How Rayglass gives dozens of old vessels new life every year

Rayglass has built a name producing near unsinkable fibreglass vessels, and some of the world’s highest performing RIBs (via the Protector brand name). Founded by Tony and Vicki Hembrow, way back in 1985 - these guys are New Zealand boating icons.  

Recently, they’ve been doing something a little different. In 2021 they welcomed a new hire to their close knit team, who had over 30+ years experience fixing, fiddling and renovating. Tim Tsoumas now runs the Rayglass Premium Restoration Department, which restores up to 50 old vessels every year.  

Give your boat a bit of love and it’ll serve you well 

Tim hit the ground running when he started his new job, fully refurbishing and refitting 22 Protectors that were used for America’s Cup chase boats. They were gutted and had 40+ new features added so they could serve as Coastguard vessels all over NZ.  

More recently, he’s been helping boat owners give new life to older vessels:  

“Give your boat a bit of love and it’ll serve you well. Once they’re refurbished, they’re pretty close to brand new, and when you go out on the water, you’ll know everything will work first time.” 

Some purchase an old vessel with an eye for renovating it, while others simply want to get another 10 - 20 years out of their existing boats. Tim says the process is always an ongoing conversation - a collaboration between him and the owner: 

“We start with a phone call. Then I’ll have a look at the vessel and write a comprehensive, itemised list of everything we can do so the owner can go through it and pick and choose. While I’m talking to them I’ll give them ideas, and get an idea of their enthusiasm.” 

“Some owners like to drop in regularly for progress updates and get photos every week. Others just leave it with me. It’s an evolving process though. Some get started, then see another boat in our workshop and think, that’s cool, why don’t we do that on my boat.” 

Hovercrafts, gin drawers & Rayglass 4000s 

While the Premium Restoration Department mainly works on Rayglass boats for obvious reasons, their doors are open for all boat owners, and they regularly restore other vessels:

“There’s nothing we don’t tackle. Buccaneers, Haines Hunters, Caribes, you name it. I’m even talking to a regular customer who’s thinking of sending us a hovercraft to refurbish.” 

One of Tim’s favourite projects in recent memory was a Rayglass 4000 that he extensively renovated. This is the biggest vessel Rayglass has ever built, and it was discontinued in 2017 when the 3500 was released, Tim says: 

“He [the 4000 owner] was an absolute legend. He came up to Auckland several times. We got talking about what he liked about his friend’s boats and what he wanted to do,” Tim said.  

“He showed me photos of a Riviera next to his empty Rayglass 4000 and everyone’s on the back of the Riviera sitting on a massive L-shaped couch having a few drinks. So we thought, why don’t we make his boat like that?”  

So Tim got the masking tape out and started laying out an outdoor lounge. A few weeks later he’d pushed the bait board, barbeque and chilly bin to the back of the duckboard, then built an L-shaped couch on the larger back deck that’s perfect for entertaining (plus a gin drawer stocked with bottles and mixers). He’s also added solar panels, an inverter, new upholstery, custom dash, new electronics, bow sun lounger and more.

Tim says he gets a few customers that look at refurbishing as a way to get a boat that’s as good as new, customised to their requirements for a lower price than something brand new. Other owners just want to give their existing boats a new lease of life: 

“Not much can go wrong with a good quality fibreglass boat. It all comes down to maintenance. If you refurbish one, there’s no reason you can’t get another good 20 years out of it, easily.” 

“I’m renovating a 1996 Rayglass 620 at the moment, and we’re really respecting it’s retro design. It’s so cool. The owner likes his boat and doesn’t want to replace it, so we’re doing it inside and out. Going with an original burgundy stripe colour scheme. This thing looks incredible.” 

“I used to think Jeremy Clarkson had it good” 

Chat to Tim about his job for five minutes and you’ll quickly realise he loves what he does. That explains why he produces such incredible results, and why his attention to detail is second to none:  

“Mate, I just love all the little details that go into making a boat perfect. The before and after is so satisfying, and seeing the customer get all fizzed is great.” 

“I used to think Jeremy Clarkson had it good, but now I reckon I’ve got the dream job. I used to work in automotive but this is so much better - I’m working on something they [customers] really love, a weekend escape, and that’s pretty special.” 

Images: Rayglass Boats