COMMODORE'S COMMENTARY A Report from Commodore David Stone

Soon summer will be just a distant memory. While it has been a summer to remember, I have not got anywhere near the amount of sailing I intended. With Easter coming up at the end of next week there won’t be many more chances for cruising. It’s largely due to the demands of a new job and Harry’s sporting activities. Take last weekend as an example, tennis on Friday, cricket Saturday morning, the school fair Saturday afternoon followed by swimming, the Weetbix triathalon on Sunday morning and rugby practice on Sunday afternoon. Doesn’t leave much time for sailing does it?

However the family is looking forward to getting away at Easter so let’s hope the weather gods are kind. Hopefully there will be a good turnout of club boats at Ponui so I look forward to seeing many of you out there.

I want to give you a detailed update of where we are at with the renovation project. There has not been much reported lately but that is not an indication that progress is not being made, it is.

We have done the following:

• appointed Gerald Cailliau (son of Club member Adrian Cailliau) as quantity surveyor for the project. Gerald is preparing a detailed estimate for the project.
• Given that the initial tender process did not deliver the results we were looking for, the Steering Committee has decided that a different approach is required. The nature of the project, involving as it does working with the existing fabric of the Club, some of which is over 120 years old and which has been modified on numerous occasions, does not lend itself to an accurate and effective tender process. The approach we are taking is to select a short list of local builders that meet our requirements of trust, reliability and availability and following selection of one to negotiate a contract using the time up to the construction start to eliminate much of the construction risk to the Club. The Steering Committee believes that this can be managed effectively and that overall the project cost will be lower with an assured high quality result.
• We have uplifted the building consent so we are all set to move once we get the required funding in place. Our current timeline will see work begin on the members’ lounge around July. Let’s hope this time around we can deliver.
• On the funding front we have a number of grant fund applications in with funding agencies and it is a matter of wait and see. There a number of factors that are making this a difficult and protracted process but we need to keep plugging on and in the end we will succeed.
• On the fundraising front the next big effort is the Mayday Garage Sale detailed elsewhere in this magazine.

I know progress is slow but that is just the way these things are right now. We always said it was not going to be easy but it is proving more difficult than anyone anticipated. However we are not giving up.

Hopefully I will be able to give some more positive news shortly.

Happy sailing for what is left of the season. I hope to see you down at the Club on coming Friday nights.

David Stone

 

VICE COMMODORE'S REPORT Sue Johnson

Well, the first quarter of the year has now been and gone just like that. Time is passing too quickly for my liking, I am still working on my things to do list for February (a little more work and less talking as Kevin and my Dad would say).

The Walking Group:
We are meeting and walking each Wednesday night leaving the yacht club at 7.00pm sharp (Marje Ward is the timekeeper). At this stage we are walking for about 30 to 40 minutes at a good pace not too slow but not too fast either and anyway you can walk at your own pace and I am sure that someone will be with you.

Please come and join us, you would be surprised at what you can learn during these walks. However, my lips are sealed if you want the gossip you have to come walking.

The Weight Loss:
I’m not going to mention that we are struggling but I will get Easter over and done with and then back on track. I may have to organise someone to break my jaw so I can only have liquids. There could be two advantages with that one - to lose some weight and the other is I could even catch up on some paper work for Kevin. Maybe this could even be a fundraiser for the Club?

Thank you for your support to date please keep it up, I need all the help I can get.

Haulage:
For those of you who haul out each winter you will need to be getting those haulage applications together with your deposit of $100.00, 30th April is the cut off date. Late applications will depend on space available, so start to think about it and action it sooner rather than later.

Vessels being hauled must be covered by insurance that will protect the owner and the Club from any liability while it is hauled and stored on the Club’s section using the Club’s equipment. This year we are requesting a copy of your insurance policy at the time of receiving your haulage application. We would also appreciate a copy of the insurance policy of the boats that are already on the Club’s section to complete our records.

