Stabi Team

I have worked at Stabicraft for over 30 years, taking on various roles ranging from Trades Assistant to Welder Fabricator, and more recently, Quality Supervisor. This role leverages my extensive experience in alloy boat manufacturing, and it requires a keen attention to detail. One of the most rewarding aspects of my career has been witnessing the aesthetic improvements and enhanced handling capabilities of Stabicraft boats over the years. 

Outside of the boating industry, I am passionate about muscle cars, fishing, and spending time with my family. The best advice I can share from my extensive experience at Stabicraft is to keep an open mind and remain willing to learn.

I design new product and models, performance test new models and manage prototypes. I enjoy boats and engineering, so what better place to come.

I started at Stabicraft® in 2011 where I completed my boatbuilding apprenticeship, then went to another boat-building firm for a few years before coming back to Stabicraft® to get into design and prototyping. Seeing my ideas come through the model range and pushing the boundaries. I also enjoy testing the new prototypes. 

When not working, I enjoy fishing, boating, hunting, hanging out with my family.

A typical day for our team is a skeleton boat will come into the workshop, and as a team we piece together everything you’d expect to see on a boat such as; windows, anchors, seats, all of its wiring and more. Then we clean and prepare the boat for its next steps.

The reason I joined Stabicraft was to be able to learn new skills that could lead to something more in the future, especially without having any prior knowledge or experience - and the ability to work 40+ hours a week is nice too!

Having been in hospitality and retail for about 11 years, it’s nice to be doing something physical. It can be challenging but everyone is so helpful and willing to share their extensive knowledge and skills. There’s room for development, whether you’re starting off in the industry like me, or if you’ve had prior experience. 

My advise to those considering joining our team, if this is out of your comfort zone, don’t be intimidated by the job description. If you have the right mindset, like to be challenged, and you’re willing to learn, then what’s stopping you from becoming part of the team? Whether you have some experience or none at all - there are always opportunities to learn. 

What I love most is the standard of the company, quality of work environment, and friendly people.

Before coming to Stabicraft® I had 12 years’ experience welding in aluminium boat building, 5 years as a steel welder on building construction and 15 years as a motor vehicle mechanic. I have a trade certificate in welding as well as a motor vehicle mechanic trade certificate. 

With Stabicraft, I found a permanent, secure, and perfect job. Invercargill offered good schools for the kids and I enjoy the people here - they are friendly.

My role involves dispatching parts orders, warranties, and apparel, loading parts into shipping containers, and receiving purchase orders and issuing stock. It is a busy role that involves a lot of problem-solving. Originally, I started as a boat groomer on a casual basis, then took on the role of cleaner for Stabicraft for about eight months. A new role popped up at the right time in Stores, it was alongside my cleaning role, but it has become a full-time job over time.

Every day is different for me. Most of all I enjoy keeping my brain busy and problem solving. It really helps when you have a good team - it makes the day enjoyable when we are under the pump. It can be very demanding at times as our company just keeps getting busier. Best advice for newbies, be open minded and take any advice you can from the handful of workers that have been here for 20 +years as they are very knowledgeable.

We have a huge team here and it takes every single one of us to produce the amount of boats we do.