Chipping Away

Peter Meffan took timber samples to the designers, in 1966, and they recommended those he used. Immediately he and his family returned from England, in March, 1967, work on the yacht started. The Meffans returned home by sea and, during that voyage, Peter became adept with what he now considers to be a most valuable tool — an adze.

For five weeks he chipped, chipped and chipped. And, keeping an eye on the surgeon with the adze was the ship's carpenter. If that carpenter could see the fine examples of scarfing on "Amitié II's" mast and the skilful shaping of her interior woodwork, he would be well satisfied with his pupil. Learning to use an adze was not an uneventful chapter in Peter Meffan's boat building career. During one of his lessons, he sliced a tendon in his leg.

Armed with his plans, a bulk load of timber from Northland, overwhelming enthusiasm and the support of his family, Peter Meffan set to work. That he would build a boat of class was never doubted by his friends, for he had already gained three years' experience in building "Amitié," a 28ft Laurent Giles design, Normandy class yacht, which is now in Lyttel-ton. So he was not a novice at the game.

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And was it all worth it? Just have a look at the grins on Margaret and Peter Meffan. Patrick (centre) is quietly taking it all in