HONDA MARINE SOUTHERN AFRICA NEWS

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