On_Board_553_Decembe.. - Mana Cruising Club

No: 553The Official Publication of the Mana Cruising Club Inc.December 2010Children’sCHRISTMASPARTY2010

Children’s CHRISTMAS PARTY 2010

Mana CruisingClub OfficersCommodoreJohn WeirVice CommodoreDave SquireRear CommodoresSue RobertsJohn SetterTreasurerCliff WilsonSecretaryPeter WakefieldCommitteeThom BotterillKim HarrissGraham JonesPaul MackayClub ManagerWayne RobertsOffice AdministratorCathy ScottClub InformationRadioMana Sports Radio VHF Ch 63HoursClub schedule at 1210(weekends & holiday periods only)Office hoursMon - Fri 0900-1700Weekends & Statutory Holidays0900-1700TelephoneOffice/travelift membersPhone 04 233 1578Fax 04 233 8415Restaurant 04 233 8047Email wayne@manacc.co.nzWeb: www.manacc.co.nzAddressMana Cruising ClubPO Box 57 045 ManaPorirua 5247Mana Marina(Paremata) LtdMarina ManagerTel: 233 0091Gateway Marine RadioVHF Ch 63ContributionsPlease send your letters, articles,recipes, photos, jokes etc. to:On BoardPO Box 57045 ManaPorirua 5247Email wayne@manacc.co.nz11 Kenepuru Drive • Porirua Cityphone 04 237 4761 • fax 04 237 4772email info@poriruaprint.co.nzFrom the DocksidePhotographic CompetitionFor this competition, photographers can enter two photographs per person but all photos must be taken inNew Zealand. All entries need to be Hard Copy and must be in the Club Office by 1700 hours on Friday 11thFebruary. All photos will be displayed so Club Members can vote for their choice of ‘Best Photo’. Judging willtake place on Sunday 13th March and the winners will be announced on Club Night Thursday 17th March.Fishing CompetitionThe Club Fishing Competition is to be held on Saturday 19th February 2011 with back up date to Sunday20th February. Club members can bring friends with them to fish but all fishing must be done from a ManaCruising Club vessel with a current listing on the MCC Online Vessel Register (visit www.manacc.co.nz).Entry fee is $15 per adult and $5 for children 12 years of age and under, and includes tickets for the barbequein the evening. Entries can be made on Club Nights 10th and 17th February or from 0700 hours on the day.Fishing starts from 0700 hours, weigh-in from 1500 hours to 1700 hours, prize giving at 1730 hours andbarbeque at 1800 hours.SubscriptionsThere are still many members with subscriptions outstanding and from the 31st December, they will havesuspended membership rights. This means they will have to pay full rates for travelift and cradle charges andwill not be eligible to win the Chain Locker Draw until subs are paid. Those still with unpaid subscriptionsfrom 31st January 2011 will be deleted from the database. This will be the last copy of On Board that thosemembers will receive. This does not include those members that have made arrangements with the ClubManager for alternative methods of payment.DogsThere have been complaints from several members about unrestrained dogs running around the verandah andcourtyard area, and jumping up and ‘sniffing’ people. While we do not want to ban dogs from this area, we doask dog owners to keep them restrained and under control.Blue CodThe keen fishermen among the membership will be aware that the fishing ban on Blue Cod in the MarlboroughSounds will be lifted from 1st April 2011. In the next issue of On Board we will outline the new managementrules that will take effect from that date. For those that want to see them now, they are available on the Clubnotice board.New Year PartyThe Club New Year Party next year will be on Saturday 29th January 2011. On 1st January, the Club membersare scattered far and wide so we have our New Year Party when everyone is home again. Happy Hour will startat 1830 hours and we will ‘party on’ from there.Season’s GreetingsThe Mana Cruising Club Flag Officers, Committee, and Management would like to wish all Club Membersvery Best Wishes for the Festive Season and a Happy New Year. We look forward to meeting everyone safeand well in 2011.On Board DeadlineDeadline for the next issue of On Board is Monday, 28th February 2011 at 1700 hours. Email contributionsto wayne@manacc.co.nz or pjgorman@ihug.co.nzKEY DATESTuesday 28th December Club Picnic in Ship CoveThursday 27th January First Club Night for 2011Saturday 29th January Club New Year PartySaturday 19th February Club Fishing CompetitionSunday 20th February Back up for Club FishingKEYCompetitionDATES3

