The 2000s was a significant period for power boating in New Zealand, marked by key events such as GP Racing and the New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Series, which featured high-speed races around various coastal locations in the country. These events attracted top local and international competitors, with new race classes such as Thundercats and the Sonic/Honda 150hp class adding to the excitement, bringing new blood and interest into powerboat racing.
While the America’s Cup in 2003 and 2007 was primarily a sailing event, it involved significant participation from powerboats, especially in roles like support, media, and spectator boats. The 2003 event took place in Auckland, and the 2007 event in Valencia had a strong Kiwi presence. New Zealand’s powerboating expertise was showcased on the global stage through these events. Boat shows around the country were popular throughout the 2000s, with a strong influx of imported boats entering New Zealand waters and hundreds of new local models being released at these shows.
The 2000s also saw significant innovations in hull design and building processes among New Zealand boat manufacturers, leading to better performance in various sea conditions. These innovations contributed to the success of New Zealand powerboats in both domestic and international waters.
The 2000s marked a growing awareness of environmental impact, leading to the development of more fuel-efficient engines and cleaner technologies. With these new engines and boat models, New Zealand experienced a surge in recreational power boating, with more New Zealanders taking to the water. This was facilitated by the availability of a broader range of boats, from small RIBs to larger cruisers.
Trailer boats were often the vessel of choice for participants in numerous fishing competitions and Poker Runs held across New Zealand. As recreational boating grew, so did the focus on marine safety, with increased efforts in promoting safety measures, including the use of life jackets, trip planning, and better boating education programs.
In general, the early 2000s was a good time for the New Zealand trailer boat market. However, the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) of 2008 had a significant impact on the market, along with the broader marine and recreational boating industry. While the GFC caused a decline in production and sales in the short term, the industry adapted to changing market conditions and maintained a positive long-term outlook.
2000
Mercury increased their Optimax range by introducing their 115hp V6, based on a 60-degree, 2.5 litre V6 engine.
Volvo Penta showed further strength with the launch of its most powerful gasoline engine yet, the DPX 500 and the DPX 600. Rated at 475 and 560 propeller shaft horsepower respectively.
Mercury Optimax
Volvo Penta 560hp 8.8 Litre
Yanmar released their 4LH Diesel engine, coupled to a MerCruiser Bravo sterndrive. Available in 230 and 180 HP models.
The first Yamaha HPDI (high-pressure direct injection) outboards arrived in New Zealand. The first is a 200HP, based on a high performance, low emission 2.6 litre 76 degree V6 engine.
Tristram Marine introduced their popular Tristram Prima 581, powered with just 150HP was capable of 50 MPH.
Seaforce released their flagship model, The Discovery 6.5 MAV (Multi Activity Vessel).
Seaforce Discovery 6.5 MAV
OMC filed for bankruptcy, it came as quite a shock to learn on December 22nd, that one of the world’s largest manufacturers of outboard motors had filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Chicago–based Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC) makers of Evinrude & Johnson outboards as well as several boat brands, including Chris Craft, Seaswirl and Donzi, had closed its North American plants and stopped shipments throughout the world to its 6500 independent retailers.
The Victory team came to Auckland for the World Class 2 Championship and victory they took, in atrocious conditions.
Victory M1
Stabi-Craft released their 593 and 643 models, available in XR and HT versions.
Buccaneer introduced their 550 Billfisher – The smallest of the Billfisher series
Buccaneer 550 Billfisher
Raeline introduced their second model, the 190CC, adding to the 180BR, both based on popular Sea Ray models.
The Fi Glass Lightning came back, Fi Glass resurrected the famous name that between 1967 and 1978 adorned one of the most distinguished ski and performance boats in the land.
New model releases included the Fyran 600, Bonito 585 series II, Reflex Chianti 615, Tristram 600 Cabriolet, Lazercraft 620 and the Mac Millennium 600, Challenger 565.
Fi Glass Lightning
2001
The New Zealand CPC programme introduced Robin Williams as auditor for the CPC programme.
Hella launched the 100% waterproof LED submersible trailer light.
Tristram Marine released their 600 Cabriolet, a great bowrider that Propeller Magazine ran as a photo boat.
Tristram 600 Cabriolet
Buccaneer Pleasurecraft Ltd introduced four new models – the 540 Executive, 605 Executive, 540 Fisherman, and 605 Fisherman.
Ramco released the Fisherman Pro.
New outboard releases came from all the big players, with big moves in the four-stroke and direct injection areas. These included Evinrude 30 Four Stroke, Evinrude 135 Ficht, Mercury 60 HP Four Stroke, and Yamahas 8 HP – The world’s smallest outboard with a power tilt unit.
