Whakatane boat builder scoops award for Australia's best aluminium boat of the year

Winners: Surtees Boats has scooped a major award with its 700 Game Fisher model being named Australia's Greatest Aluminium Boat. Photo/Supplied

Whakatane's Surtees Boats has scooped a major award with its 700 Game Fisher model being named Australia's Greatest Aluminium Boat by Australian media outlet Trade-a-Boat.

Surtees Boats - one of New Zealand's largest production boat builders, which exports almost half its total production to Australia - eased out strong competition from the American-built Tracker, the Australian Stessco and Anglapro brands, as well as New Zealand's Stabicraft.

For Surtees Boats, the 700 Game Fisher launched in 2015 has quickly become one of the company's top sellers, with more than 50 sold since its launch.

"We are extremely proud of the 700 Game Fisher's achievements from the day it was unveiled to the public," said Surtees Boats chief executive Adam Dyck.

"We have always been proud of our innovation, or what we call Surtees IQ. This carries across to quality, construction, performance, design and safety. It's fantastic that the judges also feel we are getting it right."

Each finalist was assessed by five judges across 10 criteria, starting with suitability for fishing, innovation, design and layout, quality of finish, handling and ride, and stability at rest. Add in ergonomics, standard equipment, value for money and that indefinable X-Factor.

Senior boat tester and host John "Bear" Willis was full of praise for the Surtees boat. "The entire work place is pure platinum in the eyes of any keen fisho, especially those with a yearning for the big blue water," he said.

Guest judge Jo Starling said she was unable to fault the design. "Each builder even signs their boat on the transom in the weld. This ownership is clearly reflected in the workmanship."

Trade-a-Boat Magazine Australia editor Tim van Duyl said the win was a credit to the dedication and tenacity of the staff.

"Having come excruciatingly close to winning with last year's battleship-sized 850 Game Fisher and equally near a few years back with their pocket-rocket 4.7 Workmate, it is clear that they make great boats," he said.

"So when the 700 Game Fisher was first tested by our head honcho tester we knew it would be good. How good? John came from the test singing its praises and making it the one to beat this year."

Mr Dyck said Surtees prided itself on making safe, confidence-inspiring boats.

"And what is even more special, these awards are given after putting the boat through its paces in its natural environment - out on the water."

Surtees Boats
• Based: Whakatane
• Staff: 57
• Dealers: 18 globally
• Production: 400 boats a year