Waikato River 2027

Easter Weekend 26th March – 28th March 2027
The Great Annual Classic Outboard Waikato River Adventure. NZ

An epic 142km journey from Karapiro to Hoods Landing, the Classic Outboard Waikato River Adventure is fit for families and hardened sailors alike. Held over Easter, the journey will take you past historic landmarks and some of New Zealand’s most stunning countryside and bush, only able to be seen from the water.

It all started back in 1985 when several locals from the Hoods Landing delta swamp couldn’t agree on who had the fastest Seagull outboard, so it was decided that the only way to settle the debate was with a race. The first race began at the Karapiro dam and finished at the Tasman Sea and took four days, without any clear victor. Nowadays, the event starts at Karapiro and ends at Hoods Landing, spanning over two days

Pricing

  • Early bird entry (up to Monday 15 March, 2027) with online banking transfer
    • $160 for boat & skipper, including 1 meal
  • Late entry with cash
    • $200 for boat & skipper, including 1 meal
  • Additional road/boat crew (meals)
    • $45 per adult
    • $20 per child (under 12)

Programme (Subject to changes on the day):

Good Friday:

  • Get yourself to the Lake Karapiro Camping & Events Complex
  • 10:00am onwards: Scrutineering
    • Scrutineers will be checking each boat’s safety inventory, especially life jackets. Once completed, an “Approved” card will be attached to the boat. It will be the skipper’s responsibility to find a scrutineer and get them to check and attach a card. NO CARD, NO ENTRY.
  • 3:00pm Briefing
    • This includes course maps, distances, and safety protocols. YOU MUST ATTEND THIS

Easter Saturday:

  • Launching at Karapiro – Start times may vary
    • 8:00am Classic 2-1/2hp Outboards
    • 8:30am Classic 4-1/2hp Outboards
    • 9:00am Classic 6hp Outboards
    • 9:30am Modern Outboards
  • Saturday total 85km/46Nn
    • Karapiro to Cambridge – 6.4km/3.5Nm
    • Cambridge to Hamilton central – 27.4km/14.8Nm
    • Hamilton to Ngaruawahia – 19.3km/10.4Nm
    • Ngaruawahia to Taupiri – 9.7km/5.2Nm
    • Taupiri to Huntly (power station) – 9.7km/5.2Nm
    • Huntly to Ohinewai – 6.4km/3.5Nm
    • Ohinewai to Rangiriri Bridge (Finish of first leg) – 6.4km/3.5Nm
  • if you haven’t reached Victoria Bridge (Anzac Parade), distance 33.8km/18Nm, by midday, you will not reach Rangiriri Bridge by 5:00pm, and will need to plan for your extraction from the river at an earlier point
  • You MUST be off the water by 5:00pm

Easter Sunday:

  • If participants pull out on the first day, they may enter the second day so as to not miss out
  • Launching at Rangariri Bridge – Start times may vary
    • 8:00am Classic 2-1/2hp Outboards
    • 8:30am Classic 4-1/2hp Outboards
    • 9:00am Classic 6hp Outboards
    • 9:30am Modern Outboards
  • Sunday total 56.4km/30.Nm
    • Rangiriri to Meremere – 19.3km/10.4Nm
    • Meremere to Mercer bridge – 4.8km/2.6Nm
    • Mercer to Tuakau bridge – 11.3km/6.1Nm
    • Tuakau to Elbow – 11.3km/6.1Nm
    • Elbow to Hoods Landing, Otaua (Finish of final leg) – 9.7km/5.2Nm
  • If you haven’t reached Mercer Bridge, distance 24.1km/13Nm, by midday, you will not reach Hoods Landing by 4:00pm, and will need to plan for your extraction from the river at an earlier point
  • You MUST be off the water by 4:00pm
  • 6pm Buffet dinner and prizegiving at the Waiuku Golf Club, Racecourse Road
    • You must have purchased a meal in order to patronise the bar. The bar will be open for beverages from 5pm onwards (due to bar licensing regulations)

View of the Rangiriri Bridge from the ramp

Entry Classes:

