Ashburton Courier: August 13, 2020

NEWS
8 Ashburton Courier, August 13, 2020
www.ashburtoncourier.co.nz
Catamaran project almost there
MICK.JENSEN
@ashburtoncourier.co.nz
It’s been alabour of love and a
20­year journey, but next month
Mitch McIntosh will take his
hand­built 40 foot (12.2m)
catamaran from apaddock in
Ashburton and into theocean at
Timaru.
Theimpressive craft has been
named Mackatac, but the
builder was seriously
contemplatingcalling it
‘perseverance’.
Thecatamaran project was a
pipe dream hatched over 30
years ago, but was it expected to
take five years to complete
rather than two decades.
It has been built from scratch
in Mitch’s workshop, which has
grown to accommodate it.
First one hull was crafted
meticulously from strip
planking and thenfibreglassed.
Asecondhull followed.
Thetwo hulls eventually came
together as one.
Thesame Western Redcedar
planking was usedfor theboom,
forebeam and15m mast.
Themast andforebeam were
also carbon fibred.
Mitch designed theboomso
that it can collect water and the
mast alone took months to build.
‘‘I’ve always wanted to builda
boat, it’s just taken quite abit
Mitch McIntosh on his hand­built 40 foot catamaran that will soon be moved to the water.
longer than Ienvisioned.
‘‘I’ve fitted the project in
around different work
commitments overthe years and
I’ve bought materials and parts
as Icould afford them.’’
Mitch said good progresshad
been made over the last five
years andhewas proud of what
he had achieved.
He had gone into theproject
with good woodworking skills,
but along the building journey
had learnt many others skills,
including fibreglassing and
welding.
Theinternet had come in
handy at times, he said.
Mitch, who is 71,was born and
raised in Hinds andhas a
farming background.
He worked in Western
Australia for anumber of years
and is currently amilk tanker
driver.
After he has completed the
current milk season he intends
sailing offinto the sunset.
His retirement plans include
living on the boat full time and
sailing it. First, however, he
needs to learn tosail it.
He hasnonautical
backgroundorsailing skills, but
is unfazed and can’t wait to start
learning.
‘‘I reckon it will takemetwo to
three monthstolearn, with
plentyofpractical involved.
‘‘I’llhavetosit the coast
guard’s maritimecourse as
well.’’
The sails forthe catamaran
are not expected for another
three months, butthe craft’s two
engines will allow Mitch to
cruise at between six and 10
knots.
The seven tonne catamaran is
spaciousand totally selfcontained
and will be ahome
from home for its builder.
It has agalley, two toilets,
shower,sleeping for eightand a
high tech wheel house.
It features two large andsix
smaller solar panels,wind
generatorand amast camera to
see the front of the big boat.
Electrical and gas surveys
have been signed offand
another will follow for
insurance purposes.
Mitch reckons the project has
cost him between $200,000 and
$250,000.
There are stillafew small
jobs to complete before the
catamaran is shifted from the
paddock andtaken to its
temporary mooring in Timaru.
Sign writing on the side of the
boat with featurethe boat’s
name, aScotsman in akilt
wavingasword, and afern.
MEET THE
CANDIDATES
TheRotaryClub of Ashburtoninvites the
public to attend a
Rangitata Electorate candidatesevening
Wednesday, 26 August,7pm
AshburtonEvent Centre,
211A Wills Street,Ashburton
Doorsopen6.30pm
Therewill be individual candidate introductions
followedbyanopenquestion and answer session
Allthose interested arewelcome to attend
2302791
Council wants feedback
on priorities for district
Whatdoyou think shouldbe
top priorities for the
AshburtonDistrict Council
in the nextthree years ...
roading? The environment?
Has covidchanged your
priorities?
Council is preparing to
update its long­termplan and
is asking residents to share
the ideas andissuesthey
thinkare most important.
MayorNeilBrown saidthe
yearhad beenchallenging
andunsettling,right across
the country.
‘‘And we’ve feltthe effects
in our community too. This
survey is also achance to let
the council knowhow things
are goingfor you.
‘‘We want to make sure we
are making well­informed
decisions for ourfuture that
reflecthow residentsare
faring.’’
The 2018 It's Our Place
campaign gatheredmore
than2324responses from
residents for the 2018­28
Long TermPlan.Top
prioritiesthen were roading,
communitysafety,
environment, towncentre
development, second bridge,
business development, EA
Networks Centre
development andnew
entertainmentcentres.
Now councilisstarting to
prepare its2021­31long­term
planand hasanonline
surveyopenuntil September
18,via its website.
‘‘Three years ago,weasked
our communitywhattheir
top priorities were andthis
influenced our decision
making for the current longterm
plan. Now, it's time to
build our nextplanand we
wanttoassess if thoseissues
are still as important to
residents, or if they think our
districtshould be focused on
otherpriorities.’’
Allfeedback will be
considered by council. The
surveywill close at 5pm on
September18.
AUGUST WINTER SAVINGS
More specials in-store and online!
Useyour outdoor living areas all year round
60s NOW
$24 72
WAS $30.90
120s NOW
$39 92
WAS $49.90
theCream
Men or Face
50ml NOW
$59each
WAS $69 each
theCream
Facial Serum
30ml NOW
$69
WAS $79
• Warm &dry in winter • Stylish &permanent
• UV protection forsummer • 5year warranty
CALL FOR A
FREE QUOTE
2303039 2265438
Call your local installer
BrentPatterson based in Geraldine
MID &SOUTH CANTERBURY
Freephone 0800 777 855 l www.archgola.co.nz
2128195