Christchurch Boats Dominated The Honours At The Weekend’s NZ Antique And Classic Boatshow At Lake Rotoiti In The Nelson Lakes National Park.

Over 180 boats registered for a weekend of ‘Glorious Hydromatic Relaxation’ and over a thousand people attended over the two days to view the restored boats and watch the races. These ranged from the popular Seagull outboard race with its ‘Le Mans’ start down the beach, a sailing race fuelled by the moderate breeze and the family rowing race won by a heavily laden clinker dinghy.

The Jens Hansen cup for the best overall boat went to Robert Gibson of Christchurch, with his 14’ Island class dinghy, Warrego, built in 1952 by the Royal Australian Navy and used on their training ships. Mr Gibson learnt to sail in this boat in 1963, and found it 30 years later when it was about to be chopped up for firewood. The outcome is a perfectly restored boat with varnished timber and polished brass.

Judges Steve and Don Thomas said the choice was a difficult one. “So much effort goes into the restoration of these boats – it is much more about enthusiasm than about money,” Steve Thomas noted.

Best jet boat went to Aurora, a 20’ Hamilton Jet, home built in 1955 and immaculately restored in red and white by the CWF Hamilton team. Fitted with one of only seven Hamilton Quinnat jet units ever made, Aurora was the first jet boat in the North Island. It had been in storage since 1960 and was on its first public outing in 50 years.

The new award for best steam boat went to the 24’ R Sewell Steamboat, Billy Boy, owned by Gavin Bain of Lyttelton. This award commemorates Ron Culley, one of the earliest attendees of the show who is no longer well enough to take part.
Best new restoration went to the Picton Clinker Classic Boat Club for Ruru, a 14’ 5” clinker popper dating from the early 1900s, built for the Brownlie family from Havelock. The club also took the award for best themed display.

The NZ Antique and Classic Boatshow has been held for eleven years in the spectacular setting of the Nelson Lakes National Park, with the on-water action set against a backdrop of beach forest and mountains. The weather was perfect for the weekend after an unexpected thunder storm on Friday night.

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