Tide lines: Poker run

More than 60 boats are due to contest the Hutchwilco-NZ Propeller magazine poker run today. The event starts at North Head at 10 am, then heads for Pakatoa Island for the first card stop. A cruise to Kawau Island and Pah Farm follows for lunch. At 1 pm there is a sprint to the finish off Rangitoto lighthouse. The field includes small launches, jetskis and inflatables. Most entries are 5m to 6.5m family cabin boats

Marine talk


New Zealand's first marine industry conference is being held at Wairakei on April 5 and 6. Organised by the Boating Industry Association, the programme covers many vital aspects of the modern marine business. Keynote speaker Kent Wooldridge, president of the United Marine Manufacturers' Association of the United States, will talk about US industry trends and export opportunities for New Zealand companies. Rozanna Wozniak, chief economist of the ASB Bank, will cover inflation and the exchange rate, and Seaworks founder Bill Day, the 2000 New Zealand Entrepreneur of the Year, will talk on goals and risk-taking. For information about the conference, phone the Boating Industry Association on (09) 377-6800.

New hand-helds


Lowrance has released its new iFINDER hand-held GPS. Introduced to New Zealand by Electronic Navigation Ltd, it is described as the most compact, high-performance personal mapping GPS available. The company says the pocket-sized iFINDER is an advanced, 12-parallel channel receiver featuring super-quick satellite lock-ons, accurate, reliable tracking and excellent map detail.

The women's national keelboat champs organised by the Royal Akarana Yacht Club continue today and tomorrow.

Other highlights this weekend include: Today: Nautilus Cruising Series, race 4 (PCC); Gulf Harbour cruising race (GHYC).

Today and tomorrow: Optimist Auckland championships, Narrow Neck (WBC); Bucklands Beach single-handed race to Kawau (BBYC); February family trailer yacht cruising series (WTYS).

Tomorrow: Devonport round-the-buoys race (DYC); Ponsonby Cruising Club picnic. Organisations planning an event on either the Waitemata or Manukau Harbours can register with Envirol.