Latest DIY Boating
What a hoot! Tai Mate: A whimsical dinghy with a retro twist
You're not imagining something out of a children's storybook. This quirky vessel, owned by retro-boat enthusiast Barry Anderson, is a 9ft (2.7-metre) fibreglass dinghy transformed into a unique creati...
What a hoot! Tai Mate: A whimsical dinghy with a retro twist
You're not imagining something out of a children's storybook. This quirky vessel, owned by retro-boat enthusiast Barry Anderson, is a 9ft (2.7-metre) fibreglass dinghy transformed into a unique creati...
Wash it off: DIY Anchor and Deck Wash System
Once an anchor digs through this stuff it will usually hold well; the trouble is, upon weighing, half the bottom usually comes up as well, glued to the chain and anchor in the form of a smelly, oozing...
Wash it off: DIY Anchor and Deck Wash System
Once an anchor digs through this stuff it will usually hold well; the trouble is, upon weighing, half the bottom usually comes up as well, glued to the chain and anchor in the form of a smelly, oozing...
Re-propping my outboards
When it comes to choosing propellers for any boat, a fair amount of trial and error is required to get the performance you want.
Re-propping my outboards
When it comes to choosing propellers for any boat, a fair amount of trial and error is required to get the performance you want.
DIY Descaling
An overheating secondhand outboard needed descaling and flushing to unclog its cooling passages. Norman undertook the task himself.
DIY Descaling
An overheating secondhand outboard needed descaling and flushing to unclog its cooling passages. Norman undertook the task himself.
DiveCat relaunched
“Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are busy doing it” – George Bernard Shaw
New antifouling
The marine environment generally contains a profusion of life. Nothing can be left immersed in salt water without it quickly becoming covered in marin...
New antifouling
The marine environment generally contains a profusion of life. Nothing can be left immersed in salt water without it quickly becoming covered in marin...
Flooring decisions and application; Covering the sole
One of the last major interior decorating decisions I have made is choosing the most appropriate floor covering for the main cabin – the ‘sole’. Optio...
The freshwater system
Last issue we covered the installation of the toilet and holding tank, also known as the black water system. The final plumbing project is to implemen...
Rewiring your boat
Fully rewiring a boat is an expensive exercise, as I am discovering during my rebuild project. Even a modest amount of new cable can cost a fair amoun...
Getting into hot water
A few months ago, I wrote about the design and installation of a new galley layout for my boat Divecat. During that process I installed a new hot wate...
Drumming up an anchor
Every boat, regardless of its size or purpose, should be equipped with a reliable anchoring system. This ensures safety and stability when the vessel...
Galley design & construction – Designing a galley: Sink, hob and hot water supply
One of the benefits of being a part-time boat reviewer is that from time to time I get to experience other people’s boats, and I get to see the latest...
Heald trawler yacht
Designed for a couple, with a large workshop for Brad and a dedicated writing nook for Sapi, it will be their forever home.
Marine Refrigeration: Chill out
Almost every type of boat-use story has some requirement for keeping stuff cool.
Seeing clearly – Part II
Last month we replaced the front windows of Divecat, using extruded aluminium window frames and the original toughened glass windowpanes held in by nu...
Seeing clearly
The design of recreational boat windows has evolved over the years, as have the materials used.
Steering in the right direction
Now that we have fitted the two replacement outboards to Divecat, together with their Vibrastop anti-vibration system, the next item on the agenda is ...
Sticking it to aluminium
Epoxy and aluminium are not usually good bedfellows. Enter Belzona with its range of specialist products. Even stripped threads can be repaired.
No more bad vibes
One of the advantages of an aluminium boat is the rigidity of the hull. While there may be a small amount of flex, depending on the design, for the mo...
Getting hot under the collar
An overheating boat engine can have many causes, but one of the first things to check is the health of the heat exchanger.
The hull cleanup
Cleaning off old coatings from a boat’s hull is no easy task, especially if they are years old, made up of a variety of materials and several layers t...
Fitting a shower cubicle
One of the benefits of stripping a boat back to the bare hull is that you can redesign the layout to correct any annoying shortcomings in the previous...
Bilge pump disaster
Is you bilge pump installation up to moving a large volume of water out of your hull should the need arise?
Dealing with calcification
Last issue we covered the affliction of corrosion, but boats that remain in the water for long periods suffer from the reverse problem – calcification...
Rust never sleeps
According to the musician Neil Young, “Rust Never Sleeps”. Young must have been a boat owner, because certainly rust, or more generically corrosion, n...
