Fin Chaser’s stand sits in the middle of the First Pavilion at the Hutchwilco Boat Show, and it has enough boats to occupy serious time. The Hamilton builder has brought the full range, from the 385T entry-level tinny to an 8-metre amphibious with a Mercury V10 on the transom.
The 385T is the entry point, a straightforward fishing tinny. The 465 comes in R and CC configurations, the R a forward steer, the CC with the driving position centre-boat, which frees the full perimeter for fishing. The 535CC follows the same principle. The 560CC has a seat behind the centre console, doors on the storage compartments, and a gas connection built into the top of the console. Details that reflect how the boat actually gets used on the water.
The 600HT has a forward console, a fishing platform at the stern, and enough foredeck for anchor work or a bow fishing position. The 430SS is a compact open boat with the console mounted to the side, leaving the rest of the cockpit clear for fishing. All aluminium. All made in Hamilton.
The amphibious range is the other headline. The 600HTA brings the ANURA amphibious system to a six-metre hull. The 700HTA runs to seven metres, with a full electronics suite. Nine units have now gone to Australia. The eight-metre amphibious on the stand carries a Mercury 425 V10 on the transom. Fin Chaser measures that 8 metres on the hull, not from the tip of the motor to the bow. In a market where the tape measure can be flexible, it is a distinction worth knowing.
The 800HTWA is the boat people stop at. Hard Top Walk-Around, not amphibious, which is easy to mix up with the 8-metre amphibious sitting nearby. It made its public debut at the Auckland On Water Boat Show two months ago, was on the cover of Boating New Zealand, and is still the only one built.
A visit to the Fin Chaser factory in Hamilton before the show gave a close look at the finished product. The fit and detail require a second look to confirm it is aluminium. At this level of finish, the material almost becomes a secondary conversation.
The walk-around configuration gives real usable space at the bow, for fishing, for passenger transfers at the wharf, for anchor handling. The hardtop overhang deflects water forward, keeping the cockpit drier at speed. It looks good and it works.
Fin Chaser has also built a new 560 centre console for Suzuki’s Lateral Line stand across the hall, a collaboration that was not fully finished when the show opened but is on display regardless.
Tim and the team would be satisfied selling a couple of 800HTWAs a year. It is not a volume boat, and it was never meant to be.
