About & Awards

With miles of pristine coastline, rivers and lakes it's no wonder fishing is one of New Zealand's most popular recreational pastimes.

In a country full of folk who love to fish, it’s not surprising that the benchmark and expectations of a fishing boat are set pretty high.

So, with the tough New Zealand fishing critic in mind, where better to design and build a boat than right here at home in New Zealand by a team of passionate fishermen and engineers.

Surtees Boats was born during the early 1990’s when Neil Surtees decided to design and build himself an aluminium boat to use for fishing off the Whakatane Coast.

When local people saw the way the finished product looked and performed it wasn’t long before Neil had more orders than he could cope with.

As Neil started making more and more boats, word quickly spread about these boats that were built to fish and the business continued to grow. Surtees now employs over 50 highly trained staff and their boats are New Zealand’s top selling plate aluminium boat.
Surtees boats have proven to be incredibly popular and are recognised by fishermen all over the world for their quality, safety, stability and practical features.
Surtees, built to fish.

“The welding on the new hull really impressed me as I appreciate fine workmanship and this is real craftsmanship standard. It’s an absolute joy to look at.”
Kevin Power (Editor, Bay Fisher Magazine)

OUR REPUTATION FOR EXCELLENT SEA PERFORMANCE AND TOP QUALITY
WORKMANSHIP HAS RESULTED IN A STRING OF NATIONAL AWARDS SINCE 2001.

2001 5.5 Workmate

Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show - Aluminium Fishing Boat of the Show
(under 6m)

2002 5.5 Sport Fisher

Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show
- Aluminium Fishing Boat (Open)

2002 6.7 Sport Fisher

Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show
Overall Winner Boat of the Show

2002 6.7 Workmate

Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show
- Aluminium Fishing Boat of the Show
(under 6m)

2002 6.1 Game Fisher

National Boat and Fishing Show
- Fishing Boat of the Show (6-7m)

2003 6.7 Game Fisher

Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show
- Aluminium Fishing Boat (Open)

2003 5.5 Workmate

Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show
- Aluminium Fishing Boat of the Show
(under 6m)

2003 6.1 Game Fisher

BIA Christchurch Boat Show
- Fishing Boat of the Show

2003 6.1 Game Fisher Extra

National Boat and Fishing Show
- Fishing Boat of the Show

2004 6.7 Sport Fisher

National Boat and Fishing Show
- Fishing Boat of the Show

2004 5.5 Workmate

Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show
- Aluminium Fishing Boat of the Show
(under 6m)

2005 5.5 Workmate

Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show
- Aluminium Fishing Boat of the Show
(under 6m)

2005 6.7 Weekender

Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show
- Aluminium Fishing Boat of the Show (6-7m)

2005 6.7 Weekender

NZ Propeller Magazine
- People’s Choice Boat of the Show

2006 6.7 Coastal Xplorer

Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show
- Aluminium Fishing Boat of the Show (6-7m)

2008 7.3 Sport Fisher

Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show
- Aluminium Fishing Boat of the Show (Open)

2008 4.7 Workmate

NZ Fishing’s Coast-2-Coast Magazine
- Boat Of The Year

2011 5.8 Workmate

Club Marine Hillarys Boat Show Awards
- International Imported Boat of the Year

2011 5.5 Workmate

Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show
- Aluminium Fishing Boat of the Show
(under 6m)

2011 4.85 Workmate

Australia's Greatest Boats Finalist

2013 6.1 Game Fisher

Australia's Greatest Boats Finalist

2013 Export NZ Award Winner

Bay of Plenty Emerging Exporter Of The Year

2014 5.8 Game Fisher

Hutchwilco Boatshow Finalist

2014 Export NZ Award Winner

Bay of Plenty Exporter Of The Year

2015 5.5 Workmate Hardtop

Australia's Greatest Boats Finalist

2015 8.5 Game Fisher

Hutchwilco Boatshow Finalist

2017 700 Game Fisher

AGB 2017 Peoples Choice Award

2017 700 Game Fisher

Australia’s Greatest Boat 2017 Winner, Aluminium

2017 575 Pro Fisher

Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show
- Specialist Fishing Boat Up To 6m

2018 540 Workmate Hardtop

Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show
- Specialist Fishing Boat Up To 6m

2019 540 Workmate Hardtop

Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show
- Specialist Fishing Boat Up To 6m

What Our Owners Say

Why Surtees

Our Range