|
TestimonialsAs a professional fishing guide in the Top End for the past 21 years, I have gained a pretty good appreciation of the demands placed on vessels and individuals alike when it comes to successfully navigating and fishing the Territory’s demanding waterways. Like every boat owner I am always on the look-out for the perfect hull design that can do it all - one that is stable and can run shallow enough to take on the big tidal rivers, bays and estuaries, yet is able to comfortably handle long coastal runs often in less than ideal conditions. Further the hull design I look for also needed to be fully seaworthy to round out its overall capabilities to match the range of angling options provided by Darwin Barra Fishing Tours. As a commercial operator I also have the additional requirement of having my vessels fully in survey to ensure the highest level of safety for clients. In 2008 I was looking to update my guide fleet and had a number of ideas about hull capabilities and design that I wanted to explore. As is the case when you’re in the market for a new product you have a good look around to see what’s on offer. Unfortunately all the off-the-shelf designs that I came across didn’t match what I was after. Further, the local boat manufacturers that I spoke to weren’t all that interested in deviating away from their established designs with respect to hull shape, dead-rise etc. However this view markedly changed when I paid a visit to Custom Works premises - builders of Custom Craft alloy boats. I had known the owner Dale Smith for a number of years in his capacity as a boat builder and designer working for various boat manufacturers around Australia, as well as overseas. After many years of doing high quality work for others, Dale decided to start up his own aluminium fabrication and boat building workshop in Winnellie. As a natural-born designer Dale was keen to hear my ideas so we sat down together to nut out some hull shapes using his state of the art 3D computer modelling software. While I’m not from the computer generation, I am always keen to embrace new technology that works. The opportunity to confidently test designs on the computer before the build commences gives plenty of comfort to the purchaser that a customised hull shape is going to work out on the water. Before too long were able to come up with the Eliminator hull design – a dedicated rig which met all my afore-mentioned requirements, and importantly one built tough for working in remote Territory waters. After putting my new 6.4m Eliminator Pro Guide into work, I was so satisfied with its performance, strength and level of finish that I promptly ordered a second one! So if you’re looking for a new vessel from the Territory’s cutting-edge alloy boat builder, and want a level of service second-to-none, then give Dale and his professional team at Custom Craft a call – you won’t be disappointed.
Regards John Dagan |
