SPOILT FOR CHOICE
In part one of a series on trailer boats (including amphibious models) available in New Zealand, we will be looking at what Kiwis can buy from both local and imported brands in fibreglass, aluminium, RIB and plastic.
PART ONE: KIWI FIBREGLASS
There are around 100 different models of production fibreglass boats built in New Zealand, offered by 16 Kiwi manufacturers, ranging from 4.3m to 9.25m. These comprise open runabouts, hardtops, cabin and cuddy cabins, centre consoles and ski boats. Regarding models, Buccaneer Boats has the most extensive offerings, with 19 (including their Billfisher series). Haines Hunter, Fi Glass, Huntsman, Tristram and Smuggler all list around 8-11 models. Many brands, such as Rayglass, Rae Line, Seaforce and Challenger, offer 4-6 models, and others, such as Admiral, Elliott, and Saronic with only one or two.Â
Interestingly back 50 years, when the New Zealand trailer boat market was still finding its way, there was around the same number of fibreglass boats offered by 30 builders.
Of those 30 builders, just two, Fi Glass and Seacraft/Haines Hunter, are still actively building boats today. The biggest and most prestigious trailer boats in the early 1970s were the Clipper 24 and the Cresta Craft V26.
The Clipper 24 was the most expensive trailer boat on the market and came with a $20000 plus price tag for a boat, motor, and trailer package.
However, the biggest selling were cabin and cuddy cabins boats in the 5m to 6.0m range. A Fi Glass Viscount, considered one of the best boats of its size, would set you back just under $5000 for the deluxe model, and Fi Glass were building one a day. There were no hardtops, but a lot of open runabouts, ski boats, and aluminium was very much in its infancy.
According to recent NZ Marine stats, there is an estimated 212000 trailer boats in New Zealand, which is 14% of the 1.54 million boats in the country. For 2022 it is estimated that 650 fibreglass trailer boats were built by local manufacturers.
Six builders, Fi Glass, Rayglass, Tristram, Buccaneer, Haines Hunter and Huntsman, produce over 95% of them. We look at the Kiwi brands and what they are offering for 2023.
ADMIRAL
Admiral Boats have two vessels in the trailer boat market, their 10m Sports Cruiser and 9m Gamefisher. These are both significant boats and @ 3m wide and 5 Tonnes will need a significant tow vehicle, the likes of a 2500 Ram/Silverado or small truck. Both boats have customisable options throughout, from cabin and saloon layouts to cockpit set-ups and engine options.
BARCHETTA
Barchetta is not one of the better-known brands, but it has undoubtedly made an impact in its home town of Timaru.
Built by Fairview Fibreglass Ltd, better known for its Stealth 605 high-performance powercat, the Barchetta range of runabouts and cabin boats represents a new market approach. There are two model sizes, the 502 and the 552, with options of runabout or cabin.
BUCCANEER
Hamilton based Buccaneer Pleasure Boats have been around since the early 1980s and have built an impressive number of boats. They are one of the innovators in the local fibreglass boat building scene, with boats such as the Billfisher range and the El Dorado offering something different for the fishermen. The El Dorado is the only full walkaround centre cabin fibreglass boat built in New Zealand and has proven a popular boat since first released.
The 605 and the 635 Exess cabins have been extremely popular for many years. If you are looking for a more versatile open boat, then the Esprite XL dual console bowriders are a great option.
With an impressive 19 boat range, they offer boats from 4.53m to 7.71m in a runabout, bowrider, full and cuddy cabin and walkaround. All boats are built to CPC standards and are available through a nationwide dealer network
CHALLENGER
Challenger, another Waikato based manufacturer, offers a four boat lineup in hardtop and cabin. There are two cabin models, the 550 SE and 595SE and two hardtops, the stylish 650HT and the 720HT. They are unique as there are no strakes on the hulls. Established in 1994, Challenger has recently been reborn with many upgrades and changes from previous models.
ELLIOT
Traditional a name associated with sailing yachts, Elliot Marine offers one powerboat design, the EVO 660. Designed by Greg Elliot, the EVO660 boat features an efficient low drag hull form that keeps fuel consumption down. The unique central pod arrangement enables the EVO 660 to be more functional. An electric hardtop allows you to raise the roof whether you prefer to stand up to drive or want shelter from the weather. It can be lowered or raised in minutes with the press of a button.
