Magazine Issues
July 2025 Issue
The July issue spotlights the debut of the Rayglass Legend 2700 and features reviews of the Innovision 616 Venture and Assault 920 Amphibious. It dives into battery systems, marine mammal tracking, and NZ’s new emissions rules. Feature stories follow adventurers across Cook Strait, swimmers in the Bay of Islands, and volunteers in Dominica. Jo Aleh’s inspiring career is profiled, alongside coverage of fishing techniques, model shipbuilding, and Wild Thing 100’s race ambitions.
New boats, new emissions rules
Welcome to the July 2025 edition of Boating NZ magazine, which leads off with an exclusive review of...
Rayglass Legend 2700
Rayglass Boats’ new Legend 2700 is the spiritual (and, eventually, literal) successor to the Legend 2500, the Auckland-based company’s most successful...
Innovision 616 Venture
It is over a decade since we reviewed the first production boat from Innovision, and in many respects nothing has changed since then.
Assault 920 Amphibious
Assault Boats’ new Pursuit 920 Amphibious is a great all-rounder. Suitable for fishing, scuba diving, family cruising, overnight trips, corporate hosp...
Article
Rayglass Legend 2700
Rayglass Boats debuted the Legend 2700 at the Hutchwilco Boat Show in May. This new vessel is an evolution of the company’s most popular boat and New ...
Article
Wild Thing 100 eyeing Ocean Race record
Wharington and crew will stay on in New Zealand for the 119nm PiC Coastal Classic...
Article
Sea Cat’s excellent adventure
Cruising is about more than island-hopping and snorkel spots. Sometimes the most memorable part is the characters you meet.
Article
Helping hands and scraping Chairs: A volunteer’s tale from a Dominica school
Soon after we became involved with Newtown Primary School, we befriended the French teacher, Mrs. Solange Payne, and the Principal, Jerry Coipel. Then...
Article
Map marine mammals on the move
It’s that time of year again when young fur seals start turning up in all sorts of odd places, from footpaths and paddocks to busy roads.
Article
Battery charging and voltage levels
Most people, including boaties, don’t fully understand the relationship between battery charging and voltage levels.
Feature
BOI swim: A personal journey
It was early spring in 2024 when the idea first came to me. I was feeling restless and needed a good outdoor project for the coming summer. I’ve alway...
Article
Firing up reluctant kingfish
One of the great things about kingfish is that they can be targetted in so many ways – but no matter how you fish for them, they can be frustratingly ...
Editorial
New boats, new emissions rules
Welcome to the July 2025 edition of Boating NZ magazine, which leads off with an exclusive review of the new Rayglass Legend 2700 – two of them, in fa...
Exclusive
Simply the best: the Jo Aleh, MNZM, story
In a sailing career that’s
been short on financial assistance and long in determination and mental fortitude, Jo Aleh has clocked up an impressive s...
Matakana’s little ships
Matakana’s Allan Harkin has been crafting model ships for decades – a hobby that’s grown into something much larger than he ever envisaged. It’s inadv...
Article
Across the Strait: crossing Cook Strait in Zephyrs
About six months ago, my dad, Mike, asked if I’d be interested in crossing Cook Strait in Zephyr sailing dinghies. He said he’d been thinking about it...
June 2025 Issue
The June issue explores Kiwi innovation and adventure, from the Stabicraft 2050 Frontier and Elliott 1150 Tourer to antifoul debates and hybrid trends. Readers will find tales of Atlantic crossings, classic yacht regattas, Etchells battles, and Kelsey Muir’s Lipton Cup win. Features include a tribute to Graeme Woodroffe, a profile on waterjet propulsion, and insights into battery maintenance, caulerpa threats, and emerging marine fuels. Plus, Riva furniture, Whiskey Project vessels, and the rebirth of Kokoru.
Elliott 1150 Tourer
Denim is a classic Kiwi tale. Start with a solitary man and a dream, pile on the challenges, stir in creativity and innovation, and voila! A unique Ki...
Article
ARG Gyro Stabilisers
Motor Yacht Service Centre (MYSC) has announced its acquisition of the exclusive New Zealand distributorship for ARG Gyro Stabilisers.