Fitting a steering indicator
One of the useful, but not necessarily essential, gauges on the helm of a boat is an indicator showing which way the rudder is pointing.
This is of ...
Fitting a gauge to your water tank
Take the guesswork out of estimating how much water your boat is carrying.
Most boats with an underfloor fuel tank will have a fuel gauge. Which is a...
Working with plastic
Historically boats were built of wood, although various forms of metal (iron, steel then aluminium) became more common during the industrial revolutio...
Many ways of steering
Every watercraft built since the dawn of time had to be steered in some way.
In ancient times steering gear was usually some version of an oar that w...
Knowing your ropes and rode
Let’s get the first question out of the way: When it is ‘rope’ and when is it ‘rode’?
When you go to the marine chandlers or even the hardware store,...
Boost your phone
Boaties venturing offshore know how quickly a phone loses signal bars – and data apps become patchy at best. The combination of poor signal strength a...
The case for AIS
Retrofitting an AIS (Automatic Identification System) to your boat is relatively inexpensive and easy, and it might make a significant difference in a...
Caring for your anchor rode
When did you last wash your anchor warp? Not a common maintenance item, but something that may be worth considering, especially if your boat’s more th...
ENGINE COMPUTERS: A curse or a blessing?
Everything seems to be controlled by a computer these days, including boat engines. Those of us with more than a few decades under our belt will remem...
Spot the hazards – Norman Holtzhausen
It is your responsibility to make sure your boat complies with the maritime rules regarding navigation lights.
Sharper returns
Fish finding technology has evolved in leaps and bounds, but to get the best results you need to give your MFD a good ‘mate’ – a quality transducer. B...
Go plastic young man
As long as a boat’s hull stays wet outside and dry inside, the boat will float. But sometimes you do need to allow in a controlled amount of water – t...
Thrust you can afford
A casual examination of boats in a marina usually reveals a litany of battlescars – scrapes and dings sustained during tricky berthing attempts. Wind,...
Switching it up
A neat, logical helm layout makes a big difference when trying to operate your boat, particularly when the sun starts to set and you head home. And a ...
A clear view
Although windscreen wipers are a legal requirement on cars, many boats, especially small to medium models, lack these.
Modernising your stereo
One of the great things about technology is the pace of change, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the mobiles we carry in our pockets. They’re...
Battery monitoring
On a typical boat, batteries are ignored, abused and unloved – and yet are asked to deliver maximum power at start-up. Is it any wonder they often las...
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HOT OFF THE PRESS
Lieutenant Emma Barry: A role model at the helm of Mako II
Lieutenant Emma Barry of the British Royal Navy has captured the sailing world’s attention by earnin...
A Wave of Triumph: Four Skippers Cross the Finish Line in Style
Celebrating the highs and challenges of the Vendée Globe’s 10th edition
Battling Chaos: Tanguy Le Turquais and the Spirit of the Vendée Globe
Sailing into resilience
In the high-stakes world of the Vendée Globe, perseverance is as vital as...
2025 New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Championships: day 1 sees high attrition rates during the racing...
But Day 1 proved to be as much a test of endurance as of speed, with only five boats managing to fin...
Bumper Tugboat Fleet Race set to thrill at 185th Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta launch
Auckland’s 185th birthday celebrations on Monday, 27 January, will feature a spectacular tugboat rac...
SailGP: Russell Coutts on the Future of Sailing and Generational Change
SailGP CEO Russell Coutts discusses breaking even, expanding the competition, and nurturing the next...
Vendée round the globe LIVE! 25/1/25
Catch up with all the Vendée Globe action from the past 24 hours in this 30-minute daily repor...
Apparently Moriori waka uncovered on Rēkohu Chatham Island: Archaeologists called in
The partial remains of a historic waka have been discovered on Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Island, mar...
An impressive 60 years on. What does NZ Offshore Powerboating look like today?
Boating New Zealand will be following this weekend's racing offshore at Napier. Join us throughout t...
Empowering women in sailing: The SheSails NZ trophies at the 2025 Bay of Islands Sailing Week
The race for female sailing excellence is intensifying as the prestigious SheSails NZ Top Female Hel...
Tight races and decisive moments define the third and final day of racing at the Bay of Islands Sail...
The 2025 Bay of Islands Sailing Week came to a thrilling conclusion on its third and final day, with...
America’s Cup – Breaking News: INEOS Britannia, and Sir Ben part ways
Athena Pathway, the British Challenger for the 38th America's Cup, led by Sir Ben Ainslie, was astou...
The PIC Harbour Classic: Auckland’s Next Big Boating Event
Get ready to sail, party, and experience Auckland like never before at the PIC Harbour Classic, part...
