Antique and Classic Boat Show

Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park
5-6 March 2011

A Danish built double-ender, that came to NZ in1927 on a factory whale ship, won the Jens Hansen Award for the best vessel at the weekend’s NZ Antique and Classic Boat Show held at Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park.

Else is owned and was restored by Doug Johnson, who now lives in Christchurch, but is originally from Stewart Island, where the boat had been in family ownership for over 50 years.

Judges Mick Fone and John Harris said picking the most worthy boat was very difficult.

“The Else had a good story, and the album that Doug of the restoration showed the effort that had gone into a very thorough job,” Mick said “He had done it very skilfully and sympathetically, where necessary using modern methods and technology without detracting from the fact that it was a very old boat.”

The Eventiac award for best themed display want to SS Flirt, a replica royal mail steam ship that was completed in time for the Classic Boat Show by Lionel Jeffcoat in Havelock and launched on Saturday morning. Owner Robert Hamlett had his entire crew thematically attired in navy and white stripes.

The CWF Hamilton award for best jet boat went to an original condition unrestored 14’ Hamilton jet 30, built in 1958 by Darby Martin, to a design by George Davison.

The Ron Culley Steam Trophy went to India, built in 1906 with an enclosed cabin added in 1922. India was bought in 1999 and has been under restoration for most of that time by her owners, Peter & Lyndia Wood of Wellington.

In sunny conditions two days of racing were held for yachts, row boats, seagull motored dinghies, poppers, canoes, child rowers and swimmers. On Sunday morning boating 30 heritage devotees met to discuss the feasibility of a permanent home for classic boating at St Arnaud.

Organiser Pete Rainey says although it’s early days, the concept of a classic boat museum met with a lot of enthusiasm.

“There is some caution about how it would work financially but there is definite support for a community facility for locals and visitors, with classic boats as an attraction to add to the outdoor activity in the area and help to keep people for a longer stay at the lake.”

Full results and contacts

Boat Show Results 2011

Best new boat. Mid 50s runabout design by Glen L Marine, USA. Plans bought and boat entirely built by owner in his first attempt at building a boat. Powered by a Ford V6 3 litre inboard. 40 Typhoon

Best Original Row Boat This 9.74m owner built replica Jackson Family whale boat, was completed this year by Ron Perano of Blenheim. 71 Seaflume Ron Perano Blenheim

Best Jet Boat CWF Hamilton award In its original condition this unrestored 14’ Hamilton jet 30, was built 1958 by Darby Martin, to a design by George Davison. 51 Kim Chapman-Taylor Christchurch

Best non powered craft Johnson Family Trophy A 7.2m clinker Faering sailing boat, owner built in 2006 to Ian Oughtred’s Arctic Tern design, but enlarged from 17ft to 24 ft. Everything on board is owner built – even the sails were made by Peter. 108 Silver Tern Peter Sewell Auckland

Best powered craft Mathieson Jeffcott Trophy Built in 1956 and purchased by current owners in 2008. The boat has a Kauri keel and transom with lapstrake over pohutukawa ribs. Rather than replacement, all damaged timber was repaired – to preserve the vessel’s history. The only new material is the persex windscreen. 72 The Gull Nevil & Rosemary Paterson Marlborough

Best themed display Eventiac Award The replica royal mail steam ship was completed in time for the Classic Boat Show by Lionel Jeffcoat in Havelock and launched on Saturday morning. Owner Robert Hamlett had his entire crew thematically attired in navy and white stripes. 42 Flirt Robert Hamlett Wellington

Best steam boat Ron Culley Steam Trophy Built in 1906 by Bill Shakespeare, apprentice to the Logan Brogthers. The 22 ft steam launch is two skin kauri carvel construction with a transom stern. The enclosed cabin was added in 1922. India was bought in 1999 and has been under restoration for most of that time. 79 India Peter & Lyndia Wood. Wellington

The Jens Hansen Award for the best vessel overall 22ft Clinker, built in approx 1925 in Denmark. Came to NZ in 1927 on a factory whale ship. Has been in the Johnson family for 50 years. Doug started a website in 2009 when the restoration began: www.elserestoration.webs.com 11 Else Doug Johnson Christchrch

© Scoop Media