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Bay of Islands Yacht Club

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Waitangi Bay of Islands Paihia 0247 New Zealand

PO Box 205 Paihia 0247 New Zealand

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Waitangi is only a 20 minute walk from Paihia along the beach heading north. As you cross the single-lane bridge you step into another world...

The Waitangi Treaty Groundstakes you on a journey through New Zealand’s past, telling you the story of the coming together of Maori and Pakeha to generate our modern identity. For anyone serious about understanding New Zealand’s past, Waitangi is not to be missed.  There is a lovely coastal walk and a great lunch spot at Whare Waka Café. You will also find the Bay of Islands Yacht Club here, the Copthorne Hotel, the Waitangi Golf Club and the start of the Haruru Falls Track, a 5km walking track that takes you up river to the falls themselves.

On what is a nation based but the agreements of its peoples? In the case of New Zealand, a bi-cultural country of Maori tribes (iwi) and British settlers this is the agreement between Maori chiefs and the British Crown known as the Treaty of Waitangi.

At the same time as establishing British law in New Zealand, the Treaty guaranteed Maori authority over their land and culture. The British Government sent Captain William Hobson to New Zealand with the mission of acquiring sovereignty of the country by way of a treaty.

This was duly drawn up, translated and signed by 43 Northland chiefs followed by over 500 other Maori chiefs in 1840. The Treaty of Waitangi remains central to New Zealand law and society.

With two language versions; Maori and English, written and translated by people with little or no legal know-how, these versions differ to such an extent that there have been problems of interpretation.

For example, in regard to sovereignty the English version states that Maori surrender their 'kawanatanga' (sovereignty) and transfer power to the British Crown while the Maori version implies a sharing of power.

Some may ask which version of the Treaty is the correct one. The answer is both. Since two versions were signed, both are taken into account and regard is given to each document when decisions are being made.

Bay News: ‘Adrenaline-fueled spectacle’ coming to BOI

It used to be called windsurfing or boardsailing but is now called foiling. A competitor in the 2023 Foiling Regatta sails from Waitangi Yacht Club.

Foiled off Waitangi

It has been described as an “adrenaline-fuelled spectacle” and certainly the foiling regatta run by the Bay of Islands Yacht Club at Waitangi is exciting to watch.

It takes place from February 22 to 26 and is the largest foiling regatta in the southern hemisphere. It hosts about 120 competitors from New Zealand and several other countries.

It used to be called windsurfing. Today, the craft are the baby version of America’s Cup boats but with a single board and one sailor. There are four contemporary types of foiling craft, Wingfoil, Waszp, Kitefoil and Windfoil.

The regatta is for seasoned participants and social foilers alike. This year marks the sixth year of the foiling regatta and promises to be the biggest yet.

There are four days of racing. Friday to Sunday includes the Kitefoil and Windfoil nationals, Wingfoil and Waszps There are two days of social racing for the up-and-coming Wingfoilers. The About Being Seen Island Race is open to everyone.

The Bay of Islands Yacht Club clubrooms opened in March 1960, though the club had been in existence before then. It used to be called The Paihia Yacht and Motor Boat Club and members would store their yachts opposite the Anglican stone church in Paihia.

An apocryphal story says in the early 1950s two elderly men, World War II veterans, approached some club members before the clubhouse was built.

They said there was “£25 in the bank and land at Waitangi if they changed the name” and that was the beginning of the Bay of Islands Yacht Club.

This year the club will also host the interschools tournament, the NZL 29er Nationals and the J14-Cherub 3.7 NZL National regattas as well as the foiling regatta.

Missionary mum no push-over

Research into some of New Zealand’s oldest European garments by specialist conservator Dr Tracey Wedge has shed light on the background of the Hansen family. They were one of the first Pākehā families to settle in New Zealand and in particular Thomas and Hannah Hansen Senior

Thomas and Hannah were the parents of Thomas and Hannah Hansen jnr. The younger Hansens would establish themselves at Hōhi together with other missionaries. It was the first mission in New Zealand set up by Rev Samuel Marsden.

