Like many great ideas, the St Ayles skiff project in NZ started life over a quiet beverage in the cockpit of a classic yacht .

Only a few months later and with boat one Wee Tawera finished and ready for action and boat number two ready to be turned over and fitted out we are well on the way to seeing a fleet of these beautiful rowing craft plying the coast, rivers and lakes.

Our original vision was to see school groups and corporates join together to form partnerships and race these boats for fun and recreation, team building etc. However along the way it has become obvious that this is only a small part of the opportunities that abound with such beautiful and seaworthy craft. Already we are thinking of adventure trips about the Hauraki gulf, river journeys to great destinations like the Riverhead hotel, Warkworth and many other opportunities.

The possible benefits from being involved in these great craft seem endless, the opportunity to build one with a group of friends, or perhaps if that seems too daunting get a hull and finish it off, maybe just the painting? right through to competing in the next world champs. With over 100 of these boats already built around the world this proves to be a huge global community of classic wooden boat enthusiasts.

Wee Tawera will be on display at the cloud on Queens Wharf over labour weekend. as part of the tall ships visit so if you are in Auckland drop in and say hi.