Latest DIY Boating
Float & Form: Building boats, building memories
From backyard builds to weekend adventures, this Kiwi-made kitset boat company is making waves with hands-on boating for everyone.
Float & Form: Building boats, building memories
From backyard builds to weekend adventures, this Kiwi-made kitset boat company is making waves with hands-on boating for everyone.
Kitset boats: Rekindling a culture
Want a simple, inexpensive pathway to becoming a boatie?
Consider building a kitset vessel. It’s an easy solo project but will bring greater rewards if tackled by a family or community group. Guaran...
Kitset boats: Rekindling a culture
Want a simple, inexpensive pathway to becoming a boatie?
Consider building a kitset vessel. It’s an easy solo project but will bring greater rewards if tackled by a family or community group. Guaran...
BYO Elliot 1150 Tourer: The perfect yacht
Every so often
I hit the self-destruct button and decide to build a boat, well aware of the commitment in time and money. That’s because
the boats I want to own simply don’t exist.
BYO Elliot 1150 Tourer: The perfect yacht
Every so often
I hit the self-destruct button and decide to build a boat, well aware of the commitment in time and money. That’s because
the boats I want to own simply don’t exist.
What a hoot! Tai Mate: A whimsical dinghy with a retro twist
You're not imagining something out of a children's storybook. This quirky vessel, owned by retro-boat enthusiast Barry Anderson, is a 9ft (2.7-metre) fibreglass dinghy transformed into a unique creati...
What a hoot! Tai Mate: A whimsical dinghy with a retro twist
You're not imagining something out of a children's storybook. This quirky vessel, owned by retro-boat enthusiast Barry Anderson, is a 9ft (2.7-metre) fibreglass dinghy transformed into a unique creati...
Wash it off: DIY Anchor and Deck Wash System
Once an anchor digs through this stuff it will usually hold well; the trouble is, upon weighing, half the bottom usually comes up as well, glued to th...
Re-propping my outboards
When it comes to choosing propellers for any boat, a fair amount of trial and error is required to get the performance you want.
DIY Descaling
An overheating secondhand outboard needed descaling and flushing to unclog its cooling passages. Norman undertook the task himself.
DiveCat relaunched
“Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are busy doing it” – George Bernard Shaw
New antifouling
The marine environment generally contains a profusion of life. Nothing can be left immersed in salt water without it quickly becoming covered in marin...
New antifouling
The marine environment generally contains a profusion of life. Nothing can be left immersed in salt water without it quickly becoming covered in marin...
Flooring decisions and application; Covering the sole
One of the last major interior decorating decisions I have made is choosing the most appropriate floor covering for the main cabin – the ‘sole’. Optio...
The freshwater system
Last issue we covered the installation of the toilet and holding tank, also known as the black water system. The final plumbing project is to implemen...
Rewiring your boat
Fully rewiring a boat is an expensive exercise, as I am discovering during my rebuild project. Even a modest amount of new cable can cost a fair amoun...
Getting into hot water
A few months ago, I wrote about the design and installation of a new galley layout for my boat Divecat. During that process I installed a new hot wate...
Drumming up an anchor
Every boat, regardless of its size or purpose, should be equipped with a reliable anchoring system. This ensures safety and stability when the vessel...
Galley design & construction – Designing a galley: Sink, hob and hot water supply
One of the benefits of being a part-time boat reviewer is that from time to time I get to experience other people’s boats, and I get to see the latest...
Heald trawler yacht
Designed for a couple, with a large workshop for Brad and a dedicated writing nook for Sapi, it will be their forever home.
Marine Refrigeration: Chill out
Almost every type of boat-use story has some requirement for keeping stuff cool.
Seeing clearly – Part II
Last month we replaced the front windows of Divecat, using extruded aluminium window frames and the original toughened glass windowpanes held in by nu...
Seeing clearly
The design of recreational boat windows has evolved over the years, as have the materials used.