“Thomas snr was a sea captain who had sailed the brig Active with Marsden’s first wave of missionaries from Australia to New Zealand, dropping them off at Hōhi in time for Marsden to preach the first Christmas sermon in 1814.

“Thomas snr left shortly after, though his wife Hannah snr remained at Hōhi for a while with her daughter and son,” Heritage NZ Pouhere Taonga senior collections adviser Belinda Maingay said.

Tracey Wedge, a Hansen descendant herself, discovered the family lived in the parish of St George-in-the-east;,a bucolic-sounding place located close to the wharves and docks of the Thames in London where the poor rubbed shoulders with the wealthy.

As a ship’s captain, Thomas could be away from home for weeks or even months on end and it meant Hannah snr was running the household single-handedly.

“A record from Old Bailey proceedings of January 1790 records Mrs Hansen claiming to have found two men in her home stealing items of clothing belonging to her husband. Hannah stood up to both men culminating in her chasing the two thieves down the road and catching one of them,” says Maingay.

Rev Marsden somewhat gracelessly described Hannah snr as “a very infamous drunken woman and completely master of her husband”.

But Tahitian missionary William Henry believed: “Mrs Hansen ...has been and is likely to be of considerable advantage by her needle work.”

In 1819 she was convicted in a Sydney court of being in possession of 10 stolen muskets at a time when guns featured significantly in trade negotiations with Māori in New Zealand.

Russell gets a new garage service

Four or so years ago there was a mechanic and garage in Russell offering full Warrant of Fitness (WoF) checks and repairs. But Quarry Motors closed down and since then there has not been a viable substitute.

There is one mechanic who works from home but he does not do WoFs so Russell residents have had little choice but to go to Opua, Paihia, Kerikeri or even Whangārei for their WoF and service requirements. It is costly when fuel and ferry charges are added to the invoice.

But from this week, there’s a new kid in town. Dave Chapman has set up a mechanical repair garage on the site of the GAS service station at the beginning of the Russell end of Aucks Rd.

The complex is owned by Rod Haines and has a chandlery and storage units, as well as what was an unused garage. He had set up two hoists and work benches but had never run it as a business.

Chapman’s father-in-law approached Haines with a view to having his son-in-law run the space as a new business venture and negotiations proved fruitful.

“We haven’t even got signage up yet but we have customers and have had heaps of support through Facebook and with people dropping in to say hi,” he said.

Chapman will commute daily from Kerikeri because his three children are at critical ages and he and his partner Holly don’t want them disrupted. He admits it’s a “bit expensive” with the daily ferry cost “but the drive is nice”. His partner will also drive over regularly to help run the business.

Chapman has a personal licence to do WOFs but he needs a site licence so must apply to NZTA (Waka Kotahi) for that. A representative is due to visit this week and, all going well, he will have a licence to do WOFs on the site within two or three weeks.

Inaugural Home Expo at Waitangi

In addition to all the meeting places, gathering spaces, stages, stalls and pop-ups that constitute Waitangi week, the Waitangi National Trust is providing visitors with the information to potentially own their own home.

In an inaugural initiative, the trust is bringing together housing construction, financing, service providers and housing products to provide aspiring homeowners and housing developers with the opportunity to engage with each other and assist in developing “roadmaps” to make owning a home a reality.

The theme for the expo is “Roadmap to My Home”. Attendees can gather information as they walk through a cul-de-sac of on-site houses, cabins and related stalls that showcase solar energy, waste management, hempcrete and water among other key features.

Pita Tipene, chairman of the Waitangi National Trust, says the expo is free to all attendees. It will have a field day atmosphere with displays, interactive activities, giveaways and a spectrum of housing solutions of different sizes and price points that will be whānau-centric.

“Very few people have the experience and a detailed view of what is involved in building a house or housing development, so we’ve brought the players together,” he said.

“This expo is for everyone, but particularly for Māori with collectively owned land where they can develop their own housing.

“Those not ready to build can access products that will make their current living situation more comfortable.”

