For Brendon Cornes, a passion for powerboats was almost inevitable. His grandfather, Fred Cornes, raced boats in an earlier era and would take the family along to watch. From Foxton to Karapiro, they travelled together, absorbing the noise and excitement of New Zealand's classic powerboat scene. His father never took up racing, but Brendon eventually picked up where his grandfather left off.
By 2004 he had purchased his first boat, spending time learning the finer points of outboards alongside friends until the sport had him completely hooked. These days he races a Formula One tunnel boat, and his results at Whanganui's prestigious King of the River event speak for themselves. "I've won it three times, including the last two years. The trophy dates back to 1926, it's the second oldest in the country, so to have my name on it is pretty special."
From race hulls to retro glass
Racing is only part of the picture. Brendon carries an equally strong affection for vintage fibreglass, and his retro gem is a 15-foot Lark fitted with a 135hp Mariner outboard. It earns its keep on fishing trips, towing wakeboarders, and relaxed family outings on lakes including Arapuni, Tarawera, and Blue Lake.
"It's not as immaculate as some others, but it's all about getting out there," he says. That outlook, the idea that a boat doesn't need to be flawless to deliver genuine pleasure, connects with a lot of New Zealanders who baulk at the price of a new model. New boats can push past $70,000, whereas many classics still change hands for well under $20,000, and Kiwi ingenuity has always kept older hulls running longer than anyone might expect. "You could buy one for five grand, put another ten into it, and it'll last for years," he says. "They built them tough back in the day. Some of those boats are 50 years old and still going."
Building a retro community
In February 2024, drawing inspiration from the thriving communities that had sprung up around retro cars and caravans, Brendon launched the Retro Boats Facebook group. The response exceeded anything he had anticipated. "We hit 4,000 members in the first year. Over Christmas and New Year another 2,000 joined," he says.
What began as an online gathering place quickly took on a life beyond the screen. Retro boat days at Tarawera, Taupo, and Blue Lake brought fibreglass classics from the 1970s and 80s back onto open water, drawing members eager to see the old hulls in action. The group has become a place where people swap stories, troubleshoot mechanical problems, and show up in person to help a fellow member out. "If someone has a problem, people will drive over to get their boat running. It's a tight, helpful community."
Anyone who has attended a classic car meet will recognise the atmosphere. "There's a big crossover between people who do retro cars and retro boats," Brendon says. The connection isn't just cultural. Muscle cars literally towed muscle boats back in the day, Monaros hauling Sidewinders or Panthers fitted with V8 inboards. "To see that combination these days is still awesome."
Muscle boats, parts, and swap meets
Pinning down the single most sought-after retro boat in New Zealand is a question Brendon approaches carefully. "It depends what you want, Panthers, Sea Nymph 14'6, and Haines Hunters. They were all solid boats, and each suited to different activities."
Tracking down parts for these older craft is one of the community's persistent headaches. "Sometimes people hoard them," he laughs. "You'll know someone has a carburettor sitting in a shed, but they won't sell it. Meanwhile, someone else really needs it."
Brendon is launching swap meets, starting in Rotorua, as a practical answer to that problem. Owners can bring spare parts along, or entire boats if they are ready to sell, and prospective buyers can put a vessel through its paces on the water before committing. "Too often you buy a boat that runs fine on the hose but not under load. This way buyers can see it working properly." The concept is borrowed from the caravan world and adapted for boating, and Brendon believes it has every chance of becoming a regular fixture on the calendar.
Support from sponsors
Local businesses have taken notice of the gatherings, and sponsorship has become part of how events are put together. Early on, Brendon had to go out and find supporters himself, but the dynamic has shifted. "At first I went to people, but now some come to me," he explains. A Taupō marine service shop offered free servicing and had picked up new customers before the event had even started. Rotorua jet-boat operators donated family passes, and a boatbuilder contributed a professional buff-and-polish package as a prize.
The arrangement suits everyone involved. "It works both ways, sponsors get exposure, and boat owners get real value," he says. A modest entry fee ensures solid attendance, covers prize costs, and gives the whole thing the forward momentum to keep growing.
More than looks
Brendon is quick to point out that retro boating has nothing to do with preserving museum pieces. The whole point is use, enjoyment, and keeping old boats accessible to ordinary people. He has a particular memory of seeing a weathered boat at Karapiro pulling a biscuit while onlookers on shore laughed at its appearance. "People on shore were laughing at it, but those guys were out there having the time of their lives. That's what it's about."
The variety within the retro scene is broad, from compact jetboats threading up shallow rivers to fibreglass family runabouts still towing skiers on summer weekends. Fishing trips, wakeboarding sessions, a quiet cruise with the kids, all of it counts. The point is that these boats stay in the water and in use, not parked under a tarpaulin.
Looking ahead
Plans continue to take shape. Brendon has more gatherings in mind, potentially four or five a year, and he would like to see a dedicated retro class introduced at established events such as the Bridge to Bridge ski race. Fishing competitions are also on his radar as another way to bring older boats and their owners together.
Underneath all of it, the motivation remains straightforward. "Whether your boat's immaculate or a bit rough, it doesn't matter," he says. "It's about getting them out there, meeting others, and having fun. Retro boats bring back memories and connect us with each other. That's what keeps me going."
