Designer, boatbuilder, innovator, writer, sailor, committed environmentalist Derek Ellard heads the Scruffie Marine team. Constantly looking ahead and the first to develop comprehensive kit boats for the Australian market, he designs fast, weatherly and much admired boats for the single-handed sailor, the family sailor, the commercial operator.

Annette Hollis joined Scruffie Marine in 1995. A talented multi skilled designer in her own right, she runs the office, arranges shipping, handles customer liaison, designs and produces promotional material.

Scruffie Marine was founded by Derek in 1991 when the first kit boat, the Scruffie 16 was developed. With boats in seven countries, the boatyard on Tamborine Mountain in South East Queensland, Australia has produced close to 300 timber kits and finished boats. Currently a range of GRP (fibreglass) boats is being developed which will complement the very successful timber range. The first of the new range, the Sienna 19, will be available in early 2010.