How the isolated lower East Coast birthed a Kiwi boating success story

We recently ran a promotion to help our dealers get the word out about Mariner Insurance. Profile Boats, a Napier-based fishing boat builder, was the winning dealer. 

When we got talking to the team at Profile Boats, we realised they’ve got quite a Kiwi success story to tell - plus a really special product. So we sat down with Mark Hunter, the General Manager at Profile Boats, to find out more about how their brand began and what’s so special about their vessels.

Necessity is the mother of invention

Profile Boats is located in Napier, Hawkes Bay, which is the last boat ramp for 400km to the south. After that ramp there’s only beach launching, open, exposed coastlines, and limited shelter.

When the brand began in 2003 they were focused on the local market, so they needed to adapt their vessels to suit these difficult conditions. Mark says the solution makes their vessels perfect for any and all rough conditions: 

“Profile Boats are air chamber boats which makes them virtually unsinkable. They have 6 separate air-tight compartments that reach right up to the top of the gunnels. This means they are inherently stable in many sea conditions.

Unlike other air chamber boats, Profile Boats also employ a deep V along with a low transom deadrise. This means that they are not only stable but are very good in rough seas and it is very difficult to bury the nose. Essential characteristics when beach launching. 

Mark added that these attributes mean they are also extremely safe in many other conditions, including crossing a river bar or taking on massive swells (especially in a following sea).

Fully inhouse manufacturing & fit out

Another thing that makes Profile Boats unique is that they employ a direct-to-consumer model, so they control the entire manufacturing and fit-out process.

Practically, this means you can expect the same level of quality and craft throughout the vessel - but also incredible attention to detail:

“Profile Boats has a company culture developed around quality. Like the auto industry, customers' expectations for reliability, safety and design continue to evolve at a tremendous pace each year,” said Mark.

“We are one of the few alloy boat brands that are 100% finished in-house. All Profile Boats leave the factory having gone through a full sea trial. This means Profile Boats has control over the whole manufacturing process, from design, fabrication, fit out and installation of all electronics.”

Mad keen fishermen

Profile Boat’s edge in a crowded market comes from their craft and attention to detail, but also their passion (for fishing that is). Their boats are built for fishing first and foremost, and Mark reckons all their customers are ‘mad keen fishermen’:

“This means our boats need to be super practical and designed around the everyday requirements of the keen angler,” explains Mark. 

“Not only are our customers mad keen fishermen, but so are all our staff. As a result, we have the knowledge and the skills to deliver fishing boats with a well thought out design and layout.” 

The Profile Boats range is also tailored to suit any and all fishermen, from a 4.3m dive vessel, to an amphibious model, and a massive 32+ foot flagship 940HW. This beast has a fully enclosed cabin, large deck, and can handle up to 800hp. 

Mark reckons the range is well worth a look if “you are a keen fisherman who loves lots of deck space and practicality but loves the look and feel of a high-quality aluminium boat design.”