Commodore’s CommentsIt has been a very active monthfor the Club. Of particular notehas been the “occupation” of theClub and Marina car parks bythe film company GFC. Whilstthis may have been disruptive,the monetary return to the Clubhas been of great benefit. Thankyou for allowing this to take placewith good grace.You will also have noticed a new Flat Screen TV in the diningroom donated by Mana Coastguard. It is great that we continueto work closely together and I thanked Trevor Farmer of theCoastguard on your behalf for their generosity.You may have heard that we, together with Waikawa and Pelorus,are in the process of securing some new moorings in QueenCharlotte Sounds. We are currently appealing some decisionwith unsatisfactory conditions on the resource consents, butexpect to have these resolved and several new moorings availableto us in the near future. The resource consent to replace our trailercraft pontoon has been submitted, and we are now awaitingapproval before we can proceed with this work. You may havenoticed the new lights on the Club house lighting up the hardstand area. There are additional lights to be mounted (subjectto archaeological authority), this has certainly transformed thearea at night.Regular Thursday night diners will be aware that our catererPeter Bellamy is heading to Australia at Christmas. Thanks,Peter, for five years of service to our Club. We will welcome Jackand Sisi in the New Year. They bring an excellent reputationfrom the Adzuki Bean Restaurant in Petone. We look forwardto them joining us.It’s that time of the year when we all head away on nauticalmissions of varying lengths and intensities. Regardless of whetheryou are heading to Mana Island fishing or circumnavigating theSouth Island, your responsibility as skipper is the same. Pleasebe sure to have up to date maintenance, good safety gear and aneye on the weather forecast before you set out.Last Saturday the Children’s Christmas Party was held andwas well attended with over 90 children. It was enjoyed by all.Thanks to Sue, Kim, Father Christmas and his Fairy.On behalf of the Club, Staff and the Committee I wish you all apleasant Christmas, a Happy New Year and safe boating to all.John WeirFrom the EditorWe have published Bill McIndoe’s speech whichhe presented at the Opening Day in October. Itis so inspiring it has to be shared with all. As theysay `Boating is for Life` and Margaret and Billcertainly prove it! Keep an eye out for them in theSounds over summer.Next year I would like to have photos of different Clublaunches in action, so if you are out and about please try andcapture your vessel `in full flight`, no matter how fast or slowthat might be.It is shaping up to be a great summer, especially for launches,so hope to see you out on the water.Safe boating and Christmas greetings.PennyTrade & ExchangeTrade and ExchangeFor Sale2 x 17feet Spinnaker Poles. Phone 027 442 1434For Sale: Jorgenson built 36ftkauri planked, For Sale canoe stern keeler.Cutter 2 metre Inflatable. rigged Has with patches roller but has reefing not leakedfor main two months. and both With oars headsails and motor roller transom.Contact furling. Bryce Full 021 215 headroom 4221. cabin.GPS. Auto Pilot and WindSteering.AvailablePriceto$79,000.rentForOver Christmas/New Year period for up tofurther information, contact Jim,six months. Marina berth at Bayswater Marina,04 905 8011.Auckland. Contact Peter on 09 482 2226 or 027 4433329. Link to details of berth: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=3337577754

BOOK REVIEWClub Profile‘KEEP IT SIMPLE SAILOR: easy recipes for small boatswithout a fridge.’Author – Robbie Kirk.ISBN: 0-646-43492-6Published: 2004 by Robbie Kirk17 Dalpura StreetMacleay Island, QLD,4184AustraliaThis small self-published book is a result of Robbie and Ian Kerr’smany years of cruising in their 5.63 trailer sailer. Robbie has gleanedideas from other boaties as well as her own experience and put itinto this book to share with others.This simple guide covers buying ingredients, storage, planning andmanaging cooking in a confined space and without the luxury of afridge. She explains how to use a pressure cooker as an oven thusenabling bread, scones and cakes to be baked. The bread recipes areinteresting, and easy to make. One uses `a can of beer with a gulpout of it`. I liked the fortnight meal planner included.Robbie lives and sails in Australia and the very practical nature ofthe information means it’s applicable to any situation where one hasa single heat source and no refrigeration. Even though we have afridge I will be trying some of the recipes and ideas when we next gocruising. I borrowed the book from the local library.Reviewer: Penny GormanHope is a wonderful thing -one little nibble keeps a man fishing all day.BUYING ORSELLING REALESTATE?CONTACT TOMMY’S, THE COMPANY THAT SUPPORTS YOU.Pleased to support the Winter Sailing Series.Mana Office I 99 Mana Esplanade, Paremata I 233 0690Jack and Sisi - caterers.Jack is passionate about food and cooking. This became obviousin the restaurant that he and his wife Sisi own and run in Petone.The Adzuki Bean Cafe and Restaurant in Jackson Street has wontwo awards - Best Food and Beverage (2009) and Best Overall(best food and beverage, best retailer, best professional) in 2010.These awards cover the entire Hutt Valley, from Petone to UpperHutt. What makes these awards so special was that Jack and Sisihad only established the restaurant in late 2007, and after a quietfirst year word travelled fast about Jack’s superb food and, underSisi’s guidance, the excellent service. Jack believes that the freshestvegetables and best cuts of meat are extremely important.Jack has always loved food and studied cooking for two years in hishomeland, China, then worked as a chef for four years in a five-starhotel in Beijing, improving his skill in European cooking. Uponarrival in New Zealand in 2002, Jack continued his chef studiesat the WhitireiaPolytechnic, Porirua, where Peter Bellamy, ourpresent MCC chef, was tutor. AfterWhitireia, Jack cooked in a wellknownand very busy Wellington barand restaurant, then he and Sisi startedAdzuki Bean.Sisi, who will run front of house, has hadyears of experience in a top Wellingtonrestaurant and has completed theWhitireia Polytechnic Hospitality andManagement Diploma. She and Jackmake a great team.They plan to build on the goodreputation that Peter has created,by providing the best in cuisineand service. With their outgoingpersonalities and desire to get to knowClub members they will be a real assetto the Club. They are looking forwardto meeting everyone, so when theystart in January please make yourselvesknown to them. The present hours willcontinue.5

