26 | T T to page 28 Stabicraft Marine T T Richard Loader Fishing boats catching newmarkets REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT From family fishing adventures to chasing gamefish in big water, Stabicraft® is a household name with a much-loved product built upon solving a problem in the grand tradition of Kiwi innovation and ‘can do’ mentality. The story goes that in 1986, some recreational paua fishermen, fed up with their inflatable dinghy puncturing on the rocks, walked into Paul Adams’ coach-building workshop in Bluff and asked if he would build them an aluminium version. The answer was a resounding no, but after the fishermen made repeated visits Paul relented, and Stabicraft Marine was born, with the business innovating and solving problems ever since. With Paul Adams still heavily involved, Stabicraft has become New Zealand’s largest boat- builder by far, designing and manufacturing a diverse range of boats from 14ft to 28ft aluminium trailer boats with outboard, encompassing open-style dinghies to fully enclosed hard tops throughout that range. In addition to its healthy market position in New Zealand, Stabicraft Marine has held a strong presence in North America and Australia since the ’90s. Daniel Upperton, GM of marketing, makes the point that over 60% of the world’s recreational boating is done in North America. Put that into context, if you just get 1% of that then you have it made. “We were actually in North America before Australia. It’s a market we’re familiar with, but equally it’s a market that we’re still learning about because it’s just so vast and the scale of the place so huge,” says Daniel. “We’re right in the middle of a huge learning Stabicraft has become New Zealand’s largest boat- builder by far, designing and manufacturing a diverse range of boats. 0800 847 434 viridianglass.co.nz For specialist frameless glass & retro-fit double glazing Viridian Glass is proud to support Stabicra There's something special about natural light
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=