FI GLASS
No trailer boat company is more established than Christchurch based Fi-Glass Boats. Fi-Glass Products Ltd was formed in 1958 to use new fibreglass technology in manufacturing washtubs and shower trays. However, with the expertise gained from these humble beginnings came the first Fi-Glass boat, the 3.5m Fisherman. Fi-Glass boats are recognised for being purely wholesome Kiwi boats with an accent on quality, practical layouts and excellent value. Under the leadership today of Griff Simpson, son of founder the late Frank Simpson, Fi-Glass is unquestionably one of the leading brands in the market. The volume of boats produced in 2022 was twice that of many of its competitors. It could be augured that Fi-Glass is the largest fibreglass boat builder by volume in Australasia today.
The range comprises everything from the centre console 4.75m Ski Angler through to the 6.40m Warrior cabin and hardtop. The Warrior and the smaller 5.80m Lightning are amongst the most popular boats of their size in the country. There is a rumour that a new flagship model is to be released soon. Fi-Glass has long used it’s original names and the boat that was bigger than the Warrior was always the Viscount. When Fi-Glass released the Viscount in 1972, the first fully moulded cabin boat in New Zealand, they set a new benchmark for trailer boats and it became a massive seller for the company…..there are still many loyal Viscount owners in New Zealand who enjoy boating in them still.
HAINES HUNTER
Haines Hunter have been building boats in New Zealand for over 75 years. That amounts to literally thousands of boats, with at least four generations of kiwis coming along for the ride. Over that time Haines have built many iconic models, from the V17, V198 to the SF535 and SP725.
More recently they launched two new models, the SF635 Sport Fisher, and SP635 Sport Pursuit. Designed and built from the ground up, they take Haines to a whole new level in comfort, and style.
Even as one of the most recognised brands in the country, Haines Hunter continues to innovate and excite, offering eleven models in either soft top or hard top, from 5.22m to 7.50m.
The company has a big market in the larger hardtops with the 725 range, the 635, and 660 hardtops. Whether it’s fishing, skiing, wake boarding or just chilling with the family, a Haines Hunter adapts to just about any family activity on water.
HUNTSMAN
Huntsman Boats was founded in 1992 and has been proudly New Zealand made ever since. Huntsman initially produced the legendary Stingray Ski boats and then moved to a range of family boats, including the 525 Executive, 525 Sport and La Plata. These boats proved to be extremely popular and Huntsman soon moved to full time production of fibreglass powerboats.Â
The 525 Executive and Sport models paved the way for other hull designs, such as the highly successful Dorado which is still an iconic boat in its class today. The eight boat lineup has now progressed to a full suite of boats, ranging in size from 5m to 7.5 m and catering to a wide range of boating enthusiasts.
Currently, the 6.5m Centurion is proving their biggest seller, in both hardtop and cabin. This same hull platform will be used in the future for a sterndrive option as well as different deck layouts.
PHANTOM
If you are in the market for a seriously competitive ski/race boat, look no further than the Phantom F2. Handmade in carbon fibre by Nic de Mey Yachts, the F2 is a favourite in the ski racing fraternity and has also found a following in offshore. A Phantom F2 will be competing in the 2023 NZ Offshore powerboat series. Power options vary from a single outboard (200hp-450hp) to a Mercury Racing 1350hp sterndrive.
A 200hp outboard is good for around 75 mph, and a 435hp will see speeds over 100 mph. The F2 is one of the few ski/race production boats built in New Zealand.
RAYGLASS
Since 1985, Rayglass Boats has been recognised as a leading manufacturer of high-quality, award-winning power boats. Their Legend range features four models, from the 6.7m, Legend 220 to the popular 8.80m Legend 2800. Currently, their biggest-selling model is the multi award winning Legend 2500. At 7.7m, this full hardtop is available in sterndrive or outboard and runs the same unsinkable hull design of all Rayglass built boats.
If you are seriously into fishing and want a big trailer boat, the 2800 is built for purpose. It is also available with multi outboard options or sterndrive power. The considerable cockpit makes this the go-to boat for many keen Kiwi fishermen.
RAE LINE
Rae Line was established in 1992 as a fibreglass and Gelcoat repair shop. Since its humble beginnings, Rae Line has set out to redefine American-style GRP sports boats for the New Zealand and Australian markets. Rae Line currently produces five models which are specifically designed and built for our unique boating style and waterways. Their extremely popular 18ft hull provides its owners with the best day out on the water. Being extremely manageable, versatile and customisable, all at an attractive price, it is not hard to see why this is one of the best 18ft boats. The Top of the range at present is the 205 OB which represents the best in premium bowriders that offers sharp, sleek lines, a class-leading beam and internal width, and an exceptionally well-performing hull.