The haulage manual will be given to everyone either by email or in hard copy once confirmation is given that your haulage application has been accepted. Please take the time to read this and make yourselves familiar with the contents as some of the information has been changed over the last year. We do not need any accidents due to stupidity.

Cradles need checking prior to haul out please check these as the Haulage Master or his representative reserves the right to refuse haulage of boats on the basis of sub-standard cradles.

Refer to the year book or the haulage manual if you are in doubt about what you can or cannot do together with the standard of cradles etc.

There is a copy of the haulage manual in the foyer of the Club for general use, and on this web site. Cradle Details

Before winter haulage commences all boat owners are required to attend the working bee and the informal meeting (which will be held after morning tea on the day of the working bee) to discuss the requirements of haulage etc. The working bee is 8th May plus remember to bring a plate with some goodies on it for morning tea, lunch will be provided by the Club.

Congratulations:
Pat Woollacott celebrated her 90th birthday last month (March). Pat, we wish you many happy returns and hope the celebrations and catching up with family and old friends was all your heart desired.

The Club’s Mayday Mayday sale: please start cleaning out your cupboards and shelves. Kevin has just removed all the pots and pans he thinks I do not need any more and they have been put in the box for the Club’s Mayday Mayday sale, I must admit that 9 fry pans is maybe a little excessive but then he did have 9 anchors on board. Anyway please have that clean out and give your gear to the Club and then you can come down on the 2nd of May and buy it all back.

Well must go, my favourite TV show is just about to begin (Brothers and Sisters).

Take care

Sue

 

REAR COMMODORE'S REPORT John Ford

On the evening of 19th February I had the pleasure of exchanging burgees with John Matthews from the Mounts Bay Sailing Club.

DYC members Lyn and George Hughes had visited the club in Cornwall last year.

John and his wife were here visiting their daughter and son-in-law, who reside in Birkdale. John and family joined Lyn and George for dinner, and John spoke to us briefly about his Cornwall Club.

Charlie has the burgee mounted in the Clubrooms – a nice looking burgee indeed.

Upcoming Events
Monster Garage Sale Sunday 2nd May from 0830 hrs.

Please make yourself available on the Saturday to assist Mike Strong with preparations for this great event. Anything saleable is welcome.

Working Bee Saturday 8th May 0830 hrs
Bring the usual tools and a plate please.

Mothers Day Brunch Sunday 9th May 0900 -1200hrs   Back by popular demand
We have managed to put together a formidable combination of expertise and enthusiasm in the galley to make this a memorable Mothers Day. Please book early with Kirsty Ph 827-5992 or 027-2070447 or email kirmac@xtra.co.nz

It would be appreciated if you could give an indication of the time you would like to dine.   Last year we used the same format for the Fathers Day and it was a very successful fund raiser. We had just over 100 meals served. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

Easter is approaching and I hope to take a couple of extra days leave for a decent cruise. Weather permitting, we hope to join the fleet at Ponui on the Friday and then slip off to the Coromandel for a few days. Last year, with Mike and Wendy on Dogbox, we enjoyed some sensational fishing at Easter.

We fished soft plastics through the mussel farms in our inflatables. This year we hope to be joined by Encounter, to take Harry and the Commodore out for a fish.

Last year was fantastic but who knows what it will be like this time. That’s fishing.

Lastly, my apologies to Bill and Robyn, from Truant. In the Feb newsletter I said we hadn’t seen many DYC boats at Great Barrier over Christmas, and didn’t mention Truant. We actually shared a bay with them for four days. Nice to see people read the newsletter... Thanks Bill.

Hope to see many of you on the water at Easter.

Cheers
John

 

FROM THE SAILING MASTER Desiree Coleman

What an exciting Louis Vuitton series with a great result. The harbour looks very dull now.

On the home front the Duder Cup Regatta was well attended with 11 starters in the Duder Cup, Winners 1st Total Response, 2nd Loose Unit, 3rd Heartlight

6 starters in Classic A - George Winstone Jr Winners 1st Prize, 2nd Little Jim, 3rd Rainbird.

