Why Ken Chose a Rockboat 3.9m Inflatable Boat for Fishing with His Family
Ken’s journey from competitive fishing in South Africa to family fishing adventures in New Zealand eventually led him to a Rockboat 3.9m inflatable boat. Here’s why he chose an inflatable and how it has become part of his family’s life on the water
Coming from South Africa Ken wanted to continue his long-standing fishing history and eventually expand into inflatable boats. Ken a long-time fisherman who started his career freshwater fishing with coarse and specimen being his main topic quickly became one of the top in his club winning numerous competitions and progressed to teaming up with his childhood friend to represent his state in the regional championships. Followed by an invitation to represent South Africa in international tournaments. While featuring in local angling magazines and writing articles together during which new theories and equipment were tested a spark was ignited to one day fish on charter boats for a living. Both Ken and his teammate made the commitment to move closer to the coast and start the dream. All was shaping up as his teammate received his skipper’s license. Then tragedy struck when a car accident occurred and his teammate was taken too young, changing everything. Devastated by his loss Ken vowed to continue with the dream alone and after acquiring a sea kayak he hit the water as much as he could.
Many years on the sea and while still kayaking he realised that he did not need a massive boat but rather enjoyed the quiet peace of a smaller craft. Life continued and Ken had a small family and headed to New Zealand for a better life for all. Ken’s twin daughters became avid fishermen, and he wanted to share the experience of being on the water together, so it was time for an upgrade. After many hours of research and late-night discussions there was only one choice. Rockboat inflatable boats ticked all his boxes from price, reliability, and years of tried and tested reviews from real world users taking the boat to places he could only dream of, and most wouldn’t dare.
When the time came to make the purchase, he was excited to report, “I visited the store and was greeted by the owner himself who had the time to sit and review my plans. Together we came up with the perfect boat to fit all my needs and to grow with my family for many years to come.” “I started to visit the shop more frequently and every time I would just stop by for a friendly yarn the owner always made time to just chat. He truly cared how I was as a person and we became friends. Never has an owner of a company genuinely cared about his customers even long after the sale was made. No matter how many questions I had he always made the time to truly listen and guide me in the right direction or let me know I was making a mistake. It felt at times like I had my teammate back. This not only made the purchase easy but filled me with confidence that the person on the other end cares about his product.” Now many months after his purchase Ken still frequently visits the store with new ideas to upgrade and expand on his boat. With all the extras and spares carried including PVC 2-part glue his boat is evolving monthly with no end in sight.
Ken finished in saying, “Finally seeing the joy on my daughters’ faces catching their first fish on the boat and truly experiencing the open ocean for themselves has made me realise just how short life is. Looking back on so many memories of my friend and teammate fishing as kids, I realise how precious those moments are and how quickly they can be taken away. We should take every second making new memories with our loved ones. I’m truly grateful Rockboat has become part of that for us and will be part of it for many fishing memories for generations to come. “