Chris Bartlett Boatbuilders Ltd

23/06/2024

It's time for a change. After 37 years building boats I'm moving into marine surveying. Following the launching of Wolf last July I started a qualification in marine surveying with the International Institute of Marine Surveyors early this year. A UK based course that's recognised globally. Pretty challenging going back to the books but the course is really interesting. My background in boat construction is of use but the field of surveying is much broader. I really had no idea what it encompassed. The diploma will take me into 2025 to complete, after which I'll be doing any sort of marine surveying, predominantly pre purchase inspections.
Until then I'm available for any insurance survey work. All boats older than 30 years now need a survey every 5 years or so. Easily planned in advance. I can travel to do your survey anywhere from Auckland north.

28/02/2024

Masquerade is on the market. She is in great condition her owners having taken great care of her over the years. She is a kiwi classic.
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/boats-marine/motorboats/listing/4588050242?bof=Mao8F0TN

10/08/2023

Great to see Formula One back in the Bay Of Islands with new owners. One of my favourites. The best of classic Kiwi design & building by the Youngs. Congratulations Steve & Sharon

12/07/2023

The Blue sky returned right on cue yesterday. A really successful launch day, sea trials & Wolf is back in her home in The Kerikeri River. 33 knots top speed and easily reaching rated rpm. Very few issues & a great day in this refit project which has been both interesting & rewarding for everyone involved. Many thanks to the contractors involved, Greg, Iain, & Boydie for all their valuable input. Congratulations Al & Chrissy on your stunning new vessel.

11/07/2023

Launch day tomorrow. Transporting Wolf to Opua in the early hours then trials & up the Kerikeri River on the tide. Great to have a decent forecast for a change..

18/06/2023

'WOLF'. Castaway has a new name! More relevant to her current owners and the transom mural sets her apart.

The last weeks of the job are always the most enjoyable. All of the internal panelling going in, systems fired up and the boats' starting to look finished. Lots still to do with launching next month.

18/06/2023

Engines were fired up last week. Its good to do this in the shed tackling any issues before launch day in about 3 weeks. Another milestone.

12/06/2023

The Buccaneer pulled out of the garage & a quick fish at the Ninepin. Cool to blow the cobwebs out. This boat sits in the shed & needs a new owner. It's a really nice custom finish, well priced & ready to go. https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/boats-marine/motorboats/listing/4164795152

25/05/2023

We’re on the move
Later on this year we’re moving to a new location on the Kerikeri river where I can work from a jetty with adjacent shed facilities. The property we currently run our business from is on the market.
This is an amazing property with total privacy and it’s own valley, the nearest neighbour over half a km away & out of sight. If you want space for motocross tracks, horses, bonfire parties, total seclusion & the opportunity to bring the boat home for a refit then have a look or pass this link on to someone who might. The shed that is separated from the house down it’s own driveway would suit a contractor of any sort with 2 sheds, 3 phase power & room to turn big trucks. It is the ultimate lifestyle property, 5 minutes from Waipapa & 10 from Kerikeri.

https://www.realkerikeri.co.nz/listings/residential_sale-3489944-kerikeri/

21/05/2023

Heading towards the end of the project. Probably the biggest I've done with one pair of hands. Some outside contractor help but I'm the only boatbuilder on site so the job seems immense. The results starting to show though now with final varnish, upholstery & systems getting ready to fire up. A great time of the job but still a huge amount to get finished. Always good to be finishing areas, running the anchor chain in & hearing 'beeping' sounds coming from the bridge meaning systems are working. A good summer to be in the shed anyway....

19/04/2023

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/boats-marine/motorboats/listing/4092918590

This 735 Buccaneer was refitted by Connor Bartlett alongside Castaway last year. Lots of custom upgrades. We used her through the summer, a great boat that turns heads.

Buccaneer 735 Exess This 2003 735 has just completed a major refit adding custom features to it’s already great spec. I’m selling as I’m moving towns & it does...

22/03/2023

I've just clocked over a full year on this project. Certainly a big undertaking but the result is starting to show. A launch date off in the distance still but it's on the way. All of the upholstery & panelling is underway now, engineering well on & I'm in to the more interesting stuff. Solid Ash flooring has gone down in the galley & the Corian top fitted. Deck fittings are going on, solar array..etc. Really hot in the shed these days...

15/02/2023

Painting finally complete & now back in to the interior. The outside looks great, many hours of sanding & prep that is so tedious..but a great result. Ian Stewart, who painted her has a long history in the industry dating back to the painting on the America's Cup saga of 'KZ1', 'Steinlager 1' & Whitbread Maxi 'Fisher & Paykel'. We are lucky to have him.
I'm back in to building the internal joinery now with the upholsterer waiting to get started.