NEW MEMBERSThe following have been approved for membership to Mana Cruising ClubBryce Armstrong Mana Marina Launch Karo RegularNathan Bromley Levin Launch The Sloath RegularGlenn Burton Carterton Trailer Craft Jean Jeanie RegularDavid Christie Lower Hutt Trailer Craft Rejoyce RegularJim & Kerry Delaney Titahi Bay Trailer Craft Basil RegularMark Greer Wellington Trailer Craft TBA RegularJohn & Wendy Grylls Paraparaumu Trailer Craft George RegularColin & Kate Hamer Tawa Trailer Craft Nautilus RegularRoss Humphries Kelburn Yacht Astra RegularClinton & Toni Kerr Camborne Trailer Craft Sawadee RegularMatt Meehan & Marian Williams Whitby Trailer Craft Jolly Roger RegularIan Muir Mt Victoria Trailer Craft Touche RegularChavdar Petkov Camborne Trailer Sailer Scarlet Runner RegularStuart & Carolyn Judge Auckland Launch Warrior CountryDavid Larsen Tokomaru Trailer Craft Sea Spray CountryShane Taylor Levin Trailer Craft Zepher CountryIan Coutts Paraparaumu AssociateMike Johnston Paraparaumu AssociateSimon Law Camborne AssociateBelieve your husband“Do you really believe your husband when he tells you he goesfishing every weekend?” asked Jane’s best friend. “Why shouldn’t I?”said Jane. “Well, maybe he is having an affair?” “No way” said Jane“he never returns with any fish...”7

Mana Cruising ClubAnnual Fishing Competition19 February 2011Heaviest Snapper Prize sponsored by KP MarinePrize categoriesAdults• Snapper• Cod• Gurnard• Terakihi• John Dory• Groper• Kingfish/Tuna/Kahawai• CrayfishJuniors• Heaviest fish• Ugliest fish• Smallest weight differential(Fish to angler)• Best “one that got away”storyAlso Spot Prizes and Tamahine Trophy (Members Only)Entry Fee $15 Adults, $5 Kids (12 and under), Only BBQ $5Start Fishing 0700, Weigh-in 1500 to 1700, Prize Giving 1730BBQ 1800Sign-up - Club Night Thursday 10 th and 17 th Febor from 0700 on the dayCompetition Rules1. Only boats owned by a club member may enter, 1 major prize only per boat.2. All boats entered must have a current listing on the Mana CC Online Vessel Register(www.manacc.co.nz)3. Only fish captured on the day will be eligible.4. The weigh-master’s decision will be final.5. It is each skipper’s personal responsibility to ensure the safety of their crew, includingensuring that the boat has the required safety equipment, crew are fully briefed and thatthe vessel is at all times operated in a safe manner. The Mana Cruising Club accepts noliability for damage, injury or loss occurring during the competition.6. Should the weather be deemed unsuitable by 0700 on the day, the committee maypostpone to a later day at their sole discretion. Postponement will be announced on VHFChannel 63 at 0700 and advised via 2ZB as well as noted at the Clubrooms.7. All MAF fishing regulations relating to minimum sizes and bag limits are to be adhered to.8. Fish are to be caught on rod or hand line only. Crays may only be taken by hand (No potsallowed).9. Purchase of an entry ticket signifies unconditional acceptance of these rules. A breach ofany rule will result in disqualification.10. One fish from any category to be delivered to the BBQ by each boat.8

GFCatManaBright orange cones with arrow signs sayingGFC from Mana Esplanade (State Highway1) pointing down Pascoe Ave, then intothe MCC entrance, had many peoplewondering. What did it all mean? Over thelast ten days of November a German filmcompany had taken up residence in thecar park outside the clubrooms. They wereproducing a television film, approximately90 minutes in length, along the lines of ourSunday Night Theatre. The company had acouple of small `dive shops` set up in thecar park. The KP Marine launch, OceanVanity, was alongside the breast works. Shewas proudly flying the Club burgee, so itshould feature in the film. Filming was alsoon other vessels in the marina – E-Ticket,a launch owned by Nils Snopko and PaulaMcLaughlin, yacht Pebble Rebel owned byBill and Jan Byford, on Kapiti and ManaIslands, and around the marina. MCCprovided the company with people who hadtheir skipper’s ticket and local knowledge.Big rigs containing film gear, props, caterersetc were parked in part of the Marina carpark providing an interesting diversionfor the public who walk through the area.Porirua put on superb weather for filming,with the party night shoot being done onone of those special still warm evenings. Thecompany has filmed television films in othercountries as well. Unfortunately we will notsee it in New Zealand as it is for Germantelevision only, but the Club is investigatingprocuring a copy.• Volvo Penta• Yanmar• Cummins OnanAUTHORISED DEALERS FOR:Unit 1, The Sea Centre100 Port Road, Seaview,Lower HuttWELLINGTONPh: 04-568 8062Phil: 021 648 304Fax: 04-568 8072straitmarine@straitmarine.co.nzwww.straitmarine.co.nz9