The Waitangi Housing Expo 2024 will be at the Waitangi Sports Grounds on Waitangi Day from 9am to 4.30pm. The Waitangi National Trust website has further information, maps of the expo layout and a run sheet of events on the day.

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A CRUISE TO THE BAY OF ISLANDS - WAITANGI - 1966 and some other MATAATUA memories: Mike Batchelor

Older members of TYPBC will remember my friend Owen Mackay, a brilliant seaman and navigator. Owen died aged about 51 quite a few years ago.  He taught me how to sail. Apart from his profession as a surveyor, Owen acted as “sailing master” on behalf of Noel Dwan, a farmer from over the hill who was the owner of the 34 foot Stewart designed “Mataatua”.

In early 1966 Owen assembled a crew from amongst his friends; Oona Joustra (Beasley Homes), Dick Wade (electrician at Marshall Electrical Ltd), Keith Dee (Tauranga City Council Deputy City Engineer), Ray Thomas (National Mutual Insurance) Ross Manson (Heatons Transport) Dave Breckon (Breckon Auto Electrical) and myself. Our sailing experience, apart from Owen was minimal. I had never previously sailed on any yacht. Except for Dave and myself all have now passed on. It is the recent death of Ross which has given me the urge to make this sketchy record.

We were bound for the Bay of Islands, aiming to be at Waitangi for the annual celebrations on 6 February.

We set off late in the afternoon from the old yacht club by the railway bridge.  Owen wisely decided that our first leg should be in the nature of a shakedown cruise so we spent the first night anchored in the shelter of Matakana Island near Panepane. Next day in a nice breeze we set off. I have never forgotten the wonderful sensation when the motor was switched off and the yacht moved ahead through the water so smoothly, powerfully and silently – my very first experience of sailing. I was “hooked” immediately.

As far as I can recall, our first anchorage was at Home Bay on Slipper Island. We had on board a massive flywheel for delivery to the farmer there. This was duly delivered and was then followed by a request to help next day with getting in a crop of hay! Well we had nothing else to do. Farmer promised us some crayfish in return. A hard day’s work resulted. Next morning early, there was a knock on the hull and there was the farmer in his dinghy with just one smallish cray! We were not too impressed!

Onward through the Hole in the Wall to a night in the Cove. First of many since for me. Then to Barrier where we had to pick up Dave Breckon who had not been able to get away from his business previously. I remember we hired a taxi to go over to Claris Airport. We must have been a bit late, there was Dave, all alone on a stinking hot afternoon, in the middle of a dusty airfield, sitting glumly on his bag and wondering . . . .

Memory has faded about where we anchored in the Bay of Islands, I think it was at Russell. But we certainly had a great time there and over on the other side at Waitangi. The usual visit from one of the  Royal NZ Navy frigates was accompanied by a group of Wrens (Womens Royal Naval Service) who were only too anxious to shake off their naval companions and to enjoy some civilian company. It was all a lot of fun – ‘nuff said, no tales out of school.

We had a good cruise home, I don’t remember many details. I think we spent one night at Kawau Island and  another at Sou’east Bay, then home. I forthwith gave up cricket and became a “yachtie”. I served my apprenticeship for several seasons on Mataatua.

When Noel Dwan came over from the Waikato he assumed captaincy of Mataatua. He was a fine sailor who like Owen had trans-Tasman and Pacific experience. Noel was of the old-school. I remember an occasion in the Cove when he got so upset over a launch which had not lowered its ensign at sundown, which Noel never failed to do, he rowed over and gave the owner a lecture on flag etiquette. On another occasion, the motor broke down as we approached the Mount entrance. There wasn’t much wind and we were going rather slowly. A freighter was coming out. There was no real danger but Noel insisted on signaling the other vessel “Keep clear we are unable to manoeuvre”.  So up went the appropriate flags on Mataatua’s  starboard shrouds. It was a good laugh and the crew subsequently embroidered the story and embarrassed the skipper by telling him that our signal actually read “Heave to or I shall open fire”. That story was often retold in Mataatua’s saloon. Noel also had a collection of sailors’ weather proverbs. One I remember he often quoted – “Rain before the wind, halyards,sheets and braces mind. Wind before the rain, topsails you may set again”.

