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Powerboat Magazine

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D&B Publishing is proud to have delivered the Pacific regions best power boat read for close to 30 years. Our PowerBoat team brings you the news, views and reviews from around the world. A team second to none when it comes to power boating. 

Today we produce five specialist power boating titles, unashamedly devoted and dedicated to power boating and everything about them!!

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D&B Publishing is proud to have delivered the Pacific regions best power boat read for over 25 years. Our PowerBoat team brings you the news, views and reviews from around the world. A team second to none when it comes to power boating.

• Boat Safety
• Destinations
• Buyer Guide
• General Interest
• Company Profile
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• +64 9 428 2328

• Recreational
• Safer Boating Week
• Types of lifejackets
• Check your lifejackets
• Surviving in cold water
• Are you VHF ready
• Buying a VHF radio
• VHF radio limits
• VHF courses and resources
• Mobile apps for boaties
• Check your gear
• Understanding weather forecasts
• Boaties out of their depth with alcohol
• Alcohol contributes to drowning
• PWC kills joyriding teenager
• Fatal capsize on fishing trip
• Horseplay ends in drowning
• Lake Kaniere skiing and swimming areas
• Wairarapa rivers
• Crossing the bar
• Applying to hold a temporary maritime event
• You and your boat
• Skipper responsibilities
• Before you head out
• Environment
• Taking your boat overseas
• Rules on the water
• Boating courses

Information for:

On this page:

Before you head out to drive, make sure you cover the basics.

Carry essential safety gear

Make sure you have all the key safety equipment on board.

Check and maintain your boat

Make sure your boat and gear are in working order before you go.

Keep a lookout for boats

Know the skills and rules for avoiding collisions and accidents.

Avoid alcohol on board

Learn about the guidelines and risks relating to alcohol onboard.

Know your responsibilities

A skipper is  legally responsible for:

the safety of the boat

all the people who are on board

All responsibilities

Related information:

Environmental Rules

Learn about new requirements for engines and fuel in recreational boats in the sea.

[PDF: 356kB, 12 pages]

The New Zealand Powerboat Federation

In 2002 a group of power boat racing administrators representing five codes formed the New Zealand Power Boat Federation Inc. The objects were to create a parent body that offered membership to any organisation that organises, rules upon and/or manages any form of competitive power boating or related water based sport in New Zealand.

The Federation is the acknowledged National Authority for powerboat racing in New Zealand and as such is this country's member to the Union International Motonautique (UIM). The UIM, based in Monaco, is the world governing body for all forms of powerboat racing. They administer the international rules and also allocate and preside over all World Championship events. The Federation is also recognised by Sport New Zealand and as such the Federation receives funding for specific purposes on behalf of its members.

The founding members of the Federation were the NZ Power Boat Association, the NZ Jet Boat Association, the NZ Jet Sprint Association, the NZ Offshore Powerboat Association and the Thundercat Racing Association of NZ. Two appointed persons from each member organisation form the Executive Committee of the Federation.

With the basic functions in place and operational, the Federation has formulated a strategic plan to further its objects in an endeavour to grow the profile, further participation, improve the professionalism and increase publicity of all the member codes.

Another goal of the Federation is to encourage youth participation. Some codes have put in place training schemes with the opportunity for youths to participate with a suitable class of boat in a controlled safe environment. With collaboration and sharing of information between the member codes this scheme will be encouraged to expand.

Power boating is a sport that has a large following of people. As with other forms of motor sport, it is not only the persons racing but a team of many voluntary boat builders, riggers, mechanics, and the usual general helpers and organisers which often include the involvement of partners and family members. Each of the member codes also has dedicated groups of volunteer officials who willingly give their time in the interest of our sport.

New Zealand has organised and hosted many International powerboat events and New Zealanders have also officiated in many other international events throughout the world.

Even more New Zealanders have competed strongly here and abroad at these events and on many occasions have achieved the status of World Champion. In most instances New Zealand boat building skills and Kiwi ingenuity have stood out beside good driving skills.

This combined International participation has gained much publicity for New Zealand globally but often has had insufficient recognition within our own country. The Federation will endeavour to build upon our combined successes by facilitating publicity, which will in turn help to increase participation and most importantly, assist event organisers and participants to gain vitally needed funding.

Safety is always an issue with any form of motor sport. All member codes of the Federation take pride in the high standards practised in New Zealand. With the exchange of dialogue and sharing of information within the Federation each code can help enhance the total aspect of safety within our sport. Our link to the UIM also provides International standards of safety for course design, boat design and minimum standards of construction, especially in the areas of driver protection. We are able to draw on the experience and expertise of nearly 60 member nations.

The Jet Boat Association's main activities are recreational and not racing. 2007 saw the Jet Boat Association resign from the Federation in favour of the New Jet Boat River Racing Association becoming a voting member on the Federation.

Our Federation is firmly established and has a very competent executive. We look forward to achieving our goals of further growth and the enhancement of the sport of power boat racing in New Zealand.