Picton Marina Achieves Prestigious Superyacht Accreditation
Setting a new standard for New Zealand marinas
Picton Marina, nestled in the picturesque Marlboroug...
Vendée round the globe LIVE! 24/1/25
Catch up with all the Vendée Globe action from the past 24 hours in this 30-minute daily report.
Vendée Globe: The North Atlantic’s Final Challenge
Skippers endure brutal conditions as the race nears its conclusion
Day 2 Results for 2025 Bay of Islands Sailing Week
Day 2 of the Bay of Islands Sailing Week dawned with clear skies and high spirits as competitors gat...
High-Speed thrills in Hawke’s Bay: The 2025 NZ Offshore Powerboat Championship begin
The anticipation is palpable as Napier gears up to host the inaugural round of the 2025 New Zealand ...
The Future of Underwater Exploration: U-Boat Worx Unveils High-Performance Super Sub
Experience unparalleled speed and luxury beneath the waves with U-Boat Worx's all-electric Super Sub...
Little Wins and False Summits: Vendée Globe Skippers Push to the Finish
Battling exhaustion, weather, and broken equipment, Vendée Globe sailors face their final challenges...
2025 Bay of Islands Sailing Week: Results after Day 1
Day 1 of the Bay of Islands Sailing Week in Opua brought sunny skies, steady breezes, and thrilling ...
Discover the Auckland Boat Show 2025
The New Zealand boaties equivalent of the Big Day Out! Held annually at the Viaduct Events Centre an...
Belgium’s Flemish Government leads the charge with innovative hybrid pilot boat
Pioneering Green Maritime Solutions – Flemish Government’s Hybrid Pilot Boat Project
Hutchwilco launches voluntary recall of Inflatable Lifejacket model
New Zealand leading lifejacket manufacturer Hutchwilco is proactively recalling a specific model of ...
First world problems: Rapper’s yacht in flames on river outside Miami’s Booby Trap (risq...
A night of entertainment turned into chaos early Sunday morning as a luxury yacht rented by renowned...
Celebrity Cruises Introduces Groundbreaking ‘Dream Makers’ Program for the Celebrity Xce...
Cruise enthusiasts worldwide are being invited to make history by shaping their ideal vacation exper...
Vendée round the globe LIVE! 22/1/25
Catch up with all the Vendée Globe action from the past 24 hours in this 30-minute daily report.
The Vendée Globe’s final frontier: battling storms and damage in the North Atlantic
The Vendée Globe, renowned as one of the world’s most challenging solo sailing races, is living up t...
Bay of Islands Sailing Week: A packed schedule of racing and festivities
The Bay of Islands Sailing Week is in full swing, and this year’s event promises an exciting blend o...
The 2025 Bay of Islands Sailing Week begins!
The Bay of Islands Sailing Week has long been a highlight of New Zealand’s sailing calendar, drawing...
Watch the video: Auckland Ferry drives right through the SailGP Practice Session
Last week, Auckland's Waitematā Harbour witnessed an unexpected scene when a Bayswater ferry casuall...
Honouring a Sailor’s Legacy: Remembering Mark Gibbs
The sailing community is mourning the loss of Mark Gibbs, a past Commodore and inspirational sailor ...
Severe Weather Hits North Island: Heavy Rain and Gales Expected
The northern parts of New Zealand’s North Island are bracing for a day of severe weather as a low-pr...
Red Sea Diving Tragedy: Survivors Recount Harrowing Ordeal
On November 25, 2024, the tourist diving yacht "Sea Story" tragically sank in the Red Sea, shortly a...
Leaderboard battle heats up: Emirates GBR and New Zealand neck-and-neck in SailGP after Auckland
The SailGP Championship is proving to be a nail-biting spectacle, with the leaderboard taking an exc...
Body of Missing Jetskier Recovered from Lake Taupō
The Police Dive Squad has recovered the body of the jetskier reported missing on Lake Taupō near Nuk...
Operation Resolution: First Phase of Fuel Removal from HMNZS Manawanui Completed
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has announced a significant milestone in Operation Resolution, ...
Vendée round the globe LIVE! 21/1/25
Catch up with all the Vendée Globe action from the past 24 hours in this 30-minute daily r...
Broken Dreams: Skippers Adapt as Vendée Globe Nears Its End
The damage, which occurred just before midday UTC, left Goodchild unable to use his mainsa...
Vendée round the globe LIVE!
Catch up with all the action from the past 24 hours in this 30-minute daily report.
