Established in 2024
Barrett Boats was founded on the rugged southern coastline of New Zealand with a singular vision: to redefine the standards of custom boat manufacturing in Southland.

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Having a boat is about creating memories with our kids, friends, and families that will never be forgotten. It brings everyone together — whether it’s the adventure at the start of the day or the fish on the table at the end.

Our journey is one of continuous innovation: building boats that stand the test of time while giving our customers safe adventures and lasting memories.

 

How We Work

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We are a small, family-run operation and we’re proud of it. Because we’re small, your voice is heard — not swept under the rug. We stake our reputation on every hull that leaves the workshop, so we want you to be genuinely happy and proud of what you own.

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To deliver an exceptional product, we partner with recognised, reputable specialists. We bring all the pieces of the puzzle together under one roof, combining proven design, skilled fabrication, and careful finishing.

 

Our approach to building:

• Planned from the start: We partner with Barnett Off Shore Naval Architects for all design and consulting work, eliminating guesswork and risk.

• Built for strength: Every skeleton is assembled on a precision steel jig to lock structure in place during welding. This controls distortion and ensures consistency.

• Shaped for performance: Hull sheets are manipulated to the exact curvature specified, delivering a soft-riding yet stable hull.

• Finished with pride: Quality control and interior detailing are handled in-house, so nothing leaves unless it’s right.

 

Meet the Team

 

Aari
Aari comes from a high-level sporting background and has been around jet boats and fishing boats for most of his life. He holds qualifications in aluminium production boat building and leads our fabrication and fit-out.

 

Penny
Penny is the other half of Barrett Boats and our quality control lead. She keeps the workshop running clean and on standard, and works directly with our interior design partners to make sure every finish, fabric, and fitting is on point. If it’s not good enough for our family, it doesn’t go out the door.

 

Harper
The youngest member of the crew is coming up 3. She’s excellent at making a mess, hasn’t quite mastered holding the tape measure yet, but she’s world-class at hiding tools. She reminds us why we do this — to build boats that create family memories.

 

Our Commitment

We build boats because we love what they make possible. Great days on the water with mates. Kids learning to drive and full chilly bins.

We’re small enough to care about every detail and proud enough to stand behind every boat. If you’re looking for a team that listens, builds it right, and treats your project like their own, let’s talk.