The company formerly known as Skipperi New Zealand is embarking on a new voyage under a new name following local ownership and the development of a world-first AI-powered boating platform designed specifically for Kiwi waters.
After acquiring the New Zealand operation from the Finnish parent company last year, the new owners and the team behind New Zealand’s largest subscription boating service quickly realised the business was spending more time managing software tools than helping people get out on the water.
“We were running nine separate software platforms to manage bookings, compliance, communications, operations and safety,” says Colin Stone – CEO and Director. “None of them spoke properly to each other and most were designed around what was easy for the multitude of software providers rather than what we saw was best for our members.”
Rather than patching together more workarounds, the team spent the past four months building an entirely new AI-led operating system from the ground up — one specifically designed for New Zealand boating conditions, Maritime New Zealand regulations and the realities of running a local subscription boating business. The result is a fully integrated platform that manages everything from bookings and communications to vessel monitoring and compliance while giving the business complete independence from off-shore providers.
The change also marks the launch of a new Kiwi-owned and operated brand: Subscription Boat Club (SBC).
While the brand-name on the boats may be changing, members can expect the same fleet, the same marinas and the same team — just with smarter technology working behind the scenes. The new member app includes in-app messaging, destination guides, favourite fishing spot saving and intelligent trip monitoring designed to make boating easier and importantly safer.
Behind the scenes, SBC’s technology monitors battery health, fuel levels, engine performance, coolant temperatures and trim usage in real time, allowing the operations team to identify issues before they become problems. Ultimately, that means more reliable boats, safer boating experiences and more time spent enjoying the water rather than dealing with maintenance headaches.
“It feels incredibly exciting to be launching a Kiwi-first brand powered by Kiwi-built technology,” says Colin. “Being in complete control of our technology means we can respond faster to our members, adapt to changing conditions and continue building the future of subscription boating in a way that suits Kiwi boating culture.”
The move comes as more New Zealanders look for alternatives to traditional boat ownership as purchase prices, maintenance costs and marina storage fees continue to rise. As one SBC member put it: “Joining was a no-brainer.” Or perhaps, in boating terms, getting on board finally makes sense.
For more information, visit www.skipperi.nz
