| 73 Russell fredric KeelowCraft can build anything from a hull only to full turn-key packages. KeelowCraft MARINE Jet boat range proves popular with boaties Bodyline PANEL & PAINT 30 Ashton St, Gore 03 208 5153 or 027 222 6745 Proudly supporting Paul and the team at KeelowCraft Boats 100% LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED Scott WaterJets are designed to give maximum performance to any engine/boat combination: More load lifting, better hole shot, better fuel economy, superior grip. Our WaterJets are the dominant force in the sport of Jet Sprinting World-Wide. P. 027 663 3999 A. 23 Thomas Burns St, Dunedin, New Zealand W. www.scottwaterjet.com Proudly supporting KeelowCraft Boats High demand for KeelowCraft’s highly successful recreational jet boat range along with a solid schedule of servicing and repair work means the company is figuratively packed to the gunwales. Co-owner Paul Cross says, in addition to building new boats, the Gore business has about six months of insurance-related repair work ahead. This workload, combined with the challenges of operating around covid while juggling staff levels, has made for a difficult business environment, but Paul is thankful to have a great team supporting the business. “The biggest thing is getting the right people; our staff are very good at what they do,” Paul says. KeelowCraft’s tradesmen staff are not production line workers as each boat builder is responsible for building a boat from start to finish, he says. “Each staff member, when they start a boat they finish that boat. They do everyting 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.” The company’s comprehensive after sales support including repairs, industry-leading quality and finish and direct involvement in competitive racing makes KeelowCraft one of the leading jet boat builders in New Zealand. Paul and his wife Sarah bought the business six years ago and its strong growth has been built on the back of careful planning, design and researching clients’ needs to produce a range of recreational jet boats that meet the wants and needs of their owners. KeelowCraft’s commercial clients include Shotover Jet, Queenstown, and Dart River Adventures, Glenorchy. Its most popular recreational boats are the Highlander and Riverwild series from 4.5 metres to 4.8 metres long and are typically customised to suit clients’ individual requirements, from the fit-out to engine preferences. “We offer lots of different options, we also offer training for anyone that hasn’t been jet boating before. We will build a boat to whatever specifications people require.” The most popular engines are Chevrolet V8 marine units, but anything from turbocharged four cylinder engines and upwards are available. “The later generation LS Chev is still the most popular engine for its power-to-weight ratio and its reliability.” While recreational boats form its core business, the company’s close relationship with significant commercial clients such as Shotover Jet means KeelowCraft may collaborate with Shotover Jet’s move towards running a fleet of electric powered jet boats. In a world first, Shotover Jet has completed the conversion of one of its petrol-powered jet boats to 100 percent electric as part of its owner Ngai Tahu’s push to reduce the environmental impact of its businesses. “Shotover Jet are making enquires again about some more hulls to keep their current fleet going until 2030 when they intend on going to an EV powered tour boat which will be an all-new concept which we hope to be a part of.” The high profile of Shotover Jet has been great for KeelowCraft’s business, Paul says. The high demand for recreational boats combined with the labour shortage and the covid pandemic means the lead time for a boat to be delivered, depending on its specifications, has gone from six to eight months to 12 to 14 months. Three years ago KeelowCraft was manufacturing 16 to 18 boats a year, but this has increased to 23 to 26 per year. The company can build anything from a hull only to full turn-key packages. Part of the magic of jet boats is the accessibility they provide to wilderness areas for both recreational and commercial clients, as well as being a great option for family recreation, Paul says. “It’s about seeing parts of the country you can’t normally get at.” “Shotover Jet are making enquires again about some more hulls to keep their current fleet going until 2030 when they intend on going to an EV powered tour boat which will be an all-new concept which we hope to be a part of.”
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