Tidelines: Yacht design

Auckland and Massey Universities and the Royal Institution of Naval Architects have combined to stage the inaugural High Performance Yacht Design conference in Auckland from December 3 to 6. A technical review panel has accepted 35 abstracts from researchers, engineers and designers from 12 countries, many of them involved in the America's Cup. Topics range from aeroelastic modelling and wind tunnel testing of sails through computational fluid dynamics. Full details on HP Yacht

Outboard expert

Marine systems specialists Lusty and Blundell have appointed outboard expert Brendan Grant to the company's sales team. After 14 years in the industry, the past 10 with the West Auckland company Bensemann Boating, Grant will concentrate on improving service to the company's national network of dealers, says L&B managing director Mike Harris.

Terrorist alert

Inflatable boat manufacturer Zodiac has told its 300-plus US dealers to be on the lookout for terrorist activity. Sales chief Ed Washburn says the FBI visited Zodiac headquarters to warn that terrorist organisations plan to use inflatables against targets such as bridges, barges and ships.

Water-Watch

The Canterbury two-handed and open boats series continues out of Royal Akarana tomorrow. Start time is midday. Other activity includes:

Saturday: Winter series racing (RNZYS and VCC).

Sunday: Short-handed winter series (RYC); Winter series (BBYC); Winter series Race 4, 11am start (GYYC).

* Clubs and organisations planning events on or in the Waitemata or Manukau harbours should register with the Auckland Regional Council Enviroline on 0800 80 60 40.