46 | Jet boats for any need, any speed KeelowCraft has a close business relationship with Ngai Tahu Tourism, which operates Shotover Jet and Dart River Adventures. MANUFACTURING KeelowCraft T T Russell Fredric “There’s been a bit of a resurgence for the smaller, lighter, more economical vessel in the last 18 months, but there’s still a lot of people that want the sound of a V8,” A significant commercial boat build, along with a recent resurgence in interest from private buyers, have helped KeelowCraft navigate a turbulent economic period. Co-owner Paul Cross says in April-May last year the effect of the tight national economy “was like someone turned off a tap”. “However, we were lucky. We build to order, and we had builds in front of us, and we managed to keep all our staff on. When we came back this year the phone started to ring again, and people are back using boats and spending money, and it’s come back into 2025 with a new lease of life,” Paul says. “We are lucky that we’ve got some commercial operators that we service and build for. They still seem to have been busy enough.” KeelowCraft has a close business relationship with Ngai Tahu Tourism, which operates Shotover Jet and Dart River Adventures. KeelowCraft has built multiple boats for each operation, and in January started a build for Dart River Adventures, a 6.5 metre, twin-engine, 15-seater vessel. Each engine is a 6.2 litre Kodiak marine unit that can pump out about 420 horsepower. The boat is expected to be completed early June ready for the start of this year’s tourist season. “Dart River Adventures have already got three of our vessels up there, and we’ve now done five for Shotover Jet.” KeelowCraft’s tradesmen are not production-line workers, Paul says. “Each staff member, when they start a boat they finish that boat. They do everything from the hull construction to the wiring, to the engine installation, to the jet unit installation, so they’re multi-skilled. They’re not just engineers, they are also mechanics and technicians.” KeelowCraft offers comprehensive after-sales service and support, including repairs, and with Paul’s direct involvement in competitive racing, it is one of the leading jet boat builders in New Zealand. KeelowCraft manufactures a range of jet boats to meet virtually any need and any speed, starting from the Riverwild 320 through to the Riverwild 560 and Voyager 560, with the option of custom builds. Forward work for the rest of 2025 is looking good. “The economy has definitely changed. We’ve gone back to pre-Covid times where we were doing a lot of bare hulls.” Last year, KeelowCraft released a new model, the Pioneer 470, a redesign of the popular Highlander 470, which had a fibreglass top deck, but the new model is all alloy, with the advantages of having greater strength, durability and longevity. KeelowCraft can supply bare hulls or engines only, with engine options including the turbocharged Honda K24, a 2.4-litre, inline-4 cylinder, the General Motors 3.6 litre LFX V6, and grunty V8 units, such as the LS3 6.2 litre V8, which is a popular engine for its power-toweight ratio and its reliability. “There’s been a bit of a resurgence for the smaller, lighter, more economical vessel in the last 18 months, but there’s still a lot of people that want the sound of a V8,” says Paul. Jet boating is one of the best ways to get to otherwise inaccessible areas of New Zealand’s pristine outdoors, along with being a great family activity, he says. “There’s still no better way than getting up a river and enjoying all there is on offer. It’s a great way to look around the country.” Call us for your new Jet Boat Builds, Servicing, Maintenance & Insurance Repairs 18 Avon Street, Gore • Ph 03 208 9995 or 0274 084 057 www.keelowcraft.co.nz WHAT WE DON’T KNOW ISN’T WORTH KNOWING 117 Clyde St, Invercargill 0800 723 100 | admin@southernbolts.co.nz www.southernbolts.co.nz • Bolt & Nuts • Masonry Bolts • Socket Products • Threaded Rods • Rivets • Screws • Self Drillers • Bolt Assortments • Stainless Steel Fasteners & Hardware • Hinges & Gate Fittings • SDS Multi-fit Masonry Drills • Drill, Taps & Die Nuts • Teng Tools SUPPORT YOUR 100% OWNED & OPERATED SHOP Proud to support Keelow Craft Boats
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