NZMOA Gold Sponsor Profile: Boatsmart HQ clocking up wins
In early 2021 NZMOA Gold Sponsor Boatsmart HQ was a newly launched franchise business offering its vessel maintenance and management model to boat owners, marinas and prospective franchisees across the country. Now just 18 months later the company is completing a New Zealand wide network and is embarking on duplicating the model in Australia and further afield.
Since its inception Boatsmart HQ has signed up twelve franchisees in New Zealand, in all key regions except for Wellington and Nelson.
“This gives us the first national network of such a business in the country,” says Jeff Taylor, founder and managing director of BoatsmartHQ.
“We now have capacity to manage 700-800 boats. Sports Marine and Ray White Marine NZ now include our service as part of their warranty package on all new boats in New Zealand, and we expect to announce a third major brand soon.”
Gulf Harbour Marina remains a flagship marina for Boatsmart HQ: the marina offers a serviced berth option as part of its package, which is very helpful for remote owners in particular – or anyone who might lack time or expertise to manage their own boat.
Boatsmart HQ is now signing up Australian franchisees in Townsville and the Whitsundays, with prospects in Brisbane, Perth, Sydney and Melbourne.
Jeff believes that they can have more than 35 franchises in Australia in the next 18 months.
He says that the opportunity to be a franchisee is a very good one for those who have existing businesses and experience in the marine and boating world and who are ambitious for growth and expansion.
Boatsmart HQ chooses its franchisees carefully: “Our franchisees all have a background in the industry. They might be master mariners returning to New Zealand. Engineers, superyacht workers or boat builders. They usually have existing businesses to build on or a desire to return to shore-based work after years abroad or at sea. It’s a good way of getting into a business.”
The company is evolving and developing behind the scenes too. To scale up its marketing, marketing director Stephen Yang – a customer who liked the business so much that he joined it full time – is recruiting marketing and PR agencies to assist. Its app based system is also being upgraded to focus on features that customer feedback shows are most valued.
And ahead is a new head office, opening in Victoria Park adjacent to Westhaven Marina and the Viaduct in Auckland.
Then next, parts of Asia and the Middle East are also calling. The technology and systems that Boatsmart HQ has proven work well in New Zealand will enable to to set up a master franchise system for those regions.
“We’re on a run and it’s hectic,” says Jeff.
Meet the Boatsmart HQ team
Jeff Taylor, Founder and Director
Jeff is an investor in intellectual property. He recently returned to New Zealand having enjoyed an international career at European corporate board level in marketing and brand development, before establishing his own brand consultancy. With a launch in Auckland, he was looking for a managed boat maintenance solution, which has led to the development of BoatSmart HQ.
Zach du Burgess, Director of Operations
Zach has many years’ experience in the marine industry, working as an engineer and First Mate on Superyachts. In more recent years, Zach has been involved in technology-led businesses engaging with the clients and ensuring customer satisfaction. When not doing that, Zach enjoys fishing, surfing, sailing and trail riding.
Franchise Owner: Gavin Auld
BoatSmart HQ franchise owner, Gavin Auld is a master mariner and the director of Gulf Harbour Vessel Management Limited. He has an extensive background in navigation, safety training and safety system maintenance working onboard large commercial cruise ships. A keen sailor, Gavin is often found racing out of Gulf Harbour Yacht Club throughout the year - and dinghy sailing in the summer - before hitting the slopes in the winter.
