer and yacht that can also be paddled like a kayak or towed behind a powerboat as a water toy. It comes in its own carry-bag and costs $1399, including GST.

At a different end of the performance ladder is the new MXR Sport Sailer. The marketing blurb says this one "combines the exhilaration of windsurfing with the simplicity of a sailing dinghy and achieves this by using a unique flared styling to create lift and stability and the ability to surge onto the plane in just 6 knots of wind."

Innovation is not restricted to the yachts. The CAT-OMIC is a powerboat based on catamaran hulls but with a centre pod to smooth the flow of water into the outboard motor.

Also confirmed for release at the show: a new version of the Sea Nymph Regal; a new Sea Nymph 7m specialist dive inflatable; new McLay 610 Hardtop Fisherman and 605 Fisherman; Stabi-Craft's just released 759 SuperCab; Fyran's new 6.3m Hardtop; Bonito's new Sport version of the popular 535; the new 2300 Legend from Rayglass (which will also be unveiling a new large boat, rumoured to be in excess of 10m); and a new 8.5m Tourist RIB from Kingfisher Boats.

Show sponsor Hutchwilco will be releasing a new Zodiac range including the Cadet line of tenders, the Futura and Classic sports boats. Explorer Inflatable Craft will be unveiling their new high-performance water jet RIBs, some of which will be powered by a 175hp marine rotary engine.

Show visitors also gain access to the American Express Snow & Outdoor Show on the one entry ticket.

Although winter-sport oriented, this exhibition includes plenty to interest boaters and their families, from tow vehicles to camping gear for those who like to go bush in search of big trout or salmon.

For the younger brigade there will be international snowboarders performing on real snow, mountain skateboarders, zorbing and a paintball challenge.

* Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show 2004, in conjunction with the American Express Snow & Outdoor Show, is at the Auckland Showgrounds, Greenlane, from Thursday, June 3 to Monday, June 7.