Tidelines: Breeze begins summer sailing programme

The National Maritime Museum gives patrons the opportunity to experience traditional sailing this summer. Fortnightly from tomorrow, the brigantine Breeze will leave Hobson Wharf at 1pm, returning at 3.30pm. The cost is $40 per person. Inquiries to (09) 373 0800 or check on www.nzmaritime.org

US survey shows buying trends

A study of buyer attitudes shows that 37 per cent of affluent Americans own a boat or want one. Asked, if money were no object, what type of boat they would buy, 55 per cent of those who don't own a boat opted for a motor yacht or cabin cruiser, 20 per cent chose a sailboat, 14 per cent a fishing boat and 11 per cent a runabout or ski-boat.

Mitsubishi workers head for Gold Coast

Up to 100 Mitsubishi car plant workers who will be displaced when the Adelaide plant closes next year have been head-hunted by Queensland boatbuilders. Gold Coast Marine Industry Association president Charles Dickson says his members are having difficulty finding skilled workers. More than 4500 are employed in the Gold Coast marine industry, up from 2500 three years ago, and he expects another 1500 will be needed in the next 18 months.

Water-watch

Action on the water this weekend includes the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron club championships, including classic yachts, being sailed today. Main activities:

Saturday: North Harbour Tanner Cup trials (Wakatere BC); Cruising race, including motor yachts (RNZYS); Round-Rangitoto race (Ponsonby CC); Cruising races (RAYC, Devonport YC and Weiti BC); Round-Waiheke rum race (Bucklands Beach YC); .

Saturday and Sunday: North Harbour Starling match-racing trials (Murrays BaySC).

Sunday: Club racing (Auckland Sailing Club).

Organisations planning events in or on the Waitemata or Manukau harbours should register in advance with the Auckland Regional Council Customer Service Centre on (09) 366 2000. The 24-hour response number for the ARC maritime unit is (09) 362 0397.

Editorial inquiries to Robin Bailey (09) 524 4572; email rbailey@ihug.co.nz