Look for NZ-audited standard if buying a powerboat

With thousands of keen boaties heading to this weekend’s Auckland On Water Boat Show in Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour, industry experts remind those considering buying a new boat to look for vessels complying with the New Zealand audited boat building standard known as ‘CPC certified’.

This Coastguard New Zealand-approved and audited boat building standard, officially called the New Zealand Audited Boat Building Standard Compliance Plate Certification (CPC) programme, is designed to give boat users confidence in the complete manufacturing and design process used to build their trailer powerboat.

Most of the country's leading trailer boat builders subscribe to the audited standard, says Peter Busfield, chief executive of the NZ Marine Industry Association (NZ Marine) which administers the programme.

“Trailer powerboats built to the New Zealand Audited Boat Building Standard carry a manufacturing plate stating ‘CPC certified’ on their service number plate. Buyers can feel sure that vessels carrying the ‘CPC certified’ plate are built to a specific standard ensuring a strong and safe boat, specifically designed and built for New Zealand conditions,” says Busfield.

“They can enjoy safer boating by utilising the safe people loading rating and the safe horsepower rating specified under the programme. Each CPC certified vessel also has a minimum two-year structural guarantee.”

The comprehensive programme was launched in 1999 with 16 New Zealand manufacturers now signed into the programme which covers everything from their manufacturing processes, choice of materials, construction methods, the fuel and electrical systems and bilge pumps they specify. Vessels up to six metres in length must be made unsinkable if swamped. Each new model must be approved by independent composite or structural engineers. The participating manufacturers are Challenger Boats, Extreme Boats, Buccaneer Boats, KiwiKraft, CSB Huntsman, Seaforce Marine, Marco Boats, Stabicraft, Smuggler Marine, Sportcraft Boats, Rayglass, Reflex Technologies, Fryan Boats, Haines Hunter, Tristram Marine and F-Glass.

“If you’re looking for a new powerboat, it makes sense to further provide for the safety of your family and friends by making sure you’re looking at models which are built to the New Zealand Audited Boat Building Standard,” Busfield concludes. “We wish to ensure all New Zealanders experience safe and enjoyable boating excursions on our many, varied river, lake and coastal destinations.”