Boaters' birthday bonus

By ROBIN BAILEY

While reaching the ripe age of 50 is often a sign that things are about to slow down, it seems that the opposite is true for the country's oldest boat show.

The New Zealand Boat Show, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary when the gates open on Thursday at 10am, is showing no signs of ageing. Instead it is bigger, more vibrant and more up-to-date than ever.

Not only will the Hutchwilco-sponsored show feature the latest in boats, engines and accessories, it will also boast its own TV and radio stations, a 12 million-litre "action lake" and a prizelist longer than an America's Cup yacht's boom.

Patrons have the chance to win an array of prizes by collecting seven stamps from special booths at different parts of the venue, filling in their details and answering a simple question about water safety.

First prize is a ready-to-go 5.5m Generation II CSB Huntsman Dorado cabin boat, powered by a 115 Evinrude Ficht Ram outboard. Fully featured and packed with accessories, the prize also includes a full Raymarine electronics package (GPS, sounder, plotter, VHF), a $5000 fun and safety pack from Hutchwilco (skis, ski biscuit, tow rope, lifejackets, flares) and a $1500 sound system from Fusion.

The boat package, valued at more than $55,000, comes on a registered, warranted Watercraft trailer. The winner just has to hitch it up and head for the water.

Second prize is a $5000 Aqualung dive package, including dive and snorkelling lessons and full snorkel sets for the kids.

Then there are 10 Dreamboats day cruise prizes, including one on a Genesis launch for up to 10 people, and a chance for 30 people to sail on NZL40, an America's Cup class yacht.

With the start of the America's Cup now just four months away, interest in the event is starting to build. Visitors to the show can get up close and personal with a real America's Cup yacht and look over the Team NZ Etchells fleet, fresh from their racing series in the South Island.

Once again there will be virtually non-stop action on the 12 million-litre Hutchwilco Lake. The Ski Spectacular has been further improved with helicopters, topsides, split-second crossovers, a clown show and even a skiing dog!

To help to celebrate the show's 50th anniversary, a Shotover Jet from Queenstown will take visitors for an exhilarating ride, and there will be celebrity Supercat racing (with members of the Warriors), racing model hydroplanes and much more.

Prizes and spectator action aside, the hundreds of new boats, motors and accessories on display are the big attraction.

Many manufacturers release their new models at the show, and engine and electronics distributors press suppliers to ensure they have the latest technology to showcase during the five-day exhibition.

Canny boaters, looking for a new rig for summer, know that the country's biggest boat show offers a unique opportunity to check out the latest offerings, compare models and prices and negotiate hard for the best possible deal.

What: The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show 2002.

Where: Auckland Showgrounds, Greenlane.

When: From Thursday May 30 to Monday June 3. Open 10am to 8pm on Thursday and Friday; 10am to 6pm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

The New Zealand Boat Show