Weekly Powerboat and Fishing Summary

SKIING

A 42-year-old man died and another man was airlifted to hospital after falling while water skiing at Echuca on 13 February during the running of the 2010 Club Marine Southern 80 on the Murray River. A 40-year-old skier hit the riverbank, while the 42-year-old man hit the water. Both men were treated at the scene by spectators until paramedics arrived, however the 42-year-old man died at the scene. The other man was airlifted to Bendigo Hospital suffering shoulder injuries. A report is being prepared for the NSW Coroner. Police.nsw.gov.au.

Final results of the Southern 80 are available at Southern80.com.au.

POWERBOAT RACING

The Australian Offshore Superboat Championship will not be returning to Sydney this year. Round 1 is scheduled to take place in Newcastle on 10-11 April. Check out AOPC.com.au.

POWERBOATS & FISHING

The first pair of Yanmar’s new ZT350 diesel sterndrives has been installed on an Australian built boat, the Sea Quest 3600 Sports Bridge, a big, beamy luxury cruiser. The sports bridge configuration determines that a transverse bunk is slotted in under the helm station, the consequence of which is a more compact engine room.

The propeller is the single most important factor in how a boat performs so no matter what you want - higher speeds, better acceleration, improved economy or superior handling - the right propeller can help ensure your boat delivers what you’re after. Mercury Marine has the industry’s largest range of propellers – more than 700 including custom built – and they are all designed, manufactured and supported by 70 years of experience.

Stacer’s 349 Proline Car Topper fits on top a four wheel drive and turns a camping trip with the family into a great adventure. With eight models available in the Proline range, there is a boat to suit the needs of not only the family camping trip but also keen anglers, with the addition of the Stacer Proline sports hull. The Proline range is suited for any river, estuary or lake adventures.

SAFETY & RESCUE

Following a number of serious boating incidents, including three fatalities on the Murray River in December and January, NSW Ports and Waterways Minister Paul McLeay is visiting Albury and Lake Mulwala to talk with the local boating community to learn first hand about their experiences on the river, and looking at ways to improve safety. Maritime.nsw.gov.au.

NEWS BRIEFS

New boat moorings which do not damage seagrass are being trialled in several locations in Moreton Bay, Queensland. Traditional block and tackle mooring designs drag on the sea floor killing seagrass, algae, and other marine plants. The new moorings minimise the area of disturbance of the mooring anchor system, keeping the vessel and mooring chain off the seabed at all stages of the tide. MarineQLD.com.au

INDUSTRY NEWS

Salthouse Marine, a long established Auckland-based boatbuilder, has gone into receivership with the loss of 50 jobs. Because Salthouse is such an entrenched name in New Zealand boatbuilding an announcement has been made to let customers know that at three other boatbuilding businesses that share the Salthouse name, it is very much "business as usual". Those companies are Salthouse Boatbuilders Ltd, Dean Salthouse Next Generation Boats, and Salthouse Marine Brokers International.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

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

Feb 25 – Talk: History of the Royal Navy by Colin Burring, formerly with the Cutty Sark Trust, at the National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, Sydney from 6.15pm - 8.00pm. The Royal Navy was created in the 16th century during the reign of Henry VIII. It had its own secretariat, dockyards and a permanent core of purpose-built warships. More details.

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. Variety Splash.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 11 - 8th Phil Renouf Memorial Lecture at the National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, Sydney at 6.15pm -8.30pm. Young men mucking about in old boats will be presented by Warwick Turner, one of the founders of the Sydney Heritage Fleet (SHF) who was instrumental in saving and restoring the Lady Hopetoun back in the 1960s. Turner has had a life-long passion and interest in steam vessels and their restoration, in particular the inland paddle-steamers of previous centuries. More details.

Mar 19 – 21 -- 2010 Brisbane Tinnie and Tackle Show, RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane. Tinnie and Tackle.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. More details.

April 2 – Good Friday

April 10 - 11 -- Australian Offshore Superboat Championship - Round 1, Newcastle. AOPC.com.au.

April 16 – 18 -- The Croatia city of Split will host the opening round of the 2010 Powerboat P1 World Championship season. Power Boat P1.com.

Photograph: Sea Quest 3600 Sports Bridge with new ZT350 diesel sterndrives