Boat sales are continuing to increase in 2021, with New Zealand’s border restrictions meaning more Kiwis are enjoying taking to their own waters rather than holidaying overseas.

The New Zealand Marine Industry Association has noted a surge in new and used boat sales, and some outlets have increased order books, have long waiting lists for new boats, and say business is “humming”.

With more boats on the water, Tauranga Coastguard has seen a 23 per cent increase in on-water assists, with 2020 being its busiest year ever – a number that they predict to rise in 2021.

NZ Marine Industry Association executive director, Peter Busfield, says there have been more boats on the water this season.

“Boating participation has increased this summer with people who might have previously travelled overseas, enjoying the benefits of exploring New Zealand’s beautiful coastal areas, harbours and lakes with families and friends.”

The first surge

Peter says the surge in sales began after New Zealand’s lockdown a year ago.

“2020 was a game of two halves for the New Zealand marine industry – with the lockdown in the second quarter reducing boat sales to almost nil, and the second half almost double, making 2020 a good year overall for new and used boat sales.”

Order books are continuing to fill up for production in 2021, with manufacturers’ and retailers’ buoyant sales backed up by the increase in new apprentices and skilled staff signed up.

“The second half of the year saw record registrations of new apprenticeships in the industry with 140 new sign ups in the last quarter compared with 40 the year before.

The industry is continuing to see steady sales in the first quarter of 2021 and is increasing its employment of skilled personnel.

“In fact, our NZ Marine and Composites Industry Training Organisation in March 2021, had a total of 530 apprentices being trained through a network of 230 marine companies nationwide.”

New Zealand boat builder Sealegs has experienced unprecedented demand over the last six months for its amphibious boats, reporting its “largest order book ever” and long waiting lists of up to eight months.

Sealegs co-founder and chief executive officer, David McKee Wright, says the company has taken on 17 more staff to fulfil the increased orders.

Tristram Marine has also been hiring new staff for its growing team in Hamilton, saying “demand is at an unprecedented high for Tristram Hardtops, Targa Top and Cabriolet boat packages.”

Neil Cameron, a Tauranga based broker at Gulf Group Marine Brokers Limited agrees there has been increased demand for both new and used boats in the last six months as well as new players in the market, which he attributes both to the border closures and low interest rates.

“With Kiwis unable to travel overseas, people are looking for new leisure pursuits and if they are not making much interest in banks then they have been looking to other assets to invest in such as boats.”

Neil says while demand was continuing in 2021 it remained to be seen whether this would taper off when the borders do eventually open and New Zealanders head back overseas.

Surtees Boats sales and marketing manager Isabell Zitzelsberger says business is “humming” for both new and used boats.

Demand was so great that in July 2020 Surtees opened a showroom and retail outlet on Tauranga’s Hewletts Road, where clients can come and browse the boats on offer and book in demos.

“Since we opened people have been flooding through the doors. It is not just people who are already into boats and fishing. We are seeing first timers such as families who are seeing the benefits of exploring our own coastline and lakes rather than go overseas.”

Business is not slowing down even after the summer season, which Isabell attributes to people seeing not just the pleasures of owning a boat, but that boats are a good investment.

“Our boats depreciate little, so say in five years, you still own a valuable asset plus all the enjoyment you gain out of it.”

Isabell says the company is also busy preparing boats to showcase at the upcoming Auckland boat show in May.

Staying safe

With more boats hitting the water, it’s vital everyone – no matter how experienced – makes sure they understand and follow the rules.

NZ Marine, representing the marine industry, has worked closely with Maritime NZ and Coastguard NZ in ensuring that practical boating safety messages have been communicated to the boating public, says Peter.

“We are pleased to see that it appears to have worked with the majority of the boating public aware of the rules and also looking after the coastal and lakes environment that all are so fortunate to have in New Zealand.”

Tauranga Coastguard operations manager Dane Robertson says that with more boats on the water, they have seen “a steady increase of on-water assists”.

“Despite the lockdown in 2020, it was still our busiest year.  So far in 2021 we have assisted 73 vessels, which means we are up 23 per cent from the previous year and 43 per cent from 2018, so 2021 may be another record year for Tauranga  Volunteer Coastguard.”

Dane says that 52 per cent of people they are helping have issues with their motor or electrics, and a further 11 per cent are fuel related.

“Our only purpose is to help make sure people get back safely to shore should they get in trouble.

“We cannot stress enough the importance of logging trip reports on the local VHF channel as well as having two different forms of communication.We encourage everyone to follow our ‘boating safety checklist’, and to join Coastguard.”