2.5hp Dinghy Stock Class:  Hull: Can be either production built or unique built, mono hull only, 3.5:1 aspect ratio maximum, minimum length 10ft, height of sides 375mm minimum, open top hull, oars & rowlocks fitted, minimum weight for 10ft 45kg, minimum weight for 12ft 55kg
Engine: standard classic 64cc engine, no modifications, direct tiller steering. Jacking plate, cavitation plate, prop modification using Seagull props allowed.
2.5 hp Modified Class: Any hull, minimum length 10 ft, classic 64 cc engine, must have Seagull block (no liner), crankcase, head, flywheel, and carburettor. Leg from other outboards allowed. Reed valves, tuned pipes, cavitation plate and prop modifications, oversized piston, gearbox nose cones allowed. Two subclasses: one with tuned pipe & one without.
4.5 hp Dinghy Stock Class: Hull: Can be either production built or unique built, mono hull only, 3.5 -1 aspect ratio maximum, minimum length 10ft, height of sides 375mm minimum, open top hull, oars & rowlocks fitted, minimum weight for 10ft 45kg, minimum weight for 12ft 55kg
Engine: standard classic engine, no modifications, direct tiller steering, standard transom mount. Engine models: 102, Century, and Silver Century. Cavitation plate, prop modification using Seagull props allowed.
4.5hp Modified Class: Any hull, minimum length 10 ft, classic Seagull must have Seagull block (no liner), crankcase, flywheel, head, carburettor. Leg from other outboards, reed valves, tuned pipes, cavitation plate and prop modifications allowed. Engine models: 102, Century, and Silver Century, or two 2.5hp 64cc Seagulls, QB Curlew 64cc. Oversized piston, gearbox nose cones allowed. Two subclasses: one with tuned pipe & one without.
Classic Bermudan Class (2up): Mono hull, minimum 3.5:1 aspect ratio maximum, minimum length 12ft, two persons on board with minimum combined weight of 150 kg (spare Seagull may be used to make up minimum weight). Standard engine models (no modifications): 102, Century and Silver Century. Cavitation plate, prop modifications using Seagull props allowed.
20ft Bermudan Class: Mono hull, maximum length 20ft, one bow, no outriggers, two persons onboard with minimum combined weight of 150 kg (spare Seagull may be used to make up minimum weight). Standard engine models (no modifications): 102, Century and Silver Century. Cavitation plate, prop modifications using Seagull props allowed.
Open Class: Any hull, minimum length 10ft. Standard engine models (as manufactured): Kingfisher, Osprey, 5R, 170, 125. Cavitation plate, prop modifications allowed
Sport Class: Any hull, minimum length 10ft. Engines models: Seagull Sport (standard), 5R modified, 170 with yamaha leg (170 engines can be run with tuned pipe, must have Seagull block (no liner), crankcase, flywheel, head, carburetor). Yamaha leg allowed, prop replacements or modifications allowed.
Classic 6HP Max Class: Any hull, no minimum length. For those who want to run a non-Seagull classic motor.
Modern 8HP Max Class: Any hull, no minimum length. For those who don’t want to face the issues of a classic motor.

Notes on Engines: 

  • By entering in the stock engine classes, you are agreeing to split the engine at the completion of the adventure if you place first, second, or third (if requested). If you set a new record, you must split the engine for inspection.
  • Standard pump fuel must be used in all classes (except Modified & Sport).
  • Standard engine means as it was manufactured at the factory & all parts unmodified with the exceptions outlined in each class.
    Notes on Hulls: minimum hull length is 10ft for one man and 12ft for two man, if participants can satisfy officials before the event that their craft is sea worthy at a smaller size then approval may be given. (Must be pre-approved).Note on Classification: Classification will be at the sole discretion of the scrutineers.

Notes on Hulls: 

  • Minimum hull length is 10ft for one man and 12ft for two man
    • If participants can satisfy officials before the event that their craft is sea worthy at a smaller size then approval may be given.

Note on Classification: 

  • Classification will be at the sole discretion of the scrutineers.
    Approval Date: These class rules have been checked & approved by RL Feb 2025, CC Jan 2027

Accommodation:

Please make your own arrangements for booking & payment of any accommodation. Suggestions listed below.

