The group restoring a 107-year-old ferry which once carried passengers on Otago Harbour has completed work on the vessel's hull and is now fundraising to complete the boat's superstructure.
Project manager Shem Sutherland, of Portobello, said the Otago Harbour Ferry Incorporated group recently finished work dressing and priming the Elsie Evans' 12.8m kauri hull.
It was now seeking funding from community boards, the Dunedin City Council and trusts.
The group spent a year finalising plans for the boat's superstructure, and decided on a 1907 wheelhouse design developed in conjunction with Duffil Watts consultants.
The group now needs about $81,000 more to complete the $200,000-plus restoration.
"But it could be double that. It's like a bus on the water, and could connect with wildlife and heritage in and around the area.
We see it as a working boat and it would be a waste if the vessel [was] tied up all [the] time."
It could be used for school groups visiting the aquarium or ecosanctuary, by local businesses or to quickly take cruise ship passengers to attractions.
It could be used as a ferry and could sail in water just 1.5m deep.
In addition to applying for community funding in coming months the group would consider pre-selling harbour excursion tickets, Mr Sutherland said.
Work on the superstructure could start early next year and the boat could be finished by September if funding was found.
A 75hp marine engine would be installed in January.
The Otago Harbour Ferry group, which was incorporated in 2004, raises about $3000 each year operating a merry-go-round.
The vessel is the oldest surviving pilot boat in New Zealand, and was the last harbour ferry in operation until 1954.
It left the water in 1962.
It was built in 1901 for the Timaru harbour board to transfer pilots to incoming vessels.
