Tide Lines: Women at sea

It's just a frame of mind, blue-water sailor Dale Greenbury tells those taking her Wise Women at Sea workshops. The think-tank and support-group sessions aim to help women to develop their seagoing skills, to disentangle gender stereotypes and to survive in a world tends to be dominated by men. It's not just a matter of getting rid of the women-as-galley-slaves attitude common among macho skippers, says Greenbury. It's about preparing women for a positive crew role. Greenbury is planning a Wise Men at Sea series. Ph (09) 416 8773.

Show business


Organisers blamed the UK rail network for a drop in attendance at the London Boat Show this month. The gate for the 47th annual show dropped from a predicted 180,000 to 158,000 with reports of long rail delays and uncertainty about getting home from the show by train, keeping potential show-goers away. The shorter New York National Boat Show, from January 6 to 14, drew 97,910, up on last year.

Dream cleaners


A promotion in the Auckland region is introducing a couple of American products claimed to solve common engine problems. Chemplex 100% Pure Quill is an additive that eliminates fuel system deposits, improves starting and reduces engine emissions. For yachts with diesel motors, which often do mainly short runs like getting on and off moorings, there's a product that deals to the dreaded diesel bug. Chemplex Supertech 159 is claimed to kill existing bacteria and to eliminate the environment that enables new bacterial growth.

Water watch


There's a busy three-day weekend on the water coming up. Main events include:

Today: Cruising race to Mahurangi (RYC); Squadron cruising race to Kawau (RNZYS); Bucklands Beach cruising race 4 (BBYC); Howick Optimist Green-Fleet regatta (HSC).

Today to Monday: January family trailer-yacht cruising series (WTYS).

Tomorrow: Mahurangi Festival begins, Devonport Round the Islands race, off Mahurangi (DYC).

Monday: Auckland Anniversary New Zealand Herald Regatta.

Planning an event on either the Waitemata or Manukau Harbour? List it with Enviroline, ph 0800 80 60 40.