The stunning alpine backdrop, the beauty of old boats and a uniquely quirky vibe have made Nelson’s Antique & Classic Boat Show a star of New Zealand’s boating calendar.

The show started in 1999 with 35 home-built clinkers and runabouts on the lake. There’s now a huge range of entries such as a classic Italian motorboat once owned by Jackie Onassis, through to original Hamilton jets, sculpted cedar kayaks and traditional home-built and restored runabouts. Lately, with the increased cost of buying a new boat, more people are turning their attention to lovely old boats that may just need a tidy up.

Last year the NZ Antique and Classic Boat Show was named the ‘most unique boat show on the planet’, by the US based web forum WoodyBoater. Nautical photographer Steve Lapkin has attended several shows and the accolade ran alongside his photos of the 2024 show on the popular website.

Billed as a weekend of ‘Glorious Hydromatic Relaxation’ there are displays on land from early morning and races on the lake in the afternoon, both days of the weekend.

In 2024 the NZ Antique and Classic Boat Show was named the ‘most unique boat show on the planet’, by the US based web forum WoodyBoater. Nautical photographer Steve Lapkin has attended several shows and the accolade ran alongside his photos of the 2024 show on the popular website.

“It’s official, the world has spoken, this is the most unique boat show on the planet, new, old, in a convention center, small old marina, this show exhibits the uniqueness of what is possible in boat design. I love it,” wrote WoodyBoat founder Matt Smith.

The NZ Antique and Classic Boatshow has built a reputation for slightly quirky fun, typified by the hilarity as boaties run to pull-start their motors for the Seagull dinghy race with its ‘Le Mans’ start.

Judging is on Saturday, ahead of the evening awards ceremony at the Alpine Lodge. At stake is the Jens Hansen Trophy where the judges are after good looks as well as history, construction, and a boat with a story to tell.