If boat shows were a marker in time, the OC Tenders story tells a remarkable tale.
Russ and Karin Carlyon entered the 2015 Auckland on Water Boat Show with a wildly practical concept, developed and built in their own backyard following seven years at sea with a sub-par inflatable dinghy.
Seven years later in the lead up to their fifth Auckland Boat Show, the dream is more of a reality than ever.
In June 2022 OC Tenders celebrated their 500th tender built, and this month they’ve hit the 600 mark, with the full range in Russ’s vision complete.
Six models are available ranging from 2.7m to 4m, with the newest additions being the Sailing Tender (available in the 3.3m and 3.5m models) and the big guy of the fleet, the OC400.
The growth rate has been exponential, yet beautifully balanced, and the boat show provides an opportunity to stop, reflect, and connect with the cruisers who have joined the OC Journey.
OC Tenders feature at the 2015 Auckland On Water Boat Show:
With a stretched budget to secure just a 3m berth to showcase one of the first built OC300s, they were full of pride and confidence in what was to become a highly sought after composite tender.
“I remember looking at the marker buoy for Sealegs, celebrating 1000 models built, and wondering that would ever be a reality for us,” says Russ. At this point, tenders had been made in Russ’s garage following a long process to develop a successful mold.
If only we knew how the idea would catch on..
OC Tenders feature at the 2016 Auckland On Water Boat Show:
This year we had had two boats on the water, with one on a floating dock and one on a finger berth. Samples were out, giant seat blocks were back and the red carpet was introduced. The OC Tenders colors were becoming recognized.
OC Tenders feature at the 2017 Auckland On Water Boat Show:
Russ and Karin have always been very open to receiving feedback on the design and functionality of the tenders, and by the time the 2018 show rolled around there had been many modifications and improvements. Two tenders were on show again – one outside and one inside sharing a stand with our friends and some of our first supporters, Boating NZ Magazine.
OC Tenders feature at the 2018 Auckland On Water Boat Show:
Everyone remembers this year. It was a goodie. You couldn’t miss us at the 2018 show – placed right at the entrance with three tenders on show. In the background paperwork was underway to take over a new premises in the Bay of Islands to create factory to keep up with the increasing demand for OC Tenders.
This is the same purpose-built factory where OC Tenders now resides amongst fruit trees and tropical flower gardens. Clean air and boat building aren’t words that usually go together, but as Boating NZ’s Matt Vance wrote in 2021, the two had found each other in this unique environment in Haruru.
OC Tenders feature at the 2019 Auckland On Water Boat Show:
Making use of space in a boat show stand was beautifully exhibited in the 2019 show, with one tender on it’s side and the other two with accessories on display.
With demand pushing their build schedule close to six months in advance, sales weren’t a priority, however the community connection was.
“Going to the boat show makes us fall in love with our product all over again. Seeing the reaction of show comers and hearing peoples thoughts first hand – it’s a very rewarding place to be,” said Russ.
The Auckland On Water Boat Show from March 23-27 is a poignant mark in time to celebrate the success of the brand, the concept, and the growing community of converts to composite tenders.
With a building schedule booked out until September 2023, Russ says it’s easy to get caught up in the workshop producing boats to meet the demand.
The Boat Show is a chance to stop, reflect, and celebrate the journey we’ve had and connect with our owners and share the love.
The team will be revealing the range of models to be showcased over the coming weeks.
