Business Central September 2021

108 | “This was my boat, so I wanted to build the best boat I could build, rather than just something for the market.” MARINE Admiral Boats Quest for the best delivers in style T T Kelly Deeks The ‘Admiral’ picked up the coveted Launch of the Show award.t the 2021 Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show at the ASB showgrounds. T he ‘Admiral’, a 10m luxury sports cruiser has been built by an owner who wanted the best boat he could possibly build, using 23 years of marine industry experience and a lifetime in and on the ocean to come up with the ultimate 10m sports cruiser with larger launch features and other luxuries that are evident as soon as you step on board. Admiral Boats owner Steve Clement had his own fibreglass fabrication business when he decided the only way he would ever get his own boat was to build it himself. So he started building all the moulds for the ‘Admiral’ in 2010 and over the next eight years, the build was a part-time project. “This was my boat, so I wanted to build the best boat I could build, rather than just some- thing for the market,” he says. “I didn’t allow conventional moulding tech- niques and production build efficiencies to dictate how we build this vessel. “Instead, I incorporated larger launch features and luxuries and combined them into this perfect launch package.” The market however did present an oppor- tunity to develop a 10m boat that was able to be trailered and moored. At 3m beam, the ‘Admiral’ can be trailered with a special permit, but is more likely to be moored or kept in a dry stack. Designed with the ultimate Kiwi dream in mind, the ‘Admiral’ fits perfectly into every application from sports fishing and diving through to holiday boating and entertaining. “It has a good cockpit for fishing and diving, and it also has the salon and cabin which can sleep five people with all the amenities includ - ing shower and stove.” Now bringing the dream to life for other Kiwi boaters, Admiral Boats is building luxury New Zealand made boats for discerning cli- ents who trust the firm to take care of quality, style, and customisation. Steve says is wasn’t easy to launch a new boat brand, when people who are making such a significant investment would normally choose someone they already know and trust. After three years in business, Admiral Boats is gaining a reputation for producing high quality New Zealand designed and built cruis- ers. “What we build is a good product, and people are starting to get excited about it.” The ‘Admiral’ recently featured at the 2021 Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show at the ASB showgrounds, where it picked up the coveted Launch of the Show award. Visitors were invited to jump on board and get a feel for the boat. Steve has arranged for demonstrations re- sulting from interest from the Boat Show and continues to take enquiries. “We are booked out until the end of the year at the moment, so we’re looking for more staff to try and get boats through the factory a bit quicker,” Steve says. “We want to keep the same level of quality, but get them to people a bit quicker.” Admiral Boats is currently running with a staff of two and Steve’s dad completing all the cabinetry and teak work. If you need... • Personal service • On time deliveries • Local warehousing • Polyester, vinyl ester and epoxy • Reputable UV-resistant gelcoats • Putty for coving, CNC or tooling • Smart kits for your complex part • Solvents such as acetone and styrene • Consistent colour gelcoat and colour matching • Training in new technology such as resin infusion • On-site troubleshooting and optimisation support • Sound business advice based on years of experience • Glass, woven mat, roving, carbon fibre... you name it! • An easily accessible trade shop in both Christchurch and Papakura • Accessories such as rollers, gloves, bottles, spatulas etc for every job • Tailor-made resin varieties in narrow specifications for your specific purpose... Your only hi-tech, one-stop composites shop AUCKLAND (09) 295 2200 CHRISTCHURCH (03) 348 4927 WORLD LEADERS IN MARINE PROPULSION Volpower NZ Limited For New Zealand & Pacific Islands Ph. 0800 865 769 or 09-2774305 www.volpower.co.nz PROUD SUPPORTERS OF ADMIRAL BOATS NZ