Prize package makes a splash

It's not often you get offered something for nothing, but a $70,000 prize package could be yours simply for attending the Boat Show, writes ROBIN BAILEY.

A free-to-enter gate prize has long been a feature of the country's biggest marine exhibition - it's been regarded as bait to tempt the punters in.

The 2001 Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show continues the tradition, but the only difference is that this year's $70,000 prize is the complete deal - the winner gets boat, trailer, dive gear, safety gear, ski gear, boating education, anchoring equipment, watersports fun gear, even insurance.

The boat is a CSB Huntsman Dorado 5.5m limited edition, built in Christchurch. The prize package has been touring the main centres on the way to the Boat Show, taking a vital skipper responsibility message to all boaters. That theme will continue during the show as a team from Water Safety New Zealand and the Coastguard Boating Education Service distributes free copies of Safe Boating - an Essential Guideline and information about courses available for recreational boaters.

Geoff Robinson and Wayne Guthrie have been making CSB Huntsman boats for eight years, with the first Dorado released four years ago. The prize boat is a reworked design, with a finer entry to improve blue-water performance. The partnership has a small dedicated team at its Bromley factory and the finish of the boats is outstanding. One reason could be that the bosses are present on the factory floor, acting as a dual quality control system.

The upgraded Dorado has distinctive high sides on the cockpit and cabin, providing good security in the cockpit and sitting headroom in the fully-lined cuddy cabin. The helm station on the prize boat includes a $5000 Raytheon package, which includes a 420 Navionics plotter, L470 dual frequency LCD fish-finder and Ray 53 VHF radio.

The cockpit is roomy, with back-to-back passenger seats and a pair of removable quarter seats in the stern.

The rig comes on a Watercraft multi-roller braked trailer and, with a combined towing weight of 960kg, can be handled by a two-litre car. The power plant is a new-technology Yamaha 100hp four-stroke. The in-line 1596cc four-cylinder engine produces 100hp at 5500 rpm, a boat/engine pairing ideal for use as a family boat.

The extras with the prize rig are:

* Kiwi/Tica fishing package: reels, rods, tackle box, binoculars and even a fish smoker.

* Aqualung dive package: Calypso scuba system, regulator, depth and air meter, two adult and two children's wetsuits, and scuba and snorkelling courses.

* Hutchwilco safety and water toys package: two adult and two children's lifejackets, Wessex flare kit, set of fenders, Kidder combo skis, ski biscuit, ski rope.

* Anchoring and navigation package: Simpson Lawrence Sprint 600 rope/chain windlass, 4kg delta anchor, matched rope/chain package, possum skin sailing gloves, and Yoeman paper chart plotter.

There's also a Coastguard day skipper pack, rules-of-the-road at-sea textbook and a VHF radio handbook.

It's the complete deal and someone will win it at the boat show running at the Auckland Showgrounds from June 1 to 4. For a full boat test on the Dorado, check the May issue of Boating New Zealand magazine.



The responsible skipper theme being promoted at the 2001 Boat Show lists some of the things skippers should be sure of before heading out on the water, such as:

* The vessel has been properly maintained.

* They have the necessary skills, knowledge and qualifications to ensure the safety of all on board.

* There is a correctly-fitting buoyancy aid for everyone on board.

* The vessel carries an anchor, bucket, fire extinguisher, VHF marine radio, emergency signalling device and an alternative means of propulsion.

* The weather and conditions are suitable for the planned trip.

* All those aboard are briefed on emergency procedures, including the location of all safety equipment.

* They will comply with the maritime "rules of the road."

* The vessel is loaded within its limits and all equipment is securely stowed.

* Someone ashore knows where we are going and when we will be back.

The BoatSafe campaign encouragesskippers who can't give themselves a tick on all those points to take a Coastguard Boating Education Service course.