The boat I had in mind for this trip was a
This type of skiff is rowed “fixed seat” – so without the sliding seat that racing rowing boats use. This, plus the considerable weight of the boat, means that it is a relatively slow way of getting from one place to another. However, at the same time, it is quite efficient and it is possible to row for long periods without using up too much energy. Think Hare and Tortoise…
The other reason for choosing this kind of boat is that the Waikato is quite fast flowing and has many currents and eddies, which means we need a craft that will remain stable in such conditions.
The camping skiff was designed so that a canvas awning, supported by wire hoops, could be put up over the entire boat, making a kind of floating tent. We don’t intend to sleep on the boat, nice though it might have been, but will probably take a tent and camp out on the river bank. It would be great to be completely self sufficient for the trip, but we are going to need some help in the form of a vehicle and trailer to circumvent the various dams anyway, so we might get some other comforts, like the odd B&B, on the way.
" Do you know, I've never been in a boat before in all my life"
" What?" cried the Rat, open-mouthed: " Never been in a - you never - well, I - what have you been doing, then?"
" Is it so nice is all that?" asked the Mole shyly, though he was quite prepared to believe it as he leaned back in his seat and surveyed the cushions, the oars, the rowlocks, and all the fascinating fittings, and felt the boat sway lightly under him.
" Nice? It's the only thing," said the Water Rat solemnly, as he leaned forward for his stroke. " Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats..." 
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