'The best day of my life' - Auckland On the Boat Show - Day 3

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com on 1 Oct 2016 Despite a less than optimist forecast of more inclement weather, visitors to the Auckland On the Water Boat Show were rewarded with a good day to be at the Show – overcast skies, but no rain and plenty to see and do.

Held for the first time in the school holidays, the kids – who get free entry – had a great day. Some very generous owners of the luxury craft on the marinas at the Viaduct Harbor let many family groups on board, which doesn’t usually happen in Shows of this type.

Of vital concern to younger visitors - there is plenty of food available, and an excellent food lounge on the third level of the Events Centre (all accessible by escalator) for visitors to rest up, and just admire the action at the Show and also the sailing on the Waitemata Harbour.

Alongside the Viaduct Events Centre, the Royal New Zealand Navy have opened up HMNZS Hawea as a recruiting and PR exercise, and she was popular with the kids of all sizes with the opportunity to try the various guns on the Fisheries Protection vessel, high-pressure hoses and more.

On the Viaduct Harbour, Yachting New Zealand had two Topaz Topper yachts running all day with kids getting a taste of sailing in a fresh breeze – and in their street clothes.

The Show opened for its third and penultimate day at 10.00am with another big surge of boating fans through the entry gate at the Viaduct Events Centre. Like yesterday morning the weather was unexpectedly fine, with the day being punctuated by just a single afternoon shower.

Visitor traffic along the marina was brisk with exhibitors keen to make up for time lost yesterday afternoon when the deluge hit at 3.00pm.

With many taking just a warm jacket as a defense against the breeze, there was plenty of time to stroll slowly past the craft from large sail yachts to luxury power yachts and a range of inflatables including the new fold-up models.

Some of the boats exhibited are developed prototypes of models which will be in full production in the next 12 months. At this stage, the New Zealand designers and builders are talking final ideas and are always interested in getting feedback from potential buyers as to what they would like to see in the finished product.

Afloat, many of the exhibits are the imported craft – which represent the latest models and thinking from overseas – with the popular types all being represented. All are offered with the New Zealand buyers in mind.

With the Masters Games coming to New Zealand, one of the classes being sailed, the Weta trimaran is at the Show - and being offered at a special below list price, which expires on October 7. For those who have not got up close and personal with the Weta, the class creator Roger Kitchen is on hand to explain the nuances of the New Zealand developed boat which was awarded Sail Boat of the Year by a prestigious US Award Panel, a year or so after the yacht was first announced. The price of the Weta is very close to the popular Laser, and the trimaran folds down to sit on a regular trailer. Over 1200 have now been sold.

Final comment of the day goes to the five-year-old leaving the show and turning to her mother and saying “Mummy this was the best day of my life!”

The Auckland On the Water Boat Show continues through until Sunday – opening at 10.00am each day at Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour. Tickets can be purchased at www.iticket.co.nz

In keeping with the spirit of the school holidays, visitors under 15 years old are free.

On Sunday the Show closes at 5.00pm

For further information see the website on www.auckland-boatshow.com