Tidelines: Offshore reunion

The New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Association is hosting a big reunion at Taupo over Auckland Anniversary Weekend, January 25, 26 and 27 next year. To register, contact the NZOPA secretary at PO Box 35618, Browns Bay, North Shore Mail Centre, Auckland.

Contest answers

All the questions in the Weekend Herald $55,000 win-a-boat contest are taken from the new edition of the free booklet, Safe Boating, an essential guide. The guide is available from all main ship's chandleries and from the front office of the New Zealand Herald in Albert St, Auckland. It can be ordered from the Auckland Volunteer Coastguard at Mechanics Bay, the Maritime Safety Authority (09) 307 1870 and Coastguard Boating Education (09) 489 1850.

Gassed up

A small Silverdale company, Gas Stay Specialists, is making a big impression with a product that is finding a growing market at the top end of the marine market. Their stainless steel adjustable gas stays make heavy hatch, engine-box and companionway stairs easier to open. Former MAREX executive director Peter Rachtman has joined Gas Stays in a marketing role and has secured export deals in the US and Australia. Local clients include Alloy Yachts, McMullen & Wing and Yachting Developments.

Just cruising

The Westhaven Yacht Club, formed in March 1999, aims to meet the needs of those boating people who don't hanker for the more structured club scene. The members include owners of trailer yachts, powerboats and a mix of keelers from large to not-so-large. The club runs a series of Old Fox events that give all starters the opportunity to take part on an equal footing. The first run is to Rakino next Saturday. Contact: Hetty Goodwin on (09) 626 5809.

Water-watch

The accent is on junior yachting this weekend with P-Class Tanner Cup and Starling match-race trials beginning. Activity includes: Saturday and Sunday: Tanner Cup trials, Murrays Bay and Kohimarama; Starling match-race trials, Torbay and Howick.

Saturday: Cruising race (RYC); Gold Cup and Percy Jones Memorial (BBYC); Cruising race to Islington Bay (Weiti Boating Club); Steeler Hauraki Gulf Challenge, summer series (PCC).

Sunday: Open division and ff 15s (RAYC); Classic yachts and M-Class harbour race, 11 am start (RNZYS).

Clubs and organisations planning activity on, in or under the water on the Waitemata or Manukau harbours should register with the Auckland Regional Council Enviroline on 0800 80 60 40.