Seresin Estate Antique and Classic Boat Show Results
Lake Rotoiti - Nelson Lakes National Park
March 7 & 8 2009

A 1930s style barrelback speedboat from Auckland was the overall winner of the Jens Hansen Cup at the tenth Seresin Estate Antique and Classic Boat Show, held at Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park over the weekend.

Launched in 2005, Bootlegger is made from mahogany, kauri and walnut and powered by a 350ci V8 Chevrolet engine. Judge John Moore of Sail Nelson said Bootlegger’s unusual stern leads to interesting lines.
“The back of the boat ‘folds in’ and she rides extremely cleanly through the water,” he said. “She won a race against larger boats which shows how sleek she is.”

The judges commented on the high quality finish to the boat, including the brass and chromed ‘cut water’ on the bow, and highly varnished hull. They were also impressed that owner, Greg Roy, had made a miniature 10ft version of the craft for his daughters.

Greg found plans for the 19ft 6in craft on the Internet and spent five years building the boat at his home in Howick.
“This style of boat was built by companies like Chris-Craft and Hacker in the late 1930s, and was often used to bootleg whiskey - that’s where I got the idea for the name.”

Greg, and wife Leigh are first time entrants to the South Island show.

This year celebrates the 10th anniversary of the boat show and organiser Pete Rainey said when he came up with the idea of an event celebrating antique and classic boats, he had no idea it would go on to draw significant craft and their owners from right around New Zealand.

“It’s the human touch to classic boating that makes it such an absorbing pastime - the passion and dedication of the owners,” he says “It’s quite sobering to think that these old boats will probably outlive us all - so it’s good to enjoy them while we can.”

Other awards included:
Best Original Row Boat: Blue Pearl - owner Ian Fowke, of Brightwater
Best Jet propelled craft: Steady On - owner Mathew Newton of Christchurch
Best non-powered craft: Phoenix - owner, Richard Shepard of Wakefield
Best powered craft: No Catchem – owners Peter and Angela Morton, Nelson

ENDS