The Tattoo Design
The tattoo is a Polynesian design for young people at the beginning of their adolescence. Each design depended on age, sex, social rank, and personality. The tattoo painted on the boat is the replica of the leg tattoo of a famous Polynesian named Roonui. Roonui is one only a few Polynesian men to be wholly tattooed. The design of the tattoo came from the pure Polynesian tattoo tradition. The Indies Trader was painted in that way to show deep respect to the Oceanic peoples. This reflects a deep respect for the Oceans that flow through them.

The Painting by Peter Webb
The Indies Trader was stripped to be refitted and painted in Cairns from February 23 to March 15. We contacted a guy named Wade Lewis who worked at Artrite, a small studio full of crazy "extreme sports" types. Wade was an art dog, a sign writer and a graphic designer, who had also worked in the surf board industry. He knew what we wanted from the idea that we roughed up before leaving and worked it into a manageable design that could be applied to the boat's hull. After ten days of hard work the results were awesome, Wade and Vincent were invaluable.