Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders

What Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders does

Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders Ltd is a privately held custom boat builder founded in 1983 by Lloyd Stevenson and headquartered in a purpose-built 30m-capable facility at 10 Ra Ora Drive, East Tamaki, Auckland, New Zealand. The company is 100% custom by design, producing motor yachts, sailing yachts, high-performance catamarans, and superyacht tenders in the 10-30m range on fixed-price contracts, with no two vessels identical. Its core technology combines traditional wood boat building (cold-moulded yellow cedar, longitudinal and diagonal planking) with advanced composite construction (carbon fibre, aramids, balsa/foam/honeycomb cores, e-glass) using hand-laid, vacuum-bagged, and resin infusion processes. Two product platforms anchor the offering: the Elite motor yacht line (22+ vessels built, the most experienced Elite builder globally, with designer Bill Upfold), and the Catalyst high-performance catamaran line (25+ vessels, derived from Morelli & Melvin designs originally developed for Emirates Team New Zealand's America's Cup campaign, capable of 60+ knot speeds).

The company serves high net worth individuals globally, superyacht owners requiring bespoke tenders (notably four vessels built for Sailing Yacht A between 2015-2017), America's Cup racing teams (Emirates Team New Zealand, INEOS Britannia, Alinghi Red Bull Racing, Django race team), and luxury resort operators. Go-to-market is direct sales with no retail or dealer channel; international clients are supported by dedicated project managers, weekly video calls, 24-hour live webcam access, and the GlobalWorkshop app, with global delivery handled via a partnership with TNL Pindar International (shipping bundled into fixed-price quotes). Pricing is quote-based; an 18m highly-specified Elite motor yacht such as Zaphira is approximately NZ$5.7 million including GST (ex-GST for international clients). Build cycles run 12-24 months for motor yachts and 12-18 months for superyacht tenders. A refit and servicing business on 10-30m vessels provides a recurring revenue stream alongside new builds. The business is founder/family-owned, with no institutional external investment and a team of 51-100.

Name

Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders

Legal name

Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders Ltd

Website

https://lloydstevensonyachts.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders is a 40+ year custom yacht builder in Auckland, New Zealand, handcrafting 10-30m motor yachts, sailing yachts, Catalyst high-performance catamarans, and superyacht tenders for HNW individuals, superyacht owners, and America's Cup racing teams worldwide on fixed-price contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Yacht Building

NAICS

Boat Building (336612)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Custom Yacht Building & One-Off Projects (IMAJAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Luxury Sailing Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAMAC), Luxury Yacht Tenders & Support Craft Manufacturing (IMAJAMAK), Luxury Yacht Refit, Rebuild & Lifecycle Upgrades (MRO) (IMAJAMAJ)

Keywords

• Custom boat building
• Luxury yacht construction
• Superyacht tender manufacturing
• Composite vessel building
• Marine refit services

Headquarters

HQ city

East Tamaki

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Boat Sales: 100% custom-built boats sold on a fixed-price contract basis. Boats range from 10m to 30m motor yachts, sailing yachts, and superyacht tenders. Average build time for motor yacht is 12 months to 2 years; superyacht tenders 12-18 months.
2. Refits and Servicing: Year-round maintenance programmes, annual maintenance inspections, and refit services for vessels from 10m to 30m. Services include hull/superstructure repaints, hull and cockpit extensions, interior and exterior remodelling, swim platform additions, engine replacement, and full refits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders designs and constructs 100% custom-built motor yachts, sailing yachts, high-performance Catalyst catamarans, and superyacht tenders ranging from 10m to 30m, combining traditional wooden boat building with advanced composite construction techniques. The Auckland-based firm also provides year-round refit, repair, and maintenance services for vessels of equivalent size, plus concept design exploration with internationally awarded naval architects.

