58 | MARINE IDUSTRY Profile Boats T T Karen Phelps Practical knowledge behind design The boats feature a unique alloy chamber design with pontoons that provide superior stability and make the vessels virtually unsinkable. “Profile Boats are built by qualified tradesmen, most of whom are keen fishermen. With staff and customers equally passionate about fishing, every boat reflects real-world knowledge and a layout designed for practicality.” Originating from the need to launch off remote beaches along the lower East Coast of New Zealand’s North Island, Napier’s Profile Boats has built a reputation for safety, quality and clever design. “These challenging conditions demanded a specific design: aluminium chamber boats engineered for safety in the surf,” explains company director Brian Firman. The boats feature a unique alloy chamber design with pontoons that provide superior stability and make the vessels virtually unsinkable. Called the Pro3+3 Chamber system, it incorporates three fully sealed buoyancy chambers in the side pontoons and three underfloor, creating a huge amount of excess buoyancy. The result is a boat that offers safety and robustness in diverse conditions, from crossing river bars to taking on unfavourable sea states, says Brian. It’s just one example of how every detail of the boats has arisen from what the company knows is required in a practical sense out on the ocean. “Profile Boats are built by qualified tradesmen, most of whom are keen fishermen. With staff and customers equally passionate about fishing, every boat reflects real-world knowledge and a layout designed for practicality,” says Brian. “For example, our boats’ buoyancy chambers are foam-filled that extend right up to the gunnels, adding both safety and quietness on the water. But the real distinction lies in the hull: a deep V combined with a low transom deadrise. “This balance delivers exceptional stability while remaining highly capable in rough seas. It means they stay straight in a following sea and are hard to bury the nose, which makes them great for bar crossings and heavy-weather handling.” Profile Boats’ direct to consumer approach sets the business apart from competitors, as it allows the company to control the entire manufacturing process in-house from design and fabrication to the complete fit-out and commissioning. The company employs a team of 20 staff and only outsources specialised work such as upholstery, vinyl wrapping and painting. Quality is safeguarded for the future through a strong in-house apprenticeship programme, where the next generation of passionate boat builders are trained. “Because we control the entire process, from a flat sheet of aluminium to the finished product, the quality is both high and consistent,” Brian says. “The advantage is that the customer is talking directly to the ones that can make decisions. This is especially important, as building a boat is often complex and personal, and we can ensure the customer gets what is right for them.” It also allows Profile Boats to offer an industry-leading 10-year hull warranty. All rigged boats are carefully checked and sea-trialled before delivery. The company is also an OEM dealer for both Yamaha and Mercury outboards, with trained technicians overseeing engine fitting and pre-delivery. Brian says Profile Boats is always innovating to deliver what its customers want. Its latest offering, the 785H model introduced last year, responds directly to changing patterns in recreational fishing. “Many anglers are now fishing further afield and require creature comforts for a comfortable overnight stay. The Profile 785H represents a careful balance between capability and practicality and caters for both family adventures right up to hard-core offshore fishing,” explains Brian. “It offers a lot of space but still fits within standard towing regulations with a 2.55- metre beam and weighing under 3500kgs. “The unique internal layout offers toe space in the side air chambers to create more deck space and ensure sure-footedness when reeling in a big catch. With a deluxe bait board and transom wave deflector, it’s been an extremely popular addition to the range.” With 40 years’ experience in the marine industry, Brian grew up around boats. His parents and grandparents started in the marine sector in 1971, and he and his siblings joined the family business, Firmans Marine, in the 1980s. After becoming sole owner in 2000 and eventually selling Firmans Marine in 2022, Brian had already begun his next chapter, having purchased Napier-based Profile Boats in 2008. As Profile Boats continues to grow its presence in New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands, Brian has continued plans for expansion, including the range. The company plans to increase its amphibious range, which Brian says is a growing trend and perfect for those with a house or bach close to the water’s edge. MOTOR TRIMMING • UPHOLSTERY • MARINE • SHADE SAILS • ROOF RACKS • CUSTOM SEAT COVERS FULL CUSTOM / VINTAGE RETRIMS • CANVAS BOAT CANOPIES & ROAD COVERS 06 843 6969 info@charmans.co.nz www.charmans.co.nz
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