FORMAULA CRUISERS ACQUIRES EUREKA GAME BOATS

New Zealand-based Formula Cruisers continues to expand its operation with the recent acquisition of Australian gameboat builder Eureka Game Boats. Eureka was responsible for the design and manufacture of the Eureka 42, a purpose-designed gameboat that, according to Formula Cruisers, has received top reviews in the boating press and at Australian boat shows.

Formula Cruisers said the Eureka 42 will be rebranded as the ICON 42, and that it will be a welcome addition to the Formula Cruisers ICON range in the 54 to 75ft category.

Production of the ICON 42 will be moved to Formula’s 4000m² factory in Auckland, and the first available construction start slot is scheduled for March 2010.

Troy Woods, Formula Cruisers’ sales and marketing manager, said the acquisition of the Eureka 42 satisfied several client requests.

“Over recent years we have had many discussions with clients and guests as to the lack of choice for a local built, purpose-designed, high quality gameboat, and also as to when Formula Cruisers would once again produce a smaller model for family cruising,” he said.

“With the acquisition of the Eureka 42 we are looking forward to providing a solution to both of these requests”.

Formula Cruisers said the Eureka 42 not only shared the company’s philosophy of exceptional seakeeping ability, but also featured the familiar “Carolina” sheer line and flared bow favoured by sportsfishing aficionados.

These strengths are said to translate into safe and comfortable family cruising, and according to Formula Cruisers, the new ICON 42 will provide a top-quality option for the hardcore fishing and general family boating fraternities alike.

In addition, several small refinements that have proven successful on bigger models will also introduced on the new 42.

David Stills, Eureka Game Boats general manager, said the acquisition was great news for buyers.

“Eureka has designed a fantastic boat in the 42, and now with Formula’s resources and skillsets they can be produced as an integral part of a complete model range,” he said.

“In addition, customers will enjoy the benefits and reputation of a long established boatbuilding company with a well-established agency and after-sales service network. We are proud of what we achieved at Eureka and now look forward to supporting and seeing the new ICON 42 launching in the near future”.

Visit www.formulacruisers.com for more information.