| 49 MARINE Elite Boat Builders and Refinishing INBOARD DIESELS & STERNDRIVES NEW ENGINES SUPPLIED & FITTED BULK OIL & FILTER SUPPLY WELDING, GENERAL SERVICING FABRICATION & MACHINING Proudly supporting Elite Boat Builders and Refinishing Ltd 03 573 8911 | www.seafarermarineengineering.co.nz T T Russell Fredric Boat maintenance firm’s mainstay Boat maintenance remains at the core of the business, with work ranging from antifoul painting and polishing through to full repaints, leaking window replacements, boatbuilding repairs, and composite fibreglass work. Built on a passion for boating, Elite Boat Builders and Refinishing has grown from a small refinishing business into a diverse marine maintenance and repair company. Founded by Vaughan Hall and Sarah Williams in 2010, the business initially operated as a refinishing company, contracting to other boatyards before gradually building its own client base and capabilities. A major step came in 2017 when the couple purchased a boatbuilding business and secured the Waikawa Marina premises they still operate from today, with a fully compliant spray booth workshop included. “We both worked in another boatyard and saw there was a gap in the market for better communication and a strong client focus,” they say. The acquisition expanded the size and type of vessels the business could work on, particularly in the 30- to 60-foot range, while also adding specialised boatbuilding machinery, workshop space, and direct access to the Waikawa Marina hardstand. It marked a significant step in the company’s evolution into a broader marine maintenance and repair company. Boat maintenance remains at the core of the business, with work ranging from antifoul painting and polishing through to full repaints, leaking window replacements, boatbuilding repairs, and composite fibreglass work. The business works predominantly on private vessels, while also servicing commercial clients. The company’s diverse workload has also helped it adapt during a softer economy. While some owners are delaying larger refits, there remains consistent demand for ongoing maintenance and smaller repair projects, particularly for boats kept permanently in the water. “Boat owners still need to maintain their assets. Even during economic downturns, they still have to do the basics like antifoul and anode replacement to protect their pride and joy.” A key strength of the business is its emphasis on client relationships alongside its technical capability. The company was established around the idea of creating a business where owners felt informed and looked after throughout a project, whether it involved a small repair or a major repaint. “More often than not, the feedback we get is appreciation for the communication throughout the project. “Some clients prefer phone calls, others want emails, and during bigger jobs we’re constantly sending photos and updates so they know exactly what’s happening. “A lot of our clients become repeat clients, and quite a few have ended up becoming friends as well.” Vaughan’s background in automotive painting before transitioning into marine work more than 15 years ago has helped guide the business’s direction, and together the couple bring complementary practical understanding to both the technical and customer sides of the business. Manager, Jock Clark, adds more than four decades of marine industry experience to the team, and has been with the business since shortly after the Waikawa Marina move. Looking after staff is another area Vaughan and Sarah are passionate about, with a focus on creating a supportive and flexible workplace culture. They see this as important, not only for staff wellbeing, but also for maintaining consistency and quality for clients. Staff members are encouraged to develop broad skillsets across different areas of the workshop, and helping the business remain adaptable and creating an environment where people genuinely want to come to work each day has long been a priority. “We make sure we look after our staff. We’re very family-orientated, and there are some things more important than just making money.” “A lot of our clients become repeat clients, and quite a few have ended up becoming friends as well.”
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