A team of Alloy Yachts apprentices reached an amazing overall result at the Trans Tasman Boat Building Challenge 2013, that has taken place last weekend at the Sydney International Boat Show. Following the victory at the Marine Trades Challenge in Auckland in February 2013, the team were representing New Zealand and more than gave their neighbours from Australia a run for their money, winning first place in the ‘Best Built Boat’ category, and second place for the on water race.
The Alloy team (Jac Hebson, Luc Whitehouse, Travis Page and Theo Finlayson, with team leader Tim Rattray)
The four apprentices – Jac Hebson, Luc Whitehouse, Travis Page and Theo Finlayson, lead by team leader Tim Rattray – were divided into teams of two, with both teams representing Alloy Yachts and New Zealand. Competing against 12 other teams, many of whom were significantly older, the Alloy teams held their own, as demonstrated by the overall end result. Competitors were given two hours to construct a boat, and then race it out on the water.
Preparation before the event played a key role in Alloy’s success, as Tim Rattray explains: “After we won the Auckland competition we got straight in to designing a boat to fit the criteria supplied. We developed the design for both usability on the water and for its look as well: we wanted the boats to perform well and look nice too. Because we had prepped so well, each guy knew their jobs and worked with confidence and efficiency on the day. They even had time leftover to spend on finishing work, which really showed in the end results versus the other competitor’s boats.” Their hard work was rewarded with Luc Whitehouse and Theo Finlayson being awarded the overall “Best Built Boat” award, a real demonstration of the high quality of work that Alloy Yachts always aims for.
The Alloy teams competing on the water
Out on the water, both the Alloy boats performed well, achieving second place on the water, and narrowly missing first place by just four metres off the finish line. “It was a great result overall and the boys did so well,” said Rattray. “Winning the building section was the main objective but to do so well on the water as well was fantastic. We were really grateful for all the support we received, particularly from Tony Hambrook, Managing Director of Alloy Yachts, and from Noel Huggard of the NZ Boating Industry Training Association.”
The team had plenty of encouragement from well-wishers throughout the event, with Tony Hambrook, wife Kristin, and project co-ordinators Chris Brown and Simon Pierpoint all travelling to Sydney to exhibit and watch the competition. “Alloy Yachts has not been to the Sydney Boat Show for many years but we went over to support our team of apprentices,” said Tony Hambrook, Managing Director of Alloy Yachts. “We think they did an excellent job and we are very proud of them.”
Noel Huggard, who was also in attendance, was delighted with how the two teams from Alloy performed. “Both of our teams performed above their own expectations,” said Huggard. “It was fantastic to be there and enjoy the comradeship of fellow boat builders and participate in such a great event. Everyone from New Zealand that attended the Boat Building Challenge and Boat Show wish to thank organiser Paul Burgess and his fantastic team of supporters, for their outstanding efforts and support to our teams.”
