The plumbing fittings manufacturer is expecting
strong growth over the next few years76 JUNE–JULY 2019 | International Boat Industry ibinews.com
Markets & Regions
OVERVIEW | NEW ZEALAND
Marine Design) are two designers that have busy
portfolios, and both commented that the enquiry
level has never been stronger.
Roger Hill Yacht Design is busy with several new
design commissions for NZ and overseas-based
clients. Current work is centred on new powercats of
every shape and size, composite and alloy construct.
“With the America’s Cup in two years there is
a definite intent with most of these projects to be
ready in time for that event whether as charter boats
or private yachts,” says Hill (See RHYD sidebar p73).
Another factor that is becoming a big issue is the
shortage of places (marinas and hardstand areas) tokeep boats. There is a real shortage of marina berths
for yachts above 12m with long waiting times for
rental berths or new sales. This will have an impact
on new yacht sales and in the long term become a
stifling factor for the industry’s growth.
“I would say that the boatbuilding and marine
industry is generally in good shape, the shortage of
skilled labour is probably a cyclic situation and when
the AC is done and dusted in a couple of years will
probably revert to not being such a big problem,”
comments Hill.
The lack of marina space will not be an easy or
inexpensive issue to resolve. The Auckland area and
most of the rest on NZ continue to be a delightful
place to enjoy getting out on the water and as the
population increases so will the demands for spaces
to keep boats, service them, and hopefully continue
to build new ones.TRAINING
Busfield agrees that while New Zealand, like most of
the world, is short of skilled labour, the NZ Marine
Composites Training Organisation has gone a
long way to addressing the problem. He says there
are currently over 200 companies employing 450
apprentices in various training programmes and it is
on-going. The training programme is set up by NZ
Marine on behalf of the New Zealand Government,
so the qualifications are fit for purpose. Over 2000
graduates have gone through the system.
“It’s a world-leading programme, that was last
year presented with the Best Apprenticeship and
Trainee Scheme award at the 2018 Boat Builder
Awards in Amsterdam, so that says a lot about what
we have here in New Zealand,” says Busfield.
Elite Marine Design currently has proposals out
for costing for vessels between 17m-21.5m and are
optimistic for a positive outcome on most of these.
At least one of these vessels will be required for
viewing the Americas Cup regatta.
Within the past couple of months, EMD has had
two new launchings, which are full custom builds, a
13.2m Sports Sedan built by Scott Lane Boatbuilders
and an 18m Sport fisher powered with MAN i6
engines both for the local market.
Work continues on the Elite AT 43 project which
is a fully moulded production sports sedan with
sleek modern lines. Build number one has just been
released from the mould with boat two close behind.
“What is encouraging is the level of interest this
design has created with the first two sold off the
plans,” says Bill Upfold.
He adds that as the interiors can be fully
customised to the client’s requirements based onSPECIALISING IN marine composite plumbing fittings
TruDesign recently won two Dame Category innovation
awards at consecutive METSTRADE shows. Based out
of Auckland they design, tool and manufacture all their
products in-house. Over the past five years they have seen
an exponential increase in well-known boat brands taking
on TruDesign, especially in Europe.
“Our range of composite skin fittings (through hulls), ball
valves and associated fittings presently go up to two inches
in diameter, and we expect to expand this range in the
very near future to three inches and above as the demand
for larger recreational craft increases,” says Alan Maddox,
director of TruDesign.
TruDesign also recently released their long skin fitting
range to cater for this larger boat market.
Maddox points out that In New Zealand and other parts
of the world where high water salinity levels are present the
worries associated with unseen corrosion/electrolysis (in
such a critical area as through hulls) is taken away.
“Boatbuilders no longer need to bond skin fittings
(through hulls) removing the labour cost and unsightly
wiring. The material’s flame retardant properties also en-
ables them to be used inside the engine room. Overall we
see strong growth in the marine sector over the next few
years,” says Maddox. trudesign.nzBIG PLANS FOR TRUDESIGN
THE SUM OF AUDIO INNOVATION