Honda Marine SA forms exclusive partnership with Chaparral and Robalo Boats
Chaparral SSX287
In a short timeframe of only 7 years, Honda has become the fastest
growing outboard engine brand in South Africa for the second year
running, and now as from May 01, 2012, Honda Marine SA became the
exclusive distributor for both Chaparral and Robalo Boats in Southern
Africa and the West Indian Ocean. Despite the current tough trading
conditions being experienced, particularly in the marine market, Honda
is very much a marine brand on the move and surely one to keep a close
eye on.
Powered
by the kudos, world-reputation and backing of the Honda name, Honda
Marine’s comprehensive range of 4-stroke outboard engines from 2 to
250HP has captured the imagination and hearts of the discerning South
African boating public. Ever since the introduction of the GB30 in 1964
(Honda’s first outboard engine), Honda has pioneered the development and
production of 4-stroke outboards with a low impact on the environment
based on the philosophy of their founder, Soichiro Honda, who said that
“Rice grows in water, and fish live in the water, a product that runs over the water should not pollute it.”
Honda BF90HP
In addition to the environmental benefits, people also want great
performance, outstanding reliability, smoothness of operation and top
draw fuel efficiency, all in an outboard package that offers superior
advanced technology and most importantly affordability. They’ve been
looking for all these qualities in an outboard engine for some time now
and are quickly realizing that the only power supply destination in
which they’ll find them all is in a Honda, hence the rapid growth.
Honda outboard engine line-up
To keep abreast of customer demand, Honda Marine has been steadily
growing its dealer network infrastructure and looking for dynamic ways
to differentiate itself from the rest of the market. Certainly this new
partnership with Chaparral and Robalo Boats clearly represents the first
of many steps in which Honda is establishing an exclusive trading
environment for its dealers where each and every customer’s individual
boating needs can be met.
Chaparral 224XTREME
As Clinton Lambert, the Divisional Manager for Honda Marine Southern Africa says,
“We
are constantly striving to find diverse and exciting ways to satisfy
our customers, to support our dealers and to grow the Honda Marine
brand. We must cater for all customer requirements from bottom end
entry-level boats right up to top end imported boats. With over 40 years
experience and a worldwide reputation for manufacturing high quality
craft, the exclusive tie-up with Chaparral and Robalo is a major coup
for the Honda Marine brand. There is a definite market for these
majestic boats and Honda Marine wants to play a leading role in getting
them back onto South African waters.”
Honda to power Robalo Boats in Southern Africa
Both Chaparral and Robalo fall under the ‘Marine Products
Corporation’ banner and both have tremendous heritages. What’s more they
enjoy a strong connection with Honda in that all 3 companies share a
history of endurance, innovation and quality, all having commenced their
respective operations in the 1960’s, Honda Marine in ’64, Chaparral in
’65 and Robalo in ’68.
Chaparral SSi226
From the Chaparral perspective, it was their founder Buck Pegg who
started up a small fibreglass fabrication shop in Florida and over time
grew it into one of the world’s largest independent manufacturers of
sterndrive pleasure boats. The Chaparral business whose first boat, a
15-foot Tri-Hull sold for a whopping $675, has now evolved into a
comprehensive fleet of 29 boats ranging in length from 18 to 42 feet. A
factory fire, needs for expansion and a buy-out of the then bankrupt
Larsen Boats, all led Chaparral to establishing a new production
facility and headquarters in Georgia where they’re still based.
Chaparral SSi226 Cockpit
Chaparral has also experienced some changes in ownership over the
years, finally being bought by RPC in 1986 who then in turn bought
Robalo from Brunswick in 2001, the spin off from all these acquisitions
being the establishment of the ‘Marine Products Corporation’, a 1 200
000 square foot facility that now houses both Chaparral and Robalo under
one roof, a total area of some 100 acres – it’s very big!
Honda powered Robalo 245 fishing boat
In terms of Robalo’s history, they build top quality,
performance-orientated fishing boats focusing strongly on the family
fisherman who is passionate about what he or she does. Fishing boats is
their business, that’s what they do, manufacturing their first 19-foot
vessel back in 1968. Over the years Robalo has been owned by AMF, Cobia
and Brunswick prior to being acquired by Chaparral in 2001 when they
decided that Robalo’s premier fleet of outboard powered fishing boats
would be the perfect complement to the existing Chaparral model line-up.
Robalo R240 leaning post
Also fuelled by Chaparral founder Buck Pegg’s lifelong passion for
bluewater fishing, Robalo has since 2001 constantly been expanding its
reach throughout the world by introducing brand new or completely
retooled boats on an annual basis, keeping the highly reputable Robalo
name right at the forefront.
Robalo R240 Sun Bow Lounger
Both brands have enjoyed much success with Chaparral leading the way
with 13 ‘Boat of the Year’ Awards in the last 23 years alone, the most
achieved by any boat builder ever. Certainly Honda Marine SA firmly
believes that they’ve partnered with a winning combination and are
looking forward to properly launching their involvement at the
Johannesburg Boat Show in August, where Chaparral Xtreme 224, SSi 226,
and SSX 287 models, together with Robalo R247 and R240 models, will
hopefully be on display. They and the Honda Marine dealer network look
forward to seeing you there…
For more information on both Chaparral and Robalo Boats please click on the links below to view their respective websites:
CHAPARRAL BOATS - http://www.chaparralboats.com
ROBALO BOATS – http://www.robalo.com
