Thirty-eight classic boats, from as far afield as Kurow, and up to 1000 people turned out in perfect weather for Fiordland's Classic Boat Festival on Lake Te Anau at the weekend (23-25 May).

Classic boats line Te Anau's foreshore for the Fiordland Classic Boat Festival. Photo: Supplied

A Picton couple's classic vessel would have made it thirty-nine, but unfortunately their trip had to be cut short after a campervan sideswiped their stationary vehicle and trailer.

Organiser Adam Butcher, who led a waterborne parade on Lake Te Anau in his 90-year-old motor ketch - Faith - said watching all the other boats streaming out behind him had been a real highlight.

Members of the public also lined the streets to watch as twenty-two boats took part in the festival's land-based parade around town.

Butcher said the festival's show and shine had included three people who had turned up with their boats after being messaged by friends saying "you've got an amazing boat, you have got to be down there."

A real crowd favourite had been watching the Fiordland Marine Search and Rescue team, including a helicopter from Southern Lakes Helicopters, perform a simulated rescue involving 5 water swimmers, an airbridge and scoop, Butcher said.

Other highlights included the Seagull racing, where contestants had to run down the beach before attempting to start their Seagull motors.

"Every time you pull the cord, it pulls all the way out, so you've got to rewind it and pull again."

"The spectator value for that one was right up there," Butcher said.

A cardboard boat race produced a collection of masterpieces, including a pirate ship - complete with pirates and threatening water pistols.

However it was the Fiordland Kindergarten in their local creation "the Wanganella" - named after the ocean liner that acted as a hostel for Manapouri Power Station construction workers - that was first to successfully row to the anchored Faith nine times (each time for every decade of the classic boat's age) before getting their now disintegrating boat completely over the finish line.

The festival's Big Dig had also proved popular with around 60 children taking part.

Butcher said everyone had been thrilled, loved the weekend, and would love to do it again.

While no decision had yet been made regarding a future festival, Butcher said they were keen to form a group of classic wooden boats that could do boat runs from time to time.

Donations taken during the weekend went to the Fiordland Marine Search and Rescue. CLICK HERE to learn more.