Stabi Dealers

from STABIMAG 02

by stabimag

Bill Kill

STABIDEALER

BACKING A WINNER

Webbe Marine brings enthusiastic, boutique-style customer service to Sydney’s southern suburbs.

84 | ISSUE 02 www.stabicraft.com

“WE’D ALWAYS ADMIRED THE STABICRAFT BRAND AND THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GREAT FIT FOR OUR BUSINESS,” SAYS GAVAN (PICTURED RIGHT).

Darling Harbour is one of the many attractions for boaties in the Sydney region.

Located in Sydney’s south, with the Georges River on one side and Port Hacking River on the other, Webbe Marine is a small family dealership with a big reputation for personal service. With about 54 years of experience between them, owner/directors Gavan Daly and Ashley Faraj have literally grown up with the business. Gavan’s dad, Mike purchased the company in 1984 from its founder, Max Webbe. Gavan couldn’t wait to get involved, joining the business as a 17-year-old straight from school. Ash had come on board in 1999 and when Mike retired in 2006, the two mates picked up the ball and ran with it.

“We saw a real opportunity in the market for a boutique-style dealership specialising in one or two niche boat brands, recalls Gavan. “Minimal staff and low overheads meant we could spend more time with each customer.”

Restructuring the business accordingly, the boys initially specialised in Sailfish catamarans, but pretty soon discovered the joys of Stabicraft, becoming a Stabi dealer in 2012.

“We’d always admired the Stabicraft brand and thought it would be a great fit for our business,” says Gavan. “Since day one, we’ve had fantastic growth to the point that the brand now has a real dominance in the NSW market.”

Alongside new Stabis and Sailfish cats, Webbe Marine sells Honda and Yamaha outboards, and Furuno, Navico and Garmin electronics. Ash reckons they’re in the perfect spot for a boat dealership. “Southern Sydney is God’s country!” he says. “We’re surrounded by two sensational waterways. Then you’ve got Sydney up the road with the world’s best harbour, and the mighty Hawkesbury River.”

Gavan agrees. “There are huge river systems to explore and easy offshore access to world-class game fishing. The fishing is great considering it’s such a big city. From flatties and kings in the rivers to marlin and tuna runs offshore, there’s something for everyone.”

Ash reckons it also helps that there are better ramps and more of them. “Follow the reports, get on the water early and go home late,” he advises. “Fish hard around the tide changes

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STABIDEALER

and just spend as much time on the water as possible.”

Gavan likes a good kingie battle. “Sydney kingfish are always a winner, from smaller rats in the rivers and estuaries to the big reel-busters offshore. The great thing is, you can get amongst them no matter what size boat you have.”

From the get go, Gavan and Ash knew they were onto a winner with Stabicraft. On a trip to the factory before signing on the dotted line, the boys were impressed with Stabicraft’s R&D and manufacturing process. “It’s a great product with amazing attention to detail in the finish and fit-out, not to mention the safety, stability and performance of the hulls,” says Ash. “Our customers spend a lot of time offshore and it gives us peace of mind to know they’re in such a safe boat.”

Gavan reckons stability is the boats’ top selling point. “Stabi’s unique pontoon-style design and level flotation gives our clients a level of safety and stability unmatched by any other monohulled boat on the market.”

Since coming aboard with Stabicraft in 2012, Webbe Marine has sold “hundreds” of Stabis, with the number growing every year and their top-seller being the 1850 Supercab.

“We have clients coming back for their third and fourth boats, which is a great testament to the product,” says Gavan. “Our customers are work hard/play hard people with prior boating experience, who often own multiple boats. They know what they want and are looking for a premium product.”

“Our customer base is younger than it used to be,” adds Ash. “Stabi is seen as the brand to own now.”

Going the extra mile to ensure the client gets on the water as soon as possible with the right set-up for their needs is all part of the Webbe Marine service — which means they’ve done some pretty speccy fit-outs.

“Michael’s 2100 Supercab was amazing,” recalls Ash. “Michael created an absolute fishing weapon with all conceivable options, a big V6 Yamaha, fully-loaded Simrad package, outriggers, tuna tubes, custom flooring and custom lighting. Then he asked me what else he could add!”

The Webbe team created another “weapon” out of Dan Londero’s 2400. “He had twin 135HP Hondas and we had the factory weld double plates behind the outrigger bases to ensure no warping of the cabin,” says Gavan. “We redesigned the captain’s seating configuration to fit an esky under the seat — the first 2400 with that set-up. We installed a Furuno TZT2 15” with the new 3D tech, Doppler radar and autopilot. Fresh water was retrofitted, as was SeaDek flooring. We also foamfilled it to increase safety and decrease noise.”

Gavan’s favourite Stabi is the 1850 Supercab, which he says punches well above its weight in stability and performance. Ash likes the 2100 Supercab. “It’s an unbelievable offshore performer and far and away the best 21ft boat on the market, as evidenced by The Captain Shootout,” he says.

The boys reckon Stabis basically sell themselves in the long run. Gavan tells the tale of Tim, their “part-time guy” — reeled in with Stabi bait.

“He bought a Honda engine from us in 2016. Then he bought a 2100 Supercab in early 2018. Then he saw an ad on Facebook — we were looking for a new staff member. He jumped at it and is now a highly valued member of the team.”

QUESTIONS FOR ASH & GAVAN

01 in Sydney?

When’s the best time to go fishing

Summer for sure. The fish are biting and the weather is awesome.

Describe Stabi customers in five words.Experienced, passionate, researched, discerning thinkers.

the best thing about

03What’s owning a boat dealership? When you’re passionate about something, you never have to work a day in your life.

the worst thing about

04What’s owning a boat dealership? The stories we hear from clients about the fish they’re catching while we’re stuck in the office.

Stabi Boss Paul could change one

05If

thing at Stabicraft, what would it be? Get the boats to us faster!