NZ Antique & Classic Boat Show Lake Rotoiti Nelson - results
Sunday’s sunshine proved to be the winner at the 13th New Zealand Antique and Classic Boat Show at Lake Rotoiti in the
Nelson Lakes National Park at the weekend.
While predictions of bad weather failed to deter hardy boaties who turned out on Saturday, a much bigger crowd on Sunday
enjoyed the on-lake racing that was rescheduled from Saturday, as well as on-land viewing of classic steam boats and
replicas, an extensive collection of wooden boats from the Picton Clinker Club, sailing boats of all ages and sizes, two
spectacular 1940s’ Chris-Craft racing runabouts, veteran Hamilton jets, lovingly crafted cedar kayaks and funky old
dinghies.
“We finally decided the weather had settled enough on Saturday to let the boats on the water at 2.30pm for a sail past,
but it was too rough and squally for racing,” said organiser Pete Rainey. “Sunday was absolutely perfect, with a great
crowd, a full schedule of events and just enough breeze for the sailing races.”
Prizes were given at an awards dinner at Rotoiti Lodge on Saturday night, with the Jens Hansen Cup for best vessel
overall going to the 16 foot mini-tug Little Toot. The fully functioning replica was designed by the owner, Clinton
Skelton of Nelson, built in 2008 in Valencia Spain and shipped home this year.
Judges John Harris and Mick Fone said Little Toot was a perfectly proportioned ‘tabloid’ version of a traditional
working tug.
“She is robustly built but there has been great attention to detail in the design and construction, everything is in
perfect proportion – they even have a miniature brass cannon mounted on the gunnel.”
The award for best new craft went to a 14’ 6” double-ended day sailer, just completed and, owned by Gary Drummond of
Motueka.
The Port Nelson House Parts award for best rowing craft went to the 12’ clinker row boat, Maggie, owned by John McConway
of Picton.
The CWF Hamilton Trophy for the best jet propelled boat went to Butt, built in 1963 built and owned by Anthony Connolly
of Christchurch.
The Johnson Family Trophy for the best sail-powered craft went to the 19’ mullet Naiad, owned by Matthew Kidson of
Nelson.
The best restoration was awarded to the frostbite sailing dinghy Corsair owned by Paul Baragwanath of Auckland.
The Mathieson Jeffcott Trophy for the best motor powered craft went to Ross Birchall of Rotorua for his English built
aluminium albatross class boat, built in 1953 for Sir William Stevenson.
The Eventiac prize for best themed display went to the 6’6” motor-boat Tom Thumb and replica mini Land Rover built by
Ken Slade in the ‘60s and now owned by Mike Slade of Auckland.
The Ron Culley Trophy for the best steam boat went to the 17’ steam launch Janice, built by Russell Ward in 2007 and
owned by Janice Brent and Lynn Winter of Murchison.
The People’s Choice Award, voted for by the public, went to Johnny Malthus’ red and white Chris-Craft racing runabout,
My Love.
Special mention was made by the judges of two matching Ian Oughtred sailing dinghies brought up from Wanaka and named
after the grandmothers of the family, Granny Jan and Suzie Jo.
Ends