His bleary eyes are a result of his studying navigational charts in the dim light below deck. He built his magnificent gaffrigged auxiliary sailing ketch about 10 years ago, but he ran out of money for his dream voyage. In the meantime any visitor looking for soft adventure benefits from Manuska being marooned on a very large lake located in Fiordland's World Heritage Park. Sinbad Cruises, as skipper Murray calls his set up, offers a variety of options for the would-be sailor. Overnight cruises promise the rare opportunity to see Lake Te Anau under moonlight, and to spend an evening around a campfire on a remote beach.
Sailors can bring their own food and sleeping bags, or everything can be provided.
Manuska is also kept busy providing transport to Fiordland's famous walking tracks. The 11-metre ketch is a Colin Archer copy. Archer was a well-known Scotsman who lived in Norway at the turn of the century. The boat is sharp at both ends, and has a full length keel. Archer designs are known for being good sea boats.