Dalton link pays off for Tauranga boatbuilding firm

The Tauranga boatbuilding firm that made Graham Dalton's Hexagon for the Around Alone race has landed two more multimillion-dollar deals to build ocean-racing yachts.

Southern Ocean Marine is also quoting to make a further four first-class racing yachts as it enters one of the world's toughest sporting markets.

The company's latest coup is landing a deal to build the boat that will carry the hopes of English sailor Mike Golding in next year's Vendee Globe single-handed, non-stop race around the world.

Alongside the hull of the Merv Owen-designed, $2 million Open-60 racer is a $1.3 million yacht taking shape for the Trans-Pacific (Transpac), a spectacular tradewinds race from San Francisco to Honolulu.

The Bruce Farr-designed Transpac-52 boat has been built for a Hong Kong billionaire and will be skippered by Prada's tactician, New Zealander Gavin Brady.

Southern Ocean Marine is also quoting to build a further four Open-60s from three designers.

Directors Greg McNabb and Greg Prescott said the boatyard's big break was building the Open-60 racer for Dalton.

"Hexagon did us a huge favour," said Prescott.

But the yacht will not complete the race, Dalton having to withdraw last weekend after suffering two dismastings.

He would not have time to complete repairs before the start of the fifth and final leg from Brazil on April 13.

Tauranga's profile was boosted by being chosen for Around Alone's Australasian stopover and now Southern Ocean Marine is reaping the benefits.

Prescott said only a handful of yards worldwide tackled the tricky high-tech composite work that went into building open-class racers, which were becoming popular because of their hugely reduced weight and big sail area.

When people spent millions on campaigns, they must have complete confidence in the boatbuilders.

- NZPA

Further reading: nzherald.co.nz/marine