Watch it from couch, boaties asked

In the City of Sails, boaties are being asked to stay off the water for the America's Cup.

Days before the Louis Vuitton challenger series starts, bureaucrats are urging fans to view the racing from a distance - preferably their couch.

The lure of a close-up view of the world's most famous yachting contest is expected to send thousands of boat-owners on to the Hauraki Gulf.

But local body officials are worried not so much about bedlam on the high seas as gridlock on boat ramps. There simply are not enough launching ramps and parking spaces to cope with the cars and trailers expected.

The North Shore City Council is calling on boat-owners to watch the races from the land, from charter vessels, on television or the Internet.

"If people do not heed any of the warnings it could actually be quite difficult," said spokesman Michael Griffiths.

Up to 4500 craft are expected on the water during the final series. The council estimates its ramps can handle 500 boats a day, while on both sides of the harbour there is parking for only about 1000 cars and trailers.

Harbourmaster James McPetrie said the number of car-parking spaces would limit the trailer-boat flotilla. "Things are going to be very tight."

Traffic congestion is expected at Half Moon Bay, where the Bucklands Beach Yacht Club is race headquarters for the Louis Vuitton Cup.

"There will be quite a large number of people and obviously that will cause some parking congestion," said Mr McPetrie.

Parking for 50 cars and trailers has been made available for the public at the Outboard Boating Club on Tamaki Drive as a condition of resource consent for its recent marina development.

But users must abide by the club's bylaws and have safety equipment on boats and buy a refundable swipe card to access the ramp.