Rogers Boatshop has been a North Shore boating institution for 50 years.
When asked the key to success for a smaller business in the marine industry, Rogers Boatshop Managing Director Nigel Arkell quickly replied: “Do what you say you are going to do.”
It’s a philosophy he and his staff take to heart in their everyday dealing with clients – it is all about people on both sides of the counter, says Nigel.
“As a modest-sized, one-outlet business we need to deliver to the best of our collective abilities. It is nothing cleverer than that – it makes Rogers Boatshop what it is today. A boating background and a passion for being on the water is something we share with our customers. It is what keeps them coming back.”
In June 1973 the late Roger Arkell opened his first yard in Library Lane, Albany. Roger’s introduction to the marine industry came via the building trade, in New Zealand and then in Australia, where he met his wife Robyn, who for many years kept the books for Rogers Boatshop.
Roger returned home to work as Sales Manager for Sam Parker, who manufactured alloy roller doors and rubbish bins. Roger suggested they build alloy boats and that was how Parkercraft was born.
At the peak of production 1,800 Parkercrafts were sold a year, each individually tank-tested to ensure there were no leaks.
When Roger left Parkercraft he was encouraged by Mercury Marine distributor David Reynolds to set up the first of the what would become three Rogers Boatshop yards. His catch cry for the Albany yard was “We are just 12 minutes north of the Harbour Bridge”. Traffic was much lighter back then!
Roger had salt in his veins. A competitive dinghy sailor who represented New Zealand in the 1960s, he also got involved in powerboat racing. He was one of the organisers of the ‘Atlantic 100’, a popular rally where economy, nominated speed and efficiency were just as important as top speed. Roger also participated – his boats were always named Jolly Roger, the biggest a 24ft Vindex.
Rogers Boatshop’s original outboard brand was Chrysler, which joined Marlborough Boats, Savage Electra, Parkercraft and PMC dinghies on the yard in the early days.
In 1980, Albany was granted Saturday trading. By this time Sea Nymph, Bonito and Steadecraft boats had been added to the line-up, along with Hoskings trailers, built on-site. Rogers Boatshop still uses Hosking Trailers. Also in 1980, Roger opened a yard in Browns Bay, selling Mercury outboards alongside Fyran and Steadecraft boats.
A Takapuna branch was established a year later.
Over the years Rogers Boatshop added Sea Nymph (1973), Buccaneer (1976), Fyran (1980), Steadecraft (1983), Bonito (1989), the Australian pressed alloy Stacer (1991) and New Zealand’s Extreme (2008) to its boat portfolio. Oddities included the RBS 20, a Haines Hunter V198 hull built under license with wooden decks and topsides, and the RBS Skipjack 13’ 6”, both sold in the early 1980s.
With Buccaneer Boats, Rogers Boatshop was soon leading the sales charge – it still carries the Buccaneer range today, along with top-selling Extreme aluminium boats.
The Atlantic 100 alerted Roger to the fuel economy benefits of Japanese outboard motors, resulting in Yamaha outboards becoming one of Rogers Boatshop’s key brands in 1983. It remains so today.
Eldest son Nigel dabbled in dinghy sailing as a schoolboy and was part of the RNZYS junior programme. He helped out at his first Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show in 1984 and started full-time work with Rogers Boatshop at the 1988 show. He remembers selling his first-ever $100,000 rig in 1991 – a Buccaneer 720 to a customer from Taranaki.
PWCs hit the New Zealand market in 1987 and Nigel, who admits he enjoyed stand-up skis in the surf more than conventional PWC, still sold plenty of Yamaha Waverunners, a top-selling brand.
Nigel took over the Albany yard in 2000. In the meantime, Roger had taken on the French Beneteau Boats agency, winning awards with it. By then already winding down his involvement in the day-to-day running of the company, he was inducted into the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show’s Hall of Fame in 2005, where his contribution to the marine industry was recognised by his peers.
Roger passed away in December 2010, aged 66.
With real estate lease costs becoming prohibitive, Nigel said it made sense to consolidate the business under the one roof in Albany.
“By concentrating on our key brands and going back to our roots, it was easier to maintain the core service values our clients had come to expect and enjoy.”
As to the future? Nigel is quietly confident the marine industry will weather the forecast financial storm. “Kiwis are ardent about their boating and fishing, and there will always be a place for quality boats, motors and electronics regardless of the economic climate – Rogers Boatshop will be there to provide for those passions.”
Tribute to staff
Rogers Boatshop started off as a family business 50 years ago and remains so today.
“This is not just about the Arkell family, but our staff, many of whom racked up two decades or so as part of the operation,” says Nigel.
On the sales team, John Pounder is still selling boats at 70 years of age, having joined the business in 2006. Alistair Arkell has been on the sales team ‘on and off’ for 22 years. Similarly, Reece Bramley started in the service workshop department with Roger and now Nigel, spanning 22 years. Outboard technician Cameron McCorkindale kicked off his association with the company in 1991 and has also been there for a total of 22 years ‘on and off’ and Julene Schmetza has been the office administrator for many years.
More recent appointments include service apprentice Zack Swift (18 months), yard manager Dave Geddes (12 months) along with the most recent, Will Coleman, assisting with yard duties.
Rogers Boatshop, 243 Dairy Flat Highway, Albany. 09 415 9456. www.rogersboatshop.co.nz
