Waikato River
The Great Annual
Waikato River Seagull Regatta. NZ
Introduction
The Longest Seagull Outboard Regatta in the World.
Every Easter from Leamington to Hoods Landing 142km (76Nm) over two days.
The main emphasis is on finishing & having lots of fun.
This adventure attracts regular overseas visitors & locals alike.
A long history of community support & enjoyment established way back 1985
2013 Follow up
Have it on pretty good authority that the famed Team NZ “black boat” will return for next years event… plus a second boat to be entered, hopefully into the “open class”, this 30th anniversary event is getting better by the day.
The final day of our event seems to cause a few problems to some of the “out of towners”, all though in my own defence I must point out that those that got lost and didn’t find the finish line, didn’t attend the briefing at Rangiriri or received a very much abridged version because of their failure to attend, yes we were a little down on organising man power this year, but that is still not an excuse to not attend a briefing, it is important for those who havent been involved in the event to attend…. for next year I have contacted Waiuku Search and Rescue and they will conduct a”training” day in the vicinity of the “Golden Mile” from 2-pm , with a final sweep at 5.30 to ensure we have all the competitors home safe and sound.
Unfortunately for this years event, a lot of valuable organising time was lost searching for “lost” competitors, the knock-on effect of this is that certificates for all competitors weren’t completed, so if you need a certificate for your achievement collection let me know including you “snail mail” address and we’ll get one away.
The river levels this year proved a little challenging to all, I personally cant remember lower levels, in some ways it was good fortune that prevented us from starting at the dam, as a lot more of the bottom rocks would have got closer too the top and believe me I have seen some terribly expensive damage done to “backup boats “ when the levels weren’t anywhere as low as this year, a lot of previously notified rock shelves especially between Cambridge and Hamilton were fully exposed this year, [I hope you took note of their locations] I found one within a mile of the start, midstream, a pebble bank, it wrecked the prop, further down in the vicinity of the Field days corner we have a particularly dangerous rock-shelf as it is exactly where most boats are running in the fast current for that little extra help.. it was standing well clear, approx 12-18 inches above the water level, this shelf is normally 12 inches under water on normal years… the sandbars proved a task for all. At briefing on both days I recommended that the safest place to travel for all was on the outside bends of the river, most survived with few broken springs, I received a little criticism from a few for not following my own advice, I must point out I took the risks on the inside bends in an attempt to make up time due to a previous prop-spring incident and it is the skippers choice as to the course he/she sets….JC
Programme & Rules
Easter Good Friday
*Set yourself up at the Lake Karapiro Camping & Events Complex. This facility is sort of like a motor-camp with tent sites & cabins. Please make your own arrangements for booking & payment of any accommodation (07) 827-4178
*Use Lake Karapiro for pre-race testing,
* 3:00pm-onwards Srutineering. This area is being tightened up. Scrutineers will be checking each boats cellphone text ability & safety inventory … when completed an “Approved” sticker will be attached to the boat … it will be the Skippers responsibility to find a scrutineer and get him /her to check and attach a sticker .. no sticker no entry
* 6:00pm Briefing including course maps and distances ….
* Entry contribution per boat is $65.00, that donation covers the boat and the skipper only, it also includes dinner at the prizegiving at the Waiuku Cosmopolitan Club …$20.00 contribution for each crew member [this includes a meal ticket for the prizegiving] Extra meal tickets are available for road crew at $15.00 contribution each
Easter Saturday
* Launching
* 8:00am Start for the 2.5hp standard motor dinghy class.
* 8:30am Start for the 4.5hp standard motor dinghy class.
* 9:00am Modified Seagulls & International Bermudan
* 9:30am Open class, QB’s, 5R’s, 170′s
* 10:00 Sport class
* Saturday total 85km (46Nm)
Cambridge to Hamilton central – 27.4km (14.8Nm)
Hamilton to Ngarawahia – 19.3km (10.4Nm)
Ngarawahia to Taupiri – 9.7km (5.2Nm)
Taupiri to Huntly (power station) – 9.7km (5.2Nm)
Huntly to Ohinewai – 6.4km (3.5Nm)
Ohinewai to Rangiriri bridge – 6.4km (3.5Nm)
* Overnighting at Rangiriri ready for Sunday
* Time limits ….max…. at Grantham St bridge distance 33.8km (18Nm) 12:00 midday … if any participant hasn’t reached this point in the allotted time they will be towed to the nearest boat ramp and be recorded as retired from the event.
