Brendon Macdonald took seven mates for a spin along Orewa Beach yesterday. Picture / Martin Sykes
An invention dreamed up over a couple of beers - and built over a few more - has been turning the heads of beachgoers and attracting police attention this summer.
The motorised picnic table is the creation of friends Ross Steiner and Brendon Macdonald.
The table seats eight people and
is powered by a 400cc Honda motorcycle motor which Mr Macdonald said could easily get the table clipping along at 100km/h.
The gears are located on a foot rail and the handle bars sit under the table-top - requiring a bit of steering skill as the driver sits facing forward as the table moves sideways. The wheels are similar to those on a ride-on lawn mower.
"You've got a blind spot over one shoulder so you use a mate on the other side to watch your back," said Mr Macdonald, a fitter and welder who works in factory maintenance.
Police were called to Orewa last Friday to reports of the motorised picnic table doing "wheelstands" in a local reserve.
"This is probably a first," said Inspector Les Paterson.
Mr Macdonald, who also brought the world the motorised bar stool, said some friends were doing a few skids on the reserve and police were called.
"They were cool about it and said 'don't be stupid and have a good time'."
Mr Macdonald built the table about two years ago but only recently got it going with a new motor. It made its beach debut this summer.
"We figured take it to the beach and park in the sun or out of the sun, whatever you like. You're on it and can move around. You've got your own table and can do what you like.
"We took it down to the beach two nights in a row, just cruising, and people were waving and saying hello. We stopped and took one family for a ride on it and they were over the moon."
Mr Macdonald said if there was any public interest, he might patent the invention and turn out a few more.
