Deep-sea fisherman refocuses on luxury end of charter market

By ROBIN BAILEY

The newest charter boat on the northern scene is Primetime, a Salthouse Sovereign purpose-built for serious fishing as well as fitted out for luxury cruising at the top end of the market.

The $1.75 million Primetime is owned by 37-year-old John Gregory, who has spent his life at sea as a commercial fisherman. Fishing was never just a job for Gregory, it was also his favourite form of recreation. Time off from deep-sea trawlers was time out for some hook-and-line R and R.

"I'm so keen I even went fishing on my honeymoon," he recalls aboard his dream boat at Westhaven, before heading north to Whangaroa where Primetime will be based.

Gregory says that as a youngster he spent a lot of time at the family bach at Whitianga. He loved the life there and spent hours watching the commercial boats coming and going. That was when he decided the sea would be his life. At 15 he began working on private boats, then signed on for an apprenticeship with Sanfords.

That course began on the West Coast of the South Island, and it was a true survival test. Twenty-three people started the course but only two saw out the full two years. The wages were less than the dole and you had to be tough to survive.

Gregory fished all around the coast of New Zealand and in Australia, based in Tasmania, chasing orange roughy. In New Zealand he was on boats fishing the Lord Howe Rise, the East Coast roughy grounds, the Challenger Plateau off Westport and the Chatham Rise off the Auckland Islands.

"Every time I came ashore I rolled out my 6m Fyran runabout and went fishing and diving," says Gregory. "That's how the honeymoon trip came about - hunting and fishing at Lake Tarawera. That spells true love."

At 36, and feeling the strain of being away from his family (two children, Luke 26 months and Madison 5 months), the professional fisherman decided it was time for a career change.

What do you do if you come ashore not qualified for anything other than the sea? Gregory decided on a charter operation that would let him turn his seagoing experience into something that would be both rewarding and enjoyable.

He chose the big Salthouse because that yard was the only one he could find prepared to put the effort into a project that required a boat certified for 320km offshore and would also meet his particular requirements.

"We did all the proper investigation and got the paperwork right. It took a lot of effort on the part of the company, because getting the survey and certification properly sorted is both time-consuming and expensive.

"We've got the lot," he says. "Big cockpit, everything beefed up, a strong boat that is also a luxury vessel that will handle the top end of the market while still being able to cater for the needs of the world's most experienced game fisherman."

So how does a deep-sea trawlerman go about learning the skills required to become a successful seeker of gamefish?

"Simple," says Gregory, "you go to Australia and take a course run by the professionals.

"While the boat was being built I took myself off to Hervey Bay in Queensland for some intensive tuition on how to find and land fish. I'm no expert yet, but crewman Marty Bates, who will be responsible for looking after the fishing side of the operation, is just back from working charters in the Azores.

"My third crewman is Nick Dupain, a keen sport fisherman, experienced diver and marvellous cook.

"He will look after the culinary side of the operation, deal with caterers, pamper the guests and fill in on the seamanship chores."

Primetime's smiling owner has no doubts about his career change. He's going to love it as much as his clients.