Trevor Blackstock Putting Skippa V1 through her paces. Photo Courtesy of The Captain Magazine
Looking at Skippa 1.0, Alvey’s prototype skiff, one cannot help but speculate about the line connecting an iconic Australian reel manufacturer to what looks like an enormous surfboard with a motor.
Like most angling tales, the story involves the pursuit of an ever more elusive prize and the sand grain of obsession creating a pearl of innovation.
It begins innocuously enough with a phone call. Gowings MD John Gowing got a hold of Trevor Blackstock, purveyor of a particular type of imported skiff. Trevor was unfortunately out of stock, but John is persuasive, and persistent. After some light cajoling, Trevor agreed to source, secure and deliver what he was looking for.
That could have been the end of it, but unbeknownst to Trevor, John had bigger plans, and he seemed like just the man who should be roped into them.
As a lifelong angler in all kinds of conditions, John knew well that specialised gear means the difference between going home with the spoils or empty handed. He was looking for just this sort of craft; a vessel to explore the shallow nooks and crags of the shoreline comfortably, stable enough to bring along a compatriot, and adept at getting into the perfect spot, no matter how cramped it may be. Something as fun to drive as it was to fish from. Trevor’s skiffs excelled in some of the qualities and was a bit short in others. But John saw the potential, and was confident that if the craft which met his needs didn’t exist, others probably sought the same thing.
John sold Trevor on his idea, and the project went from concept to reality.
THE FIRST PROTOTYPE
The next phase involved a prototype built by Gray’s Marine and Welding, after John visited their workshop and admired the work they were doing with aluminium. The outcome is a lively little vessel with plenty of room for a soloist and enough space to comfortably accommodate a pair. It looks different from anything else out there, which is usually a good sign, if you’re building something new.
The deck has more in common with a stand up paddleboard than a fishing vessel, allowing for maximum use of the space and made viable by the hull shape’s extraordinary level of stability. Every square inch is traversable at anchor.
A shallow draft and lightweight aluminium construction offers the opportunity to explore virtually any waterway and the chance to get up close (but not too close) and personal with the shoreline.
On the move she feels responsive and lively. At rest, it feels more like a jetty underfoot than a boat. Most importantly, it adds to the joy of fishing, which is the main point.
The Captain magazine caught wind of the project and participated in the maiden voyage, declaring it the most fun they’ve had driving a boat this year.
IT’S EARLY DAYS
Charles Alvey began designing reels when he believed he could build a better product than the company employing him.
His willingness to experiment lead to Alvey’s patented side-cast mechanism and a reel simpler and more powerful than any alternative using the accepted approach at the time. Attention to quality and willingness to experiment built the brand.
Innovation is in the DNA.
Alvey’s Skippa 1.0 prototype is a successful proof of concept, and marks the first milestone, but there’s plenty left to do. Lessons learned have converted into new ideas about design, shape, size and construction, with Skippa 2.0 and 3.0 completed and in testing.
First Test of the Alvey Skippa V2 with Alvey employee Byron Gowing.
Skippa V3 about to undergo preliminary trials with Alvey owner John Gowing.
John has recruited more pioneers and dreamers to the vision and the future looks agile and fun!
It’s too soon to pull back the curtain any further, but when they’re ready for the spotlight you’ll be the first to know.