The design has been developed to achieve the following objectives:

• A rowing boat, with a sliding seat, that has much of the lively fun that comes from rowing a racing scull but has the stability and buoyancy to provide ease in choppy but sheltered conditions.
• A boat that can be built without highly developed wood working experience and without specialised tools and techniques.
• A boat that has a classic beauty with design elements drawn from the rich heritage of Tasmanian boat building.
• A wooden boat that is easy to maintain, both inside and out.
• A boat that is light and easily handled for easy recreational access.

The result is a ply clinker (lap strake) boat with a very ‘clean’ interior (no timbers) and, by using modern glues, a minimum of metal fastenings.  The overlapping of the planks gives the eye clear indication of the fine lines in the Derwent Skiff and adds to its light strength.  Being able to eliminate metal fastenings along the laps makes sanding and painting tasks easier and the result more durable.  For those builders who wish to use traditional copper nails and roves – you are most welcome.  There is plenty of scope for people to personalise their boat.  

The plans include all parts except the planks in full size.  The mold and ply kits are computer cut for accuracy, speed and ease.  The results are radically reduced anxiety and great satisfaction right from assembling the mold.  The building notes, accompanying the plans are written to comprehensively guide a novice builder through the process.

The Derwent Skiff had its origins with a hull designed and built by my father Louis Witt as a recreational rowing boat for my wife Jackie.  It was my task to design and build the fitout.  The Australian Wooden Boat Festival selected this design concept for the Feb 2007 festival.  The Derwent Skiff specifications changed from the smaller single person boat at 4.6m (15’) to a larger 5.5m (18’).  This larger boat will carry a large rower or a rower and a passenger.