Stagnation is the enemy of long-term business success, and those in the marine industry for a long time know that evolving to meet the ever-changing expectations and wishes of customers and the industry is essential.
Christchurch-based Huntsman Boats understands this perfectly and over the past 30-plus years has continued to evolve and grow. Back in 1992, the start-up boat-building business was just that – a boatbuilder – but today, under the leadership of owners Mike and Courtney Bamber, the company has evolved and diversified beyond producing just top-quality fibreglass boats.
In particular, boat restoration and renovation projects are becoming a more important part of the business, and when Boating New Zealand visited Huntsman, there were three boats in for significant restorations, while a fourth had just been returned to its owner.
In particular, a Sea Nymph Hustler is in the process of a complete restoration. Purchased brand-new from Christchurch Marine in 1987, it had spent its life at Anakiwa in the Marlborough Sounds, owned by a Boating New Zealand subscriber. Its new owner wants it returned to ‘as new’ condition for his family to enjoy.
Mike says with this boat, it was firstly important to ensure that it was actually worth the owner spending the money.
“So, we gave it a full initial overview; we checked the transom was sound, and so too the bearers and floor. Fortunately, everything was ok. The client wanted a new windscreen, graphics, gelcoat restoration, carpet, upholstery, and other bits to get it as close to new as possible within the specified budget. And that last part is important – we absolutely pride ourselves on a ‘no surprises’ policy for our customers.
“These restored boats can bring their owners immense pride and are often a great talking point. Fellow boaties are drawn to these old boats. If you’re at a boat ramp, you’ll see guys leaving their brand-new boats to wander over and have a look at the restored boats and have a chat with the owner.
“It’s great seeing something come in the door that’s looking a bit tired, give it a new lease on life, and then see it go back to a happy customer,” Mike says.
From the old to the new, Huntsman gives everything a go.
Another division of the company, Huntsman Fibreglass, undertakes commercial fibreglass work – anything from campervan roofs and liners to bus cowlings. Mike’s been heavily involved in motorsport for the past 20 years, and Huntsman also undertake motorsport fibreglass repair and build work. In fact, one of the hydroslides at the hot pools complex at Hanmer Springs is Huntsman’s handiwork.
“All this variety of work is great for the workplace, as it keeps the guys fresh and engaged,” Mike adds.
Nonetheless, boats are their key product, and Mike is passionate about the Huntsman brand.
“We’ve never boasted about building the most boats, but we’re super-focussed on being proud of every one that leaves the factory. And I make sure I undertake some of the construction work on every boat we produce.
“We want the boat that we build to become part of the buyer’s family, and we regularly get our customers calling in to the factory for a yarn or telling us about their latest trips. I love staying connected with our boat owners.”
Interestingly, while Boating New Zealand visited, a longtime Huntsman owner called in for one of those chats with Mike and his team.
Huntsman has a large and ever-growing fan base and is now very entrenched in the New Zealand boatbuilding community. After all, CSB Huntsman (CSB being an acronym for Canterbury Superior Boats) was started by Geoff Robinson and business partner a way back in 1992.
They began with Stingray ski boats and specialised fibreglass repairs, before expanding into popular early models such as the 525 Executive, 525 Sport, and La Plata. The 525 Executive and Sport laid the foundation for the high-performance hull designs they’ve developed over the years. Today, the range spans from 5 to 7.5m, offering something for every kind of boating enthusiast. Across the lineup, Huntsman boats are known for their handling, performance, and meticulous attention to design.
In the past year Huntsman has helped produce a new race-boat for Vortex Boats, based off an existing Phantom Boats mould. The first boat is built, currently being rigged in Wanaka, and will be raced in April.
“We highlighted this on social media, and immediately the phone started ringing for more orders,” Mike says with a laugh.
Mike started with the company as an apprentice trailer boat builder almost 25 years ago and worked his way up to become Huntsman’s production manager and, seven years ago, bought out Robinson’s business partner.
“And, three days before the COVID lockdown in 2020, Courtney and I bought out Geoff’s share. So, that was a very ‘interesting’ time to be a new business owner, but Geoff stuck around to support us, and that was hugely appreciated,” he recalls.
In the last few years, the company has removed the CSB acronym, and the boats are simply known as Huntsman. Mike currently employs nine staff in the factory, but as the economy shows green shoots of recovery and people again look to buy – or restore – a boat, he is looking to employ more staff.
The company is proud of its history but never prepared to sit on its laurels, and Mike says he’s particularly proud of their ability to challenge tradition and embrace innovation. These innovations include a sliding cabin door and a unique top-deck design on their larger, non-walkaround models. This makes it safer to access the foredeck in-built steps in the cabin bulkhead and dashboard. This also increases the internal space inside the cockpit and cabin.
Two years ago, Huntsman released an extended swim platform option for their 6.5m Centurion model, but they are also looking to adapt it to other models in the range. The swim platform effectively wraps around the boat’s engine. In his view, this innovation is a ‘game changer.’
“It transforms what you can do with your boat; it’s very safe and easy for children to swim off, and it’s an ideal fishing platform. Divers love it for ease of entry, and watersports enthusiasts find it so much easier to sit on the platform to fit water skis, wakeboards, or whatever else. Furthermore, we’ve noticed that the platform makes it so much easier for older boaties or their passengers to hop on and off the boat.”
Huntsman Boats is proud to be the first to offer this platform innovation. Mike’s also had several Huntsmans return to the factory from North Island owners to have the platform retrofitted.
Huntsman actively engages with existing and prospective owners through social media, diverse merchandise, and a brand ambassador.
“For the past two years one of our clients has been the Huntsman ‘Secret Santa’ – we load him up with some merchandise, and when he sees one of our boats out on the water in the Marlborough Sounds, he’ll stop them, give them some merch, and take a photo for our social media channels. And we did a similar thing last summer down at Lake Benmore. It seems you can’t go far without bumping into other Huntsman owners!”
It goes without saying Mike’s a mad keen boatie. Summer holidays for the Bamber family are generally spent on the lakes of Central Otago and they also regularly enjoy the waters around Banks Peninsula and the Marlborough Sounds. They’re also active jet-boaters – living close to the Waimakariri River means they can be on the water in just a few minutes.
The company has no intention of resting on its laurels, so boaties are likely to see some tweaks to the current range in the near future and, further down the line, perhaps another larger model. Mike also wants to further develop modular clip-on-type accessories, allowing people to further customise their Huntsmans. Likewise, he’s also continuing to investigate fresh ways to customise boats through graphics, upholstery and similar touches.
It’s clear the entire Huntsman team is proud of its 30-plus-year legacy and is confident in its future in New Zealand’s marine industry. BNZ
Contact
Huntsman Boats
phone: 03 389 0256
email: admin@csbhuntsmanboats.co.nz
HUNTSMAN BOATS
