Lieuwe Mellae with his prize - photo © Mercury Marine
Dear [recipient name]
People are the most important aspect of any industry and the marine industry is no exception. It is therefore pleasing to know that employees gain recognition and all credit to Mercury Marine for rewarding their technical staff. The "Mercury Technician of the Year" has been found, and it's Lieuwe Mellae from Hitech Marine in Wollongong. His high-pressure win not only gives him the title: Lieuwe is now the proud owner of a brand new Mercury 150 Four Stroke outboard.
Staying with people in the industry it was great to catch up with Ray and Sandra Entwistle and to hear their introduction to the industry in Australia. Ray, who hails from his native Sheffield in England, teamed up with Australian wife Sandra to become the importers of the J-Boat range. I asked them a few questions re their success story.
New boats again are prevalent and Multihull Central recently delivered a new Aquila 44 to Cumberland Yacht Charter, while Gulf Craft - in conjunction with its exclusive Australian Dealer, Australian Superyachts - announced the delivery of the Majesty 100 M/Y Oneworld to an experienced Australian yacht owner. 'Oneworld' is fully customized for commercial charters in Australia and will soon commence operations on the East Coast of Australia with Oneworld Charters.
Multihull Solutions, the Queensland based importer has advised of the new NEEL 47. Designed by Marc Lombard, the NEEL 47 will be launched in early 2019 with an exciting new sporty design. Filling the gap between the shipyard's acclaimed NEEL 45 and NEEL 51, the new 47 trimaran has optimised ergonomics and a reconceptualised interior layout to enhance on-board liveability and offshore performance.
A couple of events coming up are worth noting in the diary. Sail Port Stephens will have a least one formidable starter. Wild Oats wines and bubbles have graced Sail Port Stephens for many years but now the regatta is getting a taste of the 'real thing' – Wild Oats X is lining up for the prestigious NSW IRC Championship for the first time. Sandy Oatley family's canting-keeled Reichel-Pugh 66 belied its size and vintage in the Rolex Sydney-Hobart and, as the largest entry in Sail Port Stephens' 11-year history, will be firm line-honours favourite in IRC. The event takes place over 9th – 15th April.
If you are looking for new shoes to wear at the event, Musto have some pretty smart examples. Racing boats are evolving and footwear needs to keep pace. Introducing the ultimate performance footwear - take a look.
Further North, Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is on the horizon. Multihull Central are excited to announce their biggest ever showcase of sailing and power catamaran at this year's show, May 24-27, 2018. Their display will feature six different multihulls, three Aquila Powercats, two Seawind Catamarans and a Corsair Trimaran. Of this debuting in Australia for the first time at a boat show will be the Seawind 1190 Sport, the Aquila 48, and the Corsair 760. Also on display will be the much loved Seawind 1260 and Aquila 44 as well as a brand new model of the Aquila 36 the 'fishing' version.
Aveagooden
Peter Rendle, Sail-World.com
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