Weekly Powerboats & Fishing Summary

Summary for w/b - 20 June, 2006 12pm

POWERBOATS & FISHING
Brisbane based F1 driver Bob Trask unveiled his latest race boat at Newcastle, the fourth round of the Australian F1 Superboat series. Trask is pleased with the speed and handling of the new 'fourth generation' hull but trim pump problems plagued the boat during competition. This new boat will be campaigned in Australia for the remainder of the local 2006 series and then taken overseas for the 2007 UIM F1 World series.

The world's first research measuring outboard engine emissions in fresh and salt water has found underwater pollutants could be cut by up to 1000 per cent by switching from two to four-stroke engines. Dr Richard Brown of Queensland University of Technology's School of Engineering Systems found that two-stroke engines produced up to ten times more water pollution than four-stroke.

In recent years the boating market, particularly the family segment has developed a fondness for the Bowrider design. It's no longer considered a style just for the water sports market; it's a versatile boat that caters for a very broad range of buyers. Quicksilver releases the 5350 Bowrider Deluxe, a multi-purpose family Bowrider accommodating up to six people.

2006 Club Marine Melbourne Boat Show, July 6 - 10 at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre - The biggest boat on display will be the luxurious Sea Ray 44 Sundancer.

June 21 is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year.

Dreamboats & Workboats - the Halvorsen Story - A new exhibition at the Australian National Maritime Museum from July 1 will celebrate the lives and work of the renowned Halvorsen boatbuilding family. There's an interactive screen 'Find a Halvo!' and a specially designed booth where visitors can record memories of their Halvorsen holidays.

BOOK REVIEW
Hooked by G. Bruce Knecht - A true story of pirates, poaching and the perfect fish.

Remember the outcry when an Australian patrol boat followed an illegal fishing boat half way around the world at great expense? This is the story of the chase, the objectives of the people involved in both boats, the court case and why the Patagonian toothfish needs protection.

The Australian patrol boat Southern Supporter discovered the Uruguayan long line fishing boat Viarsa near Heard Island 2,200 nautical miles southwest of Perth. The patrol boat suspected that Viarsa was carrying an illegal catch of the Patagonian toothfish. The chase lasted 21 days and covered 3,900 nautical miles, through ice and rough seas.

But this book is more than an adventure story on the high seas as it also delves into the worldwide fishing industry, maritime law and how the changes in restaurant food and our eating habits started an environmental battle.

Patagonian toothfish (better known by its more appealing name, Chilean Sea Bass) is a perfect, flaky, white-fleshed fish that can withstand any cooking method, soak up every spice and is 'impossible to overcook', hence its popularity with restaurants.

Hooked is available from Boat Books and major book sellers for $29.95.

Photo: Quicksilver 5350 Bowrider Deluxe

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