Weekly Powerboat and Fishing Summary

NSW survey and prize draw, new fishing rules, skiers choice of races, free outboard upgrade

FISHING

Maritime NSW is conducting a survey of boaters and fishers for a new environmental education strategy. People who provide their contact details for a follow-up survey will go into a prize draw for a $200 voucher from a boating or fishing tackle store. www.maritime.nsw.gov.au

New fishing rules have been introduced in NSW to protect the grey nurse shark, a critically endangered species. Individuals are long-lived, late-maturing, and have very low reproductive capacity (maximum of two pups every two years). Grey nurse sharks also demonstrate site fidelity and large numbers of individuals spend extensive periods of time in close proximity to aggregation sites (generally sand filled gutters, overhangs or caves). They are susceptible to accidental interaction with hook-and-line fishing gear. Maps showing protected waters are at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries

John Harding from Melbourne recently bought a new Mercury Marine OptiMax 200 outboard -- and it’s virtually given him a new boat for free. He regularly goes into Bass Strait for some fishing -- snapper and gummies mostly -- in his 6.2 metre Caribbean Reef Runner. The OptiMax has cut John’s running costs by 30 per cent. It has a 220 litre fuel tank and he can do a 300km round trip without a worry.

The Yellowfin 6700C is equipped for serious offshore fishing with spacious 1.8m bunks and under bunk storage to store gear on overnight fishing trips. The 4mm plate sides and 5mm plate bottom are supported by a longitudinal and latitudinal rib system and self-draining tread plate floor to give structural integrity.

SKIING

Skiers have a choice of two postponed ski races to be held over the weekend of 12-13 February, the 2010 Barrie Beehag Ski Race on Lake Cooper and the 2010 Grafton Bridge to Bridge on the Clarence River. www.southern80.com.au and www.graftonb2b.org.au

POWERBOATS

Mercury Marine is offering a Free FourStroke Horsepower Upgrade on selected Mercury and Mariner FourStroke or Verado (Supercharged FourStroke) outboards from 30-300hp at participating Mercury Marine dealers until 16th May 2011.

The first Sabre 46 Salon Express is scheduled for completion in March 2011, with the vessel expected to debut in Australia before the end of the year. The latest Sabre is the fifth model to make use of pod-drive propulsion systems. Standard propulsion consists of twin Cummins QSC8.3 550hp engines and twin CMD Zeus 3800 pod drives. Zeus pod drives make for the easiest manoeuvrability with joystick control -- the vessel can be taken into and out of the tightest berths with ease by any competent helmsperson.

POWERBOAT RACING

Nicolò di San Germano, head of the newly-appointed promoter San Germano for the UIM Class 1 World Powerboat Championship, believes that strength in numbers, clear communication and implementation of clear and fair rules must form the foundations to take the sport forward. www.class-1.com

CYCLONE YASI

Cyclone Yasi destroyed an estimated 70 boats at Port Hinchinbrook, which is located one kilometre south of Cardwell. One man was thought to be missing after he moved his boat into the protection of the mangroves, but he sailed into Port Hinchinbrook after the cyclone passed. As some pontoons floated off the top of the pylons some boat owners are claiming that the pylons were too short. Port Hinchinbrook was developed by Keith Williams, the developer of the Gold Coast’s Sea World and Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays. www.couriermail.com.au

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Feb 11-14 -- MyState Financial Australian Wooden boat Festival, Hobart, celebrates the nation's rich maritime culture and heritage and has established a reputation as one of the world's best maritime events. Held on Hobart's vibrant waterfront, the four-day festival brings together the biggest collection of wooden boats in the southern hemisphere. www.australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au

Feb 12-13 -- The postponed 2010 Barrie Beehag Ski Race will be held at Lake Cooper. www.southern80.com.au

Feb 13 -- A new date for the 2010 Grafton Bridge to Bridge, conducted by the Big River Ski club Inc, as it was postponed due to flooding on the Clarence River. www.graftonb2b.org.au

Feb 16-Mar 20 -- WMcA Building Services Van Diemens Land Circumnavigation Cruise -- 44 boats have registered to participate and the fleet size is limited to 45. However there still may be withdrawals and more Expressions of Interest may be received. www.ryct.org.au

Feb 19 -- The Wooden Boat Rally will be held on the Tamar River at the Seaport Marina in Launceston, Tasmania. www.woodenboatrally.com

Feb 19-20 -- Luhrs Billfish Shootout, Newcastle & Port Stephens Game Fishing Club. Over $30,000 in prize money. www.npsgfc.com

Feb 22 -- Queen Mary 2, the largest passenger ship ever to visit Australia, returns to Sydney Harbour for a rendezvous with the new Queen Elizabeth. The rendezvous is scheduled for early morning but times may change. www.cunardline.com.au

Feb 23-Mar 5 -- Australian Offshore Challenge Bass Strait Rally, a 700 nautical mile navigation rally for powerboats starts in Hobart. The fleet travels the east coast of Tasmania, before crossing Bass Strait via the islands of the Furneaux Group and then on to Westernport to the finish in Melbourne. www.offshorechallenge.com.au

Feb 24-27 -- Variety Splash. A three-day rally on Port Phillip open to all sail and power boats, commencing at Waterfront City, Docklands, with as evening ‘Welcome’ function. www.varietysplash.org.au

Feb 26 -- Inaugural Marine Rescue "Splash Out" Festival at Darling Harbour will celebrate the launch of CompassNet Boating Safety Network and the achievements of Marine Rescue NSW. There will be kids’ games and rides, free education and training seminars, stage performances, water demonstrations, flare lighting and much more! www.marinerescuensw.com.au

Feb 26-27 -- South Australian Wooden Boat Festival at the historic River Port of Goolwa. www.woodenboatfestival.com.au/

Feb 26-27 & Mar 5-6 -- 2011 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 5-6 -- Rosehill Trailerboat Show, Rosehill Racecourse, Sydney www.bia.org.au

Mar 12-13 -- Australian Offshore Superboat Championship -- Round 1, Williamstown, Melbourne. www.superboat.com.au

Mar 26-27 -- Australian Offshore Superboat Championship -- Round 2, Geelong and the Southern Water Ski Show Team will perform at the Steampacket Quay. www.superboat.com.au

Mar 26-27 -- Australian Formula Jet Sprint Championships at Melton, Vic www.v8superboats.com.au

Apr 1 - 3 -- Club Marine Trailer Boat Fishing Tournament, Port Stephens NSW. 1500 competitors and 500 boats compete for around $100,000 in prizes. Entries available end of February at www.tbft.com.au

Apr 8-10 -- 2010 Brisbane Tinnie and Tackle Show, RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane www.tinnieandtackle.com.au

Photograph: John Harding

Weekly Powerboat and Fishing Summary

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