D’Urville with a Difference - Ritchie HaaghI was supposed to start the week with a trip down the West Coast chasing blue fin tuna, followed by a hunting/rafting trip down the MohakaRiver. So how do I end up at D’Urville Island?Well, with a doubtful forecast and a crew member short, the tuna trip was off. Discussions turned to later in the week when the weatherlooked a bit better. Rob suggested a trip to D’Urville. I was out as the rafting trip was still on. Rob very kindly suggested that I invite thedivers along that I was going rafting with and a few calls later it was all arranged. We can always do a rafting trip a bit later in the year as onceit gets a bit warmer, the grass is growing and the deer are on the riverbank.ADVERTISINGPROOFCUSTOMER DAVE ANDERSON MOTORCYCLE PUBLISHING 20So, SALES D’Urville! REP CHAEATA Let’s mix it up a bit with some fishing and PUBLICATION diving Was DESIGNER usual with Rurwin some spear fishing, hunting and white baiting SECTION AUPROOFED 10/6/2010 1:28:53 PM SIZEthrown in for good measure. The sort of trip boy heaven is6.AD ID 3177013AA FAXmade of. Wednesday just couldn’t come quick enough. Brook(yes, he’s a boy named Brook!) travelled to Taupo on Tuesdaynight. Martin headed to Taupo on Wednesday morning andPLEASE APPROVE THIS AD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. NOTE THAT ANY ALTEMUST BE FINALISED BY OUR MATERIAL DEADLINE.all three (Orton lives in Taupo) were in Mana by 10 am. Sowith a heap of gear, food and refreshments we were off to themarina to load up Southern Cross. Rob and Karen Paulin’slovely vessel was all of a sudden a bit lower in the water.Wednesday saw a good trip over, stopping at Stephen’s Passagefor a quick fish on the way in. The forecast was not great andThursday started to a wet and windy dawn. We cruised PortHardy and discussed gullies and faces that looked promising.We discussed tactics and thought about having a go at whitebaiting, something that as a collective we knew nothing about! Martin didn’t even know what whitebait looked like. He had caught his firstfish ever on the way over. Once lunch was demolished, Orton could not wait any longer and was off. The plan was to make his way over thetops and catch up with us later that evening. With one gone it was hard to restrain Brook and Martin so with firm, safe plans made, they wereoff. I decided that it would be best if I stayed with Rob onboard and spent the afternoon catching up on the paper and thinking what is waslike to be that keen to be out hunting on a day like today. After all the deer don’t like the wind and rain any more than I do - right?About 1630 hours that afternoon, our House DVD was interrupted by Orton whistling out for a pick up from the beach. With a deer on hisback no less! Well, I had spent all day on the boat so I decided that now would be a good time to go for a walk as the rain had stopped andthe wind had eased. Oh, and Orton had a deer!VIP Membership & Discount CardUse your Mana Cruising Club Membership Card forPrivileges & Discounts at the following stores:Boat City Main Road, ParaparaumuPhone 04 298 5931Vero InsurancePhone 04 473 7250We’re moving...3177013AA• Road Bikes• Trail Bikes• ATVs• Kids’ Bikes397 Queen Street, MastertonPhone: 06 370 0033 | Ron 0274 484 166 | Mark 027 4484 770➧Email: mark@daveanderson.co.nz | www.daveanderson.co.nz10

So Rob dropped me off to another gully and I started off on my afternoonwalk. I had a cunning plan and it was all going extremely well until the windchanged direction and my only option involved some steep bluffs that didnot look great. Plan B was quickly decided and it proved to be a good one.I managed to get a hind and a spiker on the way back to the beach, leavingonly a 20 to 30 metre drag.Rod picked me up on the beach as arranged, only to inform me that Brookhad not made it to hispick up point and wasnow an hour late. All ofour thoughts were nowon Brook and his $6 headtorch. Rob went off foranother look and againcame back alone. It wasdecided that Martinwould stay on board whileOrton and I would getdropped off where Brookwas supposed to end upand walk the oppositeloop. Luckily as we rounded the point we could see Brook’s head torch and I-Phone glowing. He was trying Google Earth to see where hewas! A quick trip back to boat and SHOWERS! Great thing to have on a boat. Dinner was a lovely lasagne that I had made in the afternoon(see it wasn’t just bad weather that kept me in, I was making dinner for our guests).Then off for an early night and an early morning start thanks to Orton having left his alarm set for 4 am. Friday’s weather didn’t improvemuch so we stayed close and had a go at white baiting, catching a whole 6 fish! We tried to get a decent dive in but the water was filthy andhad a reasonable swell still. The afternoon saw the intrepid hunters off again, this time in groups of two. The new spots were not as good andOrton and Martin didn’t see much of anything. Brook and I managed to spook a deer at close range and then had pigs very close but we justcouldn’t see them. It was an exciting ten minutes listening to them though. We came across a heap of fresh pig sign on the way down and itwas obvious they had been there for a while.Another good night on board and a few two many rums saw a slow start to Saturday. Another go at white baiting saw another 3 fish addedto the tally. The weather was good so we headed off to Stephens for a dive then off to try to catch a groper on the way home. The crays andgroper weren’t forthcoming but the deer were. What a fantastic trip! The weather wasn’t great but the trip was well worth the effort. A fewnew activities were tried and it gave us options and ideas for the next trip .....Thanks Rob and Southern Cross for a great trip and we look forward to the next one - and of course those tuna are still there!11

