Honda Marine and World Optimist Sailing Championships.

10-Nov-2011

The optimist is the amazing sailboat where young sailors worldwide get their first taste of real competition. The World Championships this year are at the Napier Sailing Club here in NZ from Dec 31th through until 10 January. Pre worlds events and invitation races start from December 20th.

Over 200 competitors from 50 countries will compete.

Local Napier Honda Dealer Ericksen Marine in conjunction with Honda Marine won the contract to install 26 Honda outboards  on Southern Pacific Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIB’s) for  officials, safety boats and  umpiring at the championship.

Mark & Hayden Ericksen have been working non stop for several months picking the boats up from West Auckland and Trailers from Enduro Trailers in Hamilton, and taking them to  Napier for engine installation and fit up.

The photo shows 18 boats,  but in total there are 26 RIB’s. 8 are 4.3 metres long with Honda 30hp’s and another 18 are 4.7 metre long with Honda 40’s.

The Honda’s were chosen for their   fuel efficiency, durability, and incredibly quiet running (vital for coaching and umpiring)

At the end of the regatta the boats will be delivered to Sailing Clubs throughout NZ. They have all been presold to clubs with partial funding from the Lion Foundation of NZ.