The new PBO project boat is on it's way!

The new PBO project boat is en route to England from Australia – in pieces of plywood, timber and epoxy.

Following the restoration of a Snapdragon 23 wreck into a smart cruiser, PBO editor David Pugh and deputy editor Ben Meakins are challenging themselves to build a boat from a kit.

This morning, the Scruffie Marine team in Queensland shared this photo of the Secret 20, packed up and ready to begin its journey of some 11,500 nautical miles.

A spokesman for Scruffie Marine said: ‘A Practical Project on its way!

‘The journey begins for the Secret 20 kit – she’s packed and perfect and ready for the team at Practical Boat Owner – she’s down at the docks, awaiting her passage to England.

‘Here she is leaving the yard – Derek’s offsider Lee was in charge of straps and knots!’

Secret PBO kit. Credit: www.scruffie.com

Secret PBO kit leaves Scruffie Marine in Australia en route for England. Credit: www.scruffie.com

Ben said: ‘Ever since I did some research for a feature on kit boats back in 2009, one boat had stayed in my mind as something I’d like to have a crack at one day.

‘That was the Secret 20 (pictured below), a sweet-looking modern gaff-rigged cutter with a surprising turn of speed. Her designer describes her as halfway between a Sydney Harbour skiff and an Essex smack!

‘She has a large cockpit, a simple cabin, a clever outboard well, and the kit itself is intriguing, the frame slotting together to form a lightweight, rigid structure with minimal fuss.’