Mac Boats introduced the world’s largest rotationally moulded pontoon powerboat on the planet.
Mac Millennium 600
Fibre Force released their all-new flagship – The Discovery 6.5, a popular Kiwi boat that still holds its value today.
Introducing yet another aluminium boat to the market seemed somewhat foolhardy, but then came the Extreme 620 Sportz Fisher, the start of a brand that is one of the leading alloy boat builders today.
The release of the Lazercraft 620 GT Sport proved so popular in 2001, that it encountered over 80% of all Lazercraft’s new builds.
Lazercraft 620 Sports GT
Tristram Marine won the Westpac Trust Business Excellence Award.
The government funded the marine industry to ease the shortage of boatbuilders in New Zealand.
The 2001 Propeller Magazine Poker Run attracted 61 boats from 4-metre inflatables to 12-metre sport cruisers, drawn by the adrenaline rush and best hand offering a trip to Australia prize. – Tony Hembrow (right) with crew Wayne Patten and Lindsay Turner was first to Kawau in their Protector 8.5, but weren’t winners when it came to the poker hands.
Propeller Magazine Poker Run
The government funded the marine industry to ease the shortage of boatbuilders in New Zealand.
Mercury increased their Optimax range with the edition of the Optimax 200.
After a decade of suspense, the world’s first V6 four-stroke outboard arrived in the form of the Yamaha F225.
The Haines Hunter SS720 was the first Haines Hunter with sterndrive power and hard top styling.
New model releases included the Buccaneer 635 Exess, Southern 670, Seaforce Ranger 444, Fyran 600 Horizon, White Pointer 750, Steadecraft 600 Prowler, Challenger 680, and the Bonito 485 Sprint.
Yamaha F225
Haines Hunter SS720
2002
CSB Huntsman released their popular Crusader – a boat with a layout that makes maximum use of the space available.
CSB Huntsman Crusader
Propeller Magazine completed many head-to-head engine shootouts – the Cresta Craft 900 (which had a Mack truck windscreen was the vehicle for the petrol vs diesel sterndrive shootout).
Crestacraft 900
In 2002 the Haines Signature 670 Cruiser picked up an unprecedented three major awards at three different shows.
New model releases included the Sea Ray 235, Reflex Chianti 485, Legacy 7m, Stabicraft 759 HT, Aquapro 900 Raider, Cresta Craft 590, No Limits 6.1, and the Aquapro Raider 790.
Haines Signature 670
2003
Selling boats in the snow isn’t something that most NZ marine retailers are familiar with, at the 2003 Christchurch boat show, it was a matter of having to.
Sealegs, who commenced business in the early 2000s, launched their Sealegs Explorer 4.7 runabout in 2003.
Sealegs Explorer 4.7 Runabout
Bombardier released their E-TEC Technology.
After 41 years in business, Fi-Glass released their third version of the popular Warrior.
Hella launched bright ideas – their DuraLed Multivolt LED trailer lamps.
The Tristram 851 Grandeur, the company’s new flagship picked up boat of the show at both the NZ Boat Show & Christchurch Boat Show.
Tristram 851
After 7 years of different HP engine shootouts, the Propeller Magazine team took eleven 115HP outboards and put them into battle to find out which was the quickest, quietest and most economical.
New model releases included Stabicraft 559CR, Ramco Fish n Ski 600, Barchetta 409, Kingfisher 650 Striking, Southernsportz 695 Open HT, Rayglass 2300, Seahouse 5600, Sea Nymph 480 Sport, and the Ramco Predator 620.
The Buccaneer 735 Exess was released at the NZ Boat Show, just weeks later they had 15 deposits for a boat they couldn’t even give a final price on.
Buccaneer 735 Exess
2004
Fusion released their full marinized FPC-65 speakers for the marine market.
Lazercraft released their head-turning 620 Avanti – A great-looking aluminium and fibreglass combination.
Lazercraft 620 Avanti
Orams Marine opened their 370-vessel mega boat park, capable of storing boats of up to 12m.
Buccaneer launched their 5.5m Billfisher.
Orams Boat Park
Mercury released their in-line 6-cylinder supercharged Verado Outboard. 200, 225, 250 & 275 HP.
With 30 boats sold in 3 years of business, Image Boats released their popular 7.85 HT.
Image 7.85
The return of an icon – Smuggler released their Stealth 665 Open.
The world’s largest and most popular one-design Offshore Powerboat Racing class was launched in New Zealand.
