Written by Kerryn Caulfield, Executive Director, Composites Australia inc.
Hemmant, Queensland, is a suburb on the banks of the Brisbane River, which flows into Moreton Bay—one of the state’s most significant coastal waterways. Part of a vast marine environment, the Bay is 35 kilometres at its widest point and features open passages leading to the Pacific Ocean through northern and southern heads. Its southern navigation entrance, dubbed the Gold Coast Seaway, is dotted with hundreds of islands, a labyrinth of inland waterways and a haven for boating enthusiasts. In this setting, rich in maritime heritage, Cruise Craft—one of Australia’s oldest and most respected boatbuilding firms—was founded in 1946, profoundly shaped by its proximity to these iconic waterways.
Next year, Cruise Craft will celebrate 80 years in business, marking its legacy as one of the oldest family-run dynasties in Australian boatbuilding. Founded as Nichols Bros Boat Builders, the company is now led by the third generation at the helm, the family continues to steer the company forward.
In its early years, the company specialised in timber boats up to 32 feet, catering to commercial and recreational boaters. Their sturdy inboard-powered fishing boats, including the classic “Moreton Bay cruisers,” became a staple in the local fleet, valued for their craftsmanship and reliability.
By the 1960s, as materials and techniques evolved, Cruise Craft transitioned from timber to fibreglass construction, a pivotal shift that positioned the company as a pioneer in modern Australian boatbuilding. In the decades since, the company has carved out a niche producing a diverse range of boats tailored to various boating activities in serious offshore fishing and coastal cruising.
Its line-up includes innovative designs across soft-top, centre console and hard-top models, each offering unique features for different on-water experiences. Among the range are walk-around, cuddy cabin and half-cabin boats, known for their versatility and practicality.
Cruise Craft’s standout model is the E770HT, the largest trailer boat in the company’s line-up and a testament to its engineering excellence. Described by Nathan Nichols as a “100 per cent turnkey experience,” the E770HT is designed for effortless performance straight out of the box.
At 7.70 metres (25′ 3″) in length, it offers ample space while remaining compliant with towing regulations and with a 400-litre fuel capacity; it’s built for extended offshore trips. The boat is rated for up to seven people and is ideal for serious fishing expeditions or leisurely coastal cruising. Standard features include walk-through transom doors on both port and starboard sides and an extensive list of customisation options, including multiple engine configurations. The E770HT comes with a purpose-built Easy Tow trailer to complete the integrated, ready-to-go package.
Cruise Craft’s production philosophy is fuelled by an aggressive R&D program, with a dynamic team driving innovation in processes, systems and feedback loops for consistent, high-quality output.
Committed to continuous improvement, the company maintains a clean, efficient and systematically organised workshop to uphold production and safety standards. Nathan explains, “We have comprehensive weighing practices throughout our production process to optimise the use of expensive or specialised materials, reducing waste and costs while ensuring proper resin-to-fibre ratios for optimal performance characteristics.”
Cruise Craft’s focus on research and development has led to advancements in its composite-build processes, strengthening two key structural elements with proprietary technology: the transom and sub-floor system. The Matrix Grid sub-floor system is a composite-formed grid that profiles the cavity between the inner hull and the fully moulded fibreglass floor liner, providing rigidity and support to the cockpit floor and hull. Once installed, the void between the one-piece full-length fibreglass-moulded floor liner and the hull is filled with flotation foam, strengthening the structure and improving buoyancy. Flotation foam technology is now a standard feature, enhancing range stability, durability and safety.
Cruise Craft’s models include the Explorer, Outsider and F-Series, each designed with specific applications for inshore recreational users to serious offshore anglers:
Explorer Series: Regarded for its versatility and performance in both Bay and offshore environments, these boats feature a deep-V hull for improved stability and handling in rough conditions. Spacious cockpits provide ample room for fishing or leisure activities, making them popular for families and serious anglers.
Outsider Series: The walk-around configuration provides easier access to the bow for anglers and divers, improving mobility on the deck while retaining essential safety features. These boats incorporate comfortable cabin areas allowing for extended trips on the water.
F-Series: Designed and built for offshore fishing, featuring reinforced hulls, larger fuel capacities and ergonomic layouts, these boats handle the open ocean and include high freeboards for safety, integrated bait tanks and other fishing-focused features.
Cruise Craft has a long-standing partnership with Yamaha, a global leader in outboard motor technology. Together, they optimise engine specifications for each hull design, ensuring ideal weight distribution, handling, fuel efficiency and performance. Beyond product compatibility, the collaboration benefits customers with streamlined service and support through Yamaha’s dealer network, providing easy access to maintenance, spare parts and technical assistance across Australia.
According to Nathan, boatbuilding depends on developing skills and knowledge through formal training and hands-on experience. “Training the next generation is a core company value, essential for maintaining production standards and preserving the craft’s heritage. New employees undergo in-house training in fibreglass fabrication, assembly techniques and quality control before joining the production lines. We currently have 16 apprentices training through Gold Coast TAFE and PARTEC…..If you don’t train, you can’t retain.”
Many employees have spent a significant part of their working lives with Cruise Craft, demonstrating a strong work ethic and loyalty, including two who started in 1982 and are still a valuable part of the everyday operations, one who retired in 2024 after starting in 1973 and two retirees who served for over 50 years.
With a legacy rooted in craftsmanship, training, R&D and innovation, Cruise Craft remains a benchmark in the industry, setting high standards for performance, reliability and user-focused design.