Product overview

Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders is a custom boat building company specializing in luxury motor yachts, sailing yachts, and high-performance Catalyst catamarans for discerning international clients. Their portfolio includes the Elite motor yacht series (22+ built), custom superyacht tenders (serving vessels like Sailing Yacht A), America's Cup chase boats, and bespoke sailing vessels. All boats are 100% custom-built, ranging from 10m to 30m, utilizing both traditional wood and advanced composite construction techniques. The company also provides refit and servicing for their vessels. The product architecture is organized around distinct boat categories and sub-brands (Elite, Catalyst) rather than a unified software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Elite Motor Yachts Premium custom motor yachts designed by Bill Upfold of Elite Marine Design, available in sport fisher, mid-pilothouse, sports sedan, and passage maker configurations. Features include silent chines to eliminate chine slap, fine entry deep vee hulls, and passage maker configurations.
• Sportfisher Motor Yachts High-performance motor yachts combining innovative fishing technology with refined interiors and exteriors, suitable for big game fishing and luxury cruising.
• Catalyst High-Performance Catamarans High-performance catamaran series developed from America's Cup technology. Features Morelli & Melvin design, epoxy composite laminates with carbon reinforcing, capable of 60+ knot speeds. Configurable as chase boats, yacht tenders, resort tenders, and custom builds.
• Catalyst V2 Updated Catalyst platform featuring vertical bow for softer ride, increased waterline length, and more elegant profile with full headroom throughout.
• America's Cup Chase Boats Minimalist high-performance workboats designed for professional sailing race teams, providing real-time on-water performance analysis support. Hull lengths from 11.5m to 18m with approximately 5,500 kg dry weight.
• Custom Sailing Yachts Custom sailing yachts in cruiser, cruiser-racer, race, and traditional vaka categories, ranging from 10m to 24m. Portfolio includes cruising yachts, offshore racers, carbon fibre designs, and traditional ocean voyaging vessels.
• Custom Superyacht Tenders Fully custom-built superyacht tenders including limousines, open limousines, and utility tenders. Built to superyacht standards with premium materials and finishes, typically taking 12-18 months to construct.
• Refits and Servicing Professional refit, repair, and maintenance services for vessels from 10m to 30m, performed to the same high standards as new boat builds. Includes hull/superstructure repaints, hull and cockpit extensions, interior and exterior remodelling, swim platform additions, engine replacement, and full refits.
• Design Concepts Design concept exploration service working with world-class naval architects and designers to develop motor yacht, sailing yacht, and power cat concepts for client inspiration.

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TNL Pindar InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with TNL Pindar International for global shipping, insurance, and export documentation of boats to international clients. Coordinates with their global team of marine logistics experts to manage delivery from factory to client's port of choice.
• MAST AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Zealand's leading marine and composites training academy. Tracey Stevenson became a foundation board member in 2020. Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders supports training the next generation of boat-building craftspeople.
• Okeanos FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration starting 2016 to deliver ocean voyaging vaka for Pacific and Micronesian communities. These vessels connect Pacific ocean voyaging history with modern boat-building materials and technologies.
• Morelli & MelvincoreTechnology or IntegrationInternationally awarded designers who created the original Catalyst design for Emirates Team New Zealand's America's Cup campaign. Design lineage stems from these designers with boats achieving 60+ knot speeds.
• Bill Upfold (Elite Marine Design)coreTechnology or IntegrationLong-standing relationship since mid-1990s resulting in substantial fleet of custom-designed Elite motor yachts. Many features developed and implemented have become the standard for all Elite designs.
• Bakewell-White Yacht DesigncoreTechnology or IntegrationDesigner of Sea Eagle limousine tender (LSB 76). Brett Bakewell-White has designed multiple race yachts for Lloyd Stevenson including Wired and Time to Burn.
• Philippe StarckcoreTechnology or IntegrationWorld-renowned designer of Sailing Yacht A tenders built by Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders between 2015-2017.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• McMullen & Wing: New Zealand custom boat builder with similar heritage, building motor yachts and sailing yachts in composite and timber. Comparable scale, NZ location, and bespoke build philosophy make it a strong direct peer.
• Pascoe International: UK-based specialist builder of custom superyacht tenders and limousines. Direct competitor in the custom superyacht tender niche where LSB has built for Sailing Yacht A and other flagship yachts.
• Vitters Shipyard: Dutch builder of high-performance custom sailing yachts. Direct peer in fully custom performance sailing yacht space, serving similar racing and bluewater cruiser clientele with comparable one-off build philosophy.
• Hodgdon Yachts: US-based custom yacht and superyacht tender builder with deep composite expertise. Direct peer in custom tender segment with comparable build times, premium positioning, and elite clientele including superyacht owners.
• Cockwells Modern and Classic Boatbuilding: UK-based custom superyacht tender builder producing limousines, beach landers, and support craft. Direct peer competing for the same superyacht owner tender commissions as Lloyd Stevenson.
• Yachting Developments: New Zealand-based custom yacht builder specializing in high-end sailing yachts and motor yachts. Most direct comparable peer given shared NZ base, similar size, custom build model, and focus on premium sailing/motor yachts for international clients.
• Salthouse Boatbuilders: New Zealand performance yacht builder and previous home of America's Cup Catalyst chase boats before Lloyd Stevenson took over. Direct peer in performance catamaran and sailing yacht segments, with overlapping customer base among America's Cup teams.
• Royal Huisman: Iconic Dutch builder of fully custom sailing yachts and motor yachts for UHNW clients. Direct peer in custom luxury yacht segment with similar one-off build philosophy, premium pricing, and global elite customer base.
• Hakvoort Shipyard: Dutch family-owned custom motor yacht builder with similar fully custom build model and comparable scale. Direct peer in bespoke luxury motor yacht space with international UHNW clientele.

Others

• Dykstra Naval Architects: Dutch naval architecture and project management firm specializing in classic and contemporary superyacht new builds and refits. Tangentially related as a non-builder peer that competes for the same custom yacht owner's build management engagements.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@lloydstensonboatbuilders
• Facebookfacebook.com/LloydStevensonYachts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lloyd-stevenson-boatbuilders-limited
• Instagraminstagram.com/lloydstevensonboatbuilders/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders