| 1987: |
In a back street workshop in Invercargill, Paul Adams and Bruce Dickens build the first rigid hulled aluminium pontoon boat - a Stabicraft 3.5 Dinghy,
called the "Ally Duck". Later that year the operation moves to leased premises at 345 Bluff Road, Invercargill.
The PowerBoat Centre in Christchurch becomes the first Stabicraft dealer. |
| 1988: |
The first Stabicraft are exported to British Columbia in Canada. The initial shipment is two dinghies and three runabouts. |
| 1991: |
Stabicraft buy the premises at 345 Bluff Road, Invercargill. |
| 1992: |
Thanetcraft Aluminium Boats are licensed to build Stabicraft in the UK where they’re sold and marketed under the Thanetcraft brand.
Stabicraft boats are first exported to a distributor in the USA. |
| 1994: |
Stabicraft boats are first exported to Australia.
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| 1996: |
Stabicraft unveils the 550XC – the forerunner for the XR Sport range. It is the first Stabi built for the family and recreational market. Until then the range was aimed at fishermen, divers and commercial operators.
Stabicraft attains New Zealand Way brand accreditation. The brand was developed in 1993 as a joint initiative of NZ Tourism and Tradenz as a mark of quality, excellence and environmental responsibility.
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| 1997: |
The Generation II pontoon is launched. The first major design change in a decade, it represents a turning point, allowing for more streamlined silhouettes for boats that are more functional and have greater appeal in the recreational market.
Trans Tasman Marine is appointed as Stabicraft distributors in Australia. This opens the Australian market and introduces the brand to the United Nations and aid relief agencies.
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| 1998: |
Stabicraft appoints its first Australian dealers.
Sean McColl is appointed the company’s first Sales Manager.
Two executive directors join the board - Ian Morrison of Ian Morrison and Associates Auckland, who brings expertise in marketing and distribution, and John Walley of LJC Associates Christchurch, whose specialty is production and process.
The Stabicraft 630HT wins the best fishing boat in show at the Auckland Boat Show.
Stabicraft donate 4.3 metre and 5.15 metre cabin boats to the Free Willy Keiko Foundation to help return the captured Orca to freedom in Iceland waters. |
| 1999: |
Stabicraft splits its range into distinct models launching the Fish’r and XR Sport at its inaugural Sales Conference when 18 dealers turn up for a one-and-a-half day seminar to learn more about
Stabicraft Marine’s positive buoyancy™ boats and revise marketing systems.
Stabicraft supplies the gate prize to the New Zealand Boat show - a 580 HT.
The Jean-Michel Cousteau Oceanographic Institute buys a 630HT for its research facility in California.
St Johns Ambulance take to the water at the America's Cup in Auckland Harbour in a Stabicraft 703HT. |
| 2001: |
Stabicraft partners the Southern Institute of Technology to put aluminium-alloy boat building firmly on the trades’ agenda in Southland.
The completion of the phase one factory upgrade doubles manufacturing capacity, raising it to 500 boats a year.
Stabicraft adopts the CPC compliance plate – an independent quality control standard approved by the Coast Guard and MIA (Marine Industry Association).
Stabicraft introduces the top dealer award at its second sales conference. The winner is Leeon Johnston of Totally Boating, Moteuka. |
| 2002: |
Stabicraft appoints Dan Lomax as its manufacturer’s representative in the USA having been disappointed by previous attempts to secure licensing agreements in the states in the mid 1990s.
Stabicraft staff numbers hit 50. |
| 2003: |
Stabicraft Marine achieves Workplace Safety Management Practice primary level.
A customised 14 metre Stabicraft, Delphenidae, built for Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura
and becomes the largest Stabicraft built. Too big for the doors, the rear wall is taken off the factory to get the boat out.
Renee and Rob Hook of Adventure Marine in NSW take the dealer honours at the Stabicraft Sales Conference. |
| 2004: |
Doug Jukes is the first Stabicraft apprentice to achieve his Boat Building Certificate from the Boating Industry Training Organisation.
Stabicraft registers and complies with the Australian Builders Plate level flotation standards – it’s the first manufacturer to sign up for the standards that become mandatory in 2006.
Stabicraft 609HT wins best aluminium boat at the Otago Boat and Outdoor Show. |
| 2005: |
Stabicraft appoints Leeon Johnston as its first Australian sales manager.
New Caledonian dealer appointed.
Stabicraft opens a $1 million building upgrade which includes expanded workshop, office and show room. The expansion marks an increase in production capacity to 1000 boats per year on a single shift.
Lindsay Deegan Marine of Tasmania wins the dealer award at Stabicraft’s biennial sales conference.
The Stabicraft 609HT wins Aluminium Boat of the Show at the Christchurch Boat Show. |
| 2006: |
Stabicraft Marine is recognised by the Southland Chamber of Commerce Export Forum as Exporter of the Year. |
| 2007: |
Stabicraft Marine managing director Paul Adams is named a member of the NZ Order of Merit for services to business.
Stabicraft Marine builds a second factory (for larger, custom boats) and dedicated service centre on its
Bluff Road site. |
| 2008: |
The Stabicraft 759 SC Sport is launched with the revolutionary Gen 3 pontoon,
which, coupled with slight hull modifications, gives improved on-water
performance. It’s the first boat designed with multiple options that can be
retrospectively fitted, added value to the second-hand market. |
| Today: |
Nowadays, our boats are found in waters worldwide. We have standard models
across four ranges – the original Fish’rs, the recreational Sports XRs, the
robust Frontiers and our all-weather Super Cabs. Around 600 boats are turned out
from our Invercargill (New Zealand) factory every year thanks to a dedicated
staff of 70. Our global team features 16 dealers in New Zealand, 14 in
Australia, three in the US, one in Canada and one in New Caledonia. |