Tidelines: Huge holiday package for boat show

The 2005 Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show will use an $80,000 holiday prize to attract punters through the gate. The organisers of the Queen's Birthday Weekend exhibition (Thursday to Monday, June 2 to 6) have put together a four-person luxury package. The prize includes three nights at the five-star Paihia Beach Resort, two nights cruising the Bay of Islands aboard the 22m motoryacht Mission Hills and two nights at the exclusive Cavalli Island Retreat. Show manager Dave Gibbs says the Cavalli part of the prize is exclusive, just the four winners on a private island with their own chef and no other guests.

US SURVEY LOOKS AT MARINA ECONOMICS

More than 1400 marina operators across the United States are being surveyed on the economic impact of marinas. A joint initiative by the Association of Marina Industries and Michigan State University, it is collecting information on numbers of slips, occupancy rates, dry stack facilities and off-season storage sites. The data collected will be used to accurately inform local authorities and regional economic organisations about the significance of the marina industry.

MUSEUM PAYS TRIBUTE TO PAUL WHITING

Designer Paul Whiting's achievements are being commemorated at the National Maritime Museum with a display to mark the 25th anniversary of his death at sea. The Reactor Association has two lectures arranged in conjunction with the display which runs until April 25. Ray Beale will speak at the museum on Saturday, April 2 at 2pm and Roy Dickson on Sunday, April 17 at 11am.

WATER-WATCH

Easter Weekend sees clubs getting into cruising mode and most competitive sailing on hold. Activity includes:

Saturday to Monday: All clubs Easter Rally (BBYC, RNZYS, PCC, RAYC, and DYC); Olympic classes regatta (Takapuna BC); Family cruising weekend for trailer yachts (Waikato TYS).

Organisations planning events on the harbours should register in advance with the ARC Customer Service Centre on (09) 366 2000. The 24-hour response number for the ARC maritime unit is (09) 362 0397.

Editorial inquiries to Robin Bailey on (09) 524 4572 or e-mail rbailey@ihug.co.nz