Why another small boat?
When I was young fella, we had numerous small fibreglass boats and tinnies for fun and fishing, and I loved it. Cheaper to buy, cheaper to run, easy launching from ramps to access Tauranga harbour or the beaches of the Coromandel and easy clean-up afterward had me addicted at a young age. As I grew up, I always wanted to be a boat builder. I love boats. I love fast boats, slow boats, fishing boats. Particularly fast fishing boats. But I left school and worked in the construction industry instead, although my passion for boats never diminished. And fishing. I love fishing.
I’ve fished from a kayak in Tauranga Harbour for years and I love it for its low purchase price, low running cost, manageability, simplicity and stealthy fishing. And paddling is a great workout. With kayak fishing I have to use my brain, as there’s no starting the motor and powering off to the next spot. Kayak fishing takes planning to maximise the gains in relation to the time and energy put in. But some physical issues have taken hold as I’ve aged, and the kayak’s butt down/feet up style of fishing is no longer a comfortable option for me. I needed something that offers the same benefits of yak fishing while being easier on the body.
I love fishing in areas where others don’t go in their bigger boats: Estuaries, tidal flats, mangroves, sheltered harbours, remote beaches and rocks. There’s a lot of good fishing in these locations and they don’t get hammered by others. I don’t need a big, powerful and flash (read 'expensive'!) boat to fish these areas. I need a boat that can be launched from anywhere and all on my onesies.
While searching the net for a small, light, low-powered and easily handled boat to fish from, I saw a few ‘skiffs’ which gained my interest. They weren’t available in NZ at the time and the cost of importing one was substantial for what they offered. After watching a lot of YouTube videos and doing a lot of thinking, I decided they simply weren’t going to provide for my needs. I would be better off designing my own small boat with everything I want on it and where I want it. I didn’t want a powered kayak or paddle board that’s suitable only for sheltered glassy waterways, as that is far too limiting. I wanted much more. I thought about my small boat & kayak fishing experience and started planning.
So, I researched kayaks, small boat design and various building materials, and I drew pictures and wrote a list of the criteria I wanted:
I selected composite for its light weight, and for its quietness at rest and underway.
I wanted high quality fit and finish.
I wanted it to be self-bailing for peace of mind.
It had to be very stable for stand-up sight fishing.
I wanted low-cost power requirements, including small petrol, electric or paddle options.
I needed an easily handled, one-person craft. Easy to tow, easy to launch and easy to use.
I hate clutter, so it must have a lot of storage for everything I care to bring. From raincoat and spare clothes, to safety equipment and lunch. And it has to have coffee cup holders!
I fish with lures and need suitable space to stow lure packets and boxes out of harm’s way but still have everything within easy reach.
It must have everything I require to fish successfully and more.
I designed a boat that I want to use!
What about those fisho’s who fish with bait/live bait? Or divers? How about freshwater fishing, and the fly-fishing folks on lakes and rivers? May as well include duck hunters too then!
I liked the concept I came up with and took my ideas to a top Naval Architect in my home city of Tauranga, who has worked on some amazing large vessels with a renowned company. After viewing my idea, he declared it to be a ‘fun’ project and agreed to take it on. I then engaged a hugely experienced local boat builder to build the molds, and the hull, deck and all other components are precision vacuum infused from these. Nice!
And that’s how the Sheer Water Skiff came about.