5 starters in the Mulletys - Wood Shield
1st Valeria, 2nd Toatane, 3rd Matana.

3 startes in the Classic B- Col Wild Trophy
1st Gleam, 2nd Spray II, 3rd Ladybird

5 starters in the Woollacotts - Woollacott Cup
1st Turant, 2nd Ladybird, 3rd Calm.

4 starters in the Gainor Jackson
1st Flying Dimitri, 2nd Whos Who,
3rd Simplicity

Thank you to all who helped make it a great day especially Bill Cole and his great team of starters and to the people who helped with the good turn out for the BBQ and prize giving.

Next was the Three Handed Gulf Rally - Trevithic Cup. A great three days for the 6 starters.

Overall winner 1st Corner Bar Cruiser,
2nd Consensus, 3rd Lambretta

A big thank you to Adrienne and Royce Cox on Magic Express and to Sue and Kevin on Mary Terese for hosting a great BBQ and finishing and starting races.

Two great evenings with very tired sailors who so appreciated their invitation on board at the end of long days.

A big thank you to Bill and team for starting and finshing three long days.

Thank you to the sponsor Ken Sharp from Floating Dock Services for his great support.

Unfortunately the weather forecast wasn’t kind to us for the Woody Bay Race and Predicited Log Race and was cancelled. Next year we will endeavour to include launches in several Log Rallys.

Thank you to David Martin Motors, sponsor for this race.

Last Saturday saw the Old Fox, Al Paterson Cup, 6 starters.

Last year’s winner Masquerade a strong participant but unfortunately crossed 33 seconds out of time leaving the three D28s to fox it out.
1st Idle Hour, 2nd Memories, 3rd Pendragon.

Thank you to Chris Leech for being finish boat and the sponsor John Sichel, Del Immune V the sponsor

By the time this goes to print the resheduled 2 handed Waiheke race will have been sailed and Easter on our door step. This is a must and hopefully the weather will be kind. Race down and then a BBQ.

Desiree

Haulage John Webley

Winter Haulage
Now is the time to organise your winter haulage. Applications close on 30th April so get your form from the Clubhouse Foyer or from the Website and fill it in. Don’t forget to sign the Application and Disclaimer and forward to the Hon. Secretary or Haulage Master with your Deposit Cheque for $100. Please give us a description of the type of work you intend to do as sometimes the site location can be selected to assist certain types of work. Indicate the approximate dates you would like to be up and down if this is important. We will do our best to oblige. If you haven’t hauled before or used that particular cradle before, please indicate this on the form as we need to make sure the Haulage Operators are aware and can give you extra attention. Positions and times will be posted on the Board on the day of the Working Bee (8th May).

A meeting of all skippers proposing to haul will be held in the Clubhouse that morning after morning tea so be there. Note that haulage of your boat is at your risk and responsibility and you are expected to carry 3rd party insurance at least, for your protection and that of other boat-owners.

John Webley

 

STORIES FROM THE PAST Chris Leech

Over the coming months I will include some old naval sayings, which will intrigue all and offer an explanation as to their origin. (Reproduced with kind permission of the RNZN Museum)

Pass with flying colours:
Substantial achievement
A fleet victorious in battle would sail into its home port with flags, or colours, flying from all masts. (see also nail one’s colours to the mast and show your true colours)

Pipe down:
Keep quiet; stop talking
A boatswain’s piped signal at the end of the day for lights out and silence.

Piping hot:
Very hot
A boatswain would pipe a signal when meals were served.

Plumb the depths:
Sink as low as possible
Sailors would use a plumb (lead) weight attached to a line to measure the water’s depth, especially when close to shore or near rocks to avoid running aground. (See also sound off and swing the lead)

Pooped:
Tired; fatigued
In a heavy sea, water would wash over the poop deck, the stern section of the ship.

CR Leech ED*
Past Commodore

 

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

Regular updates of the Club’s Members’ Boat Directory and Members’ Directory will be posted in subsequent Devonport Yacht Club News issues, as required.

You are invited to paste these amendments into your yearbook.

