Marine Barbecues Australia named #1 at METS

by Bob Wonders on 2 Nov 2007 From Port Stephens to Amsterdam, Australia's marine barbecues hit the high spots. Marine Barbecues Australia manufactures a range of barbecues from its smallest, the award-winning Galleymate 1100, able to cook for four to six people, through to its Entertainer 7000, capable of preparing meals for up to 30.

Industry identity Andrew McGowan had every reason to be sporting a broad smile when he and wife Noreen returned from METS (Marine Equipment Trade Show) in Amsterdam.

The Port Stephens-based marine barbecue manufacturer’s highly efficient ‘Galleymate 1100’ received ‘glowing reports’ from the US publication Practical Sailor and was named best on the market by judges at METS.

Marine Barbecues Australia now sells its marine range throughout Australia and offshore to dealers in the United States, New Zealand, the Middle East, South Africa, Hong Kong and across Europe.

A member of the Boating Industry Association of NSW and a regular exhibitor at the association’s boat shows, Marine Barbecues Australia designs and manufactures a range of barbecues from its smallest, the award-winning ‘Galleymate 1100', able to cook for four to six people, through to the ‘Entertainer 7000’, capable of preparing meals for up to 30.

All are made using marine grade 316 stainless steel and are available in either gas or electric (240V and 110V), and by using 316ss Marine Barbecues Australia offers a 10-year warranty.

Andrew McGowan said the ‘Galleymate 1100’ had to date proven the most popular model in the range, due primarily to its size, versatility and unique design features.

'The design features that have helped make this model so popular include the fact that it is totally windproof, has a large viewing window to enable cooking to be monitored and can be used as a barbecue, a stove or an oven, all in the one unit,' he explained.

'It’s a concept that has been well received by both the boating and camping fraternity,' he added.

Andrew said he faced a number of challenges when designing the unit. 'It had to be windproof, an essential feature for those cooking on board with no protection from the weather, it had to be waterproof, of course, corrosion resistant and obviously versatile,' he pointed out.

'Further to that, mounting systems had to be designed and produced to allow simple attachment to boat rails and transoms, and this had to be extremely flexible to cater for different boat designs.

Although designed primarily as gas units for boating/camping use, as Andrew explains the electric model overcomes the safety issue imposed on gas barbecues when used on apartment balconies, adding to the unit’s versatility.

On the export front, Marine Barbecues Australia continues to achieve top marks.

'Last month we shipped three container loads of our larger models to the United States where they will be installed aboard 228 houseboats', Andrew said.

'That company has also taken on distribution rights of our units for the USA and has assured us of another container load within the next two months. All looking good,' he added.

All Marine Barbecues Australia models have undergone rigorous testing and have been approved by the Australian Gas Association.

The ‘Galleymate 1100’ also boasts the approved level for compliance with all European market requirements.

For further information contact Marine Barbecues Australia, Port Stephens, NSW, telephone (02) 4982-9560.