This year is a big one for the Stessl family, owners of aluminium boat brands Makocraft and Sea-Trex, with Makocraft celebrating its 20th year. Family patriarch and legendary boat builder Alf Stessl, who has enjoyed a 50-year career in boat manufacturing, is also officially retiring this year. Alf’s son Tim will take the helm of Sea-Trex, and the Sea-Trex range will now be manufactured at their new production facility in Ashmore on the Gold Coast.
“2025 is a really special year for us,” says Tim. “With Dad retiring and handing over the Sea-Trex brand, it feels momentous. We have big plans for Sea-Trex, which will be produced at our Gold Coast facility and run alongside Makocraft, appealing to a whole new sector of the boating market.” The Makocraft range comprises 44 models from 3 to 7.3m, with 15 lines across the range. Around 80 per cent of their market are anglers with families, and about 20 per cent are families seeking time together on the water.
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