Mana Cruising Club

About

The club was founded in 1959 by a group of boating enthusiasts and has developed into a community cruising club. It features a travel lift, extensive hardstanding, a trailer ramp, and a clubhouse that includes a restaurant, wardroom, and function facilities. The club's mission is to promote growth and long-term viability for its members and visitors. More information can be found on the club's history.

Sailing Programme

The club offers a cruising-focused programme that includes organised club cruises, which consist of regular short cruises and longer weekends to Queen Charlotte Sound, Labour Weekend, and Cook Strait. There are also raft-ups on club-owned moorings in the Marlborough Sounds and organised cruising voyages, including historic overseas cruises to Tonga and Fiji. Additionally, the club hosts an annual fishing competition and on-water social activities, with club nights held weekly on Thursdays for planning and informal sails. More details can be found on the club's sailing programme.

Training Opportunities

The club provides structured training in partnership with Coastguard Boating Education. Courses offered include Day Skipper, Maritime VHF certificate, and Boat Master courses. These courses are hosted at the club, and bookings can be made through Coastguard Boating Education. Further information is available on the club's website.

Club Events

The club hosts a full annual events calendar that includes summer Sunday brunches with live music, an Annual Fishing Competition typically held in March, a Mid-Winter Party, a Blue September fundraiser, the Club AGM in October, and various social events such as quiz nights and guest speaker evenings. Weekly club nights on Thursdays feature raffles and a locker draw. More details about the events can be found on the club's events page.

Member Experience

The club offers various membership types, including Social membership for non-boat owners, which provides access to the clubhouse, wardroom, and restaurant, though social members do not have voting rights. Country membership is available for those living away from the area. Boat-owner members benefit from member rates for travel lift and hardstand, as well as access to combined club moorings. The club also runs new-member cruises and social nights to help integrate members. More information can be found on the club's membership page.

Facilities

The club's facilities include club rooms located at 5 Pascoe Ave (Ngatitoa Domain, Paremata), which feature a wardroom/bar, an upstairs fully serviced function room with a capacity of approximately 100, the Porthole Bistro restaurant, and an attractive courtyard. Additional amenities include a trailer boat ramp, hardstand and cradles, and an on-site travel lift, along with access to Mana Marina berths and jointly-owned moorings in the Marlborough Sounds. More details can be found on the club's facilities page.

Dining Options

The Porthole Bistro operates from the clubhouse, offering a la carte meals and in-house catering for functions. Casual dining is typically available from Thursday to Saturday starting at 6 PM, with courtyard dining options and bar snacks when the bar is open. More information can be found on the club's dining options page.

Reciprocal Club Network

The club has reciprocal rights and visiting arrangements with other clubs, including the Manawatu Marine Boating Club. Membership cards are utilized for reciprocal visits, and the club jointly owns moorings with the Waikawa Boating Club and Pelorus Boating Club in the Marlborough Sounds. More details can be found on the club's reciprocal club network page.

Seasonal Operations

The club operates regular Thursday club nights year-round, with restaurant dining available from Thursday to Saturday. Key annual events include the Opening Day and AGM in October, as well as the Annual Fishing Competition in March. Seasonal operations for yard, dredging, and pontoon work are conducted during the summer boating season, with updates provided in newsletters. More information can be found on the club's seasonal operations page.

Trophies and Awards

Club trophies are presented at the AGM and include various awards such as the Goldie Cup for cruising, Balsillie Memorial Trophy for coastal cruising, and the Colombia Award for club contribution. Other awards recognize member assistance, boating blunders, and notable catches. More details can be found on the club's trophies and awards page.

Venue Hire

The club offers an upstairs fully-serviced function room for hire, accommodating approximately 100 guests. In-house catering and a fully stocked bar are available. Hire terms include a minimum three-hour booking and compliance with the Venue Hire Terms and Conditions Agreement. More information can be found on the club's venue hire page.

Social Activities

The club has an active social programme that includes weekly club nights, summer brunches with live music, Melbourne Cup Day celebrations, quiz nights, and various parties for mid-winter and Christmas. The fishing section also holds regular monthly meetings. More information can be found on the club's social activities page.

Access Policy

Full access to member benefits requires club membership. Guests must be signed in by a member, and there are specific rules regarding function hire and venue use, including restrictions on bringing alcohol on or off the premises and prohibitions on smoking or vaping inside. Membership categories determine voting rights and access levels. More details can be found on the club's access policy page.