In Hamilton N.Z., we live only a ¼ mile from the banks of New Zealand’s longest river – the Waikato. This river is approx 250km (150 miles) long, starting from alpine fed Lake Taupo (in the centre of the North Island) it flows out to the Tasman Sea, approx 60km (40 mls) downstream. Hamilton is also the home of John Welsford (himself no less!) and where Charlie Whipple is building his Sundowner - ‘Resolution’.

The Waikato river creates a large part of N.Z.’s power generation, with some 9 hydroelectric stations, two geothermal and one coal-fired power station situated along its length. The hydroelectric stations of course have man made reservoirs/lakes behind their earth or concrete dams. These are ideal for all types of watersport – the wider ones ideal for sailing. All these Lakes hold reasonable stocks of Trout (Rainbow and Brown) as well as Perch, Rudd, Grey Mullet, and our native trout - Kokopu. Not that any of them are that easy to catch!

In Hamilton N.Z., we live only a ¼ mile from the banks of New Zealand’s longest river.

In the last 2 ½ years I have taken my 11’6” Welsford designed ‘TRUANT’ sailing dinghy TruantSea on a number of the flowing stretches of the Waikato River. At Easter, Gail & I threw the fishing rods, lifejackets, and a picnic lunch into TruantSea and put the boat into the Waikato River at a central city launch ramp. Although the water level was low – it being before the winter rains boost levels, canoes and kayaks plied the waters, keeping to the banks out of the current. At various riverbank walks and reserves picnickers sat, watched and waved from shady spots - under trees turning colour with the season, as we chugged past.

We motored against the current, heading upstream for about an hour. Houses crowd the riverbanks, peeking through trees and fences, but providing expensive and in some cases expansive river views. Manicured lawns and the Hamilton botanical gardens show man’s impact on nature – especially in urban areas. Even a few miles upstream farms are being sub-divided, giving way to ‘lifestyle’ blocks. Here the owners after spending months (or years) building a house, spend all their weekends mowing grass, building fences, tending a few sheep or goats, or take all their time away from work, to work - tending plants and trees. Some lifestyle! Have they not heard of boating?

A few Fizz boats and Jet-skis rushed by in both directions, some towing water-skiers, some creating a nasty short wake making TruantSea awkward to navigate and bounce around, in their wake (haha). Our little 2 hp, Honda 4 stroke outboard, worked against the 2-3 knot current. With judicious navigation – keeping to where the current seemed slower - we were able to make TruantSea move almost 5km (3 mls) upstream in an hour. Between each bend, I cut diagonally across stream, to the opposite side trying to maintain maximum forward momentum. Well that’s my theory, anyhow.

We pulled onto a sandy bank, got the Thermos out of one of the watertight hatches and munched away happily on our sandwiches and biscuits.

We pulled onto a sandy bank, got the Thermos out of one of the watertight hatches and munched away happily on our sandwiches and biscuits to the sound of birdsong from the trees and gurgling water under TruantSea’s beached transom. A few suburban lawnmowers droned softly in the background as we leisurely sipped our hot coffees, but they were not enough to spoil the atmosphere.

Ducks drifted by on the current, paused for a short while in the hope of some bread crusts, but when none were forthcoming, proceeded on their way downstream. Still the water flowed by.

I topped up the inbuilt petrol tank of the little Honda outboard and we carried on for another 20 minutes or so, again pulling into a smooth sandy area another mile or so upstream, for a spot of fishing. After a short while, I saw grey shapes in the shallows, swimming in groups of up to 8, very Trout-like in form. After casting a rapala lure a few times, right in front of their noses and them not evening showing the slightest interest, or rushing off in fright, I took them to be Grey Mullet – which are apparently not a predatory feeder. Hopes were dashed, but we resolutely continued casting without being too despondent.

It was April (Autumn for us), the air neither cool nor warm, the day still and mild, and it was a long, holiday weekend – the last before winter. Who cared what we were doing? It wasn’t work! We continued changing lures and casting for a further 30 minutes or so, before writing the fishing off as bad luck. The Thermos was drained and the muesli bars scoffed before I pushed TruantSea back out into the current and we headed back downstream.

The Honda was quickly and easily fired back into life with its usual ‘one-pull’. This baby 4 stroke has been one fantastic little motor! It starts easily, runs smoothly, it’s easy to lift and carry and it’s so economical to run. I’m glad I went for the clutch model, which makes stopping on the water so easy. Queuing for a launch ramp to ‘pull out’ from, or stopping to change fishing lures, or landing those ‘big’ fish when trolling, would be so difficult if the motor had to be turned off and restarted all the time.

I feel lucky and honoured to have a boat (especially one like my little Truant, that you’ve made yourself).

Anyway, we literally ‘raced’ downstream. Current assisted, we probably did over 6 knots downstream and were back at the launch ramp in about 40 minutes. Without fuss, TruantSea was back on the trailer, strapped down and we were home again less than 15 minutes after reaching the ramp.

For almost 2½ hours running, the motor only used about 2 litres (1/2 gal) of gas.

We’d had a pleasant Easter days boating on the Waikato, and had spent peanuts. To live in a country so accessible to the outdoors where access is basically free makes us count ourselves lucky.

I feel lucky and honoured to have a boat (especially one like my little Truant, that you’ve made yourself), and to live in a place where……’a River flows Through’ .

Grahame Harris
HAMILTON, New Zealand

More Articles by Grahame Harris:

• Up the ‘Pokai’ in TruantSea
• A Cruise on Lake Tarawera
• TruantSea Mods