New model releases included the CSB Huntsman La Plata, Seahouse Liberty 6400, Smuggler Stealth 665, Bonito 535 Multisport, Lazercraft Avanti 620, Haines Signature 500BR, and the Extreme 635.
Tristram Marine launched their popular Tristram 640 Cabriolet.
Tristram 640 Cabriolet
2005
With over 10,000 boats in 45 years, Fi-Glass unveiled the new look 5.1 Dominator.
Greg Brink clinched the first New Zealand Honda Championship.
Formula Honda Championship
Sealegs co-founder Maurice Bryham set an English Channel crossing record in a Sealegs 5.6 Amphibious RIB of 43 minutes and 12 seconds.
Fusion Marine launched a marine CD player.
New model releases included Buccaneer 605 Exess, McLay 725 Cruiser HT, Stabicraft 589XR, Lazercraft 680HT, Southern Pacific 630 Vortex, Fyran 580 Horizon, Sea Nymph Hustler 620, and the Bluefin 620 HT.
Richard Shores in PlaceMakers racing won the 2005 NZ Offshore Championship.
Placemakers wins NZ Offshore
2006
Stabicraft sent boats to the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne to patrol the Yarra River.
Over 100 Rayglass Protectors were built and sent to Valencia for the upcoming Americas Cup.
Warwick Lupton won the world GP Hydroplane Championship in Annihilator.
Warwick Lupton
The Outboard Boating Club celebrated their 50th year.
Stabicraft became New Zealand’s largest exporter of trailer boats.
Rayglass released the Legend 2500 Hard Top – A replacement for the market-leading Legend 730.
Rayglass Legend 2500
Tristram Marine released their popular 781 Ultimo, filling the gap between their 691 Millennium and 851 Grandeur. The Tristram 781 Ultimo then went on to win the boat of the show at the Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show.
New model releases included Buccaneer 565 Exess, Ramco 1700 HT, Stabicraft 509WXR, Blue Water 9.30 Portofino, Steadecraft 635 Caprice, Fyran 600 Horizon GT, Air Nautique 220, Smuggler Stealth 695XS, and the Bonito 535 Bowrider.
Suzuki introduced the worlds first 300-horsepower 4-stroke outboard, the DF300, a large displacement V6 engine.
Suzuki DF300
Tristram 781 Ultimo
2007
CPC reached 17 members encompassing all of New Zealand’s leading boat builders.
Ginger Gibbs passed away – The flying pirates attempted to break the world record of 112 hours around New Zealand in his honour. They successfully completed it in 69 hours and 44 minutes.
Flying Pirates
The Rayglass 2800 Legend took out the boat of the show at the Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show.
New model releases included Scorpion 535 Cuddy, Seaswirl 2101 DC, Fi-Glass Warrior 640 HT, Tristram 690 Cabriolet, Image Elite 5.8, Bayliner 185, Image 8.0m Fishfinder, Haines Signature 580BR, SouthernSportz 605 HT, Four Winns 200 SS Horizon, Seaforce 645HT and the Surtees 6.7 Coastal Explorer.
2008
Yamahas new V8 outboard motor – The F350A was awarded the US Boating Industry Association award just months after its release.
CSB Huntsman Boats released the third generation of their popular Dorado model.
CSB Huntsman Dorado
Maxwell Marine Limited joined the Vetus group of companies.
Rayglass had their Pakuranga premises destroyed by fire, 12 fire trucks and 60 firefighters could not save it.
Propeller Magazine organised a world exclusive – A 300HP Outboard Shootout, V8 4 Stroke vs Supercharged inline 6 vs V6 FourStroke vs V6 Direct injected 2 Stroke.
E-TEC released five new models to celebrate 100 years of Evinrude.
Nic deMey released his new production Ski Boat – The Phantom, 6.1metres in length with a 20-degree deadrise.
Phantom Ski Boat
New Zealand Marine Industry reached over 700 apprenticeships in training.
Aucklander Sam Harvey won the world championship in Arizona on a Sea-Doo PWC.
Sam Harvey wins world champions
New model releases included The Profile 600H, Bluefin 665 Offshore, White Pointer 7.5 Sports Hard Top, Fi-Glass Cavalier, Bonito Sting 550, Haines Hunter 485 SF, DNA 550 Sport & DNA 500CC X, Seahouse Liberty 850, Sea Nymph 640 Blazer, Four Winns SL222, CSB Huntsman Explorer, McLay 640 Fisherman Jet and Nautique 216V Crossover.
