NEWS - Stefan the boatbuilder

Brisbane hairdressing entrepreneur and former offshore powerboat champion Stefan Ackerie is back on the water with a new company, Stefan Boating World, which he launched at the Gold Coast International Marine Expo last weekend.

The flamboyant businessman is best remembered for his signature-pink offshore raceboats he steered to numerous victories and speed-distance records in the ’80s and early ’90s. Preferring the mononym Stefan, he currently owns a chain of 43 salons throughout Queensland and several in Sydney.

A company spokesperson told Trade-a-Boat Ackerie had been planning a boating enterprise for several years and only a month ago launched his Stefan Boating World, based at the Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard, Coomera. The company will offer the Stefan Smartliner range of aluminium dinghies and Stefan Smartliner Cuddy fibreglass fishing and leisure runabouts, as well as the Stefan RIB Series of inflatable boats and the Razar Cat, a cross between a jetski and a RIB. All craft will be powered by PowerTec outboards.

“I have dreamt for many years of one day being able to offer the lovers of boating some amazingly different
– and very affordable
– boats for pleasure and fun, and that time has arrived,” said Stefan in a press release.

“It comes after 40 years of successfully racing offshore powerboats and being associated with some of the most talented people in the marine industry across the world. The launch of Stefan Boating World is a consequence of every one of those wonderful experiences I’ve had on the water, in design offices and with some of the world’s best boatbuilders.

“As the business grows we will continue to offer boats that are safe, fun and easy to use. All will have a point of difference, and everyone will be a game-changer when it comes to concept and price,” he said.

There are four models from 3.5m to 5m in the Stefan Smartliner aluminium dinghy range and three variants comprising the fibreglass cuddy category – a 17, 19 and 21, the latter also optioned minus the cab and with centre console. There are seven models in the RIB series, from 3.3m to 5.8m, and available in PVC or Hypalon, and two versions of the Hypalon Razar Cat, an entry-level 40hp and a sporty 60hp.

For more information, log on www.stefanboatingworld.com.au

Photo: Stefan trialling his new toy, the Razar Cat on the Gold Coast.