• RACE DAY – TAUPO 2021
• Entry Forms

2023 HYDRO THUNDER NZ SERIES & NZ POWERBOAT NATIONALS COMPETITOR INFORMATION (PLEASE READ)

The New Zealand Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers Club, Manukau Auckland Speedboat Club in association with Acceleration on Water Ltd would like to invite you to a great weekend for the 2023 NZ Powerboat Nationals, Hydro Thunder NZ Championship series & 98th Masport Cup at Lake Karapiro February 11-12th 2023. To date we have over 80 entries which is awesome thank you to all of you who have entered. Certainly plenty of racing both days with several feature races also Marsh Motorsport, Masport Cup, and the Dennis Taylor Memorial.

Accommodation: I understand that the onsite camping is booked, I have been told they have only allocated 20 camp sites which is unfortunate try the Top Ten Holiday Park in Cambridge if you are having trouble getting accommodation.

Onsite refreshments: The downstairs bar in the complex will be open both days from 11am.

Liquor Ban: Domain grounds and camping there is a 24/7 liquor ban in place in the Domain grounds and the camp grounds from Friday 10th -13th Feb, however the bar will be open in the bottom room of the complex you are welcome to have refreshments their during the day from 11am- 6pm both days

Safety & Rescue: Marine Medical Services will be on the water with two paramedic divers, others to assist will NZPBA Rescue team and Manukau Auckland rescue boat, Donald Falconer and a Jet Ski special thanks to Mark Taitini and Yamaha. Safety is our priority ☺

For those who have an air system in their boats can you please check that your air fittings are up to date if you have any issues please talk with the Rescue teams either Calvin Hicks or Shane Pennington.

Breath Testing: This will be compulsory for the Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers and random testing for other teams and drivers.

Gate Entry: is $25.00 per adult, two day pass $45.00, children 12yrs under FREE, – Each team will be given (5) tickets, you are welcome to purchase more tickets at $5.00 you can collect your tickets on Friday from the registration tent, If you have to pay to get in the gate then we will reimburse you and give you passes for the Sunday. (Please don’t argue with the gate keepers they are only doing their job)

Security: There will be security on site overnight from 5pm-6am Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights

Friday: Set up we encourage you to get organised Friday as we have a full program on Saturday this will save time, there will be allocated areas for your classes.

Registration: Open for registration from 10am on the Friday at the Lucas Oil Tent which will be set up top of the embankment in front of the top pits. Saturday morning from 7am. Modified Hydroplane & Grand National your classes will be set up at the bottom of the camping ground where there will be a crane for your use only. Big thanks to Rex Henderson for organising this Rex will also be your go to for that area.

Scrutineering: We will start scrutineering on Friday and would like to get as many boats through as possible to make it a lot easier on the Saturday morning. Thank you to Brenden Hall and Tony Ward they will be managing the scrutineering.

TESTING: The Lake will be open for testing on Friday 10th from 1pm – 4.30pm as you can see we have a pretty full on race program so there will be limited time for testing on Saturday morning (30 mins).

Volunteers: As they say many hands make light work if you can spare some time over the weekend to help with the following please let me know. Timing – if you can commit to (5) races would be great that means no one has to be stuck their all weekend. If you simply would like to help out please contact me I’m sure we can find something fun for you to do ☺

PRIZE GIVING: With 67 races over the two days we had no choice but to have a rolling program which means we possibly will carry some of the 3rd heats over to the Sunday for this reason we will have a split prize giving. At the end of racing on the Saturday trophies will be presented to the winners of the classes that have been completed. The same will happen and the end of racing on the Sunday with prize giving to be 30 mins after the last race.

Live Streaming & TV 3 CRC Motorsports program. We are pleased to announce that this weekend will be livestreaming of all the races via facebook and youtube. Facebook will be via Hydro Thunder and Acceleration on Water facebook pages and youtube on the Hydro Thunder NZ Series page and gphydroplane.co.nz website. We will endeavour to interview each winner of every race, straight after the race we ask that if you are one of those winners can you please be presentable either in your overalls or team shirts you will be given a sponsors hat to wear for your interview. A special area will be set up for this which we will discuss further with you at Drivers Briefing on Saturday morning. (2) x 30 min programs have been secured on TV3 CRC Motorsports show ,footage from both days will be used to make up these two programs which is exciting for the sport so we are keen to make the best impression we can.

Safe travels to you all if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me [email protected] 0272503504 or Rod Vennell [email protected] or 0276122762 Thanks – Denise Preece & Rod Vennell Acceleration on Water & Hydro Thunder Team

Round 1 - Glendhu Bay, Wanaka 4-5 November 2023

Round 2 - twizel - 18-19 november 2023, round 3 - mangakino - 9-10 december 2023, round 4 - lake taupo - 27-28 january 2024, round 5 - lake karapiro - 10-11 february 2024.

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