ibinews.com International Boat Industry | JUNE–JULY 2019 73
reputation in the superyacht tender market, and
this has carried through to trailered RIBs for both
domestic and international markets. Their sales
have increased by around 15% in the past year. (See
Smuggler Sidebar p72)
New Zealand RIB brand Rayglass Protector is
enjoying high levels of local and international sales
powered, in part, by their selection as official patrol
boats for two of the world’s major sailing regattas.
As a result, Rayglass Protectors will play critical
roles in both the 36th America’s Cup in Auckland
in 2021 and the inaugural Sail GP competition, in
venues such as Sydney, San Francisco, New York,
Cowes and Marseille.
“Over 40 Rayglass Protector RIBs, ranging from
9m-12.5m, will be used as official patrol and support
boats for the Prada Cup (the challenger series for
America’s Cup) and then for the America’s Cup
Match itself,” says Dave Larsen, Rayglass Boats CEO.
“Both defender, Emirates Team New Zealand, and
the majority of the challenging syndicates have now
selected Rayglass Protectors as their support boats.”
Organisers of the new Sail GP competition,
which sees racing between identical F50 catamarans,
capable of speeds in excess of 50kts, have also chosen
Rayglass Protectors as their first response vessels.
Each F50 will be accompanied around the race
course by its own Rayglass 10m Protector centre
console, a high speed, rough water capable and soft
riding RIB able to keep up with the catamarans’
electrifying speeds. Rayglass Protectors are also the
ALL OF THE CURRENT work is centred on new
powercats of every shape and size, composite
and alloy construction. With the America’s Cup
in Auckland in two years’ time there is a definite
intent with most of these projects to be ready in
time for that event.
Current projects on the board include a 22m
displacement hull in foam cored composite, 20m
carbon/foam foil assisted high performance cat,
support vessel of choice on the
TP50 race circuit and are proving
increasingly popular as superyacht
tenders, as quick and comfortable
transport for offshore island holiday homes and as
fast pleasure cruisers and sports fishing boats.
“Forward sales projections are good, too,” says
Dave Larsen. “Our experience with previous high-
profile regattas (such as the America’s Cup regattas
here in 2000 and 2003 and Valencia in 2007) shows
that involvement in such highly publicised events
acts as a powerful springboard for future sales.”
Sealegs International, manufacturer of patented
amphibious boats and amphibious enablement
systems, has achieved some key milestones in the
past 12 months.
In October, the company released a new
prototype – the Sealegs Electric E4, a faster, more
powerful amphibious craft combining advances in
lithium battery and electric motor hub technology.
This craft is the beginning of a new age in
amphibious boating technology.
Just a few months ago, Sealegs completed delivery
of three of its large-format amphibious systems,
System 100, enabling three Naiad-design RIBs in
Australia with amphibious ability. The craft will be
used for a new eco-tourism experience for up to 30
passengers per boat, the first time Sealegs System
100 has been used in a tourism application.
“Demand for Sealegs amphibious boats continues
to be strong both in New Zealand and globally,and two 16m powercats; one is semi-displacement
in alloy with a composite flybridge, the other is a
full displacement hull in foam cored composite
built from an ATL Composites ‘Duflex’ kit. This
same system is being used to build a new 14m
planing hull cat being built to the NSCV code
survey category 2C. A second 14m with a sedan
top is underway for an Auckland client.
An interesting 10m ‘hybrid’ alloy displacement
powercat is about to start building in Tauranga
for a new company that will specialise in that
material. Also on the drawing board is a new
12m planing alloy cat to be built as a production
boat with an NZ boatbuilder and a 12.8m alloy
displacement cat to be built in NZ for an Australian
client and will be a ‘shadow’ boat for a larger cat
project yet to start. There are several other projects
to be started when resources allow.
“The current boatbuilding situation in NZ is
interesting in that there has been a shortage of
skilled builders in recent times with most of the
larger and busy yards not being able to fill there
staffing requirements, particularly in regions
outside of Auckland,” says Hill.
He adds that the Team NZ AC building programhas absorbed around 30 very skilled composite
builders. The spar builders and sail makers are
also very busy and short of skilled resources.
The influx of many superyachts (reported to be
something like 160) for the AC over the next two
summers will seriously strain the service side of
the marine industry as well.
“I guess this is a happy problem to have and if
the AC was taken out of the equation I would say
the industry here would still be ticking over nicely.”
One of the issues that Hill says he has noticed
is the increased cost for building ‘one off’ custom
builds. It is a long time since NZ has had a viable
production boatbuilding industry (trailerable boats
aside) and it is very rare to see NZ built yachts in
the 10m-20m range being built as the influx of
lower cost Asian and European production boats
imported continue to rise.
“There seems to be less NZ boaters that have
the patience and imagination, and funds to have
a new local designed and built boat so we are
seeing a change from building new boats to more
emphasis on the service side of the industry,”
comments Hill.
powercatsnz.comROGER HILL
YACHT DESIGN
Powercats proving rich pickings
Over 40 Rayglass
Protector RIBs will be
used as official patrol
and support boats for the
America’s Cup