Steering in the right direction
Now that we have fitted the two replacement outboards to Divecat, together with their Vibrastop anti-vibration system, the next item on the agenda is ...
Sticking it to aluminium
Epoxy and aluminium are not usually good bedfellows. Enter Belzona with its range of specialist products. Even stripped threads can be repaired.
No more bad vibes
One of the advantages of an aluminium boat is the rigidity of the hull. While there may be a small amount of flex, depending on the design, for the mo...
Getting hot under the collar
An overheating boat engine can have many causes, but one of the first things to check is the health of the heat exchanger.
The hull cleanup
Cleaning off old coatings from a boat’s hull is no easy task, especially if they are years old, made up of a variety of materials and several layers t...
Fitting a shower cubicle
One of the benefits of stripping a boat back to the bare hull is that you can redesign the layout to correct any annoying shortcomings in the previous...
Bilge pump disaster
Is you bilge pump installation up to moving a large volume of water out of your hull should the need arise?
Dealing with calcification
Last issue we covered the affliction of corrosion, but boats that remain in the water for long periods suffer from the reverse problem – calcification...
Rust never sleeps
According to the musician Neil Young, “Rust Never Sleeps”. Young must have been a boat owner, because certainly rust, or more generically corrosion, n...
Fitting a steering indicator
One of the useful, but not necessarily essential, gauges on the helm of a boat is an indicator showing which way the rudder is pointing.
This is of ...
Fitting a gauge to your water tank
Take the guesswork out of estimating how much water your boat is carrying.
Most boats with an underfloor fuel tank will have a fuel gauge. Which is a...
Working with plastic
Historically boats were built of wood, although various forms of metal (iron, steel then aluminium) became more common during the industrial revolutio...
Many ways of steering
Every watercraft built since the dawn of time had to be steered in some way.
In ancient times steering gear was usually some version of an oar that w...
Knowing your ropes and rode
Let’s get the first question out of the way: When it is ‘rope’ and when is it ‘rode’?
When you go to the marine chandlers or even the hardware store,...
Boost your phone
Boaties venturing offshore know how quickly a phone loses signal bars – and data apps become patchy at best. The combination of poor signal strength a...
The case for AIS
Retrofitting an AIS (Automatic Identification System) to your boat is relatively inexpensive and easy, and it might make a significant difference in a...
Caring for your anchor rode
When did you last wash your anchor warp? Not a common maintenance item, but something that may be worth considering, especially if your boat’s more th...
ENGINE COMPUTERS: A curse or a blessing?
Everything seems to be controlled by a computer these days, including boat engines. Those of us with more than a few decades under our belt will remem...
Spot the hazards – Norman Holtzhausen
It is your responsibility to make sure your boat complies with the maritime rules regarding navigation lights.
Sharper returns
Fish finding technology has evolved in leaps and bounds, but to get the best results you need to give your MFD a good ‘mate’ – a quality transducer. B...
Go plastic young man
As long as a boat’s hull stays wet outside and dry inside, the boat will float. But sometimes you do need to allow in a controlled amount of water – t...
Thrust you can afford
A casual examination of boats in a marina usually reveals a litany of battlescars – scrapes and dings sustained during tricky berthing attempts. Wind,...
Switching it up
A neat, logical helm layout makes a big difference when trying to operate your boat, particularly when the sun starts to set and you head home. And a ...
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HOT OFF THE PRESS
Lewmar offers lifetime warranty on Ocean and EVO® winches
Lewmar®, a name trusted by sailors for over 70 years, is backing the legendary quality of its Ocean ...
ZeroJet announces major power improvement to electric jet system
ZeroJet, a world leader in electric jet propulsion, today announced their upgraded 22kW (30 HP equiv...
Refurbishing the Start Tower – Westhaven’s iconic timekeeper gets a modern upgrade
Auckland’s Westhaven Marina is more than just a place to berth boats – it’s one of the city’s enduri...
Westhaven Marina recognised for excellence, community commitment, and future-focused initiatives
Westhaven Marina has been awarded Highly Commended at the prestigious 2025 Marina Industries Associa...
