The May issue of Boating New Zealand is something of a celebration of New Zealand-built boats.
That’s more by happy chance than design, but it’s gratifying to be able to review three such vessels in one issue, as well as showcasing the world’s best sea anchor (made in Motueka) and up-and-coming aluminium boat manufacturer Innovision Boats. New Zealand builds some of the best aluminium trailer boats in the world, Innovision’s among them.
First up, the Artnautica 60 built by Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders is a technical triumph in carbon fibre – a lesson in what New Zealand’s marine industry does better than perhaps any other. A one-off, custom design from Dennis Harjamaa, it is a fine example of what’s possible when you have the right skills and technical know-how.
Our second review, a Wright 52 powercat built by K2 Marine, is less of a one-off. This Alan Wright design has been around for a while, but like many New Zealand-built boats, it can be customised to suit individual owners. Alan Wright is one of New Zealand’s most prolific designers with thousands of boats knocking around the oceans, seas and lakes of the world.
For our third review, we feature the first boat by a newcomer to the industry. The Aluka 823 Walkaround is a large, capable aluminium trailer boat. Blair Stapleton couldn’t find the boat he wanted, so he built one himself. With luck, this Aluka is the first of many, with a larger Adventurer model already on the drawing board.
Coincidentally, getting the boat he wanted was also what drove Simon Minoprio to found Innovision Boats. Now 10 years down the track, and with more than 50 trailer boats under their belts, the Innovision Boats team recently expanded manufacturing capacity to meet growing demand. We tell their story on page 34.
Boating, in all its facets, is a big deal in New Zealand. A study commissioned by NZ Marine last year showed 1.9 million New Zealanders take part in boating annually, with more than 1,540,000 boats on the water. It’s a $2.9 billion dollar industry with the fleet growing by an estimated 44,810 vessels per year.
This level of interest was reflected at the Auckland Boat Show in March, which was well attended and resulted in strong enquiry and sales for many exhibitors.
Among the larger vessels on show, both imported and New Zealand-built boats drew plenty of interest, including the Elite AT43. This production motor yacht is built by Allan Tongs Boatbuilders who reports their already healthy order book looks even better after the show. It’s great to see a New Zealand designed and built production motor yacht striking a chord with New Zealand boaties.
Show enquiries and sales were not restricted to larger vessels either, with trailer boat manufacturers like Tristram Marine reporting excellent results from the show, a sentiment echoed by exhibitors selling ancillary equipment and services.
In a few weeks’ time the second major boat show for 2023 will kick off at the Auckland Showgrounds. The iconic Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show – traditionally a showcase for trailer boat manufacturers and suppliers of boating gear, fishing tackle, electronics and more – looks set to be equally popular. Hopefully it will be just as successful.
Happy Boating
