Taking a look at Taiwan

by Suzy Rayment 28 Aug 2019 13:38 NZST

In the lead up to next year’s boat show, international press have been invited to visit some of the companies that will be participating in the Taiwan Boat Show taking place 12-15 March 2020. The tour began with visits to two family-owned shipyards, which have been producing quality yachts for over 30 years. The two companies produce very different products but one thing that they have in common is their commitment to quality and their dedication to building seaworthy craft.

Nova Marine Co Ltd conveniently located just 10 minutes from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, is ranked as one of Taiwan’s top luxury yacht manufacturers. The company, which has supplied the US market for many years, has recently extended its client base to Europe, Australia, Dubai, and Asia. Having manufactured and delivered over 1,500 yachts under their own brand name of Novatec, the yard is now looking to update its image with a new production line that includes the Novatec 58 Euro, with all-new white oak interiors, and a stylish S65 Supernova design created by the Italian designer Carlo Mezzera. This is a very different look from the classic Novatec, and we look forward to seeing it at the show next year. Albert Tao has taken over from his father Eddy Tao, and is bringing new ideas to the company; he is especially keen to start developing charter operations in order to engage the local population of Taiwan in the boating lifestyle. Given how long Taiwan has been producing yachts, it is about time that they started getting out on the water!

Cadcam Marine Pty Ltd produce aluminium craft under the brand name of Morningstar Boats. These high-quality fishing boats have already been a hit in Australia, the major market for the brand, and now the company is seeing increasing sales both in Europe and locally in Asia, especially Korea where fishing is a growing recreational activity. Using seawater-resistant 5083 alloy to create the boats, Morningstar craft are practically bullet proof - the non-heat treatable aluminium alloy (used by many military and commercial vessels) means that the boat can withstand greater stress in a collision before cracking or deforming, than a boat made with steel, fibreglass or aluminium 5052 alloy. The company now run by Grady Fan, whose father started the company 20 years ago. He is committed to expanding the business and is actively seeing partner and dealers who can help to expand their market. “We have invested a lot to improve production quality, and know that our boats will stand the test of time.” Fan says that their boats are revolutionary because of their unique aluminium plate formed hulls. During forming, thousands tonnes of force is applied on premium aluminium plates and the material becomes a quasi-liquid, moulding evenly onto dedicated design dies. Flat plates become complex shapes. This allows the single plate bottom of Morningstar Boats to incorporate reverse chines, strakes, and variable deadrise, and eliminates an external extrusion keel. High-tech Japanese robotic welders bring consistency to the production line, and - like all things produced in Taiwan today - quality is the key!