Nelson’s Antique and Classic Boat Show has been named the ‘most unique boat show on the planet’, by the US based web forum WoodyBoater.

Nautical photographer Steve Lapkin has attended the last two shows at Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park the verdict was delivered in a story accompanying his latest photos on the popular website

“It’s official, the world has spoken, this is the most unique boat show on the planet, new, old, in a convention center, small old marina, this show exhibits the uniqueness of what is possible in boat design. I love it,” wrote Matt Smith who founded the WoodyBoat site in 2007.

The coverage included classic speed and steamboats as well as two of this year’s unusual entries – an upturned table and a bathtub capable of rising on its foil, both powered by Seagull outboard motors.

 WoodyBoater runs a daily news feed on the classic boat community, a web forum for technical information and a physical space in Reedville Virginia that has one of the oldest working marine railways in the USA.

NZ Antique and Classic Boat Show organiser Pete Rainey said the ‘eminently photogenic’ setting on the alpine lake added to the show’s uniqueness. But he said it’s the boats and their owners that make the show.

“In the best Kiwi egalitarian tradition people are just as impressed by an Italian Riva speedboat worth hundred of thousands as they are by an ingenious home-built pedal-powered catamaran,” he said. “Next year’s our 25th show and we’re looking at ways to celebrate and to reward the loyalty of boat owners and boat viewers.”

The international accolade from WoodBoater may see some new punters. With echoes of the American talk-show host who took over the Bird of the Year contest, Steve Anderson from Michigan commented on the WoodyBoater site: “Wouldn’t it be cool if they had 10,000 Americans show up next year because of this publicity? It’s too beautiful NOT to go, in every way.”

Next year’s boat show is on March 1 & 2 2025. The WoodyBoater site is www.woodyboater.com/classic-boat-destinations/new-zealand-week-just-keeps-chugging-along/

The Nelson Regional Development Agency is proud to support the Antique & Classic Boat Show, which benefits communities right across Te Tauihu, attracting visitors from out of the region and showcasing Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park.

 Media release – record entries, and the results

 The New Zealand Antique and Classic Boat Show just keeps growing, with a record 147 boats drawn to St Arnaud in the Nelson Lakes National Park for the 24th annual event.

Three thousand enthusiasts attended over the weekend, drawn by the usual mix of the quirky (a pedal-powered catamaran) to the magnificent (a Chris-Craft speedboat once owned by Jackie Kennedy-Onassis).

The Jens Hansen Trophy for the best vessel overall went to the 1960’s pleasure craft Aqualark, owned by Laurie Brown of Christchurch.

The glass-over-ply 16-footer is powered by a Ford Zodiac 2.5 litre motor and seats five in its twin cockpits. The boat was immaculately restored between 2017-2024 by the owner with help from Darryl Moffey and Josh Bright.

 “It’s a restoration done with ‘next level’ detail,” said judge Tim Porter from Boating NZ magazine. “The blue and white exterior is immaculate and even the engine bay is extremely tidy… with the screws on the inside of the hatches lined up exactly like those on the outside.”

 Porter said the popularity of classic boating is growing world-wide.

“There’s an element of nostalgia – people want to relive their youth,” he said. “And people just love getting into a restoration where you don’t need any kind of consent and there’s no WOF to pass at the end!”

Other awards this year included a new category for that most essential of boating accessories – the trailer. The judges were especially impressed with the effort that had gone into the trailer for the inboard runabout Caspar owned by Philip Andrew of Lower Hutt.
Sail power was not forgotten with the Johnson Family Trophy for best sail powered craft going to a 1940 X-class, Gallina, owned by Pattrick Smellie and Chris Todd of Wellington. In 1941 the yacht was the first South Canterbury entry in the Sanders Cup and was the first X-class to have a woman crew member – Miss M Riddler.          

 The full list of 2024 boat show results:

Jens Hansen Cup Best Vessel Overall: Aqualark, Laurie Brown, Christchurch

Walker Family best new craft: Whio, Giles Lesser, Richmond

Best restoration: Ferrari, Mike Henderson, Taupo

Port Nelson House Parts best rowed craft: Maggie, John McConway, Picton

CWF Hamilton Trophy best jet-propelled craft: Jet 53, John Connelly, Christchurch

Johnson Family Trophy best sail powered craft: Gallina, Pattrick Smellie & Chris Todd, Wellington.

Mathieson/Jeffcott Trophy best motor-powered craft: Bob, Mike & Julie Baker, Ashurst

Best outboard motor-boat: Shiloh Girl, Janet Cloake, Mossburn

Best American craft: Boat 101, Owen Henwood, Kaiapoi Christchurch

Best clinker craft: Boat 61, Aaron Hughes, Motueka

Innovation Award: Pedal-powered catamaran, Malcolm King, Christchurch

Best fibreglass craft: Rayson, Rick Wilkie, Christchurch

Best trailer: Caspar, Philip Andrew, Lower Hutt    

Photo credit : Joseph Harrison