FIRMANS-MERCURY CELEBRATE 50 YEARS
Napier-based Firmans Marine’s 50-year partnership with Mercury began when someone saw a Mercury outboard in a window. “The history of Firmans Marine,” says owner Brian Firman, “can be traced to my grandparents – Fred and Jean – who originally ran Caltex service stations before adding a caravan rental fleet. As the caravan business began to boom it became more attractive than the seven-day-a-week service station. They put all their energy into caravans.
“In 1968 my dad Ray – working in the family business – traded a caravan for a wooden launch called Vagabond. It started the Firman family’s love for fishing. Then, in 1971, another deal ended with Ray trading a 9.8hp Mercury outboard which he displayed in the showroom shop window.
“Coincidentally, David Reynolds – the marine division manager for Spedding Ltd – drove past and noticed the engine.
He dropped in and asked us whether we’d like the exclusive contract to sell Mercury outboards!” Ray readily agreed, and Red Band Mercury outboards were transferred to the Firmans shop. The business was renamed Firmans Caravan and Marine Centre Ltd.
By the mid-80s, Ray handed over the reins to sons Brian and Gary (both working in the oil industry, in Borneo and Africa respectively). They returned home, sold off the caravan business and focussed on marine equipment, new and used sales and workshop service.
Over the years, Brian and Gary were joined by siblings Sandra and David, making it a real family affair. Brian has been the sole owner since 2000 and says he’s seen huge changes across the years since those first Red Band engines.
“Probably the biggest shift was in the late 90s when Mercury launched the directinjection
FAR LEFT (Left to right) Mercury’s Dean Harris with Brian Firman and Will Sangster, Mercury’s GM Asia-pacific.
LEFT The Firman family’s first boat Vagabond and Brian aboard an early Mercury-powered demonstrator.
Optimax range – it immediately halved the fuel bill for most users.”
The 50-year Firman-mercury relationship, he adds, has been a fundamental part of the success. “Mercury has always been a leader in innovation and technology and it’s always backed that up with outstanding support.”
The 50-year celebratory champagne will have to wait, he says, because in the current environment there’s too much to do. “It’s the busiest I’ve ever seen it in my 36 years in the business. Covid-19 has brought on a different mindset for a lot of people. Driven by the lack of overseas travel and low interest rates, I think people are now more focused on friends and family and a ‘you-only-live-once’ mentality. Demand for recreational boating is huge at the moment – we’re just trying to help as many customers as we can.”
Whakatane’s Extreme Boats took out the coveted Boat of the Show Supreme Award with its 645 Centre Console at this year’s Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show. The company was also awarded top spot in the Specialist Fishing Boat up to 7m category, while its 745 Walk Around received the gong for the Specialist Fishing Boat up to 8m.
Other award winners were a mix of traditional, first-timers, imported and local vessels. Hamilton-based Admiral Boats, for example, was triumphant in the Boat of the Show: Launch category, with its stylish Admiral 10m Sport Cruiser, while the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Series 2 received the All-purpose Family Boat up to 8m award.
As always, competition was fierce in all divisions – but more so this year given the record number of new entrants from alloy boatbuilders. First-time exhibitor, Machina came away with the Boat of the Show: All Purpose Family Boat up to 6m, with its Machina 551. Whangarei’s Offshore Boats took the Boat of the Show: All Purpose Family Boat up to 7m for its very stylish Offshore 650 Hard Top.
Purecraft’s 800 HT took the honours in the All-purpose Family Boat Open section, with Best New Model going to the Innovision 707 Explorer. Innovision made it two from two with its 585 Explorer taking out the Specialist Fishing Boat up to 6m.
In the Altus Innovation awards, the CTEK CS Free was judged best in the International section, with the local honours going to BEP for its Smart Battery Hub.
Steve Mclay, builder of Mclay Boats was the 2021 Hall of Fame inductee – and well-deserved too.