Article
Demand for hybrids on the rise
Eyachts, the exclusive distributor of Greenline Yachts in Australia and New Zealand, has been named Greenline Dealer of the Year and awarded Best Mark...
Article
New Brand Strategist for GB Marine Group
Marketing leader Lynn Fischer joins luxury yacht builder GB Marine Group as Global Chief Marketing Officer, supporting a new era of innovation, expans...
Article
New vessels, branding for Whiskey Project
The Whiskey Project Group (TWPG) has unveiled VYCOR, a new line of high-performance commercial watercraft, alongside a refreshed brand identity, marki...
Article
Tenob Marine team expands
Tenob Marine, manufacturers and distributors of quality marine products, has added two highly experienced professionals to its team, both with strong ...
Article
Lowe brings his sales game
With more than 25 years in the marine industry and experience selling many brands, Dominic Lowe of Lowe Yachts has joined forces with European Marine ...
Article
Fosters to distribute GEBO
Fosters Chandlery has been appointed the exclusive New Zealand distributor for GEBO, a globally respected manufacturer of premium marine windows, hatc...
Article
Boatie discovers new caulerpa location
Before Auckland boat owner Ben Tothill set sail to the Bay of Islands this February, he made sure that he was armed with everything he needed to know ...
Article
Exteta x Riva: The art of nautical living
In a collaboration between Exteta and Riva, a co-branded line of furnishings has evolved, offering a lifestyle inspired by the nautical world.
Article
HVO: New fuel for yachts
The yachting industry knows it is important to begin phasing out traditional fossil diesel fuel.
Article
Starling chief measurer retires
Starling chief measurer Brian Peet’s family is synonymous with the Starling class.
Article
Cruise vessel subs facilitate marine exploration
Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, these submarines can dive to depths of 300 meters.
Article
Women in sport: Kelsey Muir helms the 104th Lipton Cup winner
Sailing is often perceived as an elitist sport dominated by men, and while it is much more accessible here in New Zealand, the achievements of women c...
Article
K Boats: Making dreams come true
Marlborough Sounds maritime legend Grant Orchard has put his fleet of ‘K Boats’ into service supporting Oceans Seven swimmers.
Article
Tight sailing for Etchells Cup
Following on from last year’s successful one-day regatta, the Bonus Contractors
Bay of Islands Etchells Cup, now a two-day event, took place over th...
Article
NZ’s finest race for glory
The 2025 Perpetual Guardian Classic Yacht Regatta, hosted by Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, saw a fleet of 20 of New Zealand’s finest classic yacht...
Article
Waikawa Boating Club WineWorks Marlborough Wine Race
February 14 saw the 2025 running of the WineWorks Marlborough Wine Race, organised by Waikawa Boating Club and co-sponsored by Liquid Action and Inter...
Tech Article
Battery charging and maintenance for an extended battery life
This article is intended
to help boat owners better understand a vessel’s batteries and how to correctly maintain them for maximum battery life.
Feature
A free-spirited talent: The Graeme Woodroffe story
The late Graeme Woodroffe was one of New Zealand’s best-performing helmsmen/skippers, competing in OK dinghies, IOR ton keelers, and New Zealand’s fir...
Feature
PETREL, Raters again
From its beginnings in the 1860s the sport of yachting in New Zealand had two major streams.
Feature
How did we get here? Kiwis’ Atlantic crossing
Kiwi sailors can be found all over the globe, cruising the world’s oceans and enjoying adventures in exotic locations. Cruising sailor Theresa Nichols...
Feature
Hard or soft for snapper
It’s a common dilemma for many of us:
when should I use a softbait and when is it better to use a metal jig lure of some sort?
Thames Traditional Boat Festival: Mind the TRAD
A total of 155 boats took part in the 2024 edition of the Thames Traditional Boat Festival, an event that is always full of charm and surprises.
Feature
No ramp? No problem!
Many of New Zealand’s best boating and fishing locations are miles away from sheltered launching ramps. That doesn’t put them out of reach for trailer...
Advertorial
Superior service
Based at Hobsonville Marina and now boasting three brand-new, all-tide service berths accommodating vessels up to 24m (80 feet), Motor Yacht Service C...
