Boating New Zealand — February 2018

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range of the serious DIYer, and Venter is well capable

of undertaking major projects on the boat himself.

But the scale of the envisaged alteration, the

need for a suitable shed to work through the wet

Spring period, and the lack of a formal design for

the alterations dampened any enthusiasm for

taking on the task himself.

Instead, he engaged Dave Stuart of D&D

Boatbuilding in Waipapa near Kerikeri. Stuart had

a couple of decades of boatbuilding experience with

several of Auckland’s major yards before setting

up on his own. A lifestyle choice plus favourable

land values up north meant that he could set up a

sizeable shed and boatyard with lower overheads

than he could find in most of the major centres.

Since this was going to be a multiple-month

job, hardstand fees could be a major portion of

the overall cost – a boat builder with his own

yard made a big difference. Stuart’s boatshed

can accommodate vessels up to 14m in length,

and boats lower than 5.1m in total height can be

transported by road from the Kerikeri inlet with no

overhead powerline issues. Nitro fitted comfortably

inside the shed, ensuring a good finish when the

time came to paint her, and he could work right

through any squalls.

Another reason for engaging an experienced

boatbuilder to both design and build the solution is

ABOVE The hard-top is

relatively light and was

easily moved into position.

RIGHT Two new storage

lockers were added to the

extended duckboard.

FAR LEFT The custom-

designed racks for the

kayaks.

1930 s 1960 s

First Lees Marine

Engines released.

1950 s

LEES GROUP

Lees begins in Papakura.

FIAT / IVECO

rebrands as FPT

Fiat Powertrain

Technologies.

2000 s Today

PHONE 09 299 6019

182 Great South Road, Takanini,

Auckland, New Zealand

http://www.leesgroup.com

With you all the way...

FPT breaks multiple

time /speed / fuel

efficiency records.

A new generation

of the Lees family

is proud to be

working with FPT.

PAGURO GENERATORS

MARINE & INDUSTRIAL POWER SOLUTIONS

Lees Group celebrates

30 years representing

Fiat/IVECO.

Powering the Pacific for over 75 years