 

DYC BOAT REGISTER AMENDMENTS
	MEMBER NAME	BOAT	TYPE	SAIL	CALL SIGN
Update	Adrien Cailliau
to	Adrien & Merrie Cailliau

 

BRIC a BRAC

Phil back racing Ebb-Tide
Phil Warring helmed Ebb-Tide and won the Woollacott division at the Mahurangi regatta and received the Lady Pat Trophy. Phil is now well into his 80s and had Jeff Cook as crew who did all the pulling of ropes etc. Ebb-Tide also raced on the Saturday around Mahurangi Harbour with Phil in firm control!

Frank Warnock back on Rainbow
Frank helmed Rainbow at the Mahurangi regatta, it had a special significance for him as Frank crewed on Rainbow as a teenager (was that just a few years ago...?) when his boss Leo Bouzaid owned her. Frank made the sails in the traditional style three years ago when she was put back to Gaff rig. It was a real thrill for Frank to actually be helming her in a race!

Rumour
There is a rumour that will have a number of skippers looking over their shoulder during race starts that a super yacht called EOS may be entered into a Club race, now that would be a sight indeed! I wondered what TCF Rhys would put on it... and you can see how the other half live by entering Eos super yacht on Google. She is 302 feet long.

Tipsey:
I am on the lookout for a partner to purchase a half share in Tipsey with me, or to purchase both half shares. Tipsey is a fine Woollacott vessel and should be back in the water. This would suit someone with boat building skills who has an interest in repairing old wooden boats. Please contact me if you have an interest on 09 445 2131 or email mikes@hvpower.co.nz.

Mike Strong

STORIES FROM OFFSHORE"S LOG BOOK Frank Warnock

CLUB RACE TO KAWAU
Firstly a little history, Offshore was designed by John Lidgard in 1970 during a rare sober moment and built for us by the late Snow Waters in Hillside Road Takapuna. I have owned her since new and we are in the 36th year of sailing. We have done 25000 miles of ocean racing plus a lot of Squadron and Devonport Club racing and have been very successful winning the Squadron’s seasons points prize once and Devonport’s three times. I had the same crew for 18 years; Ray Shaw senior and junior, Phil Warring, Keith Douglas were all DYC members.

The course was from the start off Devonport Wharf keeping the navy buoy to port and finish between Momona point and the finish boat Rereahi owned by past Commodore Alan Kemp. It was a fine sunny Saturday morning with no wind and the fleet drifted forward a few hundred metres on the last of an ebbing tide. When the tide turned and we started drifting up harbour we anchored as did most of the fleet and when a light breeze appeared we tried to pull the anchor up but found that it was caught in the power cable so we tied the end to our Dan buoy and motored into Devonport Wharf where I phoned diver Dan and asked him to retrieve our anchor.

This happened many years before cell phones or even VHF sets were invented. We were out of the race but decided to head for Kawau anyway, as we motored past Rangi Light we passed the fleet and as we passed Kaieka a Jack Brooke design sailed by Jim Oliphant the club solicitor, young Ray Shaw decided to throw a bucket of water over him however his aim was lousy and the contents went down the open hatch and onto his wife Jenny who was lying in the port quarter berth. Jenny was a feisty woman who had clocked a couple of men who had annoyed her in the past and when she appeared on deck shouting revenge we all cringed and opened the throttle.

As we passed through Tiri passage under mainsail and motor Ray Shaw called the finish boat on the SSB radio and told him that we were passing the end of Whangaparaoa and the next boat was a long way behind, he was careful not to tell any lies. Not far from the finish a lovely breeze appeared from astern and Ray called Allan and said that we were passing the Coppermine and hoisting a spinnaker which drove them into action as they were anchored in North Harbour and they quickly positioned themselves on the finish line moments before we sailed around the corner and took the gun. In those days the Club had a couple of double barrelled shotguns and it was quite legal to use them.

