Weekly Powerboat and Fishing Summary

NZ Boat of the Show, Class 1 calendar revised, water speed record, skipper jailed

POWERBOATS

The new McLay 735s hardtop was named Boat of the Show at the recent Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show. The aluminium fishing boat, which can also be used as a family cruiser, is built around a Cummins MerCruiser Diesel (CMD) 220hp 2.8 litre engine and a Bravo 3 drive. With 220 hp, the McLay 735s lifts onto the plane easily. It cruises comfortably at 25 knots and can reach 34-36 knots flat out.

Andrew Short Marine has recently been appointed the Southern Sydney dealer for Stacer Boats and now offers customers both Brooker and Stacer aluminium boats fully packaged with Mercury and Mercruiser engines. All packages also include Mercury's three year corrosion warranty.

For the third consecutive year, Michael and Therese Waugh's Nitro Marine on the Gold Coast has been named Mercury Marine's "Dealer of the Year". The award involves an in-depth judging process which not only covers sales achievements, but all aspects of a Mercury dealership including customer service, promotion of Mercury product and the general presentation of the dealership.

POWERBOAT RACING

The International Offshore Team Association (IOTA) has issued a revised calendar for the 2010 season, confirming twelve races at six grands prix. Organisers of the Romanian Grands Prix were unable to secure funding for this years event due to the current economic climate in Romania. The next event is the Norwegian Grands Prix, 16-18 July at Arendal.

Driving his 21ft flat bottom racing runabout Lucky Break at Keely's Landing Lake Karapiro, Dean Proben had two attempts at a water speed record with a best speed of 73.948mph, finishing off what has been a successful first race season in New Zealand. Dean, who broke his neck as a passenger in a car 19 years ago, is a tetraplegic, which means he has movement in his right arm and leg but none in his left leg.

NEW PRODUCT

Jo Engebrigtsen set about designing a lighting system specifically for boating, following a near miss boating accident in 2005. The initial product, Navi light 360° is a unique design of a water proof, 360 degree visibility super bright LED light combined with a double magnetic system, integrated into a compact shape that fits easily in your pocket. It is visible for up to five nautical miles (9.26km) in darkness. The Norwegian manufactured Navisafe range is available in Australia from RFD and includes the top selling Navi Light 360°, the Navi Light Red/Green, glow in the dark torch, Navi light Hunter, along with attaching systems.

IN BRIEF

Skipper Matthew Reynolds, 33, and his unlicensed passenger, Percy Small, 26, were each sentenced to at least five years jail in the NSW Supreme Court. The trial was told Reynolds was intoxicated when he handed over the wheel of a workboat full of partying young people on Sydney Harbour to Small, who was affected by alcohol, cannabis and cocaine. Minutes later the vessel collided with a fishing boat and six people died as a result of the crash.

NSW Maritime wants to hear your views on a range of options to improve boating safety on the Murray River. The options include introducing or lowering speed limits, controls on towing sports and additional boating safety officers.

Comments are being sought on a development application relating to the seaplane base at Rose Bay, Sydney. Plans include a new aviation terminal facility building, refurbished jetty and new accessible ramp and will be on show at NSW Maritime's Rozelle Bay office as well as Woollahra Council chambers from 23 June to 23 July.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

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

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

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

July 23 -- 25 -- Australian Formula Powerboat Grand Prix, Round 5, McInherney Park, Port Macquarie. formulapowerboats.com.au

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

Aug 6 - 11 -- Moreton Bay Fishing Classic, conducted by the Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club, is designed to be fun for everyone while promoting responsible resource conservation and environment fishing practice. Anyone can enter and the estimated prize pool is $200,000. mbtbc.comAug 7 -- Hervey Bay Whale Festival herveybaywhalefestival.com.au

Aug 20 -- Sep 5 -- Festival Cairns festivalcairns.com.au

Aug 21 -- Traditionally run on the dry bed of the Todd River in the Northern Territory's Alice Springs, the Henley-on-Todd was cancelled in 1993 due to the uncharacteristic flooding of the river. But it will be business as usual at this year's event, when residents and visitors alike congregate for the quirky race. henleyontodd.com.au

Aug 22 -- 24 -- Marine Safety Conference 2010, Burswood Entertainment Centre, Perth. nmsc.gov.au

August 26 -- 29 -- Brisbane International Boat Show, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. brisbaneboatshow.com.au

Aug 28 - 29 -- Australian Formula Powerboat Grand Prix, Round, Sydney International Regatta Centre, Penrith. formulapowerboats.com.au

Photograph: McClay 735s

Weekly Powerboat and Fishing Summary

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