Edencraft Factory Tour

[AUSF233]

Took a drive out to Geelong/Newtown to meet up with Alan Ball, current owner of Edencraft. Primary purpose for the visit was to deliver 2 x X-Winch Large, one for a Formula 233 which will soon head up to Far North Queensland and operate as a commercial dive boat, the other for Alan's new 6m demo boat.

The 6m demo boat is all white and will be fitted up with all the good gear hence the decision to install and X-Winch Large (thank you Alan). It will be powered by a pair of 140hp Suzuki's. During the visit, 2 of the boys were marking up a new carbon fiber wave breaker for the forward windows (the other 2 were laminating the above-mentioned 233). On the wave breakers, Alan uses a clear gel coat and a broad weave carbon fiber cloth resulting in an absolutely spectacular finish.

Alan was happy to continue showing me around, chat about the significant improvements he has made to the product since taking over, and his vision for Edencraft moving forward.

It became evident Edencraft was finally in good hands. The 6m and 233 molds have been completely re-tooled and the finish is absolutely fantastic. His new laminate schedule includes a layer of carbon fiber which adds a whole lot more strength (more about that later) without compromising weight, and the attention to detail in equipment selection and fit up is as good if not better than many of the big brand companies.

The factory itself is not huge by any stretch of the imagination, but it is very well set up with 'sections' allocated to specific functions.

The laminating room is temperature and humidity controlled environment and comprises dust and fume extraction. This provides consistency in the product being produced as well as a pleasant working environment for the laminators. It also means Edencraft can build all year round.

To the side of that, there is an area where the hull and deck sections are bonded, and off to the side of that is the area where the boats are fitted up and made ready for collection.

All the molds are stored in doors and out of the weather and when not is use are stacked above the workshop area to minimise any possibility of damage.

There is also a fabrication area and store stocked with deck hardware and accessories.

Other interesting experiences included putting an approx 30cm x 30cm x 6mm piece of Alans new laminate in to a 6 inch dawn vice and attempting to break it by swinging (base ball style) a smallish sledge hammer at it (we failed miserably), watching a video of the original Haines Hunter 233 molds being destroyed by heavy machinery (must say watching that made I was gob smacked and felt sick in the guts) and seeing some cad/solid works drawings of things Alan has in the pipeline.

Sorry about the lack of pics. Didn't have my camera and am not even sure if Alan would have allowed it.

Anyway, overall it was an informative and enjoyable experience and I look forward to catching up with Alan and his crew again in the near future. Thanks again Alan for taking the time to show me around. 

Next time, we might even water test a few :)

[stavro politis]

It's a small workshop but couldn't be happier with my Edencraft performs so well and a great finish all around 

[Rick Bettua]

Hi Spiro

It was great to meet you that day at the Edencraft Factory! That is the way business should be done, you go and actually meet the fine folks that are building your boat or winch. I would much rather spend my money with small businesses. You get a feeling of satisfaction knowing that the gentleman you are shaking hands with is going to put his "all" into your next toy. Personally, I consider myself an Aus-ie-Can I am both Pro-Australian and Pro-American but what is most important to me is "quality" and whomever makes the best can have my money!

In regards to the Edencraft Factory, I have had the pleasure in my lifetime to own about 20 quality boats half of which were custom builds. I have never been in any boat factory as clean and tidy as the Edencraft factory, we have a saying in the Navy "clean ship happy ship" and Alan and his crew are a shinning example of what a factory should look like. Dealing with Alan has been a sheer joy and working through this build he and his team have been extremely professional. This is amazing, for a boat builder he told me when they would start and be finished and he has not deviated yet!

Edencraft is also not afraid to go outside the norm. I asked Alan to do something different to my hull and with the help of a very special naval architect/boat designer Alan made it a reality. My 233 will have a single Yamaha V-8 350 mounted on the back.

Yes as Spiro talked about above the 233 in the mold is mine. I can't say enough good things about my dealings with Edencraft and Allan Ball everything has just been spot on!