We dropped the sails and rafted alongside and accepted congratulations from all on board, the beer appeared and we all indulged our thirst. Fred Lytollis who lived in the custodian’s flat at the Club asked me where the dozen cans of beer were as I had lost a bet with him the week before and with this in mind I had wrapped plaster around a dozen empty cans on the way up and threw them at him. He caught them but the plaster tore and the cans crashed into the cockpit of Rereahi, Fred was not amused.

After an hour had passed we started to be asked how we had got so far ahead and we muttered something about superior boat speed. We ended up having a great party aboard Rereahi and drinking most of their beer and finally decided to move into Mansion House Bay and await festivities.

As we departed I handed Alan a prepared note telling him the truth and heard him threatening to sink us all as we steamed away.

The next day we were racing home and passing Motuora Island when Rereahi appeared motoring up close astern and fearing several buckets of water we quickly set the auto pilot which was and is still called George and went below closing the hatch behind us. As Rereahi passed close to our starboard side a porthole opened and a shotgun appeared, BANG BANG they let us have both barrels and literally blew us out of the water.

And what about Jenny Oliphant? Well we had a discussion and young Ray said that we should send a sacrificial crew member over and see how she was; we all agreed and pointed our fingers at him. After plucking up courage he finally rowed over and apologised and fortunately she took it well and accepted his apology.

Next month, how Mike Webster found himself in the poo up to his armpits.

MAHURANGI 2010
Penned by the Lads of El Barco

Mahurangi is the spot, to go by launch or yacht
When it’s Auckland’s anniversary
Devo Yacht Club in position, because it is tradition
With stories at the ready as you’ll see

With three days of weekend, it’s a perfect place to spend
Your time with fellow company
There are races, food and drinks, not to mention the high jinks
Which will live forever in your memory

Friday night expanded fast, as the boats arrived at last
That’s when the celebrations took a hold
But come the following morning, many were in mourning
Fragile and pathetic to behold

David Stone was at his best, entertaining all the rest
His sparkling wit though covered up a snag
But as he’s the Commodore, you wouldn’t ask for more
A pity he forgot the yacht club’s flag

Desiree Coleman stood the test, for she had done her best
Her notebook being filled with words of song
With both chorus and refrain, everyone could sing again
Placing all the words where they belong

Graham Pettersen, entertained the others when
A ditty he recited loud and clear
He tried hard to stop from smiling, but the rest found it beguiling
Graham finding time to have another beer

Little Harry Strong, strung everyone along
Weaving through their legs with rope in hand
Maybe his life’s roll, will be in crowd control
Or letting people know just where they stand

The eggs when they arrived, had on their shells inscribed
Their contents clearly there for all to see
Some were meant to thrill you, and others maybe kill you
The wonders of the latest chemistry

One even held Viagra, in case its down like old Niagara
So every Tom and Dick was catered for
John Ford had one of those, but nobody ever knows
If he ever did go back for more

Frank Warnock was elated, but later on deflated
The secretary causing him to frown
For his thousand dollar prizes, he expected some surprises
Most of them too naughty to put down

His mercenary mind, to Anne Leech was most unkind
He having thoughts that should never be
No tonguing sweet embrace, just a few pecks on his face
Thanks to the lady’s sense of dignity

The rewards that Frank had sought, swiftly turned to naught
Which is really just the way that it should be
Frank had visions of Desiree stripping, to join him in skinny dipping
And many other forms of devilry

The two ladies from Offshore, couldn’t take much more
And clearly made the status known
Three are company four a crowd, no extra crew allowed
Frank was wanted only on his own

Monday morning came around, and the boats were homeward bound
The weekend was now drawing to an end
Around thirty miles to go, so here to let you know
Is just what truly happened to a friend

Perched on the windward rail, wind force nearing gale
Grant as skipper had the tiller in his hand
El Barco gave a lurch, and Grant slipped off his perch
Heavy down to leeward he would land

Bob Thompson acted fast, as he saw Grant going past
Shoved his hand out quick to stop Grant’s fall
With all the strength that he could muster, hit Grant squarely in his cluster
I guess that you could say Bob had a ball