From theGalleySmoked PauaShell and clean paua. Tenderise foot, either hammer with bottle orslice an “X” across the foot about 1 or 2 mm deep.Blanche in boiling water for 45 seconds. Remove and immediatelyplunge into iced water.Make up your favourite brine solution and soak for 30 minutes.Dry with paper towels or old teatowel.Coat with a dry rub. Lemon pepper, chilli or whatever takes yourfancy.Hot smoke for about 20 minutes. More for bigger paua, less forsmaller.Slice vertically max 2mm thick.Serve on crackers, or eat as is. It should melt in your mouth.No more ‘jandal’ texture paua!Recipe from Evan Fisher, launch ‘Odessey’.RNI Yacht Raceby Club members, supported by many passengers from Picton on servicelaunches. The bay was packed with probably more vessels than it hasever seen before and a picturesque scene indeed it made.Two Mana Cruising Club yachts, The Night Train (MikeOn his arrival, His Excellency was greeted by Commodore HoldawayMcDermott) and Vesper (Dave Chalmers) have enteredand his Flag Officers and escorted to the beach where the ceremonythe 2011 Round North Island two-handed yacht racewas commenced immediately with a brief speech from our Commodorewhich will start on the 19th February 2011 from Auckland.welcoming the Governor General.There will be four legs in this Cat 2 race-His Excellency then spoke, evidencing an intimate knowledge of theLeg 1 Auckland to Mangonui 154 milesevent being commemorated and a more than passing knowledge ofLeg 2 Mangonui to Wellington 518 milesthe history and progress of the Mana Cruising Club, and concludedLeg 3 Wellington to Napier 205 milesby unveiling the memorial. His Excellency was then introduced to ourCommitteeLeg 4 Napierand otherto Aucklandnotables and,367thismilesmarking the end of the officialfunction,Therehisis keenpartyinterestthen passedin thisalongrace,thebutbeachentrieswhereareproceedingslimitedtook to on 40 the due nature to restrictions of an informal in some get-together of the for stopover the next ports. half hour.The informality was punctuated briefly while those present listened tothe running of a race in which His Excellency’s horse, His Ex, was astarter. As often happens Awful in racing day the distinction fishing of an owner does notnecessarily Jim had an rub awful off on day his fishing horse and on the the Governor lake, sitting General in the ( if blazing he hadvisited sun all the day T.A.B. without earlier catching the day-which a single is one. open On to doubt) his way had home, to settle hefor stopped the consolation the supermarket prize of a dividend and ordered off a place-getting four catfish. bracket-mate He told thewhile fish salesman, His Ex ran "Pick `down four the large track`. ones out and throw them at me, willyou?" Continuing "Why along do you the want beach me until to throw he had them met most at you?" of those "Because present IHiswantExcellencyto tell mywaswifefinallythatpipedI caughtto seathem."again"Okay,(by Piperbut INeilsuggestMcPheethatof the Mana Cruising Club Pipe Band). Before rejoining the M.L. theyou take the orange trout."Governor General and official party then went for a burn in the jet boats"Why's that?" "Because your wife came in earlier today and saidby courtesy of Club member, Bill Betts, and his merry men, finallythat if you came by, I should tell you to take orange trout. That'sembarking for the return to Picton shortly after 4:00pm.what she'd like for supper tonight.had occurred had Cook been able to rendezvous on the time as hispersonal mana with the Maoris of the area was high and he certainlyhad the knack of getting along well with them. However, in hisabsence the event did occur and Burney’s bravery is now fittinglycommemorated.The unveiling ceremony was in all respects a model of organisationand co-operation on the part of many people. For a start the weatherwas most kind, a light nor’west breeze and a blazing sun. Club boatswere beached in the appointed area and the beach cleaned up andmemorial veiled with the blue ensign. A little later the MarlboroughHarbour Board had a punt and gang-plank towed into position forthe reception of distinguished guests and visitors. The MarlboroughCruising Club provided a jet boat service for general patrol duties andthe transport of V.I.P.s and guests from ship to shore.Precisely at 2:45pm the first of three Naval M.L.s under CommanderCooper, R.N.Z.V.R. with His Excellency aboard appeared around thesouthern point of the bay and the official party stepped ashore forthe commencement of the unveiling ceremony. The party, headedby his Excellency, included his sons Jonathon and Jeremy Porritt, hisaide-de-camp, Ft. Lt Locke, R.A.F., Rear Admiral Carr, C.N.S. andCommodore McDowell, D.C.N.S. Also present as official guests weremembers of the Marlborough Harbour Board and wives, Committeemembers of the N.Z. Historic Places Trust, the Commissioner forLands from Blenheim, and Flag Officers, Committee-men andHonorary Life Members of the Club. The ceremony was well attendedCITY SEA CANVAS1 2 3MAKERS OF QUALITY COVERSPh 021 434 971P O R T R O A D S E AVI E WSpring SpecialDodger recovered& New Sail coverup to 32’ $1,850.00 Inc GSTOffer ends 31st October 200913

