Alarm clocks were set early across the North Island as enthusiasts prepared to converge on Lake Taupō for the Chillin' in Taupō event. Some had driven down the evening before, trailers already hitched and ready. Others headed off at first light, headlights sweeping through the pre-dawn chill. The variety of tow vehicles was almost as entertaining as the boats themselves. Troy Guise arrived in a cream Rambler Classic v8 sedan, a 1965 classic pulling a neatly restored 4.5-metre Fleetline Sapphire built by Fibreglass Moulders Ltd from Otara. Family wagons and four-wheel drives made up the rest of the convoy. By the time sunlight crept over the hills, New Zealand's largest lake was already buzzing. Centrally placed in the middle of the North Island, Lake Taupō drew participants from every direction, and Three Mile Bay was the gathering point for them all.
Twenty-five of the twenty-seven classic fibreglass boats that arrived on the day made it to the water. After the previous year's Tarawera event had set the bar high, anticipation at the boat ramp was palpable. Crews launched their vessels and immediately fell into animated conversation. Andrew Whyte and Phil Hurn drew an early crowd when their matching Sea Nymph V13s were spotted gleaming side by side at the water's edge.
Sea Nymph is a significant name in New Zealand boating history, a manufacturer whose early fibreglass runabouts and diverse model range, covering fishing, ski, and cabin cruiser designs from the 1960s onwards, earned genuine loyalty. Production under the brand name ceased in 1999, but the boats themselves have proven durable and many remain active on the water today. The V13, just over 13 feet long with a medium-vee hull, is a recognised Kiwi classic. Two examples in such fine condition, moored alongside each other, set exactly the right tone for the day ahead.
Each boat carried its own history out onto the water. Alex and Nadine Broßmann's Glastron V174 turned heads with its unmistakably American character. At 5.3 metres with an 83-inch beam and a 3-litre 140hp MerCruiser rumbling underneath, it was a confident, imposing presence on the lake.
Rarity added another dimension to the fleet. Dylan Rangiawha brought along his Condor Craft Skipjack, a 13-foot-2 semi-cabin design powered by a 70hp Johnson outboard. The Skipjack is part of a line of small classic powerboats manufactured in New Zealand, and seeing one on the water served as a reminder of the compact, capable Kiwi-built boats that once populated lakes and jetties throughout the country. Dylan notes that it handles chop well for a boat of its size.
Dean and Melanie Cole's Sutton Mason Marlin Marauder drew considerable admiration, particularly at the picnic stop. Sutton Mason was founded in Auckland in the early 1950s, and their Marlin Marauder powerboats quickly developed a loyal following. Cold-moulded kauri construction, a 14-degree deadrise, and pairing with a 115hp Yamaha meant the Coles' boat offered both visual appeal and genuine performance. Decades on, the craftsmanship holds up well, with smooth lines and capable performance drawing plenty of admiring looks.
Jason Dixon's Sea Nymph 14'6 brought a particularly local story to the fleet. The 14-footer, with a beam of around 66 inches, has spent its entire life on Lake Taupō and arrived looking showroom-fresh. Several participants remarked on its condition, calling it living proof that careful ownership can keep a fibreglass classic looking exceptional long after it left the factory.
Taken together, the assembled boats offered a varied picture of New Zealand's retro boating heritage, each one reflecting the pride and effort its owner had invested.
With the morning well underway, the fleet set off northward along the Taupō waterfront in convoy, bows cutting through water that lay flat and glassy beneath clear winter sunshine. The first destination was Mine Bay, where Māori carvings cut into the cliff face provided a dramatic cultural landmark. Accessible only from the water, it was a natural stopping point and a highlight of the cruise for many in the group.
The next stop was Acacia Bay, where the boats were beached side by side and the atmosphere shifted from cruising to relaxed celebration. Picnic blankets were spread out, chilly bins were cracked open, and engines fell quiet as conversation and laughter took over. One participant even pulled a trout from the lake, a fitting reminder that Taupō's reputation for fishing is every bit as strong as its appeal to boaties.
It was here that the day's deeper purpose became most apparent. Organiser Brendon Cornes put it simply: "You come for the boats, but you leave with friends."
The event's sponsors contributed to the atmosphere through spot prizes and broader support. Engine Works Marine, Taupō Hunting & Fishing, Repco Taupō, Total Energies Taupō, Boating New Zealand, Rayglass Boats, and DeBretts Hot Springs all played a part. Brendon acknowledged each of them, along with his wife Kim, whose contribution behind the scenes helped make the day run smoothly. "It was a great turnout, and we met some awesome people. Please support these businesses if you can," he said.
With Taupō having shown that retro boating has real energy even in the middle of winter, attention is already turning to the Tarawera event in November. Accommodation bookings are being made, and enthusiasm within the NZ Retro Boats community appears to be building with every run.
