Hydromatic Relaxation At Nelson Lakes

The NZ Antique and Classic Boat Show
Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park
March 5-6 2011

From elegant steamboats to clunky clinkers – the labours of love of the vintage boating world will be displayed at Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park on March 5 & 6 in a weekend of ‘Glorious Hydromatic Relaxation’.

The NZ Antique and Classic Boatshow, now in its 13th year, continues to grow in the number and quality of craft presented, as well as the number of people attending to view the boats and the action.

Organiser Pete Rainey says there’s a word of mouth buzz in the boating community: “Owners just can’t resist the opportunity to show off their boats, whether it’s the walnut veneer on the dash or the finely polished alloy on a restored motor, the opportunity to compare and contrast and to swap stories with other like-minded boaties is just irresistible – then there’s the pleasure of watching blokes trying and sometimes failing to start their motors for the Seagull dinghy race!”

The format on both days is the same – on shore displays in the morning and races on the lake in the afternoon. Judging will take place on Saturday, ahead of an evening awards dinner at the Alpine Lodge. Rainey says judging for Jens Hansen Trophy is not all about looks.

“History comes into it and the way it’s constructed and engineered,” he said. “It’s not necessarily the most valuable or expensive boat that wins, but the one that stands out for the judges as being special, or memorable.”

Among the contenders this year will be the SS Flirt – a newly constructed replica with many of the fittings from the original 1894 Royal Mail delivery boat.
There are other awards including prizes for best new restoration, best steamboat, best jet-propelled craft and best themed display.

Races will be held for yachts, row boats, seagull motored dinghies, poppers, canoes, child rowers and swimmers. Responding to demand from attendees there will be a Sunday morning longer race up the lake, limited to non-planing hulls or motors 5hp and under.

Boating heritage devotees will want to make time on Sunday morning for a meeting on the feasibility of a permanent home for classic boating at St Arnaud.
“Although early days, the concept of a classic boat museum with associated community facilities has a lot of merit,” Rainey. “With the track record the boat show has already laid down there wouldn’t be a better venue in the country than St Arnaud.”

All boats will be checked for noxious aquatic weeds, and oil leaks before entering the water; and boaties are reminded to be aware of minimising the spread of didymo. And remember DOC has released Kiwi into the National Park very close to where the show takes place, so no antique and classic dogs please!

ENDS

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