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The Matakana Model Boat Show will set sail in the Matakana School Hall on Queen’s Birthday Weekend, June 4 and 5.
Around 100 models are expected to be displayed, coming from modellers from around the district.
Prizes will be awarded in some categories and there will also be demonstrations.
While some boat models will be set up in the hall, others will thrash it out in an America’s Cup style racing event in the school pool.
The models vary from something that would happily sit on a coffee table to others that are big enough to require a couple of people to move them. Scows, a square rig sailing ship, a schooner and fishing boats are just a few of the different styles of boats that will on display.
Two maritime mates – Allan Harkin and Geoff Hoyle – are behind the show.
Harkin may be a bus driver during the day, but his passion is model boat building. His home, just down the road from the school, is a maritime wonderland with brass fittings, and sailing and water motoring paraphernalia on every surface.
Models that he has built over the last 13 years are perched on tables and in crevices around his house.
A model of a double-decker wooden passenger ferry, which used to criss-cross the Waitemata Harbour, shares a room with a vehicle ferry and a sailing scow.
His much-used workshop, tucked away under his house, is a modeller’s delight. The current model being worked on by Harkin and Hoyle is the historic Big Omaha wharf.
The various wharves around the area, from Sandspit to the Pt Wells boat ramp area, have been built to accompany the boats on the water and will be set up around the pool for the show.
Hoyle has a long association with full size boats, having owned many himself and worked on big name boats such as the Round the World racer Ceramco.
As an electrician, he is more into the electric racing sail models and will be showing off his prowess on the water. Altogether the two friends have 40 models.
Doors will be open from 10am to 4pm. Entry by gold coin donation.
