SPRAT – Spirit Of Tradition + Orakei Hardstand Good News

During one of my recent visits to The Slipway Milford I was intrigued to see a recent addition to the work schedule – the sprit of tradition 28′ launch – Sprat, designed by David Badham and built in 2008 bt Peter McLea in Kerikeri, Northland. Sprit’shull is double diagonal kaikatia with a thick coat of ‘paint’ (aka f/glass). The cabin structure is foam core composite with glass.

Sprat is in for a re-power and and tart up (my words for a varnish job) – I understand that in her next life she will be a fast commuter / day boat for a Hauraki Gulf island residence.

It would be nice to see more craft like Sprat being built, modern with a slant to the past. The Salthouse yard were there with their Nick Peal designed 33′ weekenders – link below

VERY GOOD NEWS – refer below – ex summary > the hardstand was thrown a lifeline. Here’s what was passed at the Orakei Local Board meeting

a)         approve The Landing concept plan refresh as presented in Attachment A subject to two amendments to the plan that would reduce the planned passive green space area as described in d)i. and d)ii. below and outlined in Attachment E:

i)          subject to commercial viability, retain approximately 50 per cent of the 2022 managed hardstand area (about 2,750 square metres, including the washdown pad and associated existing filtration system) to establish a smaller, flexible-use site for a short-stay haul-out facility (based on the presentation in Attachment E from the Young 88 Owners’ Association) to be used from May to December each year and the site being cleared and available for activations and major events from January to April, contingent on the approved operator providing the necessary infrastructure and a commensurate commercial return to the Ōrākei Local Board and operating to the highest industry standards in respect of water and air quality management

ii)         if feasible, retain and utilise the existing filtration infrastructure and associated washdown pad to enable a cost-recovery wash-down facility for small recreational boat/water-craft users as they exit the boat ramp and sea-access ramp areas

iii)        further to d)i request staff to undertake an expression of interest and other enabling processes to facilitate the establishment of a smaller flexible-use site for a short-stay haul-out facility as soon as possible with a view to commercial arrangements being in place from 1 July 2024, and to keep the local board informed of progress

b)         request staff to report back before 30 June 2024 outlining an updated amended final plan incorporating d)ii., and, if commercially feasible, with a return to the Ōrākei Local Board incorporating  d)i. to enable the local board’s decision making on the final plan configuration