Amateurs

An amazing factor in "Amitié II's" construction is that she was moulded by amateurs. Many volunteers assisted and their vocations and professions ranged from hairdressers to doctors. Laymen they might have been, but the result of their efforts is now a thing of beauty, whether she be bobbing in the Nelson boat harbour or skimming over Tasman Bay swells.

Commander-in-chief of this band of boat-builders was Peter Meffan, who sought perfection in every facet of the yacht's construction. Typical of his thoroughness was the decision to recast the keel when he was dissatisfied with the original.

"It wasn't exactly as I wanted it, so we recast the lead and refitted it," he said.

And then he admits that this extra effort added a month to the job!

To avoid delays, each stage of construction was planned at least three months in advance; in some cases, two years. Just in case he had difficulty obtaining the mahogany used in finishing the interior, Peter Meffan bought it two years before it was used. Using mahogany was for strength as well as looks. Any trimming exposed to weather is of teak.

On boarding "Amitié II," one immediately comes into contact with the non-slip deck coating of chipped cork. This finish was suggested by well-known ocean voyager John Guzzwell who, during his round New Zealand trip, in 1970, in "Treasure, spent some time in Nelson with his family. His advice on many aspects was of considerable value to Peter Meffan's project.

"Amitié II" will sleep six and, as well as the usual amenities, boasts a deep freeze, neon cabin lighting and extreme cabin comfort.

Four and a half years is a long time to spend building a yacht. Chipping away with an adze late into the night; poring over plans with a skeleton of a boat in a shed and dreams of ocean cruising keeping you going; unavoidable delays causing frustration; and making sacrifices. These are but a few of the trials of spare time boat building, and Peter Meffan would not be alone in having to cope with them.

And was it all worth it? If you saw the grin that split his face as "Amitié II" belted past a Nelson wharf, pushed along by a stiff northerly, you'd know that Peter Meffan thought it was.

And what does he intend using his yacht for? Mainly cruising, with possibly a bit of racing.