Family classic inspires replica
A Pelorus couple’s first entry into the NZ Antique and Classic Boat Show has family ties to the show’s Lake Rotoiti venue.
Mike and Judi Edridge’s boat ‘‘The General’’ is a replica of Judi’s grandfather Arch Nicholls’ powerboat ‘‘The Fay’’.
‘‘Judi’s grandfather had a bach up Lake Rotoiti, it was a family bach right through to the early 1980s and they spent a lot of time up there in that original boat,’’ Mike said.
‘‘We decided it would be pretty cool if we could find it [The Fay] and do it up and float it on the lake again. But we could not find the boat.’’ Instead, using original plans, they built a replica.
‘‘The old plans were pretty basic, not suitable for building a new boat, but enough to get the right dimensions,’’ Mike said.
‘‘We went for modern materials but the same classic lines.
‘‘This boat was called The General after Judi’s father who has always been known as the General as he always had General Motors cars.’’
The General was launched just before Christmas, and officially in front of family and friends on Boxing Day. Mike said they were looking forward to the boat show, at Lake Rotoiti March 7-8, to have the opportunity to take the boat out again.
The event will have displays on land from early morning and races on the lake in the afternoon.
Organiser Pete Rainey said even for people who had been coming to the show for the past 20 years, there was always something new to see.
Rainey said there were usually a few quirky entries, including this year a 1975 Buick Le Sabre classic car, which has allegedly ‘‘sailed Route 66’’ and would appear with its doors taped up, and a motor fitted to the rear bumper.