Boating NZ April 2026

March was a busy month for all things boating, despite the weather around the country being quite a mixed bag. For this magazine the big event, as ever, was the Auckland Boat Show, of which Boating New Zealand has been sponsor and official media partner since its inception. This year was the 25th iteration of the show, owned and run by NZ Marine, which took place over four days between March 5 and 8. What makes this show special is an always superb venue, Jellicoe Harbour this year, and its on-water nature. While not all exhibitors were floating – there were plenty on dry land surrounding the marina, in pavillions, and inside the Exhibition Centre – it’s the boats, from 30m to 8m, occupying the bespoke marina that make this…

Step onboard Boating New Zealand to share thrilling maritime adventures, improve your knowledge of powerboats and yachts, feel the challenge of offshore voyages and be inspired by DIY projects in garages throughout the country. Plus, see the latest new boats from New Zealand and overseas – all brought to you by our talented pool of writers and photographers. CALL 0508 692628 FREEPHONE CHOOSE THE OPTION FOR YOU $139 for a 1-year subscription Save 23% off retail! (inc $56.40 postage) $270 for a 2-year subscription Save 25% off retail! (inc $112.80 postage) www.boatingnz.co.nz/subscribe/ WATCH BOAT REVIEWS AT WWW.BOATINGNZ.CO.NZ AND ON YOUTUBE…

Sailability Auckland, in partnership with Ponsonby Cruising Club and Burnsco, has successfully concluded the Burnsco 2026 SKUD 18 International Match Race Challenge, held on the Waitematā Harbour from 20–22 February 2026. The event marked a world first: an international match racing regatta for the high-performance SKUD 18 class, featuring integrated crews of disabled and ablebodied sailors. Ten teams from New Zealand, Australia and the United States competed. “What began as a simple idea quickly became a powerful reality,” said Paul Wager of Sailability Auckland. “This regatta showed that the Paralympic dream for sailing is not just possible, but achievable.” The competition highlighted the skill, tactics, and resilience of sailors competing side by side on a truly level playing field. www.sailabilityauckland.org.nz https://www.facebook.com/CityofSailsSailability 2026 PODIUM FINISHERS 1ST PLACE: Graham Hook & Darrell…

SOME HIGHLIGHTS FIND ALL OUR MOST-READ ONLINE ARTICLES HERE AT WWW.BOATINGNZ.CO.NZ/STORIES-OF-THE-MONTH OR SCAN THE QR CODE SAILGP DRAMA The aftermath of the mid-February SailGP Auckland collision continued to dominate readership. Reaction from Peter Burling and Blair Tuke drew the strongest traffic of the month as readers followed the story from the moment of impact through recovery updates, technical explanations and exclusive interviews. Boating New Zealand’s exclusive video of the New Zealand France incident also proved one of the most watched pieces of coverage. Follow up reporting unpacked the rapid foil ventilation sequence that contributed to the crash, helping readers understand how quickly control can be lost in high speed foiling conditions. For many readers the story was not just about the incident itself, but about how elite teams respond when…

Even a small amount of water in the bottom of your boat can contain thousands of tiny juveniles of this species, which means it is a pest that needs our attention. The invasive freshwater clam (Corbicula) has so far only been found in freshwater in New Zealand, but it can survive in brackish water – the type we get in some of our inner harbours and estuaries – making it important for anyone moving between freshwater and saltwater to be aware of. A single Corbicula can produce 400 juveniles a day, or up to 70,000 a year. This means populations can quickly reach high densities, forming piles on sandy beaches and blocking pipes or outfalls. These impacts are frustrating for swimmers and boaties, while for our native ecosystems, they could…

In recent years Fin Chaser has leaned increasingly into building amphibious vessels. So much so, that Fin Chaser is now Anura Amphibious Systems’ biggest customer. To date, Fin Chaser has delivered 60 amphibious vessels, with eight more currently in build, and another four boats sold and awaiting build slots. The company is clearly serious about amphibious boats! As is true across the Fin Chaser range (over 1400 units sold), many have been sold to repeat customers, and the market for amphibious models is growing, including for export. Fin Chaser has sold amphibious models into every state and territory in Australia, with amphibious.au, an amphibious sales and service specialist, recently appointed Australian dealer for the brand. Stylish, imposing, and with a hull that looks flawless and fair from any angle, the…