Recently a Rayglass client called Tim Tsoumas, head of our Premium Restoration Department, saying his 18 and 20 year-old sons were losing interest in going out on his Rayglass Legend 2200.
The vessel in question was a beautiful Rayglass 2200 called Kōtare—the Maori name for Kingfisher and the name of the owner’s bach. Initially the idea was to tidy her up for sale, but Tim and the boat owner kept chatting, one thing led to another and they came up with a much better plan.
From a tidy up to a transformation
Kōtare had excellent bones (as all Rayglasses do), but needed a few additions to get her ready to chase big game fish. So Tim and the boat owner decided selling wasn’t the right tactic – the best way forward was to set her up for game fishing. This would get the owner’s sons excited about fishing again, and ensure the boat got more use.
So the boys chatted about what the boat needed, made a list, and Tim prepared an estimate without seeing the boat in person:
“Next thing I’m driving down to Whangamata, picking up the boat from their bach and having a good look at her in the factory.”
When Tim got his hands on the boat he made a detailed plan and estimate. The owner flew to Auckland, went over the estimate, had a chat, then Tim and the Rayglass Premium Restoration team got stuck into the job.
Turning Kōtare into the ultimate game fishing vessel
Tim says there was a long to-do list to transform Kōtare into a game fishing boat, and as always he was excited to get stuck in:
“We noticed this and noticed that, and it ended up being a bit of a rebuild. And I’ll tell you what, the end result looks awesome.”
Kōtare ended up with a cut and polish, new graphics set in sliver, a bow protection plate, live bait tank install, a new winch motor, and underwater lights. There’s also new U-Dek flooring throughout, and some awesome game fishing gear, including a carbon shotgun pole, and 4.6m Killwell outriggers.
The upgrades had her looking like a brand new boat, but the team weren’t finished yet, adding an impressive electronics upgrade. That included a Simrad NSS16 EVO3S combo multi-function display, and a Verado autopilot kit—perfect when trawling for big game. Last but not least, the stereo got a big upgrade, including a MS-RA670 Fusion True Marine Media Player, plus a range of 6.5” and 7.5” speakers.
“The boys are fizzing”
When we talked to Tim about the Kōtare project he was almost finished—a couple weeks prior the owner came for the last visit and had a chat:
“He asked a few questions, had a few ideas, and we had a good chinwag—said his boys are fizzing to see the boat and get out on the water.”
Now it’s Tim’s job to finish the boat in the next few days, get it in the water for a test, then organise transport to Whangamata. He says this is the best part of the job:
“The boat will be all locked up in his garage looking great. I get to call and tell him the news and he and his boys will get to come home to a brand new boat. His sons and him will have a boat ready for game fishing. How cool is that?”
“That’s the good thing about these big restorations. They’re not just an oil change or a cut and polish. You build a relationship—they’re a story in themselves.”
— Taryn Taylor, Rayglass Boats