I think it was 1973 when Mataatua took part in her second or third race to Suva. This was my first ocean race. The jetties at Westhaven were just about under water with the supplies that were going on board the 30 or so entrants. I could not believe how much liquor (duty free of course) was being loaded on to these racing yachts! There was no deepfreeze on Mataatua. Owen built an enormous plywood box (quickly named “the Coffin”) which fitted into the forepeak. This was filled half with ice and half with our perishables for the race and subsequent cruise. In spite of the weight Mataatua acheived third place in division C. It took 9 days from Auckland to Suva. .

 There are many memories from that journey. One dark night Owen tried to stop a running spinnaker halyard and burnt off a lot of the skin on both hands. Fortunately it was near the end of the race and no more sextant work was required. As we approached Suva at night, a large fleet of Russian fishing boats was leaving. So many lights made navigation difficult. We actually had an exciting finish with two other yachts neck and neck in the early morning. During our island-hopping cruise home we enjoyed a pleasant day with the Blakely family on Legend at Malolo Lailai.  At Kandavu Island we were greeted by dozens of children in the most amazing selection of “canoes”, mostly constructed from sheets of corrugated iron (1 paddler 2 bailers). Mataatua was invaded by dozens of these kids and one of the crew inadvisably gave out pieces of fruit cake– what pandemonium that caused! The villagers insisted we go ashore for a tour of the village and a “sing-sing”. A genuine Fiji experience with wonderfully hospitable folk.

Is ocean racing still such fun, I wonder?

Mike Batchelor

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2024 29er Nationals Hosted by the Bay of Islands Yacht Club

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2024 29er Nationals at the Bay of Islands Yacht Club.  Good sailing Good food and Great fun.

Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity

New Zealand 29er Nationals

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31 May 2024 - 2 June 2024

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Bay of Islands Yacht Club proudly presents the 29er Nationals Championship! Against the backdrop of the stunning Bay of Islands, this event promises a high-octane showcase of sailing expertise, fierce competition, and the sheer thrill of the open waters.

The 29er Nationals Championship is a pinnacle event on the sailing calendar, drawing seasoned sailors and passionate enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re a sailor with a competitive edge or an observer seeking an adrenaline-infused coastal experience, this championship has something for everyone.

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Bay of Islands Yacht Club

As a number of visitors notice, the service is professional. At this cafe, people can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Google users awarded Bay of Islands Yacht Club 4.7.

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Up the creek with shelter island’s menantic yacht club.

By Robert Harris

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This past Sunday the sky may have looked menacing in West Neck Harbor, but it was a perfect day for Sunfish racing, and the sailors of the Menantic Yacht Club (MYC) took full advantage.

We held four regular races and then tacked on the annual Up West Neck Creek Race (UCR). It rained a little and the sun appeared on and off, but the southeast wind was fairly steady blowing at 8-9 knots and gusting to 12-13. I expected the stake boat to have a busy afternoon, but as far as I know, only one boat took that proverbial unexpected swim.

Several MYC sailors were out of town participating in various other races, including Lee Montes, Paul Zinger and Rich Prieto, who all attended the New York Downstate Sunfish Regional Championships at the Bay Shore Yacht Club, which is a qualifier for the Sunfish World’s.

Rich and Paul were able to come back in time to race with the MYC on Sunday. Paul knew there was a good chance that we were going to run the UCR, and, it being the only trophy he hasn’t won since racing with the MYC, he was determined to participate on Sunday.

For Rich and the rest of the racers including Peter Due, who sails his Sunfish from Cedar Point, the UCR was a happy surprise.

During the regular racing, John Modica not only unintentionally went swimming, but also tore his sail. He had to go to shore to retrieve a second sail since a MacGyver fix was impossible, missed a race, but returned just in time for the UCR.

