Figure 1.--A Scout Standard under oars at District regatta mid 90s

I believe New Zealand is unique in that we all use the same standard boat, known as a 'Scout Standard' but usually referred to as a 'Scout Cutter'. The boat was designed in 1944 and is based on the British Navies 16 foot skiff. These can be sailed by between 3 and 7 persons or, with the mast and rigging removed, rowed by six oarsmen and a coxswain. The vessels were originally made of wood but are now commonly made of fibre glass. They are 17.5 feet long and when in sailing have a single mast with Bermudan rig.