Noble Boats International, which has had a significant impact on the Australian fishing boat market with its Chinese-built aluminium plate boats, is planning to go head to head with the makers of fibreglass boats in the top end of the recreational market.
Next year, Noble -- which moved its manufacturing from Clontarf in Queensland to Guangdong in China after linking up with the multi-billion dollar company Tianjian -- will introduce 9 metre, 12 metre and 15 metre boats aimed at those buyers who now buy similar sized lifestyle and family boats in fibreglass.
Noble Boats International general manager Jason Lee told the Boatsales Network the company is confident the strength, finish and weight savings over fibreglass boats will have buyers lining up.
He says the strength and easy repair of plate aluminium boats is a major attraction to boat owners.
"If you hit something in a fibreglass boat you risk punching a hole in the hull and jeopardising the lives of those aboard," Lee says, "Plate aluminium has no such worries. You might dent the hull but you can beat out the ding with a rubber hammer."
Lee says the 5mm marine grade alloy used in most Noble Boats ensures their safety and durability. The boats are built to Det Norske Veritas standards and all the fully welded seams are X-rayed and visually inspected. He says all the aluminium welders at the Guangdong plant are both DNV and Bureau Veritas certified marine specialists.
All the Noble Boats fishing range have fully-welded, sealed alloy decks, full seam welding inside and out and fully welded frames and girders -- standards not found in most aluminium boats.
The sealed decks make the floor self draining and the bottom cavity air tight. A large scupper at the stern can be left open to allow the floor to drain the rough conditions.
Noble Boats made a revolution in plate aluminium boat design, while still manufacturing in Queensland, with its Super Vee hull and that is still part of the design of every Noble boat today.
The bow incorporates a super fine forefoot that ensures a soft entrance into head seas. The Super Vee guarantees a soft ride as it doesn't bash into waves but simply slices through them.
The midships of the boats has a multichine hull that gives a soft ride and ensures the boats is very stable at rest -- ideal for both fishing or simply relaxing.
Buyers can choose from over 120 different model variants in Noble Boats' existing range of vessels from 5 metres to 8 metres.
Furthermore, in early to mid next year Noble will introduce an all-round estuary boat to its existing range.
At 4.25 metres the boat will appeal to families who don't plan to head to sea to chase their catch. Like all Noble boats, all the interior angles will be curved so as to prevent the bumps and bruises sometimes associated with aluminium boats.
At this year's Sydney International Boat Show Noble Boats International exhibited two models, the 685 centre cab hardtop and the smaller 580 centre can targa, and Lee says the reaction from the visitors was overwhelming.
"Many were not familiar with plate aluminium boats and they were amazed by the standards of the finish. Some people thought the boats were fibreglass because everything was so smooth."
Lee says the weight savings of aluminium over fibreglass will also be welcomed by new buyers because plate aluminium boats need less power and give better fuel consumption than many heavy fibreglass boats.
Noble Boats has appointed two NSW dealers, Sydney Enterprise Marine at Narrabeen on the city's northern beaches and Nowra Power Boats on the state's south coast, to sell their new boats, and Lee is confident both dealers will be very busy.
Check out the Noble Boats International website for other details on its aluminium plate range of boats.