Jet Boating New Zealand

Throwback Thursday

This week we’re looking back to the December 1973 edition of Jet Boating magazine, featuring an article by Zane Findlay on an “Exciting run up Ashley River by four boats.”

A great snapshot of early jet boating in Canterbury , on a river not often boat due to flow. But when it’s topped up it offers some very exciting jet boating.

If you’re looking for some winter reading, keep an eye out for the latest edition of Boating New Zealand magazine, on shelves now.

Canterbury member Tom Fraser has written a fantastic article on the huts of the Waimakariri Gorge, sharing some of the history, stories and the people behind making restoration work happen in this special place.

Even more generously, Tom has donated his freelance writing earnings from the article directly to the Hamilton Hut rebuild fund.

A huge thank you, Tom, for your support and contribution. We can’t wait to sit down and have a read ourselves.

If you grab a copy, let us know what you think of the article below.

The July issue of Boating New Zealand is on shelves now! 🎣⛵

This month's cover star is the brand-new Rayglass 2400, the spiritual successor to the hugely popular Legend 2350, and John Eichelsheim puts it through its paces in a full test. It's a big deal — three new models in three years from one of New Zealand's most respected GRP boat builders. We've also got a deep dive into the Beale 33 Silver Eye, a tired but sound New Zealand-built keeler that yacht broker Steve Raea has transformed into something special, and Norman Holtzhausen gets behind the wheel of the Smuggler Strata 800 Elite Amphibious, one of the most capable go-anywhere RIBs on the market.

On the features side, there's a brilliant story about volunteers from the Canterbury Branch of Jet Boating New Zealand taking on a mission to restore two historic huts hidden deep in the Waimakariri River gorge. Lawrence Schäffler profiles Auckland's Allan Tongs Boatbuilders, whose bold decision eight years ago to stake everything on a single design, the 13.5m Elite AT43, is paying off handsomely. Alex Stone drops anchor overnight at Leigh and discovers the soft-bait fishing is better than anyone expected. And Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders celebrates a milestone with the launch of their 75th custom build, the Catalyst 50 Django Shade.

There's more too: a circumnavigator's refit story from Italy, a voyage along Canada's historic Rideau Canal, the second instalment of our marine charts history series, and all the regular news, brokerage, and gear coverage you'd expect.

Winter is no excuse to stay off the water — as our editor notes this month, a calm July day on the Hauraki Gulf with a feed of fresh snapper at the end of it is hard to beat. Pick up your copy at your local bookseller now, or head to boatingnz.co.nz to subscribe.

There are few places in the world where you can explore rivers like we can here in New Zealand.

The Conservation Amendment Bill is open for public submissions, and this is our opportunity to help protect what makes our sport so special.

Jet Boating NZ has put together a simple guide to help you prepare your own submission. It only takes a few minutes, but every individual submission makes a difference.

Visit the link below to read the guide and make your submission.

https://www.jbnz.co.nz/_files/ugd/911dd0_9f3a2e0cb2674f0d8088dceef8db47d2.pdf

It’s not quite waterskiing weather out there but this article from Jet Boating February 1983 is too good to not share. Follow Jet Boating NZ for the return of “Throwback Thursday”.

Jet boating NZ - Nelson/Marlborough was out on the river this weekend running their Barnardos Active Dads Day.

What a wonderful initiative to run as a branch. Giving families their first experience of Jet Boating can be life changing as we all know. There could well be some future JBNZ members right there!

A very rewarding day for all involved.

It’s not always about the rivers!

We love seeing our members out and about enjoying their boats in all sorts of locations. Canterbury member Dave Brunton sent in these great photos from a cruise around Lyttelton Harbour on Tuesday in his Jet 83. A bit of a change from his Jet 44 which Dave spends a lot of time jet boating on the Canterbury rivers.

But how good does the big old classic girl look out on the ocean? She certainly hasn’t lost her looks over the years. A true classic on the water and one of the great Hamilton jet boats, still out there providing transport, adventure and plenty of memories for their owners.

While Dave’s Jet 83 is no longer running its original engine, it is now powered by a Toyota Lexus 4.0-litre V8, which certainly helps get the big girl moving when required.

A big thank you to Dave for sending these photos through.

If you’ve got photos of your jet boating adventures, we’d love to see them. Send them in and we may share them on the JBNZ page for everyone to enjoy.

⛽ Don’t Forget One of the Best JBNZ Member Benefits! ⛽

Fuel is a part of jet boating, and whether you’re heading away for a weekend adventure, attending a club event, or simply filling up the tow wagon, every litre saved helps keep you on the water for longer.

As a Jet Boating New Zealand member, you can access exclusive fuel discounts nationwide:

🚛 Diesel
• 14c per litre off the McKeown National Price at McKeown, Caltex and Z Truck Stops throughout New Zealand.

⛽ Petrol
• 9c per litre off the pump price at McKeown sites.

🚗 Petrol & Diesel
• 8c per litre off the pump price at Caltex, Z and Challenge service stations nationwide.

Those savings can quickly add up over a year of boating, towing, travelling and everyday driving. The McKeown Fuel Card remains one of the most valuable benefits available to JBNZ members.

Already have a card? Let us know in the comments how much you’ve saved.

Need to apply? Visit the JBNZ McKeown application page below:
https://mckeown.co.nz/document-downloads/jbnz/

Membership has its benefits, and this is one that keeps delivering every time you fill up.