Powerboats and Fishing Summary

Completely new for 2006, the sleek 195 Sport from Sea RayR was designed to stand apart from the 'sea of sameness' that is so prevalent in the 17 to 20-foot market today and offers ample space for a boatload of friends to join the party. The versatile optional Wakeboard Package includes a sleek tubular, aluminum water sports tower with an integrated bimini top, wakeboard racks, snap-in carpet, and new extreme hull graphics.

Whitsunday fishing has been patchy the last two weeks with massive schools of tuna but little else. The occasional sailfish and black marlin have poked their bill up and the reef fishing has been poor. The water temperature is through the roof at 31 degrees and winds have been from the North West. Ken Bryant, Blue Marlin.

Warm water and clear skies at Port Stephens NSW is what summer is all about, and the good news for fishermen is that the fish and crabs have joined in on the festive atmosphere. Whiting, whiting and more whiting have arrived and they're biting like Bengal tigers, from Soldiers Point up to Tilligerry Creek, Lemon Tree Passage and the Karuah River. To snag these little beauties just try some savage worms on a size 4 long shank hook.

 - Bream have also taken up residence under every oyster rack although the difficult part is coaxing them out! You'll find thumping flathead weighing up to 3kg attacking soft plastics from Corrie Island to Karuah. Blue swimmer crabs are also out and about and you'd be hard-pressed at the moment to find anyone who has a bad day out on the water! Fishing Tips with John "Stinker" Clark courtesy of Scuttlebutt, Soldiers Point Marina.

The annual Brisbane Tinnie and Tackle Show, organised by the Boating Industry Association of Queensland, will co-locate with the National 4X4 Show and the Outdoors Expo again this year at the RNA Showgrounds on April 7
- 9.

More information at www.boatingoz.com.au

INDUSTRY NEWS
The Marina Association of Australia is offering two education courses in 2006. Numbers are strictly limited for both courses. Feb 18 - 20 -- A Fundamental Marina Management Course will be held in Queensland Mar 27 -30 -- The Intermediate Marina Management Course to be held in Sydney is the only Intermediate course to be held in the Southern Hemisphere in the next 18 months.

Jody Hollow, manager of the Gladesville Bridge Marina, has been awarded the inaugural Bellingham Marinas scholarship recently unveiled by the Marina Association of Australia. The scholarship covers a fully-paid attendance at the next Intermediate Marina Management course.

National Marine Safety Council CEO Maurene Horder responds to comments in the marketplace by boat plan retailer Brian Poole on the Australian Builders Plate for Recreational Boats. The Australian Builders Plate is being introduced for most new recreational boats including those imported into Australia, with the expectation that it will reduce injuries and fatalities on the water.

NSW Maritime will provide more than $740,000 in grants this year to volunteer marine rescue organisations. NSW Maritime funds the grants from boating fees. In NSW there are more than 440,000 people who hold a licence to drive a powerboat, there are 200,000 people with a registered vessel, and it is estimated that more than 1.5 million people enjoy boating statewide.

More information at www.boatingoz.com.au