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The American-built Sea Ray 44 Sundancer may have claimed the Boat of the Show title at the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show over the weekend but it couldn't match the sales success of a local product.
Henderson-based boatbuilders Silver Tiger took an order for its $700,000-$800,000 Diamond Series 4300 power cat within 90 minutes of the show having opened on Thursday and took three more orders over the course of the show.
Boat designer Kelvin Travers said the orders would keep the 40-employee company busy for at least 18 months.
"The public have just gone 'wow'," he said.
The 12.65m fishing or cruising boat was a step up for the company, which typically produced boats up to 10m.
"We would normally sell two or three boats [at the show] but this is four boats at top dollar. It is running it to a whole new level."
Mr Travers was disappointed the boat had lost out on the Boat of the Show title to the $975,000 Sea Ray, describing his design as "twice the boat".
Boat Show promotions officer Mike Rose said although the Sea Ray had attracted plenty of interest from the public it had not taken any firm orders by the time the show closed last night.
