NZ Antique and Classic Boat Show

A mountain backdrop, an altitude of 600m, an impressive line-up of classic racing boats, sparkling restored clinkers and veteran sailing craft…it’s a mix that makes the NZ Antique & Classic Boat Show a top favorite on the boating and events calendar, drawing boats from off-shore as well as historic local craft of to St Arnaud in the Nelson Lakes National Park.

The boat show has built a reputation for slightly quirky fun, typified by the Seagull dinghy race with its ‘Le Mans’ start, where boaties run down the foreshore to start their notoriously temperamental two-stroke motors.

This year’s boat show runs to the successful formula of on-land boat and memorabilia displays both mornings, followed by the sail past and activities on the lake in the afternoons. There are races for all types of craft from jet boats to rowing skiffs, and a swimming race for the hardy.

Judging will take place on Saturday, ahead of an evening awards ceremony at the St Arnaud Alpine Lodge. At stake is the Jens Hansen Trophy where the judges are after good looks as well as history, construction and a boat with a story to tell. There are other awards for best new restoration, best steamboat, best jet-propelled craft and best themed display, as well as prizes for race winners.