Canterbury Classic Boats

13th New Zealand Antique and Classic Boat Show

classicboats — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 07:04:01 +0000

A reminder that the 13th New Zealand Antique and Classic Boat Show will be taking place at Lake Rotoiti (Nelson Lakes) March 3rd and 4th.

Adult day pass $15, Weekend Pass $20, school kids FREE. Gate sales only. For more information visit www.nzclassicboats.com

Pictures from Pigeon Bay

classicboats — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 06:46:46 +0000

There are some great pictures from the recent Pigeon Bay Boat Club Anniversary weekend here.

2012 Lake Hood Classic Boat Regatta

classicboats — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:29:26 +0000

The Ashburton Sailing Club’s third Classic Boat Regatta will be held over the weekend of 17-18 March, 2012.

There will be a social sailing race at 2pm on the Saturday afternoon (briefing at 1pm) and, if there is sufficient interest, a booking will be made at a local restaurant or bar for a meal together on Saturday evening.

The lake will be open to the public on the Saturday during the social race, but it will be closed to other users until 12 noon on the morning of Sunday 18th. This will allow those that travel at either extremely high (powered craft) or low speed (row boats) to do so without impeding other boating traffic. The lake will be re-opened to the public on Sunday afternoon.

There is ample space to tie up alongside the Rotary Harbour (in front of the Lake House Restaurant and Bar) which is only a short distance from the main launching ramp. The public can use the walkway/wharf that runs around the entire harbour area to access the boats while they are not out on the water or on display for judging. It will be possible for those who have boats with berths to “overnight” in this area.

A local school PTA will provide a sausage sizzle in addition to the food and refreshments available at the restaurant. Alternatively, participants are invited to bring there own picnic food and equipment (seats, rugs etc).

Categories for entries and events: Steam Boats, Jet Boats, Hydroplanes, Seagull Motor-powered Boats, Inboard and Outboard-powered Boats, Rowing boats, Yachts, Models. Times for craft demonstration runs will be posted on this website when available.

The judging categories will be:

Best Original
Best Restored
Best Replica
Best Overall

Ashburton has a good range of quality motels, or camping facilities can be booked at the Coronation Holiday Park and Motels, Phone: (03) 308 6603 and the Tinwald Domain Holiday Park, Phone: (03) 308 6805. For further information contact: Geoff Swan, Phone:(03) 307 2373, email: geoff-swan@xtra.co.nz

Just to set the scene, here’s a short video of the 2010 Lake Hood Regatta…

Old Salts Regatta

classicboats — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:39:43 +0000

The Pigeon Bay Boating Club’s Old Salts Regatta will be held on Saturday March 24th (Reserve Day March 25).
This is a handicap event for trailer yachts, dinghies and catamarans with helms-persons 50 years or over on the day of the regatta.
You can download an entry form and programme details HERE:

Governors Bay Fete

classicboats — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:00:19 +0000

An invitation is extended to all classic boat enthusiasts to display their craft at the Governors Bay Fete on Sunday March 11th. It is expected that a number of other vintage items will be on display. This fete is fast becoming a much anticipated, traditional country event. 10am at the Allandale Domain, a mile past Governors Bay.

For further information phone Gavin Bain on 329 9712.

Pigeon Bay Club Celebrates 50 Years

classicboats — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:34:28 +0000

The Pigeon Bay Boating Club celebrated its 50th anniversary over a cool, grey Waitangi Weekend. Classic yachts and boats and were made very welcome to participate in the weeklend’s activities. Though the persistantly gloomy weather discouraged a few, some classic boats did attend and enjoyed good sailing in plenty of wind.

Melvyn Selwell’s Frostbite “Val-Marie” at Pigeon Bay

The inaugural meeting of the Pigeon Bay Boating Club was held on January 8th 1962 and attended by locals of Pigeon Bay and Christchurch people who spent holidays at Holmes Bay beach, a small bay within Pigeon Bay. Holmes Bay was a meeting place for picnics and casual fun sailing during summer weekends before the PBBC began. Motor boats were part of the boating scene and this is reflected by the name Pigeon Bay Boating Club. Club facilities began with the use of the historic wharf shed that had been used previously to store freight transported to and from Lyttelton by steam ship. A public one-lane slipway was established where the present one is and a start box was built sitting on concrete posts and attached to the sea side of the wharf shed soon after the first meeting of club members.

Boating activity began with a fleet of Wagstaff design Restricted International Moth class sailing dingy and some power boats that provided the rescue support during yacht racing events. Over the 50 years of the club’s history this shed has been developed into what is now our clubhouse by the efforts of many members at numerous working bees. In the late 1970s the rigging area was acquired. The adjacent camping ground is also popular with sailing members.

The Pigeon Bay Clubhouse dressed for the occasion

Pigeon Bay Club Commodore Max Annand addresses the gathering.