23/01/2023

The bridge on Castaway now complete. The teak sole down & ready for panelling, upholstery & rigging. The electrics can now be run & electronics fitted so great progress to be had over the coming weeks. Headed towards the day we can unwrap the whole thing & start to get a look at the final product. Firing up the engines & bolting on all the shiny bits in the coming weeks. A lot more fun than the paintjob process but Iain is making a great job.

16/12/2022

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/boats-marine/motorboats/listing/3911382951?bof=6DhPdhG9

I've just listed Phoenix. She is a great example, low hours & a great 'all Kiwi' boat

Formula 49’ Custom Built to a high standard in 2009 by Bartlett Marine this custom Formula is in top condition & ready for the season. She has a 2 cabin layout...

12/12/2022

We refitted Phoenix in 2009. 13 years on she is in top condition with less than 1000 hours on the Cummins QSB 330's. She is for sale with fresh antifoul & ready for the summer. Extended to 48' (15m berth) her refit was extensive & everything other than her bare hull & decks was refitted or replaced in 2009. She is one of the Formula 4000L's that was built for the Japan market, this means she has a solid grp/kevlar bottom & some extras not found in all 4000L's. Contact me for further information. Chris 0274 834 043 [email protected]

30/11/2022

All construction is now finished on Castaway & paint going on pre Xmas. Engineering & electrical progressing well. Great to see her all in one colour & starting to see the finished article emerging.

15/11/2022

The first coats of gloss on Castaways topsides. Great to be getting towards the shiny end of the job. Teak going down in the next couple of weeks, the flybridge interior underway also. She will be final painted pre Xmas. Engineering & electrical progressing, a full Raymarine package going in .

14/11/2022

Connor is just finishing the refit of this Buccaneer 735. Following a road accident it's had a total respray in Awlcraft 2000, Flag Blue on the topsides which looks awesome. A new DMW trailer rated to 3500kg & powered by a 250 hp Yamaha. It will have a custom dash, interior & upholstery. Thanks to Jerry from Buccaneer for helping us out with the new hardtop & Mark Helms Marine a wealth of experience on the engine. Ready for summer.

13/11/2022

Masquerade tidied up pre Xmas. 2 years since she's been out. We used Ultra 2 antifoul which performed pretty well over a fairly long period. It had a couple of cleans & a scrape after last seasons Barnacle growth which is significant in the BOI through the summer months.
Easy to see who's doing all the work..

10/10/2022

A couple of coats of Awlwood going on to Shenandoah's cappings. One year on they're looking really good & Opunga Cove at the weekend not a bad place for doing some maintenance.

06/10/2022

New Teak platform for 'Fat Bottom Girls". This was done from patterns & fitted to the boat at the marina, a very easy addition to the existing grp platform giving a much more upmarket look. I plan to do more of this type of work next year between the north & Auckland.

22/09/2022

Finished construction in the cockpit. Flybridge construction next week with the painter starting the following week...no pressure

21/09/2022

Dusting the cobwebs off Masquerade. Looking good with summer just around the corner.

01/09/2022

01/09/2022

The first day of spring…boating season soon. Castaway’s progress is good. All underfloor construction is finished & ready for systems. Wiring, plumbing & engineering all progressing over the coming weeks. The saloon joinery now delivered to the factory & ready to also go in through this month & next. The focus now is on completing the cockpit & flybridge construction with the painter booked to start next month. Good to see some visual progress after months under the floor.

11/07/2022

11/07/2022

Busy times in many ways..
Castaway came out of the shed last week following the engines installation. The finished hardtop fitted aboard & the boat turned around. The remaining construction can now be done & the systems installation can begin. Now 48’ with a really good sized cockpit. She is having a full Raymarine electronics package with a second ‘docking’ station in the cockpit using toggle steering. The American Ash interior cabinet work is well progressed. With the colour scheme & internal linings now chosen she will look fantastic.

26/05/2022

Castaway's hull construction now complete. Ready for the new sole arrangement, tanks & exhausts before we move in to the new bulkhead setup & a spiral staircase to the bridge. She is having a centre island at the transom & twin doors. Underfloor bait tank in the hull extension & a bbg/fishing station in the island.

16/05/2022

Castaway's bridge ready to head off to the paintshop. It's been extended, changed internally & a composite coms mast fitted. The hull extension well underway & headed towards engines in the next month or so. She is stripped out including tanks so back to a bare hull & decks. Ian Stewart into the paintwork & Greg Mildon into engineering.