SEAFORCE
A claim to fame for this Hamilton based brand is they produce the only ‘pontoon’ fibreglass boat in the country. In 2008 they released the 530 Mate which went on to win the Hellman International Innovation Award at the New Zealand Boat Show that year. In 2015 the Pontoon 530 Skipa was released and the company is currently developing a range of pontoon designs with a 7m due for release later this year.
The range from 4.3m to 7.25m includes a 4.3m runabout, two cabin boats and a centre console based on a 5.30m hull and 5.85m and soon to be released 7.25m cabins.
SMUGGLER
While Smuggler Marine has an enviable reputation for RIBS, especially amphibious RIBs, they have for a long time had a range of trailer boats, some of which previously went under the Bonito brand. Smuggler has seen a steady market for their smaller 570 in its three variants; bowrider, the multi-award winning Multisport and the Sting cabin.Â
When it comes to hardtops, Smuggler has two models to pick from in their Stealth Series, the Stealth 720 and the Stealth 695. The rough water ability and handling are unrivalled based on the ultra deep vee Smuggler hull, which is used for many larger Smuggler Strata tenders.
SARONIC
The Saronic SixFour is the only dedicated trailerable wake surf boat built in New Zealand and has attracted a cult following in a few years. Roughly based on the wake boats from the USA, Kiwi company Saronic Boats has successfully broken into this hugely specialised market with some success.
New Zealand designed and made, Saronic boats are purpose-built to the highest calibre to deliver the ultimate wakeboarding, surfing or skating experience. Powered by Indmar Raptor series inboard engines, the Saronic SixFour come complete with just about everything on the usual option list as part of the standard package. It is an official tow boat for Wake NZ.
STEALTH
Check out the Stealth range of powercats and monohulls if you want something different. The company have three models in their stable, the 650 Powercat, the only trailerable fibreglass powercat on the market, the 598 Stepped V and the 628 Mono.
All are designed by Scott Robson with performance in mind. They are used on the SI marathon racing circuit and by those with a penchant for skiing and towing water toys.Â
TRISTRAM
No one can deny that the Tristram range of powerboats can justify being labelled the Rolls Royce of boating. The style, the finish and the build quality are exceptional. What the Mason Clipper was to the trailer boat market in the 1970s, the Tristram is today. There are fifteen models in their prestigious line-up ranging from 6.0m to 9.25m LOA with single outboard, twin outboard and diesel sterndrive variants available, comprising of three Cabriolet bowriders, six Targa Top cabins and six Hardtops. Australasia’s current favourite in the Tristram range is the mighty 821 Offshore, boasting a 2.78m beam for serious bluewater experiences.
TRAILER BOAT BUILDERS PART 1. GRP - NEW ZEALAND
| BRAND | MODEL | LOA | LOH | BEAM | D/R | TYPE | CPC |
| ADMIRAL | Gamefisher | 9.0m | 8.80m | 2.95m | 20 deg | Hardtop | No |
| Â | Sport Cruiser | 10.0m | 9.00m | 3.00m | 12.5 deg | Hardtop | No |
| Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
| BARCHETTA | 502R | 5.00m | 5.20m | 2.20m | 25 deg | Runabout | No |
|  | 502C | 5.00m | 5.20m | 2.20m | 25 deg | Cabin | No |
|  | 552C | 5.50m | 5.60m | 2.20m | 25 deg | Cabin | No |
| Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
| BUCCANEER | 440 Esprite XL | 4.53m | 4.35m | 1.86m | 19 deg | Runabout | No |
| Â | 470 Esprite XL | 4.96m | 4.66m | 2.03m | 19 deg | Runabout | No |
| Â | 495 Classic XL | 5.19m | 4.84m | 2.15m | 21 deg | Cabin | Yes |
| Â | 550 Enforcer | 5.50m | 5.50m | 2.50m | 21 deg | RIB | Yes |