Doc, Can You Float Me a Loan?A woman was having a medical problem - her husband wassnoring very loudly and every night ! So she called the doctorone morning, and asked him if there was anything he coulddo to relieve her "suffering.""Well, there is one operation I can perform that will cure yourhusband" said the doctor, "but it is really rather expensive. Itwill cost you $10,000 down, and payments of $1000 for 36months, plus payments for extras of course."My goodness!" the woman exclaimed, "that sounds like I'mbuying a yacht!""Humm," the doctor murmured, "too obvious, huh?"BRIGHT’SHome & TradeStockists of Marine chandleryand products7 Paremata CrescentParemataph 04 233 800914

MARLBOROUGH MARINE RADIOAll users of the following channels must be members of Marlborough Marine RadioAssociation. To join, contact the Association at:POST:PO Box 55, Picton.PHONE: (03) 573 8851FAX: (03) 573 8871EMAIL:WEB:mmradio@xtra.co.nzwww.mmr.org.nzor collect form from Mana Cruising Club office.Marlborough Marine have standardised the VHF call signs used to identify their channels andask that you use these when calling the MMR operators.MMR Channel:Channel 01Channel 05Channel 63Channel 65New Call Sign:“Marlborough Radio Zero- One”“Marlborough Radio Zero-Five”“Marlborough Radio six-Three”“Marlborough Radio Six-Five”All members are encouraged to log a trip report (TR) when undertaking a direct voyage froma declared position to a stated destination. This could vary from a short voyage in shelteredwaters to a longer open water trip. Members can lodge a TR with MMR operators who willrequire the following information:• Vessel name and call sign.• Number of persons on board ( POB)• Place and time of departure• Trip destination• Estimated time of arrival (ETA).It is essential that you cancel or update your TR with the operator by your stated ETA. If youdo not contact MMR the operator will try to contact you approximately 15 minutes after yourETA has elapsed. After 30 minutes of no-contact they will advise the local police that you areoverdue on your TR. The police then take responsibility for managing the situation.15

I was asked to come to Wellington and give a speech on my experiences as Mana Cruising Club Dunedin Port Captain and to talk aboutMargaret and my sailing life together.This is a transcript of that speech delivered by Bill McIndoe in an address to the MANA CRUISING CLUBOn the occasion of THE 2010 SAILING SEASON OPENING DAY 16TH October 2010My great-grandfather Charles Hill was a Wellingtonian. He arrived from Bristol, England in 1870 and soon after established his successfulhatters business. At that period a man’s beaver hat was a status symbol, an important piece of apparel and a fashion statement - just look atthe photographs of the period. His company, Hills Hats is operating in Wellington to this day, but sadly no longer makes beaver hats.Also Charles Hill was a yachtsman who was always keen to win. In those days the handicapping was different. Boats were measured overallon deck and that dimension was part of the handicapping calculation. To take advantage of this formula he had built a perfectly legitimate“rule cheater”, which he named “THE PET”. From the bow the stem sloped forward, and aft the sternpost sloped back giving the yacht anodd appearance. When measured it gave him a short length on deck for the handicap, but the long waterline length gave him a big advantagein speed through the water. During the Wellington Anniversary Regatta on 23rd January 1882, after winning the New Zealand ShippingCompany Cup for Second Class yachts for the third time it was awarded permanently to The PET. Soon after that new rule changes madethe PET design of no advantage. I only recently discovered this historical information so I can now give a proper answer to people who askif sailing was in my blood. And here is that very cup.In 1944 the war was still raging in Europe where my father was a prisoner-of- war (taken on Crete), and my brother was flying groundattack rocket-firing Typhoons. It was very likely to continue in the Pacific against the Japanese for perhaps years. High school boys would ofcourse all eventually be called to arms, as was our duty. The training in anti-tank artillery in the cadet force was serious stuff. To lighten thosegrim days several of my friends and I set about building small yachts. With no fathers to help or guide us - all the men up to the age of 40years were away at the war - and materials hard to get, we stumbled along and in the end we had sail boats. I built a P Class and that is whenI started sailing from the Otago Yacht Club - hence my claim to be just what I look like, a “P” Class Kid. I then realised that there are twosorts of yachties. There are “Boat Builders” and there are “Wave Knocker-downers” and I was a “WKD”, never to build a boat again. And Ihave been knocking down waves and waves have been knocking me down for 66 years and all concerned have had a lot of fun.I joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1946. During my four and a half years of officer training with the Royal Navy in the U.K. therewere always yachts to crew on, especially for young Kiwis who, of course, always claimed they could cook. I was frequently able to crew onlarge yachts participating in ocean races with the Royal Ocean Racing Club. It was during the race from Plymouth to La Rochelle that Ilearnt one of many lessons. The skipper said to me “McIndoe when you start telling the skipper what to do, and you are right - its time youbought your own boat”. Nothing malicious of course!During the Korean War I was Navigating Officer of the HMNZS Kaniere. After each month up in the war zone we would bring the shipback to Japan for a week to re-ammunition, refuel, victual ship and undertake repairs and a day or two of R & R leave. The ships whaler wasalways available for sailing in the sheltered waters of the Inland Sea of Japan which was a nice way to see the countryside. When I retired fromthe Service and returned to life in Dunedin I rejoined my old Yacht Club and continued my sailing life.Over the years I acquired six yachts. When I am aboard Avanti, our Cavalier 39, I can feel there with me the spirits of all the other boats Ihave owned. “Gull” the P class, “Suspense” the Idlealong, “Serif” the Flying Fifteen, “Caravelle” the Westerly 25 and splendid “Lenticula” aCavalier 32. This steady progress, over a period of 65 years, led us to Avanti, a Cavalier 39 at 12m, which we have now owned for 28 years.I did race yachts for many years but when I purchased Avanti in 1982 (from fellow Mana member Jack Turnbull, who was Hugh Stringer’sbrother in law, and Fiona Balch’s uncle) I discovered that cruising was my abiding interest, and that when a proper yacht is equipped forserious cruising it may not be suitable for close proximity, yacht to yacht manoeuvres. Another thing I observed was that when yachties racetheir wives are often edged out of the boat. It became very important to me that Margaret and I sailed together.Baron Ralph Von Kohorn, during his voyage south in Columbia,suggested I join Mana. Brian Smith, who was at Waitaki Boys with mybrother, a good friend and competitor of ours in the printing industry,was very helpful to me when I first joined Mana.For many years I have enjoyed being Mana Dunedin Port Captain.My duties are to contact visiting Mana yachts and offer them a littlesouthern hospitality, advice on fuel, repairs and supplies and behelpful with car transportation. I arrange berths at the FishermensWharf or make available my mooring or berth alongside our wharf.We live at Careys Bay and the water of the Harbour is just across theroad so these are all quite simple arrangements to make. Many otheryachties, who may not be MCC member, visit Careys Bay. I usuallyBill McIndoe’s Speech*** Diesel Polishing ***(Cleansing)Filters diesel to remove water andforeign matter through filters andmicrobial decontamination unitCall Alick Jenner(04) 565-017416

