Weekly Powerboat and Fishing Summary

POWERBOAT RACING

Mercury powered boats claimed two of the crowns at Sydney’s famous Bridge to Bridge Race. Mercury Pro XS, pushed by an OptiMax 250 Pro XS and driven by Peter Lewis chopped one minute and 37 seconds off the SMOC record in the ski event, while Anglomoil, powered by a Mercury F1 engine and Watersports Marine, took the Superclass crown in the powerboat competition. Results at UHPBC.net.

The final of the Rayglass New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Championship was held on Auckland Harbour. In the Superboat Class all eyes were on the favourite Doosan, driven by Cary Gleeson and Sam Filmore of Auckland, as they had to get a second or third placing to ensure their win of both the Superboat Class Title and the 100 Mile Overall title. As expected the challenge was taken up by the Australians racing Team Three. Doosan, however, raced hard to get in front and to keep the titles in Kiwi hands. NZoffshore.co.nz.

IOTA’s newly appointed chairman, Mohammad Al Jaidah, has called for new rules which will enable fairer and less costly participation in the UIM Class 1 World Powerboat Championship. The rules relating to safety, which had been prepared during the winter break by the WPPA technical officials, have been approved in essence and will come into force starting from the next event in Norway. Class-1.com.

JET SKI

Following the success of ‘Jet Ski Around New Zealand’, a world record ride from London to Sydney to Auckland is now being planned.

In 2006 Jeremy Burfoot and Brad Burton rode Seadoos 5,000kms around New Zealand to support cancer awareness. Jeremy then 46, a 747 Captain and father of three sons, has had personal experience of melanoma and saw an opportunity to promote a SunSmart message during the summer.

The London to Sydney to Auckland project ups the ante on the New Zealand trip - the total distance is about 31,000 km which is a world record by 12,000km. It should take around four months. London-Sydney.com.

FISHING

Two new vessels worth $250,000 each are patrolling Brisbane and Townsville waters as part of the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) efforts to protect Queensland's fisheries resources. MarineQLD.com.au.

POWERBOATS

Haines Hunter has appointed Huett Marine Centre as its Sydney-based dealer for its range of fibreglass fishing/pleasure boats. Based on the Pacific Highway in Cowan, Huett Marine Centre represents four generations of family boating heritage.

Demand for Mercury’s most powerful engine ever – the new nine litre, twin turbo, quad cam V8 1350 sterndrive – has outstripped supply with 2010 stocks already selling out in Australia. The engines have all been bought by people involved in competitive ski racing.

NEWS BRIEFS

The NSW Government is proposing a $7.50 a year Marine Rescue levy on boating fees, so boaters can provide sustainable financial support to Marine Rescue NSW, a voluntary, non-government organisation with more than 2300 members state-wide. Over a year, across the state, Marine Rescue NSW units assist more than 2500 people in trouble. Maritime.nsw.gov.au.

Maritimo boss Bill Barry-Cotter unveiled a $530 million plan to double the size of the existing Coomera marine precinct. Fresh from his purchase of Mustang Marine, the industry stalwart revealed his plan for a 63.5ha Coomera site north of the Gold Coast City Marina for mixed-use development, including 390 marina berths. Goldcoast.com.au.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

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. 1770festival.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.

June 13 - 14 -- The Oceanic Whitsunday Boat & Leisure Show, Meridien Marinas Abel Point Marina, Airlie Beach. Whitsunday Boat show.com.

June 26 – 27 -- Australian Offshore Superboat Championship - Round 2, Mackay. AOPC.com.au.

July 1 - 5 -- Melbourne Boat Show, Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Melbourne Boat Show.com.au.

July 3 – 4 -- Australian Offshore Superboat Championship - Round 3, Townsville. AOPC.com.au.

July 15 - 18 -- Adelaide Boat Show, Adelaide Convention Centre. Adelaide Boat Show.com.au.

July 29 - Aug 2 -- 2010 Sydney International Boat Show, Darling Harbour Sydney Boat Show.com.au.