ACF9

The first of the much-anticipated carbon foiling monohulls to be used in the Youth America’s Cup next year – the AC9F – has proved her capabilities. She flies! A product of the Yachting Developments design team led by Bob Graham, a fleet of AC9FS is being built at the company’s yard. More than 15 teams from around the world are confirmed for the event, which allows for simultaneous match racing.

This first AC9F model (christened Kōtare, meaning ‘Kingfisher’ in Maori) was completed in March but sea trials were delayed due to the Covid-19 nationwide lockdown.

“We still have more testing to complete but after her first sail it is good to confirm that she certainly flies,” says Ian Cook, managing director of Yachting Developments. “It was impressive work by everyone involved to achieve our goals so quickly,” adds designer Bob Graham.

The AC9F is an exciting design that will certainly test the best young sailors from around the world.

BRP announced in May that it will discontinue production of its Evinrude E-TEC and E-TEC G2 outboard engines (effective immediately), and re-orient its marine business by focusing on the growth of its boat brands. At the stame time is has signed an agreement with Mercury Marine to support boat packages and supply outboard engines to its boat brands.

“Our outboard engines business has been greatly impacted by Covid-19,” says BRP President and CEO, José Boisjoli. “This business segment had already been facing some challenges and the impact from the current context has forced our hand.”

The company will continue to supply customers and its dealer network with service parts, and will honour its manufacturer limited warranties, plus offer select programmes to manage inventory. The move will affect 650 employees globally.

“We will concentrate our efforts on new and innovative technologies and on the development of our boat companies, where we continue to see a lot of potential to transform the on-water experience for consumers,” adds Boisjoli.

BRP is a global leader in powersports vehicles, propulsion systems and boats. Its products include Ski-doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-doo watercraft, Can-am on- and off-road vehicles, Alumacraft, Manitou, Quintrex, Stacer and Savage boats, Rotax marine propulsion systems as well as Rotax engines for karts, motorcycles and recreational aircraft.

Mercury, meanwhile, will become the supplier of choice for Brp-owned boat brands Alumacraft, Manitou, Quintrex, Stacer, Savage and Yellowfin Plate Boats. “This agreement brings us an opportunity to further grow our brand and introduce our portfolio of outboard engines to new customers around the world,” says Chris Drees, Mercury Marine president.

Following the cancellation of the Hutchwilco Boat Show in April due to Covid-19, four Auckland-based dealerships will be staging a mini-boat show next month at three nearby sites on East Tamaki’s Ti Rakau Drive. Woodbine Marine, Family Boats, Auckland Marine and Sports Marine have teamed up to present boats, engines and marine accessories over three days – Friday July 24th, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th. The show runs from 10am – 5pm each day. Food & coffee carts will be available at all three sites.

The Show also carries a $22,000 gate prize – a Quintrex 420 Busta with aluminium trailer, powered by a 30hp fuelinjected four-stroke Honda outboard.

Other suppliers displaying product include Garmin, Fusion, Hunting & Fishing Botany, Raymarine, ENL, DMW Trailers, Icey Tek, BLA – Minn Kota, Hutchwilco and Coast Guard with its New-for-old lifejacket programme.

Tony Orton (Offshore Adventures) and Andrew Hill (Adventure Fishing – Woodbine Marine) are among the brand ambassadors in attendance.

Brands on display

• Auckland Marine – Mercury Outboards, Fi-glass Boats, Senator Alloy Pontoon Boats, Kiwi Kraft Alloy Pontoon Boats, Reflex Fibreglass Boats, Ultimate Alloy Boats Sports Marine – Sea Ray, Chris Craft, Nimbus, Rae Line Woodbine Marine – Extreme Boats, Huntsman Boats, Nuline Boats, Evinrude, Honda Marine, Southern Pacific, Sea-doo

Family Boats – Southern Sports, Brig, Beneteau, Buccaneer, Lazercraft, Quintrex, Surtees, Yamaha, Yamaha Waverunner.

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For more info visit www.tirakaudriveboatshow.co.nz

With 150 days to go, the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club (NZMYC) says the 38th PIC Coastal Classic Yacht Race from Auckland to Russell is on, starting from Devonport Wharf on Friday 23 October. Organisers are now accepting online entries for the 119nm challenge. “It’s refreshing to have something to look forward to after a bleak last few months, unsure of when we’d get back on the water and in what capacity,” says NZMYC commodore Greer Houston. “We’ve certainly noticed the pentup demand within our community and will do whatever we need to make this year another great one – on and off the water.”

Last year was one of the event’s fastest. “Not only was a new race record set of 5hr 37s, but every boat that finished did so in less than 20 hours,” says Greer. “After such a memorable race in favourable conditions, we hope everybody will be quick to put their hand up to do it again.”

In 2019 Beau Geste, the internationally-registered mod 70 trimaran, led the fleet of 175 yachts to set a new race record. Due to recent travel restrictions, Beau Geste has remained in New Zealand and is expected on the start line to give it another crack this year.

The race’s primary sponsor is PIC Insurance Brokers.