Longboats make a long-awaited return

by Jeni Bone on 2 Nov 2009 Seasoned marine industry professional, Captain Joe Goddard says that despite the lull in the market, the time is right for competitively priced boat brands to fill a niche, and he is adding Longboats to his offering at his recently opened dealership, GoMarine servicing the Tweed and Gold Coast.

Goddard is channeling his three decades of experience across marina development, yacht design and sailing into GoMarine, a retail venture on the Tweed/Gold Coast border, perfectly positioned on water and showcasing the best in local and imported trailer boats.

Despite the competitive environment, Goddard is confident GoMarine will strike a chord with consumers from northern NSW and the Gold Coast.

Goddard – formerly CEO of Southport Yacht Club and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, co-founder of EastSail, says well-priced, high quality brands like Stacer, Baysport and Yamaha are ideal for the local recreational boating market. Goddard also predicts the introduction of the Longboat 19 and 24 will appeal to a broad segment.

“The longboats are made in Dubai and are extremely well crafted to suit our conditions. They come in 19ft and 24ft models and are ideal for fishing and family activities. They are competitively priced to fill a niche in the boating market.”

Goddard, whose business has involved working on massive marina projects in the Middle East and Asia, says his visit to the factory in Dubai was informative and convinced him to take on the longboats.

“The factory at Al Yousef Industries is fully endorsed by Yamaha, Japan. The technicians are trained to the highest degree and conform to the stringent standards imposed by Yamaha.

Al Yousef facilities are superior to most boat builders in the Middle East. They’re known as the best small boat builders in the region and their boats are exported to Asia, Africa, New Zealand and now, Australia through GoMarine.”

Located in the central industrial area of Dubai, the factory features a large showroom, clean work shops, efficient spare parts division and well-trained staff. Management is very stable with executives having a long and respected career within the company.

Says Goddard: “The Shipwrights hand lay the hulls, but still exercise control on resin, to make sure the hulls are not heavy. Unlike many Australian manufacturers, the hulls are fully completed in the same factory, from keel to bimini – nothing is outsourced – to keep quality standards first rate.”

Longboats have a long history in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. While they are not known for their ground-breaking design, the boats were originally designed specifically for beach and ocean fishing in Asia and have retained the same shape for generations.

“These designs have broken in to recreational boating and are now very respected,” adds Goddard. “In Australia, the longboats were previously known as the Southwind. These boats were discontinued a few years ago, but were always popular and prized for being easily driven hulls with excellent performance in the rivers and oceans.”

Along with their low draft, allowing boaters access to shallow inlets (where the fish are!), the longboats are durable, stable and built to top standards by qualified technicians.

“GoMarine will stand behind this product and provides a full warranty on the hulls. We fit out the boats’ electrics, rails, biminis and Yamaha outboards.”

The ideal buyer of the longboat, according to Goddard, is the “educated boatie who is looking for something different, an affordable fishing boat and more importantly, affordable fuel consumption and running costs”.

“The boats are sold with Yamaha 2-strokes or 4-strokes to suit individual taste. Our first Longboat 19 has a 40HP, 2-stroke motor and is tiller steered, with a strong bimini, storage, safety gear, trailer and registration. The first Longboat 24 is a centre console boat with stainless steel and fixed top, full bow rails and spray dodger, plus a 90HP 2-stroke motor.

'The 24ft hulls are so strong, they can take a 200HP Yamaha 4-stroke. I have seen 24s used overseas as commercial water taxis licensed for a dozen or more passengers. From GoMarine it comes with trailer, T Top canopy, Bow rails, self draining cockpit, bait tank, storage, depth sounder, safety equipment, registrations of trailer and boat for $45,400.”

As Goddard reports, GoMarine is putting the final touches on the Longboat 19 and Longboat 24 and pleasantly surprised by the interest they are generating.

“I am contacted daily by people who have followed the history of the longboat. Many have seen their remarkable hulls cut through the sea and rivers in Asia and here in Australia. Our list of prospects wanting sea trials is amazing. Every single person is blown away by the selling price of the 19s – $18,690 for a fully-fitted and registered boat with 40HP Yamaha outboard, Oceanic trailer, bimini, carpeted floor and safety equipment.”

Just this week, Goddard conducted sea trials on his new range. The boats performed immaculately. “The Longboat 19 does 25 knots top speed with the 40HP Yamaha and it handles like a dream,” he says, adding that the motor is “whisper quiet”.

“The Yamaha motor is easy to lift for shallow water access. The boat is comfortable and cuts through the chop.”

More at www.gomarineaustralia.com