20 years for Nelson Classic Boat Show

Photo: Alan Doak

A boating event at 640m above sea level promises the unusual: coal fired steam boats, cedar kayaks, and speed boats built for boat-legging in the American prohibition era.  The Antique and Classic Boat Show at Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park is in its twentieth year of attracting the beautiful and the bizarre among Kiwi heritage boats.

Organiser Pete Rainey boat owners are willing to admit it is a bit mad to hunt down old clinkers abandoned in sheds and spend years sanding, polishing and tracing boat history and boat bits. Past winners have included Delta Lady, a 60’s jet that was restored from a shabby plywood hull bought at auction, an Idle Along sailing dinghy dating from 1938, and a replica Edwardian steam launch powered on imported Welsh coal.

Get ready for two days of glorious hydromatic relaxation at Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park on the first weekend in March.  Nelson Antique and Classic Boat Show, March 2 & 3; 10am


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