Weekly Powerboat and Fishing Summary

New breed of fibreglass bowrider, collision during race in New Zealand, ski reruns, marlin off Shoalhaven

POWERBOATS

With a background in professional powerboat racing, Savage fiberglass chief boat tester Cliff Antees is responsible for putting all the Savage fiberglass models through their paces. Fitted with a 135hp 3.01MPI MerCruiser engine and a standard propeller, the new breed of fibreglass bowrider, the 175B, reaches an impressive top speed of 62km/h or 33kts at 4900rpm. At a comfortable cruising speed of 35km/h the 175B consumes 16.7 litres/hr at 3000rpm, and with an 85 litre fuel tank, owners have more than five hours of non-stop fun.

Mercury Marine introduces the Quicksilver Thunderbolt line of propellers for Volvo Penta® Duoprop® drives. The Quicksilver Thunderbolt is designed for high-performance, driven by a cutting edge four-blade front propeller coupled with a three-blade rear propeller. The fou- blade front propeller is the difference maker.

Honda’s Boosted Low Speed Torque (BLAST™) system is now featured in every model from the compact BF40 through to the class-leading BF225. Making its debut in the BF75/90 in 2006, BLAST was developed to improve acceleration at lower speeds. Activated by sharp throttle movement, the air/fuel ratio ignition timing control technology results in powerful hole shot performance to get boats on the plane quicker.

POWERBOAT RACING

After dominating the first two races in the superboat class of the Rayglass New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Series, Fairview were prevented from completing their hat trick by the impressive return of Cary Gleeson and Sam Fillmore who had struggled in the previous two races with ballast issues on Doosan.

The start of the race was marred by a collision between the two Super 60 boats. Mike Gerbic and Dave Vazey of Espresso Engineers fell victim to the conditions in the opening straight of the race, tripping off a wave, and submarining, which rendered the driver unconscious. The boat then speared off at an angle before colliding with their rivals Chris and Glenn Powell in Back2Bay6. Espresso Engineers appeared relatively unscathed but Back2Bay6 sustained serious damage after being T-boned. www.nzoffshore.co.nz

SKIING

The Barrie Beehag Ski Race was held at Lake Cooper on 13 February. Part way through race one for the Under 19s and Under 16s, the boat Out of Control lost their skiers in rough water and whilst turning to get their skiers, their boat was swamped and sunk. The race was red flagged and stopped. All competitors were safe and with the expertise of Wayne Duggan, the boat was again floating and towed back to the boat ramp, with minimal damage. The course was changed to accommodate the blustery conditions but by 1.00pm racing was abandoned. Only one class completed at race. www.southern80.com.au

Hot weather and perfect conditions prevailed for the re-running of the Grafton Bridge to Bridge Ski Race. The crew of Blazen proved victorius in record time with Noel Griffen driving, Bernie Simpson observing and Grant Turner and Chris Stout doing the hard work out the back. The teams of Top Gun and Strike Force filled the minor placings. www.graftonb2b.org.au

FISHING

Calm weather, warm ocean currents and reports of numbers of marlin off the Shoalhaven coastline enticed fisherman to well-known fishing locations such as The Shallows and The Banks on Tuesday 8 February. Marine Rescue NSW volunteers conducted two ramp searches for overdue vessels and their Rescue Vessel SA-24 rescued two fisherman aboard the 5.5 metre fishing vessel True Blue which had several litres of water contaminating the fuel tank. The vessel was taken under tow without incident and returned to the wharf at Greenwell Point. www.marinerescuensw.com.au

The Queensland Seafood Industry Association and Marine Queensland have called on Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin for dispensations for commercial fishers and fishing charter operators with the impending fisheries closure for Snapper, Pearl Perch and Teraglin as trading conditions have been significantly limited in the last three months due to adverse weather. www.marineqld.com.au

Stacer’s Barra Elite Range was designed as a practical and affordable entry-level boat for tournament style fishing. The 439 SF Barra Elite has become the most popular model in the range with its ample storage, generous deck space, live bait tank, rear casting platform and the stability of the EVO Hull.

NEWS BRIEFS

Marine Rescue NSW has recruited the organisation’s 3,000th member. Every week so far this year, every one of their more than 50 units has provided emergency assistance to people in trouble on the waterways. www.marinerescuensw.com.au

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Feb 16-Mar 20 -- WMcA Building Services Van Diemens Land Circumnavigation Cruise. www.ryct.org.au

Feb 19-20 -- 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. 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

Apr 15-17 -- Club Marine Southern 80. Water ski races are held on the Murray River in the border towns of Echuca/Moama. www.southern80.com.au

April 16-17 -- Geelong Heritage Festival. This National Trust organised community event’s theme is ‘Water’. The Royal Geelong Yacht Club will have all types of historic vessels from times gone by on show and sailing. Some rare film footage will be shown of yachting on Port Phillip Bay from the 1930s. The Enterprise will be berthing at the Club all weekend. www.rgyc.com.au

Photograph: Savage 175B

Weekly Powerboat and Fishing Summary

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