| Â | 530 Esprite XL | 5.60m | 5.21m | 2.14m | 21 deg | Runabout | Yes |
| Â | 530 Exess XL | 5.60m | 5.21m | 2.14m | 21 deg | Cabin | Yes |
| Â | 565 Esprite XL | 5.91m | 5.49m | 2.29m | 23 deg | Bowrider | Yes |
| Â | 565 Classic XL | 5.91m | 5.49m | 2.29m | 23 deg | Cabin | Yes |
| Â | 565 Billfisher | 5.91m | 5.49m | 2.29m | 23 deg | Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | 565 Exess XL | 5.91m | 5.49m | 2.29m | 23 deg | Cabin | Yes |
|  | 605 Exess XL | 6.46m | 6.05m | 2.29m | 22.5 deg | Cabin | Yes |
| Â | 650 Esprite XL | 6.76m | 6.35m | 2.42m | 21 deg | Bowrider | Yes |
| Â | 650 Billfisher | 6.76m | 6.35m | 2.42m | 21 deg | Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | 635 Exess XL | 6.76m | 6.35m | 2.42m | 21 deg | Cabin | Yes |
| Â | 635 Exess XL HT | 6.76m | 6.35m | 2.42m | 21 deg | Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | 685 Exess XL | 7.13m | 6.82m | 2.48m | 22.5 deg | Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | 685 El Dorado | 7.13m | 6.82m | 2.48m | 22.5 deg | Walkaround | Yes |
| Â | 735 Exess XL | 7.71m | 7.34m | 2.48m | 22.5 deg | Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | 735 Billfisher | 7.71m | 7.34m | 2.48m | 22.5 deg | Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | * Sportsman models also available on some sizes. | Â | Â | Â | |||
| Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
| CHALLENGER | 550 SE | 5.50m | NA | 2.15m | 18.5 deg | Cabin | No |
| Â | 595 SE | 5.96m | NA | 2.30m | 18.5 deg | Cabin | No |
| Â | 650 SE | 6.50m | NA | 2.38m | 18.5 deg | Cabin | No |
| Â | 650 HT | 6.50m | NA | 2.38m | 18.5 deg | Hardtop | No |
| Â | 720 HT | 7.20m | NA | 2.45m | 18.5 deg | Hardtop | No |
| Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
| ELLIOTT | EVO 660 | 6.60m | Â | 2.30m | Â | Centre Console | No |
| Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
| FI GLASS | Ski Angler | 4.75m | NA | 2.00m | 18 deg | Centre Console | Yes |
| Â | Fireball | 4.70m | NA | 2.00m | 18 deg | Runabout | Yes |
| Â | Dominator | 5.10m | NA | 2.04m | 18 deg | Cabin | Yes |
| Â | Firestar | 5.30m | NA | 2.10m | 21 deg | Cabin | Yes |
| Â | Senator | 5.30m | NA | 2.10m | 21 deg | Cuddy Cabin | Yes |
| Â | Cavalier | 5.40m | NA | 2.20m | 22 deg | Cabin | Yes |
| Â | Lightning | 5.60m | NA | 2.30m | 22 deg | Cabin | Yes |
|  | Warrior | 6.40m | NA | 2.30m | 22 deg | Cabin | Yes |
| Â | Warrior HT | 6.40m | NA | 2.30m | 22 deg | Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
| HAINES HUNTER | SF 485 Sport Fisher | 5.22m | 4.85m | 2.06m | 17 deg | Cabin | Yes |
| Â | SF 545 Sport Fisher | 5.95m | 5.45m | 2.24m | 21 deg | Cabin | Yes |
| Â | SF 545 Sport Fisher LE | 5.95m | 5.45m | 2.24m | 21 deg | Cabin | Yes |
| Â | SF/SP 635 Sport Fisher | 6.76m | 6.35m | 2.34m | 21 deg | Cabin/Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | SF/SS 660 Sport Fisher | 7.35m | 6.60m | 2.45m | 21 deg | Cabin/Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | SF/SS 725 Sport Fisher | 7.50m | 7.25m | 2.50m | 21 deg | Cabin/Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | SP 725 Sport Pursuit | 7.50m | 7.25m | 2.50m | 21 deg | Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | SE 725 Sport Euro | 7.50m | 7.25m | 2.50m | 21 deg | Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
| HUNTSMAN | La Plata | 5.00m | NA | 2.15m | 20 deg | Cabin | Yes |
|  | Dorado | 5.50m | NA | 2.15m | 20.5 deg | Cabin | Yes |
|  | Sotalia | 5.85m | NA | 2.35m | 21.5 deg | Cabin | Yes |
|  | Centurion | 6.50m | NA | 2.40m | 23 deg | Cabin/Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | Explorer | 7.00m | NA | 2.40m | 21 deg | Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | Crusader | 7.00m | NA | 2.40m | 21 deg | Cabin | Yes |
