How to Build a Wooden Boat — AROHA, Part 1 – The Original Boat WHIO, a New Zealand Weekend Cruiser

Off Center Harbor is the world's leading video website for high-quality instructional boating videos — with masterclasses on how to build, maintain, and repair boats. The crew of Off Center Harbor also travels the world bringing you aboard hundreds of the best classic boats across the planet.

When WHIO hove into view across our camera lenses, the entire OCH crew found a new boat to fall in love with. As easy on the gas as she is on the eyes, classic yet at the same time contemporary, and above all, remarkably seaworthy in a variety of conditions, we all started dreaming of how we might one day build one. Enjoy the view and tune in to the plans, kit and how-to-build video series that are now being offered by Off Center Harbor to make this remarkable boat available so fellow dreamers might become fellow skippers.

[mercrobocop]

This boat deserve more running shots...She's beautiful..

[SanDiegoSail]

Great job Peter! I don't think I've ever been so enamored with a power boat. She has beautiful lines. The ride looks smooth and comfortable. At least on flat water ;-) It would be great to see how she rides in chop and heavier weather. The efficiency is outstanding. And to top it off the classic look is outstanding.

[verdikulk]

Damn, i'm not a motorboat type, but what a stunningly beautiful boat she is, very nice lines, and well build!
Thank you for showing her

[togle]

Man, your boat is scary beautiful! Watching the video of her under way, you just are forced into a hypnotic trance of pleasure. Dynamic poetry without missing the rhymes. Never have I seen a more beautiful boat, and that includes some fantastic sailing vessels. Congrats on creating a masterpiece worthy of all scenes.

[davidstopher]

Peter knows about boats and what works...Respect!

[nikolaslarson]

An absolutely stunningly beautiful boat. It's very impressive to see how easily she planes and how calm her wake is. Simply lovely.

[tobuslieven]

0:40 Look how that stern slips through the water. Beautiful.

[robertspies]

What beautifully and efficiently designed vessel. Just what one would want for a weekend cruiser in coastal waters and estuaries. Kiwis know about practicality and modesty.

[tommegan]

I’ve loved that boat since I first saw it in WoodenBoat. Fourteen knot cruise with a 50hp diesel — yes please!

[someotherdude]

I friggin love this boat, and it's quite unique, even as a home built boat. Very long length to beam, no doubt trailering takes some real attention, but the boat is so light it'd be easy to tow with an ordinary car; also this boat would be an excellent candidate for electric propulsion. A 'Whisper Gen' (natural gas or diesel) could back up the battery, along with solar cabin roof and deck, along with roof covering the open area... This 29' feels very roomy yet can function just fine as a cruiser. Wow!

[davidwarren]

That is a really pretty boat. And the way she rides on the water (attributable, I think, to the transition to hard chines) is equally-lovely to watch.

[darkhorsegarage]

This is what I would want in a boat. Everything is fantastic.

[l.siestador]

Classy and efficient boat. Noticed it doesn't have any cushions. Must be a smooth ride. Beautiful!

[authormikemontie]

Amazing design. I was particularly impressed with how fast you can back up with that canoe stern.

[mikef.]

Wonderful boat, and well used too, as they should be.

[bowmanlegacies]

Unbelievable! Awesome! It is my dream to build my own boat but I'm not certain I can build something so lovely!

[EricTheBody]

So pretty! I’ve been thinking about something along these lines for a while. In my head, it was a little heavier. A long, lean sharpie hull. Beachable. More resembling a work boat topsides. Standing room down below. I was thinking that a 10 knot boat at 2 liters/hour was impossible, but this gives me hope. I was even looking at the Beta Marine 38 for an engine! I was considering moving the engine aft using a stern drive and placing fuel and water tanks under the helm. I might have to buy these plans!

[JamesJones-cxpk]

Look at all the room inside. Wow. I would have an a/c unit on top for Mississippi. If I ever build a wooden boat, it might as well be classy. I love it.🤣👍

[JustAskingAndCurios]

Beautiful classic lines...breathtaking. Was the boat off of aplan or one off. (Love the video of the boatin reverse!)

[iainurquhart]

Nice! I think she is even better than Nigel Irens "Wilhemina". Similar concept of speed, effciency but without all the fuss. Has much more character, looks cheaper, and more practical. When he mentioned range I was predicting 700 miles Yaaas! pretty close. Could be good with electric propulsion too.