Southern Classic Boats / Repair My Boat

02/09/2026

02/09/2026

Next mission, ex Stewart Island Ferry Wairua, life boat.
Turn it into a gaff rigged sailing boat, with a deck and cabin. A bow sprit and a small motor.
Make her beautiful she said.
Ok, always up for a new challenge. Watch this space

02/09/2026

02/09/2026

Finished !

29/08/2026

Progress

29/08/2026

Almost completed, just the copper sheathing for the gaff booms to rub on to fit

01/08/2026

We seem to get work from most of the Southern half of the South Island now. This is a new mast for the 1922 sailing ketch "Fox 2 " from Akaroa, near Christchurch. Around 8.5 meters long and solid spar grade Canadian Oregon . I'll post more pics as the 10 coat varnish job progresses.

Love the smell of this timber !

20/07/2026

A week of sharing the design and lofting skills with my adult apprentice, Matt.
His assignment is to loft out a 14m round bilge sailing yacht hull full size, along with re drawing it 20 to 1 scale. Then he has to loft the stem and raked 30 degrees forward transom. Followed by drawing a cabin and deck construction and lofting that full size also.

They don't have classes in the south as they do in the north so it becomes my job to be the teacher.
I think Matt has enjoyed the challenge and so far has done very well.
CAD drawing has taken over this art , and I can only say good on them for continuing to teach this almost lost art.