NEW BOATS - POWERCATS POUNCE ON MARKET
Despite the softness of the boat-manufacturing business internationally, PowerCat at Caboolture in Queensland have surged ahead this year.
“We have experienced a great recovery from last year,” said proprietor Steve Shaw, adding that his yard has orders until September this year, delivering one boat every fortnight.
“Like most of the marine industry we took a 50 per cent dive last year in the global financial crisis,” Shaw said. “Prior to the downturn we were delivering one boat every five days.”.
But now the recreational luxury market is on the rebound, prompting a new top-end 3100 PowerCat Sports Cruiser model with a price tag of $260,000. The first model will be delivered to a client at Pacific Harbour on Bribie Island, virtually a neighbour of the Shaws. PowerCat will also release a new 3400 Wide Bodied Sports Cruiser.
On the commercial front, Powercat orders have come from a wide variety of international and local clients, including Search and Rescue craft for Dubai, private ferries for Hong Kong Harbour, VMR vessels in Australia and commercial abalone fishing operators in Bass Straight. See ww.powercatmarine.com.au.
Photos: The new 3100 PowerCat Sports Cruiser.