Yamaha has been awarded the Most Trusted Marine Engine Brand for the third year running by Readers Digest. For the 20th year, Reader’s Digest has approached ordinary consumers to ask their opinions on what brands of products and services are important to them. With these years of research behind Readers Digest, the publication is able to confidently dissect precisely what features a Trusted Brand must possess in order to maintain relevance and purpose for New Zealand consumers. According to Readers Digest, a Trusted Brand enjoys international appeal, yet at the same time upholds a strong local connection. It has individual… Read More

Eden Waddington, a 32-year-old from Christchurch who was visiting the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show for the first time, is now the proud owner of the show’s Surtees/Yamaha Grand Prize. Eden had come to the show looking for a new, bigger boat after he and his partner had decided they needed to upsize their existing trailerboat. They have certainly now got their wish. Their new Surtees/Yamaha Grand Prize boat is a 7.5m Surtees 750 Game Fisher Open Cabin, powered by twin Yamaha 150hp 4-stroke outboards and fitted with Yamaha’s new Helm Master boat control system. It sits on an $18,500… Read More

2 years in design and 32 years in evolution, the Stabicraft 2250 Centrecab and 2250 Ultra Centrecab have almost arrived. The idea for the 2250 range was primarily born through social media feedback after the 2750 Centrecab started gaining traction. Our customers and fans wanted the function of a full walkaround on a scaled down hull making it a more affordable and manageable boating option. The 2250 concept had been thrown around for some time. Since the green button was pushed midway through 2017, development has been in full force. The goal was a market defining central cabin and walkaround,… Read More

Furuno has unveiled two new Radars designed to meet the needs of workboats and commercial fishing vessels. The 12kW FAR1416 and 25kW FAR1426 Radars incorporate new features and simplified operation in a versatile and space-saving package. By incorporating the processor in the display, there is no need to make space for a ‘black box’ processor. Everything is incorporated in the Radar’s 15″ colour display unit, which can be installed in either portrait or landscape orientation according to the vessel’s need. Portrait orientation is perfect for workboat or towboat operators, who desire a more expansive look forward of the vessel, while… Read More

Yamaha has added two new portable outboards to its line up with the introduction of the new generation F20 and T25 outboards. The new F20 is built around the F25, an Innovation Award-winning outboard featuring  modified ECU mapping and a redesigned camshaft as well as an alternator that produces up to 16 amps of power, 60 percent more output than the previous generation F20. There is also ample electrical power for battery charging with plenty to spare for additional electronic equipment. The variable trolling rpm switch makes the F20 the perfect fishing companion, while the easy-to-use fresh water flush attachment makes… Read More

The 36th America’s Cup may still be two years away but Emirates Team New Zealand’s campaign is already near top gear and Kiwi industry is winning. (Reproduced with permission from The Spinoff) Imagine having to raise northwards of $100 million within four years just to run your business, and not being entirely sure how you’re going to do it. It’s not a challenge most Kiwi enterprises face, and yet this is how Emirates Team New Zealand operates day-to-day. The countdown is on for the team, with two years to run until it defends the America’s Cup on the waters of… Read More

Press release After 30 years of service in the marine industry, Kevin Griffin is selling up to explore numerous other exciting interests. Fortunately for us it is not the end of Kev & Ian’s Marine. The iconic Kiwi brand launches into a new era under the experienced hand of Luke Sharp from Outboard Marine Technologies. Above: Luke (left) seals the deal with Kevin. Kev and Ian’s Marine will be relocating to new premises in Wiri, currently being renovated. Luke’s relationship with Kev & Ian’s dates back to the 1980’s when, as a typical kid overflowing with energy, he would play… Read More

Further to the NZ Government’s request for consultation for their proposed changes to vocational education in New Zealand, NZ Marine & Composites ITO consulted with member companies and employers and on Friday 5 April made the final submission as per below. NZ MACITO Submission on Review of Vocational Education   Read More

WhisperPower, thealternative energy powerhouse from the Netherlands, has appointed EAL as its primary Auckland dealer (marine). John McGettigan (left) with Jasper Hannay of EAL. Effectively creating a one-stop-shop for on board power needs, it adds WhisperPower’s ground-breaking super-quiet and vibration-free generators and advanced alternative electrical systems to EAL’s line up. Its products include marine systems and individual products which cover both the marine recreational and commercial markets with a broad spread on offer including well-performing energy systems and back ups, alternator systems, battery chargers, sine wave inverters and many more. EAL’s Jasper Hannay is looking forward to spreading the word… Read More

Tauranga Mayor, Greg Brownless, celebrated the official opening of Lusty & Blundell’s new Tauranga branch on April 4, cutting the symbolic ribbon and warmly welcoming members of the marine industry and the media. Officially opening Lusty & Blundell’s new Tauranga showroom and service centre are (from left) NZ Marine executive director Peter Busfield, Tauranga Mayor Greg Brownless and Lusty & Blundell CEO Mark Milburn. The official opening, which was also a NZ Marine Boating After 5, gave keen boatie Mayor Brownless, industry members and media the chance to check out the new showroom and service centre. It also gave them… Read More