New Zealand yacht builders win prestigious international awards

by Kate Gordon on 9 Nov 2010

Southern Ocean Marine built the 32-metre Liara which won the yacht’s designers, Dixon Yacht Design, the ShowBoats’ best naval architecture award for a sailing yacht. Supplied by boat yards

Two major yacht design awards ceremonies have seen the talents of New Zealand yacht builders Auckland-based Alloy Yachts, New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Yachts, Tauranga’s Southern Ocean Marine and Auckland’s Yachting Developments recognised on the world stage.

Alloy Yachts won a prestigious design award from the International Superyacht Society (ISS) for the 58.4-metre sailing yacht Kokomo which was launched earlier this year. Kokomo won the 2010 ISS design award for best sailing yacht over 40-metres, which recognised Alloy Yachts’ exceptional skill as a yacht builder.

Fitzroy Yachts built the 45-metre Salperton IV which won designers Dubois Naval Architects the 2010 ShowBoats design award for best exterior design and styling in a sailing yacht. Salperton IV was also a finalist in the ISS design awards for sailing yachts over 40-metres.

Southern Ocean Marine built the 32-metre Liara which won the yacht’s designers, Dixon Yacht Design, the ShowBoats’ best naval architecture award for a sailing yacht.

Yachting Developments was recognised at the 2010 ShowBoats design awards as the builder of the 36.8-metre sailing yacht Bliss which took out the best gallery design award for designers Design Unlimited and Dubois Naval Architects. © Supplied by boat yards

The Tauranga-based company also played a key role in the installation and operation of Liara’s innovative keel system, which won the 2010 ShowBoats design and technology award. The keel was designed by Owen Clarke Design in Auckland and built by Kawarau Engineering.

The quality workmanship of Yachting Developments was also recognised at the 2010 ShowBoats design awards with the New Zealand company having built the 36.8-metre sailing yacht Bliss which took out the best gallery design award for designers Design Unlimited and Dubois Naval Architects. Bliss was also a finalist in the ISS design awards for the best sailing yacht 24 to 40-metres.

All four companies are members of the New Zealand Marine Export Group (NZMEG).

Recently-appointed NZMEG chairman Owen Rutter from Events Clothing in Auckland, says the successes in these prestigious international awards show New Zealand companies continue to demonstrate their ability to produce some of the finest yachts in the world.

'There’s no doubt Alloy Yachts continues to be recognised as one of the best superyacht builders in the world and their ongoing success in the ISS design awards highlights their considerable abilities,' says Rutter.

'Tony Hambrook and his team at Alloy Yachts embrace the traditional ‘can do’ attitude for which New Zealanders are renowned. Combined with an absolute commitment to quality, this plays a key role in their ability to continue to attract yacht owners from around the world to select New Zealand as the building place for their next superyacht.

Fitzroy Yachts built the 45-metre Salperton IV which won designers Dubois Naval Architects the 2010 ShowBoats design award for best exterior design and styling in a sailing yacht. Salperton IV was also a finalist in the ISS design awards for sailing yachts over 40-metres. © Supplied by boat yards

'It’s also fantastic for the New Zealand marine sector for the equally talented teams at Yachting Developments, Fitzroy Yachts and Southern Ocean Marine recognised for their world-class efforts.

'The flow-on effect of having boat builders of this calibre in New Zealand is significant for the marine sector and the country as a whole. Their ability to attract ongoing business from European, American and Australian superyacht owners creates opportunities for numerous other marine businesses.

'It’s also important to note that many local equipment suppliers are also involved in these award-winning projects, so success in the International Superyacht Society and ShowBoats design awards reflects well on a significant number of talented and innovative New Zealand businesses involved in the wider marine sector.'

The New Zealand marine sector currently generates around $0.72 billion in foreign exchange per year and a recently-released industry plan aims to grow these export earnings to around $1.11 billion by 2015.

Both sets of design awards were presented alongside the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show which ran from 28 October to 1 November. This year, the NZMEG co-ordinated exhibition space featured Maxwell Marine, Fitzroy Motor Yachts, Stainless DownUnder, Manson Anchors, McMullen & Wing, ABB, McKay Electrical, Fusion and Yachting Developments, while Alloy Yachts had their own exhibition site at this important annual boat show in Florida.