Friday Night:

Saturday Night:

Sunday Night:

  • Local Motels at Waiuku

Roadcrew & Logistics

You will also need a roadcrew to pick you up at the end of each leg. For those struggling to find a willing roadcrew, you could team up with other boaties to make a team entry and share the role of roadcrew. Alternatively, we also offer a shuttle service back to the start of each leg. If this is something you’d like to take advantage of, please reserve your seat asap by contacting one of the organisers or in your registration for the event. Available for earlybird entry only

Equipment:

Compulsory & Subject to Passing Scrutineering:

  • Boat, in accordance with your class’s regulations (above)
    • If a participant can satisfy officials before the event that their craft is sea-worthy at a smaller size, then special approval may be given. Mitigation such as extra buoyancy or crew reduction during high-risk stages, or a dedicated support boat will be needed. Application for special approval must be made well prior to the adventure. It will be up to the skipper to show the scrutineer evidence of your approval.
    • Boat must feature external ID number
  • Outboard motor 8hp max
  • Cellphone with texting in a waterproof bag or container.
  • 2 starter ropes
  • Lifejacket for every person on the boat. These MUST be worn at all times
  • Premixed fuel/oil in leak-proof containers (18L per day advised)
  • 6m+ Towrope
  • Bailer & paddle
  • Basic tools (inc. sparkplug spanner, screwdriver, pliers, etc.)
  • Spare equipment (must include 2 sparkplugs. 3 prop springs, 2 split pins/R-clips (as appropriate to your outboard))
  • Spray bottle of biodegradable soap, in case of oil spills
  • Hearing protection
  • No open exhausts
  • There must be no drugs or alcohol in the boat
  • Updated Jan 2026

Recommended Items:

  • Second motor
  • Remote fueling system
  • Spare propeller, cable ties, hose clips
  • Safety cutout lanyard on Sport Class & Open Class
  • GPS or Navigation app
  • Fire extinguisher (dry powder type suited to fuel/oil based fires)
  • First aid kit
  • Plastic shopping bag for rubbish ~ you cannot throw rubbish into the river
  • Avoid heavy farm gumboots for footwear
  • Updated Jan 2026

View of the swamp from the finish line at Hoods Landing

Hoods Landing Guide

The swampland at Hoods Landing is a very confusing labyrinth to navigate through. There is a marae on the left hand bank of the Waikato River main channel. That’s your indicator to turn right, departing the main river channel and commencing your passage through the swamp. The grid positions indicated below represent points on the suggested track. A GPS or Navigation app on your cellphone may help you

Hoods Landing Guide map

Tauranganui Marae (Turn off here)

Conditions:

  • Alcohol or drugs must not be consumed before or during the event.
  • Children must be supervised by guardians at all times.
  • If you need a tow to the nearest accessible boat ramp, then, you must TEXT a support boat. It is your responsibility to organise your roadcrew for further recovery
  • If you pull out early for any reason, you MUST notify both the support boat crew & timekeeper to prevent a full-scale river search
  • You MUST be off the water by 5:00pm on Saturday, and 4:00 pm on Sunday. If you are running late, you’ll need to pull out by the cutoff or get a tow from a support boat
  • It is the sole responsibility of the skipper to ensure the seaworthiness of their boat and the safety of their crew and passengers. It is the skipper’s decision whether or not to take part regarding the weather conditions and the experience/competence of themselves and of their crew. Nothing done by the event coordinators or assistants, including the provision of safety boats, will relieve the skipper of these responsibilities.

Latest River Levels at Rangiriri:

Follow this link for real time river levels at Rangiriri

https://waikatoregion.govt.nz/environment/envirohub/environmental-maps-and-data/station/43342/WL?dt=Level

Low is 5.0m & under / Normal is 5.1m / High is 5.2m & above

Contacts:

  • Auckland: Chris Croul 021 50 1948 [email protected]
  • Waikato: Phil Hollins 021 968 742
  • Kapiti: Ross Leger 027 442 4850

Entry Documents:

Entry Form

    Skipper Details



    Boat Crew (Excluding Skipper)




    Road Crew


    Entry Details



    Payment





    Prizegiving

    If you receive an award at prizegiving, Would you like it in a frame?