Weekly Powerboat and Fishing Summary

POWERBOAT RACING TRADGEDY

Neil ‘Fish’ Coddington, 57, a respected competitor on the powerboat circuit for thirty years, died after his high-powered racing craft barrel-rolled at Somerset Dam, north-west of Brisbane. His supercharged V8 hydroplane Blue Max was travelling at about 150km/h in calm conditions when it suddenly veered left and rolled. Although Coddington was wearing a safety helmet and life preserver and resuscitation attempts were made, paramedics declared him dead at the scene. Blue Max, driven by Mr Coddington and his brother Graham, has won a number of major trophy races. BrisbaneTimes.com.au.

POWERBOATS

Websters Twinfisher aluminium catamaran models from 4.3m to 5.2m are now supplied in either the traditional pressed clinker configuration, or the more contemporary flat sided hull. The clinker pressings add strength to the hull using a 2.5mm thick marine grade sheet to keep overall weight down. However, as new grades in aluminium sheet have become available, the high quality flat sided hulls use sheet that is only 3.0mm thick. Webster's Twinfisher boats are manufactured at Orange NSW.  The hull design is unique in that it is a cat hull powered by a single outboard engine.

Mercury’s new OptiMax repower deal can save you up to $1,836 with a free engine upgrade - more power at no extra cost, excluding OptiMax Pro XS and available while stocks last or must end 30 April. Not only will you save money, you’ll get better performance, greater reliability, improved fuel economy, and a five year warranty. There’s also the option of fitting the latest SmartCraft digital engine technology. Go to MercuryMarine.com.au to find your nearest participating dealer.

JCB, the UK based manufacturer of construction and agricultural machinery, has appointed Power Equipment as the exclusive Distributor of their range of JCB DieselMax engines for Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. The JCB DieselMax is the world’s fastest diesel engine, having set the world land speed record for diesel engines recently at a speed of 563.418 km/h (350.092 mph).

MARINE INDUSTRY

Maritimo continues to expand its dealer network with the appointment of Pier 35 Boat Sales to represent the brand in Victoria and Tasmania. The company has also announced the appointment of dealers in Greece and the Netherlands.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Feb 12 - 14 -- Club Marine Southern 80 - Water ski races are held on the Murray River in the border towns of Echuca - Moama. Southern80.com.au.

Feb 12 – 21 -- JJ Giltinan International Championship, Sydney Harbour, sometimes referred to as the 18 Footer Worlds. 18footers.com.

Feb 13-14 -- The Wooden Boat Rally will be held on the Tamar River at the Seaport Marina in Launceston, Tasmania. WoodenBoatRally.com.

Feb 16 - The next CYCA Medical Management for Mariners Course (MMM) starts in Sydney. Designed specifically for sailors by sailors, the course consists of seven three-hour nights at St. Vincent's Hospital in Sydney followed by a three hour practical session taught by Helicopter Rescue Paramedics on board a yacht at the CYCA.

Feb 19 – 21 -- The Melbourne Wooden Boat Festival will be held at the Docklands precinct on Victoria Harbour. More details.

Feb 19 – 26 -- Geographe Bay Race Week held at in Busselton WA is expected to attract around 120 yachts in eight divisions. GBYC.com.au.

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. 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. RGYC.com.au.

Mar 6 – 7 -- Rosehill Trailerboat Show, Rosehill Racecourse, Sydney. BIA.org.au.

Mar 6 – 7 -- Audi Sydney Regatta, Middle Harbour Yacht Club MHYC.com.au.

Mar 9 – 21 -- Louis Vuitton Trophy series - Ten countries are expected to compete in event-supplied 85-foot long AC Class yachts from the last two America’s Cups. These yachts require a crew of 17 top sailors. LouisVuittonTrophy.com.

Mar 11 - 14 -- Auckland International Boat Show is being held in conjunction with The Louis Vuitton Trophy series to push up attendance at both events.

Mar 19 – 21 -- 2010 Brisbane Tinnie and Tackle Show, RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane. TinnieAndTackle.com.au.

Mar 26 - 28 -- Club Marine Trailer Boat Fishing Tournament, Port Stephens NSW. 1500 competitors and 500 boats compete for around $100,000 in prizes. TBFT.com.au.