Tidelines: Quality scheme

Nine of the region's leading boatbuilders have joined forces to deliver to their clients a guaranteed assurance of quality. A committee of the Boating Industries' Association, the Boatbuilders' Standards Group (BBS) have agreed on a simple, audited programme. The inaugural companies are Barton McGill, Brin Wilson Boatbuilders, Formula Boats, Genesis Marine, Kevin Johnson Boatbuilders, Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders, Oliver Marine International, Salthouse Marine Group and Wavecrusher Boats. Owners of boats built under the BBS scheme will have a bronze plaque attached to their boat.

Fishing bonanza

Albany is the place for bargain-hunting fishers this weekend. After nine years' in Hamilton, Fish City is expanding to Rosedale Rd and a new 800 sq m showroom plus boatyard. For the opening weekend, there will be two days of specials, a continuous barbecue and a boat prize for one lucky shopper. Everyone who spends more than $100 will go into a draw for a $31,000 Ramco, Mercury outboard and Voyager trailer.

Elite support

The Auckland Yacht & Boating Association and the people running the Auckland City Council's Volvo Project Office, which is organising the Volvo Ocean Race Auckland stopover, are looking to both ends of the sailing spectrum. The elite sailors driving the greyhounds of blue-water sailing are going to be invited to get involved with youngsters. The Optimist, P-Class, Starling and 29er championships are being held at Torbay at the weekend of the Volvo re-start and Auckland Anniversary Day. Association secretary Richard Brown has sent a message to Auckland members for ideas on organising an activity during the stopover and particularly something to let the juniors meet the stars and get close to the fleet while the racers are here.

WaterWatch

The M-Class kicks off its 79th season with a 2 pm start as a highlight of Royal Akarana Yacht Club's Open Day tomorrow.

Today: Hibiscus Coast regatta, Optis, P-class, Starlings and 29ers (Manly); Cruising race to Oneroa, 10 am start (RAYC); Harbour race (RNZYS).

Tomorrow: Harbour race (PYBC); M-class, ff 15s and Open Day (RAYC).

Clubs and organisations planning an event on the Waitemata or Manukau Harbours should register with the Auckland Regional Council Enviroline on 0800 80 60 40.fuend