Summary and Boating/Fishing Outlook: 22–26 May 2025
We woke to a stunning morning here in Whangamata, on the Coromandel Peninsula – sunshine, barely a b...
Maritimo M50 Flybridge Motor Yacht – global launch
Maritimo, Australia’s world-class luxury motor yacht builder, expands its next-generation model line...
Maritimo S60 Sedan Motor Yacht – global launch
Leading Australian luxury motor yacht manufacturer, Maritimo, will proudly display the first S60 Sed...
Valder Yachts engineering update: Behind the scenes of a high-speed revolution
In the world of high-performance marine engineering, every decision counts. From hull geometry to dr...
Sunpower Yachts International acquires Alva Yachts: Ushering in a new era for solar-electric yachtin...
A bold acquisition positions Sunpower Yachts as the global leader in clean, luxury maritime travel
A walkthrough of the Kingfisher 725 Hardtop: Built for serious adventure
Kingfisher Boats has released a fresh video walkthrough of the 725 Hardtop on YouTube, showcasing th...
KUUJJUAQ: A Marten 72 that blends speed, style, and sophistication
For anyone who believes that high-performance yachts must sacrifice comfort for speed, the Marten 72...
Rayglass 3500 – 1/6 share
A rare opportunity has come up to secure a 1/6 share in one of the most sought-after vessels in the ...
Foil4TheGulf: Why boaters should learn more about the Bill behind New Zealand’s biggest foiling even...
On 24 May 2025, foilers from across Aotearoa will gather at The Royal Akarana Yacht Club for Foil4Th...
Small boat. Huge impact. Senator Boats launches the game-changing 550 Hardtop
The all-new Senator 550 Hardtop, launched at the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show.
Voodoo Yachts formally launches XF75
Kiwi boat builder (I am editorialising but extraordinaire!) Voodoo Yachts mark the beginning of a ne...
World premiere Riviera’s 72 Sports Motor Yacht – Series II , long-range and legendary
Riviera celebrates two world premieres at this year’s Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. The ne...
Proposed closures at Tangoiro/Waihirere and Motuoroi signal call to protect a fragile coastline
Ngāti Wakarara – Ngāti Hau Takutai Kaitiaki Trust seeks two-year ban on fishing to allow marine life...
A new chapter for offshore racing: RORC launches Cowes Offshore Racing Series
In 2025, the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) has added something fresh and exciting to its programme ...
Mexican Navy training ship, Cuauhtémoc, strikes Brooklyn Bridge, injuring 19
The Mexican Navy training vessel, the Cuauhtémoc, which recently visited New Zealand, collided with ...
2025 Hutchwilco Boat Show Hall of Fame gets two inductees tonight
At tonight’s Hall of Fame ceremony, held as part of the annual Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, two...
Rayglass launches the all-new Legend 2700 at Hutchwilco Boat Show
Unveiled this past Thursday at the 2025 Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, the brand-new Rayglass Leg...
Jeanneau Merry Fisher 895 Serie2: A versatile weekender for Kiwi waters
A refined cruiser blending performance, comfort, and innovation
At the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boa...
World Match Racing Tour 2025 heats up with Porto Montenegro showdown and Irish debut on the horizon
The 2025 World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) is in full swing, and the recent Porto Montenegro Match Race...
Waitemata Racing books their place at the 2025 Youth Match Racing World Championships
Josh Hyde and team to represent New Zealand at 2025 Youth Match Racing Worlds in Poland.
Float & Form: Building boats, building memories
From backyard builds to weekend adventures, this Kiwi-made kitset boat company is making waves with ...
Lowrance software update adds Recon™ Trolling Motor control and sonar enhancements
Lowrance has released a new software update for its ActiveTarget® module and a range of its high-per...
The revolutionary wallyrocket51 reveals its dual soul and outstanding performance during sea trials
Inspired by owner-driver one designs and optimised to win in IRC/ORC racing, the revolutionary wally...
