Weekly Powerboat and Fishing Summary

SKIING

The Mercury Pro XS Racing team, driver Peter Lewis, observer David Mailes and skiers Glenn Hannan and Jacob Ross, smashed two records at the 2010 Hawkesbury 120. Powered through the water by their OptiMax Pro XS 250, the team rewrote the record books; SMOC Expert - cutting 34 seconds from the record to finish in 53 minutes 40 seconds and SMOC Social - lowering the mark by 52 seconds, crossing the line in 25 minutes 02 seconds.

POWERBOAT RACING

Reigning Continental Tyres Australian Unlimited Superboat champion Daryl Hutton took first blood at Maryborough during the penultimate round of the national series with his fourth straight victory in the Breakaway Marine Honda DASH 4 CASH. www.v8superboats.com.au

Thrills and spills and fantastic weather were a feature of the Grand Finale round of the Australian Formula Powerboat GP (2009/2010 season) at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.

 - Hitting the top turn at top speed in Saturday's F1 race, Anthony McEnnally's #52 Watersports Marine craft failed to turn, rolling him up and over the top of Damien McKenzie. McEnnally landed directly in front of him leaving McKenzie nowhere to go but into and over him! McKenzie beached his entry, fearing it was sinking then walked away with only bruises. McEnally's craft was destroyed but his cell was intact. A concussed McEnally was helilifted to Westmead Hospital and he got the 'all clear' later that night.

 - The final round for the F1 boys on Sunday was a bit of a fizzer with McKenzie and McEnally both out of the field and engine demons striking Truslove & Bailey's entries. Shane Vella took out the F1 2010 championship.

 - In the F2 group Dave Wedlock's Kroymans Development boat rotated through a full 360 degrees flip heading into the top turn on the last lap of the race. Keen to secure any points he could, Wedlock was quick to kick over his engine and drive to the finish line however the race had been red flagged and his efforts went unrewarded! Amazingly, the only damage was to the pickle fork on the left sponson, allowing Wedlock to muster a quick repair and return for the next race. www.formulapowerboats.com.au

POWERBOATS

Maritimo is planning its largest ever display at the annual Cannes International Boat Show, opening on September 8. Three boats will be on display in three separate categories - an M48 Cruising Motoryacht, a 550 Offshore Convertible sportfisher and a new C50 Sports Cabriolet.

FISHING

Fishing for Murray cod and Murray crayfish will close from 1 September to 30 November to protect the species during breeding season. Murray cod, which grow up to 1.8 metres and over 100 kilograms, are mainly found in the Murray Darling River system. http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries

Recreational fishers in NSW need to check the rules before going fishing as minor changes were made from September 1. The bag limit for Cobia has been reduced from 20 to five and fishers should double check the new rules before throwing a net or trap in the water. http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries

Fisheries Victoria's online recipe competition is open until 30 October and will culminate in a cook-off between finalists in November. Entrants need to submit a recipe which features one of the diverse species available in Victoria's inland fisheries through both recreational fishing and aquaculture. www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fisheries

NEWS BRIEFS

Protracted negotiations between Marine Rescue NSW and the National Board of Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association (AVCGA) came to an end on 2 September 2010 when the two parties could not reach agreement. At issue has been the transfer of NSW Coast Guard assets which have been acquired through fundraising efforts of those units from their local NSW communities together with funds allocated by the NSW government to volunteer marine rescue units serving this state, as well as grants from various other organisations.
www.marinerescuensw.com.au

Visitors to Melbourne Leisurefest from 30 September to 3 October will have a chance to win a Hobie kayak and other great prizes in the passport competition at the show, plus $4,000 worth of free fuel. www.biavic.com.au

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Sep 12 - Trial Day - teams of skiers will see the venue and race on one of the courses for the 2011 World Waterski Racing Championships on Moreton Bay, Queensland. www.skiracingqueensland.com.au

Sep 18 - 19 -- Australian Offshore Powerboat Championship Round 4, Redcliff, Queensland www.superboat.com.au

Sep 18 - 19 - Windsor Spectacular, conducted by the Upper Hawkesbury Powerboat Club. Boats are expected to reach speeds over 230 kilometres per hour. www.uhpbc.net

Oct 2 - 3 - Heaven Can Wait (HCW) 24 Hour Yacht Race and the associated One Lap Dash will be held on Lake Macquarie, near Newcastle, NSW. The event raises money for the NSW Cancer Council and Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie.
www.heavencanwait.com.au

Oct 8 - 10 - Club Marine Mandurah Boat Show, Mandurah Offshore Fishing & Sailing Club WA www.mandurahboatshow.com

Oct 9 - 24 -- Sydney Harbour Island Hopping gives people access to the harbour islands of Sydney Harbour National Park via one looped tour, with tailored entertainment and experiences on each. Cruises will run each Saturday and Sunday. www.harbourislandhopping.com

Oct 15 - Barra Bounty, Rockhampton's five-star fishing event staged on the Fitzroy River, where anglers compete to tag and release Barramundi.
www.capricornholidays.com.au

Oct 15 - 17 -- Sunraysia hosts the first ever UIM World Unlimited Displacement Powerboat Championships at Gol Gol NSW, approximately ten kilometres north east of Mildura. www.fastwater.com.au

Oct 16 - 17 -- 2010 Classic and Wooden Boat Festival, National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, Sydney - 100 boats from graceful yachts to streamlined speedboats, a festive marketplace selling all things nautical and an outstanding display of boating products. Discover the skills of traditional maritime craftsmen including blacksmiths, rope knotters, caulkers and sail makers. www.anmm.gov.au

Nov 5 - 7 -- Wide Bay Australia Bundy Thunder, Bundaberg will be jammed packed with adrenalin pumping boat racing, water and boat displays and fun for the whole family. www.bundythunder.com.au

Nov 6 - 7 -- Australian Offshore Superboat Championship - Round 5, Geelong.
www.superboat.com.au

Photograph: Team Mercury