Tidelines: Locals build big

Work has started at Alloy Yachts in Henderson on Red Dragon II, a 52m (170ft) sloop designed by Dubois Naval Architects. The superyacht has a beam of 10.2m (33.5ft), draws 4.9m (16.1ft) and has a displacement of 354 tonnes. Red Dragon II will be fitted with a 62m (205ft) carbon fibre mast with a fully battened in-boom furling mainsail. The main engine is a C32 1400hp Caterpillar, giving her a range of approximately 5900nm at 10 knots. The superyacht, to be flagged in the Cayman Islands, is scheduled for delivery in May 2008. It will be the fifth yacht of more than 50m built by Alloy Yachts.


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A marketing tour that starts this month and runs to October has been organised by two of the top US boating organisations. The National Marine Manufacturers Association and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation will tour the Discover Boating and Take Me Fishing show on a 50,000km circuit that will take 210 days. Director Amy Murray says the tour will bring boating to people who may not otherwise experience on-the-water fun by visiting county fairs and other public attractions, as well as boat shows. The fishing simulator that's a tour highlight lets people try to catch virtual marlin, bass and freshwater fish.

Water-Watch

Fourteen starters are expected for the Flying 15 National Championships being sailed out of Royal Akarana Yacht Club today. Other activity:

Today: Cruising races (Devonport and Richmond YCs); His and Hers race (Panmure Y&BC); City of Sails Regatta (Kohimarama YC); Steinlager Performance Regatta (RAYC).

Today and tomorrow: Three-legged, three-handed racing (Ponsonby CC); Motuihe Regatta (Bucklands Beach YC); NZ Etchells National Championships (Gulf Harbour YC).

Tomorrow: Women's race (Weiti BC).Organisations planning events on or in the Waitemata or Manukau harbours should register in advance with the Auckland Regional Council on (09) 366 2000. The 24-hour response number for the ARC maritime unit is (09) 362 0397.