Back-to-back yacht rescues highlight growing maritime challenges in the Pacific
Just six days after the Australian Navy rescued four sailors from Lucky Jonny in the Pacific, the Fi...
Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show 2025: A solid showing from an industry steadying its course
There’s something satisfying about stepping into a boat show and seeing so many boats in one place. ...
Naples to host 38th America’s Cup in 2027
Italy secures prestigious regatta as the Cup returns to Europe
Emirates Team New Zealand sets course for the 38th America’s Cup
Outteridge confirmed as skipper, Tuke and Maloney return, and surprise selection Chris Draper brings...
Two takes on tough: Stabicraft launches the 2350 Ultra Centrecab and Ultracab WT
The 7m offshore platform gets a serious upgrade with two newly designed models—each delivering a dif...
Tristram Marine opens its doors for a rare inside look
An exclusive four-day event invites boaties to explore one of New Zealand’s most celebrated trailer ...
What happens when the rudder fails?
Losing your rudder hundreds of miles offshore is a serious situation. Your ability to control the bo...
Lucky Jonny rescue sparks offshore sailing debate
The recent rescue of four sailors from the German yacht Lucky Jonny, 100 nautical miles southeast of...
Surtees 720 Game Fisher: Built for more than just the catch
Surtees Boats has taken another bold step in its evolution with the launch of the all-new 720 Game F...
The Stabicraft Frontier 2050 – centre console brilliance, review coming soon
There’s a reason Stabicraft’s new 2050 Frontier is already turning heads ahead of its full review in...
The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show : A celebration of all things boating
New boats, big names, and hands-on learning—Auckland gets set for the ultimate marine showcase.
Island Cruising: New Zealand group depart on Pacific Rally 2025
Island Cruising are excited to announced the departure of the New Zealand group on the Pacific Rally...
UK project powers ahead with grid-to-boat-to-grid technology
Electric boats that charge and support the national grid? A pioneering UK project brings bidirection...
NZ Events Worth Adding to Your Calendar
Have an event you'd like to list on Boating New Zealand. Contact us with the details.
FISHING
Hook Me Up Fishing Competition - Matakana vs Hillside, 7 Mar 2025 in Whakatane
The Kubota Billfish Classic, 12 - 15 Mar 2025 in Mercury Bay, Whitianga
ITM Fishing Competition, 13 - 16 Mar 2025 in Whangaroa
NZ Lure Masters (Catch, Measure and Release competition), 3 & 4 Oct 2025, New Zealand wide
REGATTAS
Toyota Youth International Match Racing Cup, 26 Feb - 4 Mar 2025 in Auckland
PIC Harbour Classic, 28 Feb - 1 Mar 2025 in Auckland
Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2025, starting 11 Oct 2025 TBC from Sydney Harbour
PIC Insurance Brokers Coastal Classic, 24 Oct 2025 TBC from Auckland to Russell
Rolex Sydney to Hobart, 26 Dec 2025 starts in Sydney, Australia
HYDRO THUNDER
JET BOAT RACING
2025 NZ Marathon Coast-to-Coast, 16 to 25 Mar 2025 starting at Greymouth ad finishing at Christchurch
WATERSPORTS
IWWF University Nationals (waterskiing), 26 February to 2 March Orakei Basin, Auckland
MEET UPS
Bay of Plenty Trailer Yacht Cruising Rally, Easter 2025 at Lake Rotoiti, BOP
SHOWS
Moana Auckland - New Zealand's Ocean Festival, 27 Jan to 9 Mar 2025 in Auckland
Auckland Boat Show, 6 - 9 Mar 2025 to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland
The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, 15-18 May 2025 to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland
NZ Boat, Fish and Dive Show, 30 & 31 Aug 2025 to be held at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Waipa
NEWS TIPS?
Send your photos, videos, stories, and tip-offs to ahoy@boatingnz.co.nz or call us on 022-023-7507.