| Â | xcalibur | 7.50m | NA | 2.40m | 21 deg | Cabin | Yes |
| Â | SD7 | 7.50m | NA | 2.40m | 21 deg | Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
| PHANTOM | F2 | 6.30m | 6.10m | 2.20m | 21 deg | SkiRace boat | No |
| Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
| RAYGLASS | Legend 2200 | 6.70m | 6.50m | 2.45m | 23 deg | Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | Legend 2350 | 7.30m | 7.10m | 2.45m | 23 deg | Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | Legend 2500 | 7.70m | 7.50m | 2.45m | 23 deg | Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | Legend 2800 | 8.80m | 8.60m | 2.45m | 22 deg | Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
| RAE LINE | 180 BR | 5.49m | 5.49m | 2.29m | 19 deg | Bowrider | No |
| Â | 185 OB | 5.49m | 5.49m | 2.29m | Â 19 deg | Bowrider | No |
| Â | 186 CX | 5.70m | 5.70m | 2.30m | 19 deg | Cabin | No |
| Â | 186 OB | 5.70m | 5.70m | 2.30m | 19 deg | Cabin | No |
| Â | 205 OB | 6.35m | 6.30m | 2.45m | 20 deg | Bowrider | No |
| Â | 206 OB** | 6.45m | 6.30m | 2.45m | 20 deg | Cabin | No |
| Â | 210BR* | 6.80m | 6.75m | 2.45m | 20 deg | Bowrider | No |
| Â | * Expected Release March 2024 | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | |
| Â | ** Expected Release December 2023 | Â | Â | Â | Â | ||
| Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
| SMUGGLER | Sprint 520 | 5.20m | NA | 2.23m | 19 deg | Cabin | Yes |
|  | Bowrider 570 | 5.70m | NA | 2.24m | 21deg | Bowrider | Yes |
|  | Multisport 570 | 5.70m | NA | 2.24m | 21deg | Centre Console | Yes |
|  | Sting 570 | 5.70m | NA | 2.24m | 21deg | Cabin | Yes |
| Â | Sport 620 | 6.20m | NA | 2.30m | 21 deg | Cabin | Yes |
|  | Kingfisher 670 | 6.90m | NA | 2.34m | 21deg | Cabin | Yes |
| Â | Stealth 695 Sport | 6.95m | NA | 2.40m | 27 deg | Cabin | Yes |
| Â | Stealth 695 HT | 6.95m | NA | 2.40m | 27 deg | Hardtop | Yes |
|  | Stealth 720 | 7.20m | NA | 2.40m | 27 deg | Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
| SARONIC | SixFour | 7.23m | 6.40m | 2.40m | 16 deg | Ski/Wake | No |
| Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
| SEAFORCE | 430 SE | 4.30m | 4.10m | 1.75m | 12 deg | Runabout | Yes |
| Â | 530 Mate | 5.65m | 5.30m | 2.30m | 17 deg | Cuddy Cabin | Yes |
| Â | 530 Ute | 5.65m | 5.30m | 2.30m | 17 deg | Cuddy Cabin | Yes |
| Â | 530 Skipa | 5.65m | 5.30m | 2.30m | 17 deg | Centre Console | Yes |
| Â | 600 STD | 5.95m | 5.75m | 2.30m | 24 deg | Cabin | Yes |
| Â | 700 STD | 7.25m | 6.95m | 2.50m | 24 deg | Cabin | Pending |
| Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
| STEALTHÂ | 650 Powercat | 6.50m | 6.00m | 2.50m | Cat | Runabout | No |
| Â | 598 Stepped V | 6.20m | 6.00m | 2.10m | 25 deg | Runabout | No |
| Â | 628 Mono | 6.60m | 6.00m | 2.10m | 25 deg | Runabout | No |
| Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
| TRISTRAM | 640 Cabriolet | 6.40m | Â | 2.42m | 22 deg | Bowrider | Yes |
| Â | 641 Offshore | 6.40m | Â | 2.42m | 22 deg | Cabin | Yes |
| Â | 690 Cabriolet | 6.90m | Â | 2.48m | 22 deg | Bowrider | Yes |
|  | 691 Millennium M3 | 6.90m |  | 2.48m | 22 deg | Cabin | Yes |
| Â | 701 Offshore | 7.40m | Â | 2.50m | 21 deg | Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | 701 Vanquish | 7.40m | Â | 2.50m | 21 deg | Cabin | Yes |
| Â | 741 Vanquish | 7.90m | Â | 2.50m | 22 deg | Cabin | Yes |
| Â | 741 Offshore * | 7.90m | Â | 2.50m | 22 deg | Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | 821 Offshore * | 8.77m | Â | 2.78m | 21 deg | Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | 881 Offshore * | 9.25m | Â | 2.50m | 21 deg | Hardtop | Yes |
| Â | * Sterndrive option | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
