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NEWS<br />
8 <strong>Ashburton</strong> <strong>Courier</strong>, <strong>August</strong> <strong>13</strong>, <strong>2020</strong><br />
www.ashburtoncourier.co.nz<br />
Catamaran project almost there<br />
MICK.JENSEN<br />
@ashburtoncourier.co.nz<br />
It’s been alabour of love and a<br />
20year journey, but next month<br />
Mitch McIntosh will take his<br />
handbuilt 40 foot (12.2m)<br />
catamaran from apaddock in<br />
<strong>Ashburton</strong> and into theocean at<br />
Timaru.<br />
Theimpressive craft has been<br />
named Mackatac, but the<br />
builder was seriously<br />
contemplatingcalling it<br />
‘perseverance’.<br />
Thecatamaran project was a<br />
pipe dream hatched over 30<br />
years ago, but was it expected to<br />
take five years to complete<br />
rather than two decades.<br />
It has been built from scratch<br />
in Mitch’s workshop, which has<br />
grown to accommodate it.<br />
First one hull was crafted<br />
meticulously from strip<br />
planking and thenfibreglassed.<br />
Asecondhull followed.<br />
Thetwo hulls eventually came<br />
together as one.<br />
Thesame Western Redcedar<br />
planking was usedfor theboom,<br />
forebeam and15m mast.<br />
Themast andforebeam were<br />
also carbon fibred.<br />
Mitch designed theboomso<br />
that it can collect water and the<br />
mast alone took months to build.<br />
‘‘I’ve always wanted to builda<br />
boat, it’s just taken quite abit<br />
Mitch McIntosh on his handbuilt 40 foot catamaran that will soon be moved to the water.<br />
longer than Ienvisioned.<br />
‘‘I’ve fitted the project in<br />
around different work<br />
commitments overthe years and<br />
I’ve bought materials and parts<br />
as Icould afford them.’’<br />
Mitch said good progresshad<br />
been made over the last five<br />
years andhewas proud of what<br />
he had achieved.<br />
He had gone into theproject<br />
with good woodworking skills,<br />
but along the building journey<br />
had learnt many others skills,<br />
including fibreglassing and<br />
welding.<br />
Theinternet had come in<br />
handy at times, he said.<br />
Mitch, who is 71,was born and<br />
raised in Hinds andhas a<br />
farming background.<br />
He worked in Western<br />
Australia for anumber of years<br />
and is currently amilk tanker<br />
driver.<br />
After he has completed the<br />
current milk season he intends<br />
sailing offinto the sunset.<br />
His retirement plans include<br />
living on the boat full time and<br />
sailing it. First, however, he<br />
needs to learn tosail it.<br />
He hasnonautical<br />
backgroundorsailing skills, but<br />
is unfazed and can’t wait to start<br />
learning.<br />
‘‘I reckon it will takemetwo to<br />
three monthstolearn, with<br />
plentyofpractical involved.<br />
‘‘I’llhavetosit the coast<br />
guard’s maritimecourse as<br />
well.’’<br />
The sails forthe catamaran<br />
are not expected for another<br />
three months, butthe craft’s two<br />
engines will allow Mitch to<br />
cruise at between six and 10<br />
knots.<br />
The seven tonne catamaran is<br />
spaciousand totally selfcontained<br />
and will be ahome<br />
from home for its builder.<br />
It has agalley, two toilets,<br />
shower,sleeping for eightand a<br />
high tech wheel house.<br />
It features two large andsix<br />
smaller solar panels,wind<br />
generatorand amast camera to<br />
see the front of the big boat.<br />
Electrical and gas surveys<br />
have been signed offand<br />
another will follow for<br />
insurance purposes.<br />
Mitch reckons the project has<br />
cost him between $200,000 and<br />
$250,000.<br />
There are stillafew small<br />
jobs to complete before the<br />
catamaran is shifted from the<br />
paddock andtaken to its<br />
temporary mooring in Timaru.<br />
Sign writing on the side of the<br />
boat with featurethe boat’s<br />
name, aScotsman in akilt<br />
wavingasword, and afern.<br />
MEET THE<br />
CANDIDATES<br />
TheRotaryClub of <strong>Ashburton</strong>invites the<br />
public to attend a<br />
Rangitata Electorate candidatesevening<br />
Wednesday, 26 <strong>August</strong>,7pm<br />
<strong>Ashburton</strong>Event Centre,<br />
211A Wills Street,<strong>Ashburton</strong><br />
Doorsopen6.30pm<br />
Therewill be individual candidate introductions<br />
followedbyanopenquestion and answer session<br />
Allthose interested arewelcome to attend<br />
2302791<br />
Council wants feedback<br />
on priorities for district<br />
Whatdoyou think shouldbe<br />
top priorities for the<br />
<strong>Ashburton</strong>District Council<br />
in the nextthree years ...<br />
roading? The environment?<br />
Has covidchanged your<br />
priorities?<br />
Council is preparing to<br />
update its longtermplan and<br />
is asking residents to share<br />
the ideas andissuesthey<br />
thinkare most important.<br />
MayorNeilBrown saidthe<br />
yearhad beenchallenging<br />
andunsettling,right across<br />
the country.<br />
‘‘And we’ve feltthe effects<br />
in our community too. This<br />
survey is also achance to let<br />
the council knowhow things<br />
are goingfor you.<br />
‘‘We want to make sure we<br />
are making wellinformed<br />
decisions for ourfuture that<br />
reflecthow residentsare<br />
faring.’’<br />
The 2018 It's Our Place<br />
campaign gatheredmore<br />
than2324responses from<br />
residents for the 201828<br />
Long TermPlan.Top<br />
prioritiesthen were roading,<br />
communitysafety,<br />
environment, towncentre<br />
development, second bridge,<br />
business development, EA<br />
Networks Centre<br />
development andnew<br />
entertainmentcentres.<br />
Now councilisstarting to<br />
prepare its202131longterm<br />
planand hasanonline<br />
surveyopenuntil September<br />
18,via its website.<br />
‘‘Three years ago,weasked<br />
our communitywhattheir<br />
top priorities were andthis<br />
influenced our decision<br />
making for the current longterm<br />
plan. Now, it's time to<br />
build our nextplanand we<br />
wanttoassess if thoseissues<br />
are still as important to<br />
residents, or if they think our<br />
districtshould be focused on<br />
otherpriorities.’’<br />
Allfeedback will be<br />
considered by council. The<br />
surveywill close at 5pm on<br />
September18.<br />
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