Weekly Powerboat and Fishing Summary

POWERBOATS

Surtees’ newest and biggest boat, the 7.3 Gamefisher/Sportfisher, has arrived in Western Australian waters for the first time. Built in New Zealand, Surtees’ “secret weapon,” the self-flooding ballast tank, means the boats are incredibly stable at rest while the soft, deep V hull and spray deflecting chines help lift the boat out of the water for a smoother more comfortable ride. Perth’s Aquasports Marine has sold the boat with the new owner selecting a Mercury 250hp Verado to power his new boat.

Australian company Maritimo displays the M73 Motoryacht in a Queensland debut at Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show on the Gold Coast on 20-23 May. It is part of the company’s 13-boat on-water display. The company’s flagship M73 Motoryacht offers a luxurious and spacious interior, a massive cockpit and full-beam master stateroom.

POWERBOAT RACING

Round one of the 2010 Australian Superboat Championships was held at Temora Lake Centenary facility, NSW, on 20-21 March. The second round will be held at Griffith, NSW, on 2-3 April. The V8 Superboats are capable of acceleration figures of 0-160 km/h in under three seconds and cornering forces similar to that of an F-18 jet fighter. See V8 Super Boats.com.au for more details.

Following the most successful – and most traumatic – year in their history, the Dubai Victory Team will go into the 2010 season looking to defend the UIM Class 1 World Powerboat Championship title with a two-boat line-up. Reigning world champions Arif Al Zafeen and Nadir Bin Hendi will compete in Fazza 3 with two-time World Champion Mohammed Al Marri partnering Abdullah Al Mehairbi in Fazza 1.

-- In 2009, the Class 1 World, European and Middle East Championship titles - as well as the EDOX Pole Position crown - were all won by the Dubai stable, although the clean sweep season was ultimately overshadowed by the tragic loss of Victory pilots Mohammad Al Mehairi and Jean-Marc Sanchez in the final race of the season in Dubai. Class-1.com.

PRODUCTS

Durepox Marine Australia is using Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show on 20 – 23 May for the Australian launch of Durepox paints and coatings. Durepox is only one of two approved paint products for America’s Cup boats. It can be used as a filler, a primer and topcoat all in one, saving litres and making the boat lighter and therefore faster in the water. An epoxy urethane, the paints are hard but flexible. They offer adhesion to carbon fibre, fiberglass and wood and can be applied without sanding between coats.

NEWS BRIEFS

Cyclone Ului crossed the coast near Airlie Beach at 1.30am on Sunday 21 March, damaging homes and causing power outages across the region. The category three cyclone with winds of 200km/h washed boats onto rocks at Airlie Beach, including the 26-metre Anaconda II, a former racing maxi that has sailed around the world and competed in the Sydney to Hobart race.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

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.

Mar 27 – Water Skiing World Record attempt at Strahan, Tasmania. Ski Record.com.

April 2 – Good Friday

April 2 – 3 -- 2010 Australian Superboat Championships, Round 2 at Griffith, NSW. V8 Super Boats.com.au.

April 10 - 11 -- Australian Offshore Superboat Championship - Round 1, Newcastle. More information.

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.

April 18 - ORCV's Rip Tour on Port Phillip. ORCV.org.au.

May 2 -- Bridge to Bridge Powerboat Race, Hawkesbury River.

May 20 - 23 -- Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, Gold Coast. Sanctuary Cove Boat Show.com.au.

May 20 – 23 -- 1770 Festival, Town of Seventeen-Seventy, Queensland. Celebrating the "Birth Place of Queensland", this festival has been an annual event for 17 years and commemorates the visit of the Endeavour and landing of Lt. James Cook and his crew in May 1770. 1770 Festival.com.au.

May 21 – 30 -- Port Douglas Carnivale, Tropical North Queensland. The seaside resort village of Port Douglas sets aside ten days each year to celebrate music, arts, sport, food culture and entertainment. Carnivale.com.au.

May 27 – June 21 -- Vivid Sydney, a festival of light, music and ideas, featuring the spectacular illumination of the Sydney Opera House sails. Events NSW.com.au.

Photograph: Surtee’s 7.3 Gamefisher/Sportfisher