toddle down to the Fishermen’s Wharf and offer them the samehospitable gestures. These meetings often develop into lastingfriendships.The Fishermen’s Wharf and the Historic Careys Bay Hotel arewithin a stones throw of home. Our own wharf and mooring areonly 160m away. Yachts, including Avanti, are moored right infront of our house. The biggest container and cruise ships and localfishing boats and trawlers pass within 600m of our front door. Wecan observe everything that goes on from Careys Bay to OtagoHarbour entrance at Taiaroa Heads, six miles down Harbour. Theboats, the shipping and the weather are all part of this extraordinarypanorama. This is our life - the sheltered waters of the Harbour,the people who work on it and those who enjoy racing or cruising.I would like to show you our 23km long Otago Harbour whichhas its own delightful sheltered anchorages, snaking channels andsandbanks, islands and waterways where local knowledge takes awhile to acquire.Every year we sail south to Stewart Island or north to Nelsonand spend three months cruising these fabulous waterways. Thecruise to the Marlborough sounds is a splendid voyage. It usuallytakes us twenty four hours to sail the 140nm from Port Chalmersto Akaroa Heads. After a couple of days rest and a meal of thebest fish and chips in the South Island, we would weigh anchorand sail 25nm round Banks Peninsula to Le Bons and anchor forthe night. Then we can make the 180nm to Tory Channel in twolong days and only one night. If the forecast was suitable we woulddepart from Le Bons at 0600 and set course for Tory Channeland arrive about dusk on the second day. Then carry on to pickup the Mana mooring in Hitaua Bay - often enough in the dark.Once moored in Hitaua Bay the drama is all over. Quiet decisionsregarding future movements can be made.Margaret and I have sailed alone for 95% of our trips. We seemto have managed quite well with just the two of us. On the voyagesfrom NZ to Fiji and from NZ to Tonga we had the welcomeaddition of one extra crew. The return trip across the Tasman toNew Zealand we again sailed alone, standing watch and watch.Margaret and I have made 22 cruises from Port Chalmers to theMarlborough Sounds, through French Pass and on to Nelsonand Abel Tasman National Park. We have been five times toStewart Island and have twice cruised the extraordinary waters ofFiordland. We have circumnavigated the North Island which tookthree months, and the South Island which took two months.We joined the Island Cruising Association and participated intheir 1988 Regatta to Fiji,Vanuatu and New Caledonia.From New Caledonia wemade the nine day passageto Queensland and spent15 months cruising theAustralian East coast fromTownsville to Sydney. I won’ttell you all the gory detailsbut it was on that longpassage that I learnt anotherhard lesson - “The rock youhit is the one ahead”. After arest in Sydney we returningback across the Tasman Seato home.We had booked in toparticipate in the 1994 ICAregatta to Tonga. WhenMargaret had a heart attackfollowed by double bypasssurgery of course we stayedvery close to home. Duringthat regatta the fleet wasstruck by a weather bombknown as the June Storm with loss of life and yachts. We feelblessed that we were not at sea during that terrible storm.When Margaret had regained her health and fitness, and beingthe brave sailor that she is, said “Come on Bill - what about the1995 Tonga Regatta?” That took a lot of courage! So in 1995 weagain joined the ICA in the regatta to Tonga and on to Fiji, andwent cruising for another nine months.We can recommend joining the Island Cruising Assoc. if youare planning a transocean voyage. Not only do you meet fellowyachties to whom you can relate at the pre-departure talks onsafety, communications, customs and native relations but are alsoushered through all the difficulties of leaving New Zealand andentering other Pacific Island nations, which can be complicated.The down side is that on both regattas there was a degree ofdrunkenness aboard some vessels that we found unacceptable.continued overleaf17