The UCR is an annual race that is difficult under perfect conditions. You have to know the waters in West Neck Creek, there being many shallow areas, and the wind can be very fluky coming off the land. The stake boat drops a mark somewhere up the Creek.

Racers have to locate the mark, round it and head to the finish, which is between the Race Committee boat and Bill Martens’ dock. 

Of the 15 racers participating in regular racing on Sunday, 13 participated in the UCR. The southeast wind provided for a downwind start and we headed toward Montclair Colony.

A number of sailors were bunched together, with Linda Gibbs in the lead followed by Paul. As I mentioned above, knowing the waters is of the utmost importance because there are many shallow areas, the first of which is the point off Montclair. 

A number of boats ran aground at that point, but fortunately it didn’t hold anyone up for too long. I wanted to spice things up, so I asked Betsy Colby to tell the sailors that they could do a port or starboard rounding at the mark.

Individualist that he is, Charlie Modica was the only boat on port tack, but he managed to round in front of a large group, if you consider 13 boats large, and wound up in a really good position.

The west side of the course was favored and he was on it. At this point in the race, Paul, Charlie, Linda, Alicia Rojas and Eric Ryan were in the running for the trophy. I won’t say where I wound up, but most of the boats were already on their trailers by the time I finished.

In the end, Eric was first, Paul second and Charlie third. Congrats to Eric who also placed first in regular racing, and to everyone who sailed on Sunday.

Betsy Colby ran the races as usual, along with her crew of Deborah Mintz and Amy Cococcia.  She was able to run four races, two of which were very long, course T2, which is twice around the triangle. With only 15 boats participating on Sunday there was no drama, but one general recall. Good job all, and many thanks.

Betty Bishop captained the stake boat crewed by Dave Daly and Jodi Sisley, while Matt Fox captained the mark boat along with Rita Gates.  Many thanks, to all of you.        

There are only two more weeks of racing, so let’s have a good turnout for the last two series of races.

We are a very congenial family-friendly club, open to all. We may not have a clubhouse, but the sailing is great, the camaraderie is superb, and we just have tremendous fun.

All sailors, novice to expert, are welcome. Just show up in West Neck Harbor at 2 p.m. on any Sunday through Labor Day, check in with the Race Committee, giving them your full name and sail number, and be sure to bring your life jacket.

Non-sailors are also welcome to assist with the Race Committee boat and the stake boat. You can get more information about the MYC at the Facebook page: Menantic Yacht Club, or from Bob Harris at [email protected] , or 505-235-5844. Steve and Melissa Shepstone have a fleet of loaner boats available on a first to reserve basis. Contact Melissa at 203-206-1745 or [email protected] to reserve your boat.

See you on the water!

Results:                                Pts      Place

Eric Ryan                10       1

Charlie Modica                14        2

Alicia Rojas        16          3

Rich Prieto          16         4

Denise Fenchel                21             5

Joan Butler          29         6

Peter Due               31       7

Paul Zinger         35         8

Kate Duff                36       9

Bob Harris            36        10

John Modica       43         11

Ellen Leonforte    43      12

Linda Gibbs        43        13

Tom McMahon              54         14

Jonathan Brush             56         15

Up West Neck Creek Race results

Paul Zinger

Charlie Modica

Alicia Rojas

Linda Gibbs

Joan Butler

Denise Fenchel

Jonathan Brush

Ellen Leonforte

John Modica

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From Paris to the Caribbean, use these travel ideas to plan your next trip

• Cindy Cockburn Tampa Bay Times

SeaDream Yacht Club – Caviar, Champagne and barbecue

All SeaDream Yacht Club voyages in the Caribbean include a signature Champagne & Caviar Splash beach party. Executive chef Elton Tabaj and his galley team transport the five-star kitchen from the yacht to the beach. Passengers are served a lavish beach barbecue, cooked to perfection. All guests don bathing suits and the captain joins in for an informal day playing Robinson Crusoe. In fact, be prepared to get soaking wet. You will arrive on the island via a Zodiac boat that shuttles passengers from the yacht directly to the white, sandy beach. I attended the beach party in White Bay on Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands during a recent cruise. What a great way to spend a winter afternoon! And the best part? Skip the high resort rates and book the intimate cruise with only 150 passengers.

