Welcome to Build Wooden Boats – Helping to get your project on the water!

Build Wooden Boats has been established to meet the needs of amateur and professional wooden boat builders. We provide the products, assistance, and even the floor space you need to get you going on your own project, sooner rather than later!

  • We stock and sell a full range of the Boat Craft Pacific Bote-Cote epoxy resin systems, fabrics & supplies and marine paint systems.
  • Marine grade plywood & solid timbers
  • Wooden boat plans & kits
  • "Build from kit" service - assisted build, part-build or to completion - you choose
  • Floor space for your own project, small or large - per sqm/month
    •  - tenders, kayaks, day -sailers & other great designs plus the full range of Bruce Kirby designed "Norwalk Islands Sharpies"
    NIS

We specialise in the Norwalk Islands Sharpies range of high performance trailerable sea-going yachts. Designed by Bruce Kirby (designer of the "Laser" and several America's Cup challengers) and perfected in Australia by Rob Ayliffe of nisboats.com, these versatile and unique yachts have a range of features that make them quite simply the pen-ultimate trailer sailer: 

  • Ketch or yawl rig for self steering on all points forward, and beatufully balanced sailing.
  • Folding mast system - sails stay on the booms at all times.
  • Monocoque hull built from high-quality Gaboon plywood, fibreglass sheathing and BoteCote epoxy products.  It uses no mechanical fasteners - just Boat Craft Pacific's BoteCote Epoxy System - Amazing!
  • NACA profiles on centreboard and rudder - for maximum pointing ability, speed and control.
  • Unique quick-release variable-depth rudder system - full and EASY control at all depths, and minimises rudder/transom impact damage.
  • Shallow draft - board up - 20cm on the NIS18, 40cm on the NIS42.
  • Rapid launch - the folding mast system and custom trailer mean that you'll be on the water and sailing typically in less than 15 minutes from arrival at the ramp. Same for retrieval.
  • Self-righting to 140 degrees (theoretical) - lead ballast in shallow keelson or internal
  • Proven sea-going ability - NIS 23 'Charlie Fisher' sailed across Bass Straight and back in 2007 - winds 65kts+, 10m seas, surfing at 17.5kts on bare poles - no problems and not a particularly hair raising experience, according to Rob Ayliffe (or perhaps he's just a master of understatement?).
  • Custom trailer - low-ride, easy-launch & retrieve.  Fully galvanised C-section - no rust!  Disigned to minimise the risk of damage during launch and retrieve in less than ideal conditions.
  • Built from laser cut kit - by amateur or professional boat builders alike. 

 Go to www.nistboats.com for details of the yachts, plans and kits.

 

 

 

We can also work with you to part-build or complete your dream boat, from the smallest sailing dinghy, rowing boat, canoe or kayak, up to the thirty foot plus Norwalk Islands Sharpies or designs of your choosing.

 

Come and visit our shop and factory, or call or email for enquiries and orders.

 

Dream it – Do it!