Building boats, building memories: The rise of kitset craft
Auckland’s Form & Float is bringing back the classic Kiwi tradition of DIY boatbuilding. Their clever flat-pack kits make it easy for anyone to build a kayak, dinghy, or catamaran — no workshop or special tools needed. More than just a boat, it’s a hands-on experience that brings families and communities together.
For generations, New Zealanders built boats in garages, backyards and sheds – a proud tradition that has faded in recent decades. Now a Auckland-based company, Form & Float, is breathing new life into the DIY boatbuilding culture with a range of clever kitset designs.
A modern take on a classic Kiwi pastime
Founder Simon Justice, an experienced designer and lifelong boatie, saw a gap: plenty of people loved the idea of making their own boat but felt the cost, tools or know-how were out of reach. His solution was to create flat-pack plywood kits, CNC-cut for accuracy and supplied with clear instructions, so even first-timers could take on a build with confidence.
From kayaks to catamarans
Form & Float’s growing range covers three styles:
- A classic kayak, built using a traditional skin-on-frame method with canvas stretched over timber ribs.
- A practical dinghy, simple to assemble, light to launch, and ideal for fishing or exploring sheltered bays. Two models available, the popular 2.4m and a new 3.1m dinghy.
- Twin-hulled catamarans in two sizes (3.1m and 3.6m), offering surprising stability and space – with the smaller version capable of carrying three people and running well on a modest outboard.
Each design is shipped flat-packed and ready to go, using marine-grade plywood and straightforward epoxy-and-screw construction.
More than just a boat
The real magic lies in the process. Customers aren’t just buying a vessel – they’re creating an experience. Families have built them together, grandparents have introduced grandchildren to hands-on craft, and community groups have used the projects for fundraising and skill-building.
A smaller catamaran can be completed in around 40 hours, meaning a week’s worth of steady effort could have you pushing off the beach in a boat you built yourself.
Personal touches
While the kits provide the structure, the finishing is left to the builder. Owners can paint, add deck coverings, fit out hardware, and leave their personal stamp on the craft. That freedom ensures no two boats are quite the same – each carries the personality and pride of its maker.
Reviving a Kiwi tradition
In an age of mass production, Form & Float is proving there’s still huge satisfaction in shaping something with your own hands. Their boats aren’t just a way to get on the water – they’re a chance to reconnect with tradition, pass on skills, and make memories that last long after the first launch.
