Quality keeps NZ boat builders afloat

The boat building industry's reputation for quality has been a saviour when other exporters have felt the pinch of the high dollar, the Marine Industry Association says.

Its figures for 2005 show an industry turnover of $1.54 billion - $535 million of which was exports.

It is forecasting turnover to double by 2020 to $3.2 billion, with export sales of $1.8 billion.