News

Friday Night

Meet at the Boat Shed Café from 6.00pm. The café is located at the end of Sugar Lane, Frankton Marina. Go past the slipway and the entrance is off the trailer park.

Parking - if you are towing a boat, you are able to park in the trailer park. Those with no boat attached are able to park in the sealed marina parking area. The cost is $2 for the 1st hour and then $4 there after. We suggest that you take any available park.

The evening is hosted by Wakatipu Community Maritime Preservation Society and they are providing drinks and finger food between 6.00 and 7.00pm. After 7.00pm you must pay for your own drinks.

Sunday

Meet at Kelvin Grove beach at 11.00am with your lunch and if the weather is OK we will go to Bobs Cove, a beautiful sheltered bay. This is about a 30 minute boat trip towards Glenorchy.

Briefing to be read prior to Saturdays Event:

9.30    Launch at either Frankton Marina or Bayview Kelvin Grove, and register at the shelter on Kevin Grove beach.

10.30    Graham Caird, Greg Doran, Phil Wiel and drone operator to meet.

10.50    Briefing for EVERYONE on the beach.

11.00    Depart for Queenstown Bay for photo shoot by drone to be timed with the departure of the Earnslaw at 12.00. Launches and slower boats to leave first.

Please note: the shallow water marked by buoys between the Gardens Peninsula and the entrance to the bay, keep the outer most marker on your RIGHT at all times.

Once in the bay, assemble on the south east side away from the commercial operations.

Obey all Marine Regulations at all times.

• The 5 knot rule applies in ALL areas of the lake within 200m of any shore or structure unless you are in a high speed access lane.

• Queenstown Bay and The Narrows is designated as a high speed access lane which allows vessels to enter the bay or travel through the Narrows in excess of 5 knots within 200m of the shore.

• All vessels using the lane shall navigate as closely as possible to the right hand boundary of the access lane.

• At any point, if a vessel transits within 50m of another vessel, floating structure or person in or on the water, vessels must reduce speed to 5 knots (fast walking pace) This rule applies whether in an access lane or not.

• The 5 knot rule applies in any area of the lake or rivers, including a high speed access lanes.

11.45    Form up in groups as allocated by the number you are given, the ‘Lion’ skippered by Graham Caird will lead the parade. He will liaise with the skipper of the Earnslaw.

The ‘Lion’ will have 4 flags on board.

• Orange - form up and be ready to start

• Blue - 3 minute warning

• Green - proceed at the same speed as the ‘Lion’ if possible. Remain in position if possible with the other boats in your group.

• Red - STOP immediately and return to start point in the south east corner of the bay.

Once filming is completed and the Earnslaw is heading to Walter Peak, the boats can then return to Queenstown Bay for a slow parade down past the gardens, along the beach and past the wharf in an anti-clockwise direction.

Return to Kelvin Grove to have your picnic lunch on the beach. You can now start the boat trial on Frankton Arm at your leisure. Return completed questionnaire back to shelter.

For those jet boating the Kawarau and Shotover:

• Whereas the access under the Falls Bridge is through a high speed access lane, remember to use the designated up and down channels.

• Keep right within the river.

• If going upstream, give way to any vessel coming down stream.

• Any person in charge of any vessel using the Kawarau River must give way to all vessels exiting from the Shotover River and all such persons must exercise extreme care in and near this junction.

• Obey the rules around the Shotover Concession area Boundaries.

It is only 4 weeks until we see you all out on the water and planning for the event is shaping up well. Please register so that we know who to expect for the weekend, it costs you nothing. 

We will have 4 past winners from the Lake Rotoiti Classic Boat show and numerous other craft so lets make it a weekend to remember. 

We can provide overnight parking for any of you from out of town thinking that parking at motels may be a problem. Please contact me for the address. 

Fuel is available at the Frankton Marina, diesel, 91 and 98 or across the road at the Z service station. 

You will be required to take your own lunch as there is nothing available at Kelvin Grove. 

There are toilets at the beach. 

A map of Frankton Arm has been included with this newsletter showing the locations of the venues we are using. 

Friday Evening 

As previously advised a happy hour and finger food is planned at the Boat Shed Cafe, 

Frankton Marina between 6 -7 To allow us to be able to cater for the evening please advise if you intend to be there. This is being provided by Wakatipu Community Maritime Preservation Society who operate a small museum are you are invited to have a look at their exhibits. 

Saturday Night 

A 2 course buffet style meal is to be held at the Kelvin Heights Golf Course. You will be able to pay directly to the golf club $38 pp We do require numbers and any special dietary requirements by 5 April. The bar will be open from 5.30 for our use and dinner at 6.30pm. Please email or text Greg on 027 274 3361.