Cheeky thief takes expensive boat

An expensive power boat has been taken from its anchorage at Great Barrier Island in what police describe as a rare and bold theft.

The 7.5 metre planing launch Kaboom, was anchored in a remote bay at Great Barrier Island off the east coast of the North Island.

The boat's owner had gone ashore but when he returned just on dusk last night the vessel was gone, said police.

It was last seen heading north and Senior Constable Garry Larsen from the police maritime section in Auckland, said with a 225hp Honda outboard motor, it had the power to go a long way in a short time.

"It will pump along. It could be anywhere. It could be all the way up to the Bay of Islands," he said.

Mr Larsen said boats of that size were seldom stolen when they were anchored.

"It is very rare that sort of vessel is taken, especially on the water. It is very unusual for that sort of thing to happen."

Mr Larsen said the boat, white with a grey trim on the cabin, would "have to be worth over $100,000".

Boaties had been alerted to call police or the coastguard.

- NZPA