Tidelines: Offshore action

The New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Championship continues with round three at Orewa tomorrow. The venue has been moved from Milford, and while conditions look like being a real test for drivers, the public will get great viewing from Orewa Beach. The next Auckland region series is round five at Maraetai on Saturday, March 23.

Video reviews

The American on-line publisher BoatTEST.com has introduced a programme called Boat Reviews providing a scaled-down version of its boat tests. Each review will have four on-line edit pages including overview, specifications, photo gallery and write-up. There will be a short video tour of each boat with commentary.

Remote returns

The Raymarine Seatalk hand-held remote has been re-released in New Zealand to cope with unexpected demand. The remote works with all Raymarine autopilots from the ST1000 Tillerpilot up to the new G-series inboard pilots. It enables control of the boat from any position within a 6m radius of the jackpoint.

Heaps of activity this weekend, with the America's Cup Class contest continuing. The match racing starts at A Buoy off Takapuna Beach today. The series ends with a fleet race to a finish line off Westhaven tomorrow. More than 50 yachts are expected to start in the RNZYS round Great Barrier race. The start is off Orakei at 10 am today and boats will finish throughout tomorrow.

Saturday and Sunday: America's Cup regatta concludes. National championships Europe, Finn, Tornado, 49er and Mistral boards (Takapuna).

Saturday: Glendowie junior regatta (No 29ers); Cruising races (RNZYS, BBYC); Cruising race to Motuihe (Weiti); Cruising race to Awaawaroa Bay (VCC); Printing Express series (PCC).

Sunday: His and Hers round Rangitoto race (RAYC); Master swimmers Fergusson Wharf to Tamaki Yacht Club, 10.30 start.

* Clubs and organisations planning activity on or in the water of either the Waitemata or Manukau harbours should register with the ARC Enviroline on 0800 80 60 40.