One of Westhaven’s most experienced boat agents – Windcraft general manager Dominic Lowe – has switched roles and has established a new dealership based at Gulf Harbour, north of Auckland.
The new company – Ocean Time Ltd – “will allow me to concentrate more fully on my core skills,” says Lowe. “Promoting boats to their full potential – and making sure I succeed in matching the right boat to the right owner.”
He stresses that the move is not a separation and that he retains a solid relationship with Windcraft. “I am still responsible for handling sales for the company’s core brands – Moody, Dehler, Hanse, Axopar and Sealine. And I will still be heavily involved in events such as Hanse get-togethers, the Auckland On the Water Boat Show as well as the popular owner rallies.
“But Ocean Time allows me to focus exclusively on sales and promotion. We deal with products of a high value and I need to ensure that they’re always represented to the highest standard – whether new or pre-owned – giving individual boats and clients the attention they deserve.”
Windcraft’s Westhaven office will still be used for sales, and remains the service centre with Iain Bishop heading the service team.
Lowe says Ocean Time will also feature high-quality, pre-owned power boats, yachts and trailerable/drystack boats.
“I’d rather have a smaller portfolio of quality vessels than a large portfolio of average vessels. I believe I can do a better job of presenting such boats to their best potential.”
Having been in boat sales business for more than 20 years, he adds, has taught him that reputation and word of mouth referral is key.
“I like to think of Ocean Time as a ‘family-oriented’ brokerage – because, let’s face it, an investment in a yacht or launch is a family decision. It needs to involve the entire family. I like facilitating that decision-making process.”
