MRX FLEET UPDATE November 2014

 

So far this season some of our more notable activities along with our regular harbour fleet and sprint racing have been:

 

Five crews from Wakatere Boating Club, Kohimarama Yacht Club and French Bay Yacht Club contested the inaugural Regatta. The regatta has been introduced to suggest a fun and practical pathway from youth to adult sailing for our young sailors, so many of whom drop out of sailing after graduating from the youth classes.

Maintenance – New Rudder Bearings

During our annual haul out we replaced our lower Harken rudder bearings – probably 24 years old - with Jefa bearings from Ovlov Marine, who also completed a full engine and sail drive service for the fleet. Touch of Gloss gave the boats their annual spruce up including prop speed, antifoul touch up and acid wash and polish of the hull topsides. 

 

The fleet also had it’s Maritime NZ 4 yearly out of water survey and passed with flying colours!

New Maritime Transport Operator Plan
 

The new MOSS Maritime Rule has recently come into force. As our Operating Certificate expired in October we were obliged to develop a new Maritime Transport Operating Plan and apply for a new Maritime Transport Operating Certificate under the new rules.

 

This was a significant task requiring a complete update of our operating procedures. Our plan was well received and we became one of the early operations to receive a certificate under the new rules.

 

I’m sure our 24 years of safe operation helped!

 

Hydraulink – Best under pressure

The MRX Fleet is pleased to support Hydraulink and Ovlov Marine in the promotion of their services.

Hydraulink are NZ’s leading supplier of fast, effective and reliable hose and hydraulic services to help keep industry running at optimum efficiency. They have over 400 service points throughout New Zealand, Australia and the Asia Pacific region. Ovlov Marine are Hydraulink’s service centre, (with mobile truck support), for Auckland’s CBD and waterfront and our thriving marine industry.

 

8 MRX’s were out to support the Chopper Cup fundraiser for the Auckland Westpac Helicopter this year. We had a great south west breeze to test the crews and skippers – including Phil Robertson and Garth Ellingham, (Waka Racing), and Paul Snow-Hansen and Dan Willcox, (NZ 470 Olympic reps). Big thanks to Steve Bull, GJ Gardener and Peter Illingworth, for organizing the crews and Rob Bassett and co for organizing the event.

Support continues to grow for our MRX Women’s series. We have a new crew organized by Nicola Trudgen and Miranda Powrie joining Kylie Jamieson, Joy Adams and Karleen Dixon. The crews have their share of past and present top Kiwi women sailors aboard including Leslie Egnot filling in for an injured Joy Adams and Olivia Powrie, helping out on Miranda’s crew, when she is in town. 

 

Congratulations to Tim Stables Deloitte team on coming from behind to win the Auckland Grammar regatta sailed in a moderate Westerly breeze. Tom Dodson & Nick Wiles developed a nice lead but lost it, when they had a genoa sheet override. Magnus Doole and Richard Howse were the beneficiaries but they too were overtaken on the final run to gift the win to Tim Stables Deloitte team with Garth Ellingham on the helm.

 

Coming up we have Christmas and then the business end of our season with more of the one design keel boat racing the fleet is celebrated for together with more corporate regattas and our owner’s fleet racing:

 

Our post Christmas Full Fleet Rum Races are on the 30th January, 27th February & 13th March. Please let me know if you would like to join us – all welcome!

 

 

Last year Phil Robertson added his name to the past winners of the NZ Open Keel Boat Championships which includes a who’s who of NZ keel boat sailors – including Russell Coutts, Ray Davies, Rod Davis and Dean Barker. Close behind were Andrew Wills, North Sails, and Paul Snow Hansen.  Teams wanting to prepare for this event are invited to participate in our Monday night sprint series

 

This year, for the first time, we have the NZ Police regatta in the MRX Fleet organised by Ian Clouston and his Police Association team. 

 

With teams from both sides of the Tasman competing this regatta will provide us with another opportunity to build international sailing ties.

 

This year we already have 4 Australian crews who have placed entries and paid deposits – without a published Notice of Race! We hope to attract a couple more overseas crews which will make for a great regatta. All those who have come so far have enjoyed the racing and the camaraderie. 
 

For the first time the title may go offshore!
 

 

We have moved the timing of this regatta forward again this year. Looking for better and better weather. We have had great support from a loyal group of women MRX sailors. Our last 2 winners, Karleen Dixon and Kylie Hogg – both were winners for the second time. 

 

Will we have a first time winner this year?
 

 

Now in it’s seventh year we have had 4 different winners. Ovlov Marine with Ray Davies on the helm won it for the second time last year. This year we will have “Hydraulink – Best under pressure”, hoping to make their mark – no pressure guys!

Tauranga Bridge Marina were the deserved winners last year. The fleet was sold out, (well done Kevin Lidgard & team), with several regulars missing out on boats and entries from as far afield as Chaffers Marina from Wellington. 

 

Get your entries in early this year or you will miss out……..

 

All this would not be possible without the support of our great sponsors!

 

If you would like to participate in MRX Fleet events, to organize a client relationship / team building regatta or have any suggestions or queries please contact us.

Please note the dates which effect you and we look forward to seeing you on the water soon!

Good Sailing,

Tom Macky

MRX Yachting Limited