When out in the vastness of the Pacific on a 12 day voyage fromsay NZ to Tonga it was comforting to know that there were otheryachts about who we were in touch with on our radio sched andmay have been be able to come to our assistance if called. Bear inmind that there is nobody else. However, when we departed fromAuckland we never did see another one of the forty odd yachts thatsailed with.We have been members of Mana Cruising Club for about 40years and Mana Dunedin Port Captain for about 30 years. Strangelyenough in all that time we have been to our Club House at Manaonly twice - once by road, and once by water at the start of theIsland Cruising Association regatta to Tonga in 1995. Althoughthis Marina and Club House are magnificent our great joy in beingmembers of the Club is being able to use our 40 odd moorings inPelorus and Queen Charlotte Sounds. We have secured to almostall of the moorings and on average have cruised the MarlboroughSounds every second year over a period of forty years.We would be delighted to see more cruising yachties visit theexciting and beautiful cruising grounds south of Cook Strait.Taking the south going tide you would edge past the watchful CapeCampbell, sight the mighty Kaikoura Mountains (almost as high asMount Taranaki) and whales breaching off Kaikoura. The perfectsemicircle of brooding Banks Peninsula will draw you into shelteredand secretive Akaroa Harbour. The northeast wind will have yourollicking past the sunlight Canterbury Plains, and so to the laughingOtago Coast and Otago Harbour. The South Pacific and the GreatSouthern Ocean is not a fearsome place - we sail it all the time. Butsometimes, like Cook Strait it does take a little intestinal fortitude.Once at Port Chalmers you would be within a 24 hour sail ofStewart Island where you could cruise for a month in sheltered watersand even then not see it all. You could also have fish, scallopsor oysters for dinner every day if you so wished.Puysegur Point, on the southwest corner of the South Island,is one of New Zealand’s great capes and it does have nine gales amonth. If you read the books, talk to the locals and are thoughtfulabout your decisions it is sometimes not too difficult to get around.Two mile further on you will be into Preservation Inlet and the restof Fiordland is yours. The southern sounds may well be the mostwonderful cruising experience you will ever have.Your Mana C.C. Dunedin Port Captain will not be at his place ofduty at Careys Bay this New Year. We plan to sail from Port Chalmerson 2nd January 2011 on our 23rd cruise to the Marlborough Soundsand the Abel Tasman National Park. On arrival we hope we may raftup with you again on a Mana mooring and share a quiet meal anda glass. Now aged 82 and 80 years maybe it will be our last trip. Onthe other hand maybe it will not be our last - we are not intending totake up tiddlywinks or bowls just yet - so let us just wait and see.I would like to close by thanking the Commodore and Committeefor inviting Margaret and I to be here at our Opening Day. I wouldalso like to thank those who organise and maintain our wonderfulMana moorings. And I would like you to remember all the otherMCC Port Captains who wait breathlessly, year after year, for yourarrival in their port.Pigeon PostMANA ISLAND PIGEON POSTAnother couple of months have flown by and we’re in themiddle of the bird breeding season out here on Mana Island.Many of our takahe pairs have chicks now as nesting isdrawing to a close; and we’ve around six shore plover nests stillincubating, with five or so little chicks darting around on thebeach. So it is busy times keeping track of these endangeredbirds. The brown teal (pateke) also have young on some of thewetland ponds, and other species like the pied shags, kakarikiand tui are also nesting.Earlier in the month we finally had takahe ‘Monty’ returnfrom Massey University’s wildlife ward, where she spentthree-and-a-half months recovering from a broken femur. Itis fantastic to have this breeding bird back on the island, it isa testament to the hard work of the vet and vet nursing staffat Massey.Our summer staff, Jenny and Lois, are nearing the half waymark with their grid search (and destroy!) of the island forinvasive weeds. It is a challenging and sometimes unenviabletask, but plays such an important role in ensuring the emergingforest has a helping hand to establish.The weather here, as with much of the region, has been verydry over the last two months. The island is still open to thepublic during normal hours and there are no fire restrictionsin place; but the fire risk is increasing and we expect thatrestrictions will be in place soon if there is no rain. If thishappens we will let the club and marina know, and signagewill be in place on the island and at boat launching ramps, sokeep an eye out for this.It has been great to see and meet a number of you out andabout on the island and the water over the last wee while.Just a reminder to all that Mana Island is free of animal pestsand haven to endangered wildlife, so, if you are planning avisit, please check your vessel and belongings for stowaways(of the rodent kind) before you depart for the island. And, ofcourse... ‘take only photos, and leave only footprints.’Wishing you all the best for Christmas and the New Year,from the team on Mana Island.18

Around Mana Island, 12 December, KimihiaAroundManaIslandAround Mana Island, 28 November, Stratagem

Bounty from Durville Island. Ritchie Haagh onSouthern Cross.Vanuatu. Vicky Eames with 40lb Mahimahi,caught off ‘Claude William’ near Ambea Island,Vanuatu, August 2010