EARLY DIFFICULTIES
The early pioneers had no home, no ramp and above all, no money. Private offices, or members’ homes were used for meetings other than the monthly one, and the club’s first registered office was in Secretary Ron Martin’s garden shed. Although members were allowed to launch at Takapuna Beach and Torpedo Bay, it was the steep and slippery ramps at Okahu Bay that became the club launching pad. It was not uncommon to see a car and trailer slide into the water in those early days, and a quick tow was necessary for rescue.
“Launching at Okahu Bay was a slimy process,” recalls John Cross. “I remember one time when I was helping a guy launch his brand new boat. He put his foot on the brake and the wheels stopped but the car and trailer slid straight into the water. It went so far in, the boat floated off the trailer by itself, and the whole back of the car was floating in the water. I was standing with one foot on the trailer and one foot on the car bumper and I looked down and saw bubbles coming up from the exhaust – the car was still going! After that the guy lost all interest in the boating trip – he just wanted to get home to wash out his car.”
Although the club managed to persuade the Harbour Board to clean a section of the Okahu Bay ramp and paint it with anti-foul to help overcome the problem, any other local body help was out of the question. “Wit the slightest breeze from the wrong direction waves lapped the ramp. Wives were left to hold the boat against the wind and waves while the skipper went off to get the trailer. Sometimes wet to the waist in their determined efforts, our womenfolk often got a bit unfriendly towards our love of boating.” Outboarder, 1976.
EARLY OUTINGS
Lack of money and facilities didn’t dampen the enthusiasm, and weekend outings were what held the club together. The club’s first big run was organized in February 1957 when 21 smart cruisers, runabouts and high powered dinghies turned up at Mercer, each laden with wives, children, drink and food for the day – about 100 people in all.
“Proceeding at 12mph the flotilla made an impressive sight in those days, and we met up with two boats from the Waikato Power Boat Club who guided the formation through the narrow Rangiriri/Lake Waikare channel. The run home was at your own course and speed. Dad overboard pushing his craft off sandbanks was a common sight, but it was a wonderful family affair and that was what the OBC was all about.” Newsletter, 1957.
The OBC’s most ambitious outing to date was an organized weekend to Kawau Island. The majority of boats trailed from Auckland to launch at Martin’s Bay, although one made the voyage by sea from Takapuna Beach. Boats ranged in size from John Hicks’ 12ft dinghy to Club President Stan Gleadow’s 21ft giant. Vivian Bay became headquarters for the afternoon skiing, then back to Mansion House for dinner and dancing. The following morning some of the keener ones were up at 6am water skiing. Sea Spray, May 1957.
At the end of the first year, the Outboard Boating Club of New Zealand was in full swing. The increasing interest in membership was drawing club members with wide experience and interests such as water skiing, skin diving and photography, and above all export knowledge in marine engineering and boat building. Early in the year the club’s pennant was designed and a supply was sent from Scotland. The first pennant was a real flag bunting which was unobtainable locally at the time. At all times emphasis was laid on the “family angle” and wives and children crowded the monthly meetings. Entertainment at the monthly meetings was of great importance and included practical demonstrations of boating equipment, demonstrations from the Fire Department showing the best way to extinguish fires on boats, talks on navigating the inner Auckland harbours, slides on club outings, and slides and speeches on topics like skin diving by the Auckland Underwater Club. Often of greater interest though was the healthy democratic debate that went on among members. “We all had our own votes and we all believed our vote was as good as the next one, and we were right until proved otherwise,” recalls Ron Martin. “The best speaker was Stan Gleadow. He could really draw a meeting. If he had an idea and no one else agreed, he would just talk and talk until we finally all agreed.” Technical & Safety meetings for the men were held between monthly meetings when representatives from the boating industry came to talk about their products and how to use them. One of the most popular subjects was fiberglass, the latest and greatest product on the market, and how to apply it without it bubbling. As well there were mid week visits to boat and trailer industries.