Tide Lines: Bay of charts

Border:




The Navy Hydrographic Unit has put out a six-chart folio for the Bay of Islands. The charts, designed for leisure-craft users, include all the detail of official charts, plus additional information on anchorages, walks, supply stops, fuel and air-fill stations, and list great dive spots. They should help boaties make the most of their time in one of the nation's most popular holiday areas. Available from boat clubs, chandleries and Navy Charts in Takapuna, the plastic-covered six-pack costs $55.

Riviera scores

Australian manufacturer Riviera Group has been named Queensland's Exporter of the Year. The Gold Coast producer of Riviera, Mariner and Wellcraft boats beat 80 companies. Seven out of every 10 boats Riviera manufactures are for its international network covering the United States, Europe, Asia and New Zealand.

Top sailboats

The California-built Schock 40 and the Shearwater 45 from South Africa won the 2001 Boat of the Year presented at Newport, Rhode Island by Cruising World and Sailing World magazines. The 12.2m Schock was voted the standout performance boat launched in the past year. The 13.7m Shearwater, fusing traditional with contemporary, was the overall cruising design of the year.

Looking back

A classic steam-powered wooden launch will be one of the centrepiece displays at the London Boat Show. Its triple expansion engine is a reproduction of a triple expansion 1910 power plant. Halyard Marine is highlighting the steam launch in its display among the cutting-edge power technology in the January 5-14 exhibition.