Extreme Boats

Extreme Boats is a New Zealand aluminium boat manufacturer with a history spanning over two decades. The company began more than 20 years ago when founder Glenn Shaw combined his engineering skills with a passion for fishing and boating, building aluminium boats in a small shed on a rural property near Whakatane. At that time the local market was dominated by fibreglass boats, but he recognised significant advantages in aluminium construction, including durability, lighter towing weights, and the ability to customise boats to better suit individual owners’ needs. This focus on innovation and refinement has continued ever since, driven by the belief that while no boat can be truly perfect, the design can constantly be improved in pursuit of the best possible aluminium trailer boats.

From these modest beginnings, the business has grown into a leading aluminium boat manufacturer in New Zealand, with a substantial track record of awards, including a large collection of Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show trophies. The company handles all key stages of production in-house: design, CNC cutting, fabrication, painting, upholstery, and fit-out. This integrated approach allows tight quality control at every step and results in boats that are designed to look great, perform strongly, and stand the test of time.

Extreme Boats places strong emphasis on real-world usability and on-the-water performance. The team are active boaters and fishers themselves, and this hands-on experience informs the layout and features of every model, ensuring that each boat is not only visually appealing but also practical and functional in a wide range of conditions. Their range now includes over 20 models from around 4 metres to 11 metres, catering to different styles of boating while sharing common design principles.

The company highlights several core design philosophies and advantages that underpin all its models:

• Safety: Large underfloor air-tight chambers are built into the hull on either side of the central fuel tank. These sealed chambers act like life rings, providing substantial reserve buoyancy for added safety.
• Predictable handling: All hulls feature pronounced reverse chines that improve tracking in following and beam seas and help reduce broaching. These chines also deflect spray for a drier, more comfortable ride. The company emphasises that predictable behaviour in rough or challenging conditions is a key measure of a good boat, even though it cannot be seen at a glance.
• Stability at rest: A self-flooding keel allows water to enter the central vee of the hull when the boat is stationary, adding weight low down and greatly increasing stability. Combined with a wide beam and the large reverse chines, this creates a very stable fishing and family platform. When the boat gets underway the keel rapidly drains, so the extra weight is not carried while running.
• Reputation and awards: Over more than 20 years of continuous refinement, Extreme Boats has built a reputation within a competitive industry as New Zealand’s most awarded aluminium boat manufacturer. The company positions this reputation as earned through consistent quality and performance rather than marketing alone.
• Build quality and durability: Extreme Boats focuses on robust construction, backing its hulls with a 5-year hull warranty. Where possible, components such as rod holders, bungs, cleats, and handrails are made from aluminium and welded in place for strength and longevity. For boats from 5.45 m upwards, a minimum hull plate thickness of 5 mm is used, with 6 mm and 8 mm upgrades available, and 4 mm plate used in other areas.

Aluminium is at the core of the company’s identity and product offering. Extreme Boats uses high-quality marine grade aluminium plate for all hull and structural work, aiming for a premium finish that can rival the appearance of fibreglass while retaining aluminium’s practical advantages. Modern design, curves, and aesthetically pleasing lines are used to achieve a sleek look, while the lighter towing weight and ease of customisation remain central selling points.

Beyond performance and durability, the company also highlights the environmental and material benefits of aluminium. Aluminium is one of the most abundant minerals on earth after oxygen and silicon and is infinitely recyclable; it can be melted down and reused without losing its strength or structural integrity. Extreme Boats notes that more than 75% of all aluminium ever produced is still in use, aligning their material choice with a concern for long-term sustainability and the marine environment their customers enjoy.

From start to finish, Extreme Boats maintains control over the entire manufacturing process. The company carries out in-house design work, cutting and folding of plate, fabrication and welding, painting in its own paint shop, upholstery work, and final fit-out and pre-delivery preparation. This vertically integrated approach is intended to ensure that every boat leaving the factory meets a consistently high standard, giving customers confidence in their investment.

Overall, Extreme Boats presents itself as a specialist in premium aluminium trailer boats and alloy motor yachts, grounded in more than 20 years of hands-on experience, award-winning designs, and a strong emphasis on safety, stability, predictable handling, and long-term durability.