Grant’s eyes were filled with tears, he’d had his gear for years
Which had faithfully fulfilled his every need
As his eyes began to water, he would gladly hang and quarter
The perpetrator of this dirty deed

Bob Thompson now repents, that series of events
Which now will have to stay with him for life
Grant and he are still good friends, and here the story ends
But give thanks that Bob didn’t hold a knife

 

FROM THE PRESIDENT John Duder

FROM LOG RAFT TO UNDINE

One moment of madness while in Pakistan in late sixties was a Sunday drive up the Indus river bank which brought us to the gathering point of hundreds of sizeable logs floated down, there to be made into rafts. One such was leaving the beach so I jumped uninvited aboard, leaving Tessa, two kids and driver to find their own way in the Land Rover back to the Tarbela dam site. The raft’s four huge paddles, two forward, two aft, had me puzzled, till it became obvious that their purpose was to line up the raft to shoot the rapids. With a crew of three there was a spare oar, so I worked my passage and we avoided stranding on any of the gravel islands on the 20 mile drift back to the dam site. Particularly memorable was the Pathan skipper’s orientation to Mecca for his regular prayers, despite the oscillation of the raft.

Back in New Zealand, after the OK Dinghy at Taupo, and a crack (literally broken nose) at the Pupuke 24 hours race in the Turangi Club’s Rothmans ‘Father and Son’ dinghy (any of those left?), there were a few quiet years in Auckland with a growing family and Spray 11 no longer in the family.

Then daughter Lisa and nephew Matthew both saw Undine advertised as lying in the mud at Thames, going for $25,000. A quick visit had Lisa at least convinced this should be the family boat; but the gaff topsail rig and 10-foot bowsprit suggested a partnership, to which Bruce Marler, ex commodore RNZYS, and initially John Burgess cheerfully subscribed.

And so we sailed from Thames on a fortuitously calm day, first running aground at the river mouth and then, lying in Awawaroa Bay, Waiheke, being rammed before dawn by a sleepy runabout. The impact, fortunately forward of the mast, demolished the runabout’s pulpit but only bent one of Undine’s rigging screws (standard Thames Valley Power Board issue like the rest of the standing rigging). For the new owners sleeping below it was a hell of a wakeup call!

And so began a memorable ten years in partnership with the Marlers, which I take the liberty of belatedly recording in some detail.

From Undine’s construction in 1887, she was effectively the Fullers’ farm cart, plying her trade between Kerikeri and Russell. The two brothers went to the Thames goldrush on a joint honeymoon. Presumably that was successful but there is no record of any rich rewards financially from Undine’s other activities, as recorded in daughter Hazel Cates’ memoirs; these included the shipping out of materials for the Cape Brett lighthouse, and cargoes of coal from Ngunguru. She was 50 years in the Fuller family, then as far as we can tell had a varied life as a reserve fishing boat until about to be burnt on the beach at Manganui. She was rescued by Alan Brimblecombe of Mahurangi, notable for his launch restoration projects. But it was not till he slipped her at Tauranga that he found the centreboard slot, which, with the evidence from old photos, the position of chain plates and the shadow of her name in large letters underneath the green paint, convinced us to celebrate her 100th birthday at Kawau in 1997 shortly after purchasing her, with an appropriate cake and a cargo of titree in her hold and on deck back to Auckland.

There were necessary improvements to be made. We shifted ballast forward, clearing Thames mud from the bilges, and got Salthouse’s to refix the garboards (“held on by water pressure” said John S!). Then we had the huge Ralph Sewell gaff mainsail down-sized and peaked up a bit, and cut up a Dutch jib to give a reaching jib and trisail, in the same dark tan cloth. Then we started to race her, primarily against Rewa a year older and now thanks to David and Liz Walters permanently residing in the National Maritime Museum at Hobson Wharf.

One memorable day, after the start of the 1988 Whitbread race, saw the two vessels pacing each other in the Rangitoto Channel: Rewa under squares’l and waters’l and Undine under two watersails, trysail as a spinnaker and reaching jib as spinnaker topsail.

