The Ramco 1700 Hardtop
The problem with getting good at what you do and being at the top of the tree is that there is the tendency to sit on your laurels. Around the time of the change of ownership at Ramco several years ago, and in the ensuing period, that would have been a fair charge to level. Continuing the theme, the problem with (most) trailerable mono alloy boats in this country is that they are built to the lowest price and often designed to maximise the use of material. To a fair extent, we, as customers, are responsible for that, as people hunt to save $100.
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The Seaforce 645 Hardtop
I have to put my hand up here and acknowledge a small conflict of interest. We have been involved with Ric Lawrence and his team at Seaforce for a number of years now. The Seaforce 600 we ran as a magazine boat was successful in twice winning ‘Best of Show’ in its category at the Auckland Boat Show. It was a successful project, there is another in the pipeline, and our relationship is likely to continue for many years to come. Yet that doesn’t change the rules when it comes to fair and honest boat test reporting; you only have one shot at a reputation.
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Three Allenco Boats
The fact is though, Harvey is about to rack up a quarter century in the alloy boatbuilding game in New Zealand. That makes him one of the most experienced operators around. He is also one of the most unassuming guys I have ever met. It is always a pleasure to call in to visit him at his Matamata workshop.
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The Rayglass 2500
The Americas Cup was touted as the panacea for the New Zealand marine industry. Businesses connected directly with the events did well in the main and the Auckland waterfront has never looked better. But through all the comings and goings, the wins and the losses, one clever business used the event as a springboard to international success.
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The Te Awamutu Boatshed 635c
It’s amazing how many interesting people and businesses there are hidden out of sight and just below the radar. Nigel Langdale has one of those businesses. You probably haven’t heard of The Te Awamutu Boat Shed, yet if you’ve purchased certain models from Marco Boats or Sportscraft Boats recently it’s quite possible that Nigel has built it. He is what I guess you would call an OEM builder. When time and his customers allow, he builds great custom hulls of his own.