* You MUST be off the water by 5:00pm
Easter Sunday
* Re-launching
* 8:00am Start for the 2.5hp standard motor dinghy class.
* 8:30am Start for the 4.5hp standard motor dinghy class.
* 9:00am Modified Seagulls & International Bermudan
* 9:30am Open class, QB’s, 5R’s, 170′s
* 10:00 Sport class
* Sunday total 56.4km (30.Nm)
Rangiriri to Meremere – 19.3km (10.4Nm)
Meremere to Mercer bridge – 4.8km (2.6Nm)
Mercer to Tuakau bridge – 11.3km (6.1Nm)
Tuakau to Elbow – 11.3km (6.1Nm)
Elbow to Hoods Landing – 9.7km (5.2Nm)
* Finish line will be at Hoods Landing Otaua
* Time limits ….max…. Rangiriri to Mercer bridge distance 24.1km (13Nm) 12:00 midday …… if any participant hasn’t reached this point in the allotted time they will be towed to the nearest boat ramp and be recorded as retired from the event.
* You MUST be off the water by 4:00pm
* Back to Sandspit Motor Camp for showers etc…..
* 6:00pm here will be a BBQ & salad meal supplied to participants and backup crew who have paid at the Waiuku Cosmopolitan Club, 4 Victoria Av, Waiuku.
* 7:30pm Prize giving will be held at the Waiuku Cosmopolitan Club, 4 Victoria Ave, Waiuku.
Easter Monday
* Return home.
Classes
2.5hp Dinghy Class: 3.5-1 hull ratio minimum, mono hull, minimum length 10 ft, standard classic 64cc seagull engine, no modifications, cavitation plate allowed, prop modifications allowed using seagull props.
2.5 hp Modified Class: any hull, minimum length 10 ft, classic 64 cc engine, must have seagull block (no liners), seagull crankcase, seagull head, seagull flywheel, seagull carburettor, legs from other outboards allowed , reed valves allowed , tuned pipes allowed , cav plate and prop modifications allowed, over size pistons, gearbox nose cones allowed in modified class only.
4.5 hp Dinghy Class: 3.5 -1 hull ratio minimum, mono hull, minimum length 10 ft, standard classic 102cc engine, no modifications, engine models 102, century, and silver century, cavitation plate allowed, prop modification allowed using seagull props.
4.5hp Modified Class: any hull, minimum length 10 ft, classic seagull must have seagull block (no liners), crankcase, flywheel, head, carburettor, legs from other outboards allowed, reed valves allowed, tuned pipes allowed, cavitation plate and prop modifications allowed, engines are 102, century, and silver century, QB curlew 64 cc, 170 unmodified or two 2.5hp 64cc seagulls, oversize pistons, gearbox nose cones allowed in the modified class only.
Classic Bermudan Dinghy Class: mono hull, minimum 3.5-1 hull ratio, minimum length 12ft, two persons on board with minimum combined weight of 150 kg, spare seagull may be used to make up minimum weight, standard engine, no modifications, 102,century and silver century models, cavitation plate allowed, prop modifications allowed using seagull props.
New Bermudan Flea Class: mono hull, minimum length 12 ft, max 20ft, one bow, no outriggers, two persons onboard with minimum combined weight of 150 kg, spare seagull engine can be used to make up weight, standard engine, no modifications, models 102, century and silver century, prop modifications allowed using seagull props, cavitation plate allowed.
Open Class: any hull, minimum length 10ft, engines are the QB range, osprey, kingfisher, 170, 5R, which must have seagull block (no liners), crankcase, flywheel, head, carburettor, 5hp Yamaha legs allowed, cavitation plate allowed, gearbox nose cones, prop modifications allowed.
Sport Class: any hull minimum length 10ft, seagull sport engine, standard 123cc, prop modifications allowed.
