A Boat Safety Must, Winter Gulf Fishing and Boat Storage Guide
Hi everyone,
TMP has been a hive of activity over the last month. A good number of boaties are getting work done before winter sets in, and plenty of others are already thinking ahead to spring and next summer’s boating season.
Many of you may also have visited the recent Hutchwilco Boat Show. It’s always a great event and a good chance to see the latest gear, technology, and ideas that keep making boating easier, safer, and more enjoyable out on the water.
In this month’s update, we’ve got some handy winter fishing tips, a look at choosing the right storage option for your boat, plus a few practical boating and safety reminders as we head into the colder months.
As always, if you need a hand with anything around the marina or boatyard, just give the TMP team a shout.
See you around the yard,
– Martin and the Tamaki Marine Park Team
Powerboat Training NZ - Learn on Your Own Boat
At TMP we’re big on boat safety and we highly recommend talking to Andrew at Powerboat Training NZ as a great place to start.
Andrew offers practical, hands-on training aboard your own boat, (right where you actually use it). He works through real-world boating situations including docking, anchoring, crew management, and emergency procedures.
All to help you, your family, and your mates feel safer and more confident every time you head out. No classroom lectures or overcomplicated jargon. Just practical skills, useful advice, and a few laughs along the way.
They’ve also launched a handy Powerboat Captain Quiz iPhone app, packed with boating features and real-life incident scenarios that test your decision-making on the water.
Plus they have a whole host of daily hints via their social channels:
www.instagram.com/powerboat.training
https://www.youtube.com/powerboattraining
Again, I highly recommend Andrew and his service and the result could be one that literally saves lives - Contact Andrew on 021 120 4120 or www.powerboat-training.co.nz
A Good Winter Birthday!
Geoff from Lamond Vessel Management talks us through a recent winter haulout completed here at TMP — including a full antifoul scrape, fresh Propspeed, serviced seacocks, polished windows, and a cabin repaint by the team at Gloss Boats. As Geoff puts it, it was “a good winter birthday” for the boat.
(Winter’s often the ideal time to tackle these bigger maintenance jobs, helping make sure everything’s ready to go well before summer rolls around again).
Don’t Put the Rods Away Just Yet!
As winter starts creeping in, plenty of boaties think the fishing season’s winding down. But around the Hauraki Gulf, this time of year can actually turn on some seriously good fishing.
Once the unsettled summer weather finally makes up its mind and clears through, we often get those classic crisp Auckland days. Calm water, clear skies, and noticeably fewer boats trying to beat you to the same fishing spot.
Through the colder months, bigger fish move onto the shallow inner-harbour reefs and often stick around through winter. With baitfish pushing through, these areas can fish really well from boats, kayaks, or even a sneaky land-based mission.
One of Auckland’s great advantages is having both the Waitematā and Manukau Harbours close by. They fish very differently, so if one side’s not firing, the other often is. Get out there!
Rack or Cradle? What’s the Right Storage for Your Boat?
Not all boat storage is the same, and choosing the right option can make boating easier, safer, and a whole lot more convenient.
For smaller boats, RIBs, bowriders, and day boats that get used regularly, rack storage is hard to beat. It’s quick, easy, keeps your boat out of the water, and means less time worrying about hull growth and maintenance.
For larger launches, sailboats, or heavier vessels, cradle storage offers extra stability and support, especially if the boat’s coming out for maintenance, winter storage, or longer periods out of the water.
At TMP, we offer both options and can help work out what best suits your boat and how you use it.
Because at the end of the day, the right setup means less hassle and more time enjoying the water.
AOW Autumn Special:
FREE Boat Fuel Filter Replacement* with every outboard service booked before 31st May
The Work-ups are Firing but Is Your Outboard?Autumn in the Hauraki Gulf brings some of our best boating and fishing with crisp air and calm seas. To ensure you’re out there making the most of it, not stuck on the dock or, worse still, being towed home by the Coastguard we have a special autumn offer.
Signs of fuel contamination:
Difficulty Starting (or not starting at all).
Running Rough or surging while underway.
Stalling or Cutting Out unexpectedly.
Auckland Outboard Workshop provides the reliability you need to reach your favourite fishing spot with total confidence.
Expert Care: Experienced technicians servicing all outboard brands.
Central Auckland location: Tamaki Marine Park, Mt Wellington
Peace of Mind: Be ready for those perfect Autumn days.
Autumn Special
Complimentary Boat Fuel Filter Exchange with every outboard service booked at Auckland Outboard Workshop before May 31st 2026.
*T&C’s apply click here
