Meet Sean: The Rayglass owner who helped shape the new 3000

When conceptualising the 3000 our team talked with countless Rayglass owners to ensure their feedback was incorporated into the boat. We wanted to build a truly multi-purpose trailer vessel that ticked all the right boxes for boaties - whether cruising with family and friends, game fishing out deep, or overnighting for days at a time.

Sean, who owned a Rayglass Legend 2800 at the time, was so involved during the design of the 3000 that we joked about him being part of the staff and would ask if he’d clocked in yet when he visited. He was the second customer to order a 3000, and he’s now owned his vessel Drug Runner* for over a year.

(*We’ll explain the name later)

“The best boat he’s ever been on”

Sean’s a family man based in Coromandel who’s been a keen boatie for ages. He’s got a wife, a 17 year old boy and a 15 year old girl. He’d only owned aluminum vessels until recently when he spoke to a friend of his:

“Mate of mine who is involved in boating and fishing industry went out on a Rayglass 2800 in Whitianga. When they went into a bit of slop the skipper said hold on - my mate was so impressed with the ride and how the boat just smashed through the rough. He said it was the best boat he’s ever been on.”

The rest is history and soon after Sean bought a 2800. So impressed with the performance of the 2800 and thinking about his next boat in 2017 Sean sent us a 2 page business case for a 30-foot-trailer boat that could do it all. He explained that there was a gap in the market, and an opportunity for Rayglass to build a bigger, high quality trailered boat.

“For the next few years everytime I saw the sales and management team at Rayglass I asked…. How’s our 30 footer coming along? I even bailed up the Rayglass GM and Financial Controller on this when we crossed paths at conference in Auckland. My wife told me they’ll be issuing a protection order against me soon," Sean said. 

“Then one day Scotty called and said we’re looking at it [the 3000] seriously. So I got involved early on. I was brought into the secrecy of the development of the boat, it took a long time to develop through COVID,” Sean said.

Part of the Rayglass team

Once Rayglass decided to run with the idea, Sean's valuable feedback and huge boating knowledge helped the Rayglass design team make the right decisions:

“I had very basic input, and talked to the guys about how you’d use the boat if you were a diver or a fisherman. We talked about how if you’re a chef you have a work triangle - your fridge, stovetop, and sink, close together - and how it’s the same with a boat.”

“For example, you need your dive tanks accessible, so you don’t have to walk through the cabin and knock everything. You need open space, access to your wet suit and underfloor storage.”

At one stage the Rayglass team discussed taking out the live bait tank to create room for other features, when Sean put his foot down - and said it was non-negotiable. We did as we were told and the final version of the vessel included plumbed live bait tanks:

“The design is very good. I gave feedback on the stuff you didn’t want to compromise on and they listened.”

Second on the list for a 3000

After years helping design and refine the vessel Sean was the second boatie to receive a next generation Rayglass 3000:

“I’d been a tinny guy for years but fibreglass is just more comfortable, better build quality. As you get into your later years, you want a better riding hull,” Sean jokes.

Sean works for the largest dose supplier of prescription pharmaceutical drugs in New Zealand and he’s got a wicked sense of humour. So we weren’t surprised when he told us he named his Rayglass 3000 Drug Runner.

He’s checked with Coastguard and his boat is the only one with that name in the country (so look out for him next time you’re out around Coromandel). His new set up is unique, including a huge Ford truck, a triple axel trailer, and his 3000 - which features a few nifty upgrades:

● Black diamond stitch upholstery
● a 370hp inboard V8, 24” Simrad screen
● Upgraded SS175HW transducer
● Upgraded S5100 sonar
● Auto pilot
● Electric reels

This beauty is just as ready to catch Marlin in 3km of water, as it is to take the family out for a casual day in the islands.

Sean’s 3000 escapades

Since he’s taken delivery of his Rayglass 3000 Sean has been all over the place with friends, family, and especially his son - who’s fishing mad:

“We use the boat for lots of things. Boys trips for 2 or 3 days, family trips out to Mercury Island with 8 people on board. We blow up paddle boards, send the kids out, then make a nice gin and tonic in the galley.”

“My boy and I use it a lot for scuba diving, and freediving. The duckboard on the back is great for that. When we’re on overnight dive trips we put the chilly bins out there, pop airbeds on the deck for sleeping space. It’s such a multi-use boat, it really works for us.”

Sean and his mates also go out deep chasing big fish. They’ve spent nights fishing blue fin tuna off the East Cape, headed out to the start of the Kermadec Trench in 3,000 m of water at 2am, each sleeping in shifts to watch for container ships. They’ve done Great Barrier with mates, and love bringing guests out to Mercury Island, finding a quiet bay, then catching fish for dinner on the way home.

He says the bigger space, and the extra safety compared to the 2800 makes all the difference:

“Everyone that comes out in the boat is so impressed with the boat, its layout and super high quality finish. My mates love fishing and diving off the boat and say its an absolute beast of a boat”.

“It’s a great size. I didn’t want to go into launch territory because I want to tow to different waters all around the country. And it’s very safe when crossing the bar at Whangapoua.”

The experience buying and owning ‘Drug Runner’

Throughout the purchase and design process of the 3000 the Rayglass team loved having Sean around - he’s got a great sense of humour, plenty of diving and fishing knowledge, and
a genuine passion for boating.

His feedback helped shape the 3000 into what is is, so we’re stoked to hear that the feeling is mutual and hope that we keep seeing him on the regular:

“I’ve bought aluminium boats in the past through agencies from different suppliers and there was no after sale support. Rayglass has a fully integrated model from manufacturing to sales, which allows them to provide more care, more accountability.”

“They have a really great culture and Dean’s continued that. I love the brand, love the business. I work not far away from them so I still drop in often to harass the boys, talk business, and talk boats.”

 

Like the look of Drug Runner? The Rayglass 3000 is available for sea trials - get in touch with Matthew Flannagan or Sam Bennett to enquire.

 

Matt
[email protected]
+64 21 909 335

Sam
[email protected]
+64 21 500 187