Harry Nordberg can only stand and admire his handiwork, a classic speedboat that's been more than 18 months in the making and that's about to make its first official public voyage.
Mr Nordberg, who owns Calibro Marine in Whanganui, has finally finished building the 9m long speedboat, a 1924 replica popular with gangsters running illicit booze during the Prohibition era in the US.
But this new vessel - affectionately called a Baby Bootlegger - has been built for a Wellington businessman and will be used for much law-abiding pastimes.
It will make its first public appearance at the NZ Antique and Classic Boat Show being held at Lake Rotoiti near Nelson on the weekend of March 5-6.
Mr Nordberg cannot say exactly how much the hand-built, all-wooden boat cost but admits it runs into six figures.