Messing about in boats is a favourite pastime for many - even if the boat is made of corrugated iron.
The Oamaru Harbour Regatta at Friendly Bay on February 6 will feature outboard motor racing, sailing, dinghy rowing and coracle racing among other activities and displays.
However, the corrugated iron boats are expected to attract the most attention.
Friendly Bay Boat Society members John Baster and Pete Thorn have been hard at work building the boats at the society's shed on Tyne St.
Mr Baster said a boat could be built relatively easily from a wide sheet of corrugated iron, roofing screws or clouts and wood to support the ends and make a seat.
He described the process as an "intelligence test''.
"The hardest thing about it is you have to ... find old iron, which is wider than the modern iron. The only thing you have to do is make it waterproof, and we're suggesting one paddle.
"It's more getting your head around the idea, but you can make one in two hours. It's rough, but as long as it's waterproof, it's fine.''
Ideally, an adult version should be 2.5m long and a child's boat slightly shorter.
Mr Baster said any holes could be plugged with roofing silicone, and an outboard motor could be added for greater stability, as in his experience the boats had a tendency to sink.
People won't have to worry about that at the regatta, as sailing will take place in very shallow waters.
Now that Mr Baster's boat is complete and has been put through a successful test run after he fixed a few leaks, he wants others to take up the challenge.
"I've made mine, so the challenge is out there. Do the public of Oamaru still know how to make things out of No 8 wire, or is it a myth?'' he said.
Registration for the regatta starts at 10am on Waitangi Day, and racing gets under way at 11am.
- Daniel Birchfield