NZ Events Worth Adding to Your Calendar
Have an event you'd like to list on Boating New Zealand. Contact us with the details.
Catch all the action of the Vendée Globe Race, starting 10 Nov, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. Follow along with excitement at Boating New Zealand.
FISHING
White Pointer Boats 30th Anniversary Fishing Comp, 5 - 8 Feb 2025 in Waihau Bay
Makaira Trailer Boat Competition, 25 & 26 Jan 2025 in Whangaroa
Stabicraft Fish N Chicks Tournament, 6 - 8 Feb 2025 in Tauranga. Dress up theme is “Ladies of their Time”. Raising funds to help find a cure for Breast Cancer.
Surtees Annual Fishing Competition, 28 Feb - 1 Mar 2025 in Whakatane
Hook Me Up Fishing Competition - Matakana vs Hillside, 7 Mar 2025 in Whakatane
The Kubota Billfish Classic, 12 - 15 Mar 2025 in Mercury Bay, Whitianga
ITM Fishing Competition, 13 - 16 Mar 2025 in Whangaroa
NZ Lure Masters (Catch, Measure and Release competition), 3 & 4 Oct 2025, New Zealand wide
Stabicraft Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic, 25 - 27 Oct 2025 TBC in Te Anau Manapouri
REGATTAS
Rolex Sydney to Hobart, 26 Dec 2024 starts in Sydney, Australia
New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, 18 & 19 Jan 2025 in Auckland
Bay of Islands Sailing Week, 21 - 24 Jan 2025 at Bay of Islands
NZ Millenium Cup, 1 - 4 Feb 2025 at Waitemata Harbour
Toyota Youth International Match Racing Cup, 26 Feb - 4 Mar 2025 in Auckland
PIC Harbour Classic, 28 Feb - 1 Mar 2025 in Auckland
Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2025, starting 11 Oct 2025 TBC from Sydney Harbour
PIC Insurance Brokers Coastal Classic, 24 Oct 2025 TBC from Auckland to Russell
NZ Match Racing Championships, 2025 dates tbc in Auckland
HYDRO THUNDER
JET BOAT RACING
UIM World Jetsprint Championships, 25 Jan -2 Feb 2025 at Wanaka (25 & 26 Jan) and Wanganui (1 & 2 Feb)
2025 NZ Marathon Coast-to-Coast, 16 to 25 Mar 2025 starting at Greymouth ad finishing at Christchurch
2024 Golden Homes NZ Jet Boat Marathon, 2025 dates TBC on Southland Rivers (Oreti, Waiau and Mataura)
National Jet Boat Rally 2024, 2025 date TBC at Oliver Road, Bendigo (near Cromwell)
WATERSPORTS
Yamaha Rollo's Marine Bridge 2 Bridge, 2025 dates tbc Staged on the Waikato River between Cambridge & Taupiri, based in Hamilton, New Zealand
NON-MOTORISED SPORT
Waka Ama - 2025 National Sprint Championships, 12 - 18 Jan 2025 at Lake Karapiro, Cambridge
Waka Ama - 2025 Secondary School Nationals, 24 - 28 Mar 2025 at Lake Tikitapu, Rotorua
ANTIQUE, CLASSIC & RETRO BOATS
25th NZ Antique & Classic Boat Show , 1 & 2 Mar 2025 at Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes
SHOWS
Moana Auckland - New Zealand's Ocean Festival, 27 Jan to 9 Mar 2025 in Auckland
Auckland Boat Show, 6 - 9 Mar 2025 to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland
The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, 15-18 May 2025 to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland
NZ Boat, Fish and Dive Show, 30 & 31 Aug 2025 to be held at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Waipa
NEWS TIPS?
Send your photos, videos, stories, and tip-offs to ahoy@boatingnz.co.nz or call us on 022-023-7507.
ADVENTURES AT SEA
Mayotte to Richards Bay, Part 3: – Officials and Machine Guns
Doing an emergency stop can be a delicate matter. Normally stopping in a new country requires you to...
Mayotte to Richard’s Bay, part 2: Breakages
After five days of terrible anchoring at Ilha do Fogo, eight boats made a run for it. There was a br...
Mayotte to Richard’s Bay, Part 1: A Fishing Story
We picked a really good window for the first leg of the Mozambique Channel. Whilst it may have been ...
The Mozambique Channel – Hopefully not living up to its reputation
We are members of two WhatsApp groups with people sailing the east and south coast Africa, and over ...
Mayotte – where is everyone?!
Well, we are enjoying it. Sailing around the island we stop to snorkel, dive and swim ...