Weekly Powerboat and Fishing Summary

SKIING

Streaker Boats has put together a special introductory package to celebrate their appointment as the sole Lewis Ski Boats dealer for Victoria. Streaker Boats is offering a highly optioned Lewis Eclipse as a complete turnkey package on a tandem trailer for $65,490. The Lewis Eclipse is powered by a MerCruiser 350 Towsport mid mount engine, with forward, neutral and reverse transmission. The bow section is one of the largest on the market. There is a large rear storage locker, side pockets and a full length storage unit behind the observer’s seat and under the deck. The Lewis name has been at the forefront of Australian water skiing since the 1930’s.

POWERBOAT RACING

The WPPA has issued the final points and classifications for the 2009 UIM-WPPA Class 1 World Powerboat Championship. Fazza’s Arif Al Zafeen and Nadir bin Hendi end the year as Class 1 World, Middle East and Edox Pole Position Champions. Victory 1’s Mohammad Al Mehairi and Jean-Marc Sanchez, the 2009 Class 1 European Champions, who tragically lost their lives in what was the last race of the season, were runners-up to their team-mates, with Kolbjorn Selmer and Jorn Tandberg in Welmax taking third place. Maritimo 11 raced by Australian Tom Barry-Cotter and Pal Virik Nilsen from Norway were fifth. Class-1.com.au.

Sunraysia will host the first ever UIM World Unlimited Displacement Powerboat Championships at Gol Gol NSW, approximately ten kilometres north east of Mildura, from October 15-17, 2010. Competitors from America and New Zealand are set to compete. The engines, commonly known as Blown Alcohol, are supercharged and fuel injected, ranging from 400 to 700 cubic inches.

The horsepower developed by these engines range from 1200 to 2500 horsepower. With advanced technology some of the unlimited engines utilise turbo chargers, producing similar horsepower, with boats reaching speeds of up to 150mph (240kph). The methonal used in the engines is accepted as one of the most environmentally friendly fuels used worldwide. For more information see http://www.ausapba.com.au/ and http://www.fastwater.com.au/.

Reigning Powerboat P1 SuperSport class World Champions, Aaron Ciantar and Viktor Shemchuk, will step up in class in 2010, driving in the Evoulution class. Power Boat P1.com.

FISHING

A two day compliance operation by Industry & Investment (I&I) NSW Fisheries Officers on the Mid North Coast, targeting the unlawful use of crab and fish traps resulted in the seizure of one hundred and seventy illegal crab traps. Up to five hoop or lift nets and one crab trap of legal size per person is allowed in areas open to this method of fishing. More details.

SAFETY & RESCUE

A 47-year-old woman died following a catamaran crash in Townsville on Sunday 20 December. Early investigations suggest that around 9.30pm the 55-foot catamaran crashed into the rock break wall at the Townsville Port. The vessel became stuck on the rocks and then began to sink. Police and Queensland Ambulance Service officers treated 12 other injured people at the scene before they were transported to Townsville Hospital. Their injuries included cuts, bruises and abrasions. Police investigations are continuing. More details.

Newcastle Helicopters Pty Ltd will conduct NSW State Government summer shark surveillance trials covering 202km of coastline every weekend and each public holiday between 19 December 2009 and 10 January 2010 inclusive and the Australia Day 2010 long weekend. Sharks spotted will be reported from the helicopter direct to appropriate surf life saving bodies. Information and advice on swimmer safety is available from www.industry.nsw.gov.au/sharksmart.

NEWS BRIEFS

Runaway Bay Marina on the Gold Coast has completed stage two of a three-stage renovation. The marina now has 195 floating berths for vessels from 8m-18m (26ft-59ft), plus two fixed 20m (66ft) berths, a 50m (164ft)-long loading dock and a 60m (197ft) fuel jetty. New upgraded electrical services include an option for single or three-phase power.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

- Dec 27 – Jan 24 – Kids on Deck – The National Maritime Museum’s summer school holiday program in Darling Harbour, Sydney. Children five to ten years enjoy the magic and mystery of dragons, unicorns and mermaids. Wet world is for children three to nine years to participate in fun activities exploring the properties of water. More details.

- Dec 31 - New Year’s Eve - Spectacular fireworks are fired off the Sydney Harbour Bridge, barges, and city skyscrapers at 9pm and midnight. Over 50 charter vessels will participate in a themed parade following the 9pm fireworks. A special area is set aside for charter vessels in the Harbour. The theme this year is ‘Awaken the Spirit’ – igniting Sydney’s spirit and all our spirits for the year ahead. Everyone is asked to celebrate Sydney’s spirit by wearing a touch of blue on the night, representing the stunning blue harbour and blue summer sky. www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nye/

2010

- Jan 2-3 -- Nagambie On Water Festival, Buckley Park, Nagambie. Saturday’s events include on water displays of wakeboarding, water skiing and jet skiing. Other activities include a fishing competition. Sunday is a Come n Try Day offering experiences in waterskiing, jet skiing, canoeing and more. http://www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au/

- Jan 3 - Glenmaggie Gold Cup & Victorian Inboard Championships. Prize money for winner of the Glenmaggie Cup will be $1000.00, winner takes all. Anyone can enter. All classes of boat catered for - inboards, outboards, hydros, displacements and juniors. For more information see the Forum at http://www.ausapba.com.au/

- Jan 23 – 24 -- Berri Resort Hotel Speedboat Spectacular on the Murray River, SA. Two full days of racing, culminating in the Australian Open Unlimited Championship for inboards and outboards, the Stannard Cup. http://www.speedboatspectacular.com/

- Jan 26 – Australia Day – Events on Sydney Harbour include a Ferrython, Awesome Forces displays, best dressed vessels competition, tall ships race, 174th Australia Day Regatta, Sydney Ports Jazz on the Water Concert. For details see http://www.australiaday.com.au/

- Feb 5 - 7 -- Melbourne International Boat & Lifestyle Show, Docklands. http://www.miblf.com.au/

- Feb 12 - 14 -- Club Marine Southern 80 - Water ski races are held on the Murray River in the border towns of Echuca - Moama. http://www.southern80.com.au/

- Feb 19 – 21 -- The Melbourne Wooden Boat Festival will be held at the Docklands precinct on Victoria Harbour. www.woodenboat.com.au/mwbf2010

- Feb 25 - 27 -- Variety Splash - Participants will travel a round trip from Docklands’ Melbourne Yacht Club Hotel, with nightly stopovers at Sandringham Yacht Club and Royal Geelong Yacht Club. http://www.varietysplash.org.au/

- Feb 27-28 & Mar 6-7 -- 2010 Nautilus Boat Insurance Interclub Tournament, Port Stephens is where NSW Game Fishing Association clubs compete on various levels. It is expected that there will be up to 1000 anglers competing aboard as many as 200 boats.

- Mar 6 - 7 -- The fourth Whyte, Just and Moore Lawyers Wooden Boat Festival of Geelong will be held at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club. http://www.rgyc.com.au/

- Mar 6 – 7 -- Rosehill Trailerboat Show, Rosehill Racecourse, Sydney http://www.bia.org.au/ 

Photograph: Courtesy of Lewis Ski Boats