Success for New Zealand yacht builders on world stage
Wednesday 4 November 2009, 1:08PM
By NZ Marine
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New Zealand yacht builders have again proved the world-class quality of their craftsmanship with two Auckland-based companies winning several superyacht awards announced at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show on 31 October 2009.
Alloy Yachts and Yachting Developments, both members of the NZ Marine Export Group (NZ Marine), won design awards from the International Superyacht Society (ISS) and ShowBoats International. In addition, Tony Hambrook, managing director of Alloy Yachts, was presented with the ISS leadership award.
Alloy Yachts’ 51.7-metre Mondango was selected from a group of five finalists to take out the 2009 ISS design award for sailing yachts over 40-metres in length. The Ed Dubois-designed Mondango was also named the best sailing yacht over 45-metres in the ShowBoats International award.
Alloy Yachts also succeeded in the 24 to 40m motor yacht category with the 39.9-metre Allogante winning this design award. Allogante was designed by Dubois Naval Architects.
Bristolian, a 36.5-metre, Philippe Briand-designed sailing yacht, won the 24 to 40-metre category in the ISS design awards for Yachting Developments. The vessel also received the ShowBoats International award for the best interior.
“These two awards are very important accolades that herald the quality and consistency that NZ Marine’s boat builders continue to deliver year in and year out,” says Mark Wightman, NZ Marine chairman. “The ever-growing list of awards achieved by so many New Zealand-built yachts sends an important message that our industry is in great shape and is here for the long haul.”
Yachting Developments’ managing director Ian Cook described Bristolian as “...an absolute team effort from designers through to apprentices. Bristolian is an outstanding vessel; it is great to see others agree.”
Twelve NZ Marine members, including Yachting Developments and Alloy Yachts, exhibited at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which concluded on 2 November. This was 50th anniversary of the show and featured over $US 3 billion worth of boats, yachts, superyachts, electronics and accessories across more than three million square feet of exhibition space on land and water at the Bahia Mar Yachting Centre in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
ENDS/