Feature
Kerikeri inlet: Flocking to history
Our Up the Creek adventure took us into history, to a place most photographed though not always as well known.
Feature
Kokoru: A Phoenix from the ashes
Some boats are just born lucky.
Kokoru is one of those boats.
Designed and built in 1960 by legendary Picton boatbuilder Jack Morgan, she spent mo...
May 2025 Issue
This issue features boat reviews of the Elite 13.8m Sedan Kaeā, set for the Marlborough Sounds; the practical Matera 40 catamaran; and the innovative electric Candela C-8. Features include the Yates family’s historic launch Silver Bell, Kawau Island’s sewage problem, and Tony Singe’s 50 years in the marine industry. Haines Hunter’s new vacuum-infused hardtops, fishing tackle tips, and repowering the Pelin Challenger are also covered. There’s a trailer boat trip to Tennyson Inlet, a preview of the 2025 Australian Wooden Boat Festival, a comparison of electric vs petrol outboards, and Yamaha’s hydrogen outboard debuting in New Zealand.
Elite 13.8m Sedan Kaeā
The vessel will be Wellington-based but is destined to spend much of her cruising life in the Marlborough Sounds, stationed off her owner’s bach.
Matera 40 cruising catamaran
This build philosophy—and its practical result—is best shown in the wide, uninterrupted arch of the coachroof above the saloon
Candela C-8 Hardtop
The Candela C-8 is clearly a much more mature and technologically advanced model than its predecessor.
Article
A very brief history of: Marine foils
It’s tempting to think hydrofoils (like the ones in the America’s Cup and Sail GP competitions) are a relatively new phenomenon. However, the concept ...
Article
12-volt anchor windlass installation
Installing an electric anchor windlass is not a difficult job but it does need
care and a strong base if it is to operate safely. The V700 windlass ...
Nordic
Dear Editor
Whilst in awe and appreciation of Sam and Jen’s restoration of the Nordic to more than her former glory (Boating NZ articles, Sept 2020 ...
Feature
The Robert Brooke story
Role model
From the ashes of a cut-off boatbuilding career, Robert Brooke reinvented himself as an educator and, over a 40-year career, has positivel...
The Yates family of the Far North and their Bailey & Lowe launches Part II: Tui Silver Bell
Joseph William (Joe) Conrad, who bought the bigger Tui (now Silver Bell) from Gus Yates in 1914, often used his Māori names,
Hohepa Kanara or Hohepa...
In the poo!
I want to highlight an issue we have with yachts and cruising vessels visiting Kawau Island.
Sewage discharge from vessels is polluting our waters ...
Feature
50 years of service to the marine industry
Family Boats’ Tony Singe is marking
50 years in the marine industry.
Seize the moment
Welcome to the May 2025 edition of Boating NZ.
It is almost as if someone up there flipped the switch a week or so ago, replacing a long period of ...
Article
High-tech hardtops: Lighter, stronger Hunters
Auckland’s Haines Hunter has expanded its vacuum-infusion manufacturing production line, adding the popular 725 model’s hardtop to the process.
The Catch: Let’s put this with that…
Pairing different soft-baits with specific jig-heads can significantly increase your chances of a successful fishing day.
The perfect engine for a Pelin Challenger
The Pelin Challenger has been a very
popular Kiwi cruiser, with many examples having been built over the years, both by professional and amateur boa...
Trailer boat adventures: Time out in Tennyson
If you enjoy a long, steep, narrow
and winding road trip, then
Tennyson Inlet could be the perfect trailer boating destination for you. Located in...
Article
Electric vs Petrol outboards: Not so fast
Should we replace our petrol outboards with electrics? New research
says no, and that over their full cradle-to-grave lifespan it is internal combus...
Yamaha hydrogen power: Hydrogen-fuelled outboard
The world’s first hydrogen-powered prototype outboard will make its
New Zealand debut at the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show in May.
Feature
Australian Wooden Boat Festival
My interest in the festival was piqued in 2019 when I travelled to Hobart to help my friend Peter Mortimer sail his 45-foot timber ketch Tamariki from...