Do you remember the two Danish gaff ketches Anna Kristina and Anna Rosa with square topsails set below the hounds? There is a photo somewhere of Undine and Rewa alongside – over 400 years in four boats.

Ten years was over all too soon when Howard Patterson put Spray II on the market. She just had to come back into the family. But Undine is not everyone’s dream ship. Two separate guys envisaged sailing to Fiji and Sydney respectively but no way would we be party to that.

Finally up came Pete Richards of Paihia, suitably crazy as we had been. Now, after two years’ rebuilding the after section, she’s in survey and does day sails around the Bay of Islands – 120 years and still going strong.

John

 

CAMERA CLIPS Duder Cup, Gulf Rally

Gulf Rally Action	Gulf Rally Start
Ebbtide	Gulf Rally Sunset
Spray, Duder Cup Regatta 2010

 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Neil Burson
Tuesday, 16 March 2010 12:35 p.m

Hokimai Cruise

The lapaz waltz, it does exists.

Hi folks, it’s Neil Burson here, on the good ship Hokimai. I have been meaning to write for so long. Rob and Jo on Blue Moon, in fact it was shortly after the last Blue Moon update, they must be well south by now. I have been stationed in lapaz, slowly improving the boat for our trip across the Pacific with a compliment of 4, we will leave late April for the Maqussis, then the Tuamtos, onwards to Tahiti where we will reprovision. The boat is registered with the Pacific puddle jump fleet, so celebration and a welcoming by the tourist board happens in the middle of June at the lagoons of Moorea.

Gosh life is tuff. Soon after one crew hops off so there will be just 3 of us to sail the island chain, probably we will depart at Borabora for Suvarow and then on to Vauvau in Tonga because I like Tonga a whole lot, the boat will be in the group for a while, in fact, probably till late October.

Now, here’s my little plug! Anybody who thinks they might like to join the good ship Hokimai for a few weeks in October and then sail to New Zealand should send me an email at, neilburson@hotmail.com I try to clear my mail once a week. How I will do this in Tahiti will be hit and miss.

Cheers for now,

Neil Burson

 

NOTICE BOARD

FATHERS' DAY BRUNCH Sunday, 5 September 9.30am - 12.30pm To raise funds for the building project Menu: The sort of delicious food blokes love...and lots of it cooked by our own celebrity chefs – the Commodore and her support crew The bar will be open Cost: Adults: $20.00 Children (6-12 years): $10.00 Children under 6: Free Bookings are essential advise the staff at the bar or phone or email Kirsty: 827 5992 or 027 207 0449  / kirmac@xtra.co.nz stating the number attending and the time you will arrive, along with your name and phone number Come along for a delicious hearty breakfast and support your Club It’s not everyday the Commodore cooks for the Club’s men! Join us for a fun and informative evening with DAVID THATCHER Thursday September 16th 19.30 start at the Devonport Yacht Club. The bar will be open and a light supper will be served afterwards. We will be entertained by his stories of messing about in boats for pleasure and work, his exploits in the Pacific, his life as an author of a number of best selling Cruising Guides (which will be for sale on the night) and his adventures at work as the Rodney Harbour Master. Zumba at the Yacht Club Monday evenings from 13 September 7.30 to 8.30 pm Light clothing and flat shoes Bring a water bottle Cost $10 per session or Concession for 10 Courtesy: zumbanorthshore.co.nz and Larisa King Members and friends welcome Contact : Graham Pettersen  445 7481 For Sale Stewart 36 - (Matangi). Built 1976 by Keith Atkinson. 3 skin kauri, glued, screwed and glassed. Vessel in good condition. Current owners since 1977. Can be viewed at Gulf Harbour berth G18. Phone owners on either +64 021 132 0075 or  +64 9 476 0114 Assistance required for the Calliope Sea Scouts The Calliope Sea Scouts are undertaking evening classes, and one of the topics is about the Stars and Navigation. This will be at a fairly basic level. If there is any Member who will be able to assist, then please let me know. It will be for a Monday night between 1830 and 2000. CR Leech ED* Past Commodore Treasurer Required Accounting Knowledge Essential MYOB System Assistant Treasurer available for day to day input etc. Approximately 3 hours weekly There will be a good transition period Attendance required for monthly meeting (3rd Tuesday of each month) Honorarium payable Ring Matt (445-7188) or Sue (445-2815) Friday Night Members Draw Here's how it works; Every Friday evening a Member’s number will be drawn If your number comes up you must in the clubhouse and be in possession of your membership card to claim the Prize No winner, and the prize Jackpots to next week The weekly prize is a $20 voucher from one of our local businesses Devonport Hammer Hardware Glengarry Wines, Devonport Evergreen Books, Devonport Be there to Win  Our Caterer DOES GREAT WEDDINGS / PRIVATE PARTIES AT HOME / GIVE THEM A CALL (Gay Larner) 021 776 701 Posted 2/7/2009

