International Boat Industry - June-July 2018

42 JUNE–JULY 2018 | International Boat Industry http://www.ibi-plus.com

Markets & Regions

BOATBUILDERS | AUSTRALIA

W

hile the locally-built Australian serial

production motoryacht market is

dominated by just two brands, Riviera and

Maritimo, there is a growing custom boatbuilding

industry that while not big, is an essential part of the

marine sector. Throughout Australia, one-off builds

are being completed by specialised builders for local

clients who want something entirely customised

for their requirements. Projects include everything

from a pair of 20m alloy power cats at MEC Cats

to a continual stream of timber and composite

sportfishermans from Assegai Marine. Both Gold

Coast, Queensland-based, the diversity of these

two builders is an indication of the depth of quality

custom boatbuilding still very much part of the

Australian marine industry.

There are still some well-known, long-standing

Australian brands, such as Caribbean in Melbourne

(Victoria) and Steber in Taree (NSW) that sell well

into the local market and enjoy some export sales,

but in the number of boats built are well behind the

two Queensland-based heavyweights. With over 150

boats produced annually between them, with a large

percentage of those exported around the globe, it is

Riviera and Maritimo that overshadow the rest of

the market. However, while their brands are built

offshore, Australia-based companies such as Integrity,

NOW IN FULL GROWTH MODE AFTER PERIODS OF STABILISATION AND

CONSOLIDATION AUSTRALIA’S BUILDERS ARE TURNING TO INCREASINGLY

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO LURE BUYERS

WORDS: BARRY THOMPSON

Australian boatbuilders

in buoyant mood

Whitehaven and Clipper also lay claim to being an

important piece of the local market.

WHITEHAVEN & INTEGRITY – NEW PARTNERSHIP

“We are very much an Australian company, it’s just that

we choose to build our boats in China and Taiwan,”

says Peter Pembroke, sales and marketing director for

Integrity Motor Yachts and Whitehaven.

Following the purchase of Integrity in July 2017,

Whitehaven Motor Yachts relocated its HQ to

Sanctuary Cove Marina, staking its claim at the marina

ahead of the 2018 Sanctuary Cove International Boat

Show held in May.

“Our range of Integrity boats features an array

of stylish and functional Sedan, Fly Bridge and Pilot

House motoryachts designed and built to deliver

exceptional performance at sea while offering a stylish

and relaxed entertainers layout that we feel are well

suited to local conditions,” says Pembroke.

Integrity boats are built to a price point as an

entry-level, long-range cruiser for the family and has

established a loyal following in Australia with over

100 boats sold. Whitehaven is a reasonably recent

Australian brand and has enjoyed steady sales since its

inception. Unlike the Integrity brand, Whitehaven is

focused on the luxury end of the market, with boats

from 60ft-80ft finished to superyacht standards.

“We look forward to an extremely exciting 2018,

with additions to our team and new models including

the exciting new 6100 Euro Coupe and Harbour Classic

40 models,” says Pembroke.

In recent years Integrity and Whitehaven have

enjoyed strong sales in Australia and, according to

Pembroke, 2018 is shaping up to be another good year.

CLIPPER MOTOR YACHTS – EXPANDING MODEL RANGE

“The last 12 to 16 months have been solid and we

geared up for growth through 2018-19, both in staff

and our investment in stock boats, such as Cobalt and

our new Hudson Bay range,” says Brett Thurley, MD of

Clipper Motor Yachts Australia.

For 2018, Clipper Motor Yachts Australia is focusing

heavily on the Sanctuary Cove, Sydney and Melbourne

boat shows with all their brands. In their first year

(2016-17), the company sold over 20 new Cobalts

SQueensland-
based heavyweight
Riviera is the
biggest boatbuilder
in Australia and a
significant global
player. Above is the
Riviera 72 Sports
Motor Yacht