Notes on Engines: Engines may be checked to make sure they comply with class rules, parts from other models for a standard engine will be allowed as long as they are not performance enhancing e.g. replaced rusted block, ignition system, standard engine means as it was manufactured at the factory and all parts are unmodified, Amal 416 carburettor only allowed on silver century in standard classes, standard pump fuel to be used in all classes except modified, open and sport.
Notes on Hulls: minimum hull length is 10ft for one man and 12ft for two man, if participants can satisfy officials before the event that there craft is sea worthy at a smaller size then approval may be given. (Must be pre-approved).
Accommodation
Please make your own arrangements for booking & payment of any accommodation. Suggestions listed below.
Friday:
* Karapiro Camping & Events Complex (07) 827-4178
* Cambridge motels or motorcamp
Saturday:
* Rangiriri Hotel (07) 826-3467,
* Rangiriri Cafe & Heritage Centre, Contact Sandie or Paul, 07 8263663, email evermore.estate@xtra.co.nz onsite shower $5 & Campsites by donation (please be generous)
* North End Motel at Huntly (07) 828 8298,
* Camping on the riverbank
Sunday:
* Sandspit Motor Camp, Cabins $15/head, Basic Campsites $5/head, email: sandspitmotor@xtra.co.nz
* Local motels at Waiuku
Equipment
Compulsory
Boat with a clearly written name or number (duct tape lettering 20cm high is ideal)
Seagull outboard with 2x starter ropes
Lifejacket for every person on the boat. These MUST be worn & fit properly
Cellphone with texting in a waterproof bag or container , (you must be able to send & receive texts)
Premixed fuel (suggest 18-litres for Saturday & 15-litres for Sunday)
Towrope 6+m long & bailer & paddle
Basic tools ~ big crescent, small crescent, screwdriver, pliers,
Spares incl 2x sparkplug, 3x prop springs, 2x prop washers, 2x split pins
Recommended
Spare motor
Spare propellor & cable ties & hose clips
GPS
Fire extinguisher
Earmuffs & sunhat & sunblock & sunglassess
Gearbox oil. Daily changes are recommended
Lunch & towel & toilet paper (in a plastic bag to keep it dry)
Plastic shopping bag for rubbish ~ you cannot throw rubbish into the river
Hoods Landing Guide
The swampland at Hoods Landing is a very confusing labyrinth to navigate thru. There is a conspicuous Marae on the LHS banks of the Waikato River main channel. That’s your indicator to turn right & depart the main river channel & commence your passage thru the swamp. There will be marker flags placed in the swamp to assist you. The grid positions indicated below represent points on the suggested track & not the exact location of flag markers
Other information
* The ‘Second Day Regatta’ event runs from Rangiriri to Hoods landing on Sunday for participants who only want to do one day, or, for those who had to withdraw on day one.
* Alcohol or drugs must not be consumed before or during the event.
* If you need a tow to the nearest boat ramp, then, you can text a rescue boat. They will tow a broken down craft to the nearest accessible boat ramp for the shore crew to recover
* If you pull out for any reason, then, you MUST notify the timekeeper, to prevent a full scale river search
* You MUST be off the water by 4:00pm on Sunday. If you are running late, then, you’ll need to pull out by 4:00pm, or, get a tow from a support boat to get off the water by 4:00pm.
* It is the sole responsibility of the skipper to ensure the seaworthiness of his/her boat and the safety of the crew and passengers whether afloat or ashore. It must be the skipper’s decision whether or not to take part having regard to the weather conditions, the experience and competence of him/herself and of the crew. Nothing done by the co-ordinators or anyone helping with the event, including the provision of safety boats will relieve the skipper of these responsibilities.
Latest River Levels at Rangiriri
Approx guide to River Levels for Easter
Low is 5.0m & below / Moderate is 5.1m / High is 5.2m & above
Contacts
Hosted by the Otaua Boat Club, 15 Rangiwhea Road, Waiuku 1852, Auckland, NZ.
email: sandspitmotor@xtra.co.nz Phone 09 235 9913
Raoul Lealand 07 378 1022 Taupo email: microgull@xtra.co.nz
Jan & Graham Keegan 06 754 4056 Taranaki email: seagullparts@xtra.co.nz
Ross Leger 04 297 2585 Kapiti email: kapitimarinecharter@xtra.co.nz
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