 

BOOK REVIEW

NEW ZEALAND’S NORTHLAND COAST
(new edition of - Northland Coast Boaties’ Atlas; this is the second edition).
By David Thatcher.
Case bound, portrait, 297 mm X 210 mm (A4),
192 pages.

This is an entirely new edition, with the same hard cover, sewn binding and full colour as the Hauraki Gulf Boating Atlas - which is its companion volume. It is fully indexed, with 192 pages and considerable addition to content. The guide covers in detail the harbours and coastline from Whangarei to Cape Reinga, and the Three Kings Islands.

The section for Whangarei covers the marinas and details of the large water area from the Whangarei Heads to the Town Basin.

Coverage from there comprises Tutukaka and Whangaruru and the coast in between. The Bay of Islands section starts at Whangamumu and on its own is an extensive and invaluable guide to the region. Coverage includes the Waikare inlet and the extensive water area in the approaches to Kerikeri.

Thence coverage extends to the Cavalli Islands, Whangaroa and The Far North. For Doubtless Bay and northward, including the Three Kings Islands, much effort has gone into obtaining photos, narrative, charts and plans. This constitutes a unique component of this guide to New Zealand’s Northland Coast.

As with the Hauraki Gulf Boating Atlas, in presentation and content this is a guide produced to the highest international standards and will make an excellent gift.

NZ$80.00

 

BOOK REVIEW

BEN AINSLIE - CLOSE TO THE WIND

By Ben Ainslie, Hardback, 160mm x 240mm,
246 pages, colour photos.

Step behind the scenes and experience the exhilarating whirlwind life of ‘sailing’s superman’.
Ben has won successive golds in the last three Olympics, making him a British hero and our greatest Olympic sailor ever. In 2012 he plans to bid for a forth.

In Close to the Wind Ben reveals the truth behind his awesome achievement. A charming spokesperson off the water, he reveals just how ruthless he is on it. He admits to fierce rivalries, above all with Brazilian Robert Scheidt, who robbed a nineteen-year old Ben of gold in his first Olympics. From that day Scheidt has been Ben’s nemesis and they have explosively raced head-to-head many times since.

Ben’s twenty-year sailing career, which began on a dinghy in a remote Cornish bay, has a scope unmatched by other sports. In Olympic races he is alone, in his tiny boat, channelling aggression and plotting tactics. But Ben’s recent forays into the America’s Cup are a complete contrast. As a helmsman for the Cup - sailing’s glamorous, lucrative Formula One-equivalent - Ben can only succeed by precision team-work.

From his proudest moment representing Team GB, to one tough decision that almost risked destroying his career, this is a unique insight into the man who cannot let himself be second best. It shows what really takes place in the white heat of competition and lifts the lid on this toughest of sports.

NZ$60.00

Marianne Bosman

Boat Books Ltd
22 Westhaven Drive
Westhaven, Auckland
New Zealand
Ph: 64 9 358 5691
Fax: 64 9 358 5817
Email: crew@boatbooks.co.nz