Testimonials

For Tony, a sailor based in Christchurch, boating means exploring the waters around Lyttelton Harbour and Banks Peninsula, sailing, fishing, diving, and getting out on Born Free, his Farr 727 yacht, as often as the weather allows.  In April 2026, Tony bought a Rockboat Sport 230 from Rockboat Marine to use as Born Free's tender. The 2.3 metre inflatable quickly became part of everyday life on board, giving Tony and his crew an easy way to get from the yacht to shore, tuck into close bays, and move around the harbour.  Tony has spent three seasons sailboat racing and time on bigger yachts between Picton and Akaroa, but he's the first to admit motorboats aren't his specialty. His world is cruising and sailing close to home. We needed something that we can get to the beach with," Tony says.  The Rockboat Sport 230 needed to stow neatly without getting in the way.  "Size was the key consideration for the 2.3 Rockboat because we are only a twenty four foot boat, so the inflatable just perfectly fits on the bow of the boat, just in front of the mast, upside down. It has been a ten out of ten for everything that we could ask of it."

Presentation and trust matter to him when he's the one buying.  "I am in retail as well, and I know all about professional presentation, which I suppose engenders trust when it comes down to it."  That, along with value for money and Rockboat's online presence, made the decision straightforward.  Since picking up the Rockboat, Tony has been running in the motor around Lyttelton Harbour, coming alongside ladders, working around wharves, and building confidence with how the tender handles. "At the moment it has just been hooning around Lyttelton Harbour, running in the motor and getting used to working with the boat. I am about an hour into the run in, so I have another hour to do, and at this time of year I am generally only out for about thirty minutes as it is cold." It's fitting that Lyttelton is where it's all happening, Tony rates it as his favourite spot on the water.  "It is just so fantastic for sailing. We get pretty consistent wind from the north east and it is never too hectic in there. It is quite sheltered."  One of the most memorable days came early. Tony picked up the Rockboat, inflated it that night to test everything, then took it straight over to Born Free the next day for her maiden voyage, a quick cruise to Diamond Harbour and back, with the Rockboat trailing along behind as her new tender.  As the weather warms up, Tony has plenty planned. He's looking at trips five or six nautical miles out into the Pacific to explore more of the peninsula, and hopes to join the cruising club at Naval Point Yacht Club, opening up moorings at Diamond Harbour, Little Port Cooper, Pigeon Bay, and Port Levy.

The idea: head out for a fish, anchor overnight, enjoy the bays, then potter back to Lyttelton when the trip is done. Tony usually boats with his wife and his good mate Michael, with more friends lined up once the weather turns.  The Rockboat won't just be a tender either, Tony plans to use it for diving, cray pots, and crab nets, with the compact size ideal for getting in close to the rocks to set and retrieve gear.  Asked what his ideal day on the water looks like, Tony doesn't overthink it: "It would look like today, sunny and clear blue skies, except about twenty degrees warmer. Five to ten knots of wind, beautiful clear day and calm seas."  Tony has an eye for good gear, his confidence in the Rockboat carries extra weight given his background, he spent seven years as a tailor for Macpac, making backpacks, tents, and sleeping bags. He knows materials, construction, and what well-made gear should feel like" I know when things are well made, and yeah, it inspires confidence."  With warmer weather ahead, the bays of Banks Peninsula waiting, and plenty of fishing, diving, cray potting, and exploring on the horizon, Born Free and her Rockboat Sport 230 are just getting started.