April 2025 Issue
In April's magazine issue, we take a first look at the stunning Dicky Boats Pacific 62 and put the Sargo 33, and Axopar 29XC Cross Cabin through their paces. We also take a deep dive into Weapon of Choice , and a Dibley 7.5, and one of New Zealand’s most famous racing yachts. Explore long-range powerboat cruising, adventure jet-boating, and the revival of kitset boat building. Follow the transformation of the Elite 40 Excel, discover the ultimate multi-purpose fishing tackle, and get inspired by the incredible John and Linda Parish story. Plus, we celebrate 71 years of the Moth class, the Yates family’s legendary launches, and BNZ’s Retro Boat winner!
Dickey Pacific 62
Passage making is about long days at sea, often with swell and waves running at different angles, or else a long period roll, so limiting hull roll to...
Axopar 29 XC Cross Cabin
The ultimate multi-purpose craft for boaters who demand more from their vessel.
Dibley 7.5m Sportsboat
Despite the lack of gennaker it’s still a fun and fantastic ride down the harbour, and reminds me how much fun sportsboat sailing can be.
Feature
The Yates family of the far north and their Bailey & Lowe launches
The Yates family had extensive holdings in the Far North around the turn of the 20th century. Samuel Yates was born in London in 1826. His father was ...
Feature
Personal Water Craft (‘jetskis’)
Welcome to ‘A very brief history of…’ researching the history of everyday marine technology, innovation and events kiwi boaties love (or loathe).
Article
Happy anniversary: 25th NZ Antique and Classic Boat Show
Blue skies, sparkling water, big crowds and a record number of interesting boats
of every sort made the 25th anniversary of this event extra-special...
Joystick demo a world’s first
Launching in May, Mercury’s joystick steering system for single outboards is a plug-and-play upgrade designed for Mercury outboards with electric stee...
Editorial
Flying high
As I write, just before the magazine goes to the printer, another edition of SailGP has just concluded, held in Los Angeles, USA on a very tight racec...
Exclusive
Dynamic duo: The John and Linda Parrish story
Race management is one of those critical jobs that has to be done just right and where accuracy is everything. With more than 43 years of experience, ...
Exclusive
The winner of the NZ Retro Boat 2025: Tugboat
The winner of Boating New Zealand magazine’s inaugural NZ Retro Boat Trophy went to Tugboat, a Savage Electra Glass ski-boat designed in Australia but...
Exclusive
Gone to the dark side: Our journey from sail to power – part 2
Ted Dixon and his partner Jenny Johnson spent eight years cruising the Caribbean and North America, as well as the South Pacific, most recently five m...
Exclusive
excel-lent refurbishment
It’s glorious powerboat weather and ideal for an impromptu speed test
of the Upfold 40 launch, Excel. The launch’s owner/driver has a grin from ear ...
Exclusive
Adventure jet-boating: Alpine charge!
New Zealand has a rich jet-boating heritage and, since their invention, jet boats have evolved in construction type, hull shape and power. Over recent...
Exclusive
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...
Exclusive
Moth restoration: The Moth At 71
On a beautifully sunny spring day
with a steady 10-knot wind, I was at
the Takapuna Beach boat ramp, chatting with a young sailor launching his I...
Exclusive
Fishing gear that multi-tasks
So many different fishing techniques are used on such a wide variety of fish species these days, that many of them require specialist rods and reels f...
TNL Pindar
Make TNL Pindar your one-stop shop for out of gauge and break bulk logistics handling. With worldwide specialist agents overseas, experienced knowledge of project sea carriers and access to speciali...
Waikato Bedding Ltd
Waikato Bedding established in 1987 is a locally owned and operated business specialising in the manufacture of quality mattresses, bases and custom furniture. We manufacture beds of all shapes and s...
LATEST NEWS
1977 Pelin Empress
Respite is a 7.2m Pelin Empress in top shape—refitted, low-hour engine, freshwater use only, and sold on trailer.
1949 Curnow & Wilton trawler
A classic 13-metre timber trawler, Santa Maria blends rugged heritage with cosy liveaboard comfort—ready for her next adventure.