Issue date
The NZ Elliott 5.9 Association has run a successful North Island Traveller Series for several years. This has followed a proven formula and has steadily grown in numbers over the past 5 years.
The Association is anticipating record numbers to race in 2014. This is because there is unprecedented interest in the class with only the limited availability of used boats constraining further growth.
While this is seen as a healthy sign of a thriving class, the recent new boat build programme was planned and initiated by the Class Association to increase the supply of boats. The project is supported by a handful of committed owners and suppliers such as Miller Moyes Sea Craft, Leach Stainless, Mike Rees, NZ Rigging and Scott Lane Boatbuilders. With tooling now complete, production is ramping up with boat two completed (headed to Te Awamutu) and boats 3 and 4 due for completion in the next few weeks.
The focus of the Association has once again turned to fostering events as well as growth in numbers racing in the class.
Adding a social twist in 2014
In March 2014 an additional event was organised with a class gathering based at the RNZYS Lidgard House facility at Kawau Island. This was designed as an inclusive, family-friendly and relaxed event where the non-sailing family members could mix and mingle, and experience the fun of a class event.
Not part of the Traveler Series, the weekend schedule nevertheless included some stadium-style sprint racing and also some fun races where family members had a chance to try the boats. Many crews stayed in nearby rented accommodation or on one of several private vessels moored in the harbour.
Supported generously by Doyle Sails, and with support from other companies like Leach Stainless and KZ Marine, the E5.9 Association kept the schedule simple, focusing on a few organised events such as providing tows for the E5.9's to and from Sandspit, BBQ's, a spit roast utilising the new class Spit developed by KZ Marine, and a lolly scramble for the more than 35 kids in attendance.
The event was a huge success, with the perfect weather, location and friendly atmosphere creating an instant 'must do' event for 2015.
The actual E5.9 racing was very much consigned to lower priority, although six races were held in Bon Accord Harbour - including a fun harbour race. The newest boat in the fleet, Retro, skippered by Mike Sanderson, topped the points-score.
The 2014 Traveler Series is around the corner
After the fun at Kawau, attention now turns the the 2014 Traveler Series, starting with the 2014 Auckland Champs at BBYC in May.
The schedule (with a couple of details to be confirmed) is:
Regatta 1, E5.9 Auckland Champs, May17-18 Bucklands Beach Yacht Club, Auckland
Regatta 2, July 5-6, Opua, Opua Cruising Club, Bay of Islands
Regatta 3, August 23-24, Marsden Cove, Onerahi YC, Whangarei Heads
Regatta 4, September 20-21, Lake Rotoiti (BOPTYS) - To be confirmed
Regatta 5, November 1-2, Sandspit YC, Omaha/Sandspit, Rodney District
NZ E5.9 Nationals. November 26-30 (exact racing days to be confirmed), Napier Sailing Club
The Elliott 5.9 and NZ E5.9 Class Association
Offering close racing and great social events built around a North Island weekend regatta circuit, the Elliott 5.9 class is the perfect three-person syndicate boat. The class is relatively low cost and low maintenance and is sailed by a crew of three. No rail meat – everyone has a job! There are active fleets in Opua, Whangarei, Auckland, a growing fleet in Wellington, and New Plymouth with boats in other venues like Tauranga, Lyttleton, Nelson and Queenstown.
The Association welcomes enquiries and will work with interested sailors and owners to get them into the fleet. Charter boats are occasionally available and there is a restricted supply of second hand boats for sale.
At least 5 new boats will be built this year. Indicative pricing is $6,950+GST for a bonded hull, deck and hull liner, fitted with chainplates. All standard equipment to complete can be obtained through Association-approved suppliers and retail outlets. As an alternative there is a good supply of used equipment such as masts and sails. Each hull will be fully compliant with the class rules, using the class association-owned moulds and construction guidelines.
The Association has recently undertaken several other initiatives including rule changes designed to improve the competitiveness and longevity of the boats and restarting the supply of standard components. It operates a Facebook page at (www.facebook.com/elliott5.9) that contains news, details of events, boats for sale and many photos including gear layout shots. A new website is under development and can be found here: http://elliott59.weebly.com/.
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