Paris is always a good idea

The Olympics may be over, but we still can’t get enough of the French. A recent report from GlobalData announced that France is on track to become the most visited country by 2025, when 93.7 million international travelers are expected to visit there.

Delta Air Lines offers several options while traveling from Tampa to Paris. I usually stop in Atlanta to connect with Air France for a seamless experience. I recently discovered a “secret” and luxurious way to get to Europe. Friends rave about the 10-year-old French boutique airline called La Compagnie. The flights only depart from Newark Liberty International Airport, but it’s totally worth the trip to New Jersey. Once on board, the plane offers 76 seats that all turn into flatbeds. It’s a business-class airline experience to Paris, Milan or Nice. And the food is marvelous.

For the ultimate Parisian culinary experience, secure a table at Le Jules Verne. Located at the top of the Eiffel Tower, the views are spectacular from this world-famous restaurant. Watch the calendar and make sure to book 90 days in advance and be prepared to pay ahead as well (a $500 deposit is the norm for a table for two). When you factor in the advantage of skipping the long entry line and the overall once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of dining in the Eiffel Tower, the experience is well worth the cost. Perched at a height of 410 feet, you will even have your own private elevator to the restaurant. The dress code, an elegant outfit and no shorts or sportswear, is strictly enforced. Suit jackets are mandatory for men.

Closer to home, Travel + Leisure magazine recently named St. Petersburg the Best Food City in the U.S. We found a tiny slice of Paris in St. Petersburg. When you check in to the newly renovated Vinoy Resort, you’ll be invited on Friday and Saturday from 3-5 p.m. to meet the new executive pastry chef Armand Berger and sample complimentary Champagne and nibbles from Lottie, the new patisserie located in the hotel’s lobby.

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Tropic Ocean Airways salutes Jimmy Buffett Day

Tropic Ocean Airways is the largest commercial amphibious airline and is ready to entertain all Parrotheads. To celebrate Jimmy Buffett Day on Aug. 30, they are launching an epic package with Baker’s Cay Resort, a nature-inspired luxury resort on the Overseas Highway in Key Largo. Inspired by the legendary singer-songwriter, this unique trip offers a fun-filled adventure over Labor Day weekend and includes a one-way Tropic Ocean Airways seaplane adventure for two departing from Sheltair Terminal at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and landing at Baker’s Cay Resort. The three-night waterfront king guest room package is valid only from Aug. 30 through Sept. 2. It includes complimentary return shuttle service to Miami International Airport or Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

The Resort at Longboat Key Club

Having more space is a priority for families. Nearly three in five guests say being able to fit all their family members in one place is a major deciding factor when booking a vacation. Some of the top trending destinations near the water for families this summer are Melbourne, Australia and Nassau, Bahamas.

We already live in paradise with a variety of resort options just a short drive away, no passport required. We talked to Diane Lopez, the director of resort operations at The Resort at Longboat Key Club near Sarasota, where the Gulf waters are beautiful, the beach cabanas are huge and the suites are grand. The two-bedroom suites overlook the pool and the Gulf of Mexico with a living room that includes a queen-sized sleeper sofa, a full kitchen, a washer and dryer and a private balcony. Don’t miss Latitudes restaurant for delicious menu options in the resort, offering both “land” (a 16-ounce rib-eye steak) and “sea” (spiny lobster curry) options with Ed Geyfman as executive chef. Great to find out a kids dinner menu is available. Grown-ups will love checking out the resort’s Tavern & Whiskey Bar with over 100 different types of whiskey.

Sports are key here on the Key. Briana François is the director of racquet sports, tennis and pickleball and reports that there are eight new pickleball courts at the resort. They have lessons almost daily. The resort store supports local women-owned vendors. Peaceful tip: Check out the many treatment rooms and new sound therapy beds in the spa. Naps encouraged!

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