For Peter Fussell, owning his Rockboat Marine Sport 330 has taken boat-envy the full circle.

A few years back, the keen fisherman was in Kaiterteri when he got chatting to the owner of a Rockboat Marine Sport 390 which had caught his eye. Peter was already considering buying an inflatable and had been searching online. He says he thought the Rockboat Marine boats had looked to be “good quality and value for money” with the added advantage, for the Cantabrian, of being locally-based. But it was that chance meeting at the Kaiteriteri camp that “really sealed the deal.” “We had a long, serious talk and the owner gave me a good, honest appraisal.”

Two summers later and this time it was Peter who was the source of envy. With passers-by stopping to admire his new boat and impressive set-up.

Like many Kiwis, Peter says his interest in boats goes back to when he had a young family. Keen to expand on the family’s enjoyment of the outdoors, especially camping, he bought a powerboat for fishing and water skiing. “We spent a lot of time in the Marlborough Sounds, Akaroa, and Lyttleton Harbour.”

When his family left home, however, Peter says the boat sat in the shed for a couple of seasons. And, with retirement not too far away for Peter and wife Sharon, they were keen to continue boating but needed something which would better suit their new lifestyle. Having a camper trailer to tow, the couple wanted a boat they could put in the back of their ute. Peter says their 3.3 craft “fits perfectly.”

They’re also appreciating the freedom of being able to launch the boat without a boat ramp and looking forward to doing more freshwater fishing as well.  “Sharon’s taken the lead on that” Peter says.

“We’re starting to get into canal fishing and fishing the Waitaki lakes. We fell in love with Twizel when we stayed at a camping ground there recently. Up until then, we’d just driven through.”

 Peter says their ideal day on the water would be nice weather, out fishing, whether they catch anything or not. “If you get a feed, it’s a bonus in my mind.”