ALL ABOUT MOTOR YACHT CENTRE NEW ZEALAND
After 37 years of manufacturing boats, 25 of these in his own business with late wife Heather, Don stepped aside from manufacturing to concentrate on design and project management work. Don is one of New Zealand’s busiest and best known designers of motor yachts. The many boats he built are 'top of the range' and much sought-after in New Zealand. Don is primarily a custom designer and many of his designs are for game fishing.
Being an avid boat owner, keen on game fishing, diving and family cruising many of his design ideas have come about through these interests and many years spent on the water. Don is an innovator, always showing a willingness to 'break the mould' of conventional design.
In 2004, Don’s skills and expertise caught the eye of well known boat designer and builder Bill Barry-Cotter from Maritimo Australia, and Don was appointed the New Zealand Agent for the sale of Maritimos. This first started out with one model being the magnificent Maritimo 60. From here the Maritimo range has grown enormously and now boasts an extensive range of 12 plus models.
From the start of Motor Yacht Centre in New Zealand, Don’s daughter Donelle stepped on board with Don in the Auckland office and has been working alongside Don with the sales and marketing. Donelle naturally has the same passion about boating as Don and together they make a great team. Motor Yacht Centre NZ Ltd is a true family business with Don’s other daughter Trudi, and occasionally grand-daughter Shauna, assisting with sales at the International Boat Shows. With boating in their blood it was an obvious choice for Don to work with his family and together they have achieved sales of more than 50 Maritimos throughout New Zealand.
What the Press say about Don Senior™
"To many launches and would-be launch owners, a Don Senior™ launch sits at the very top of their dream 'tree'. On occasions too numerous to count, aspiring launch owners have been heard to say how much they would love to own a Senior launch." - New Zealand Marine Scene, January 1993/94
"Like most successful men, Don Senior™ does everything well and we always look forward to tests with him." - Boating New Zealand August 1992
"Don Senior™ has a reputation for building practical luxury launches so 'user friendly' that their owners are rarely found ashore." - Boating New Zealand March 1989
"Senior has forged a reputation as a designer of exceptionally "well used" blue water launches, boats designed for sport-fishing, diving and the pursuit of big game yet still offering a high standard of comfort indoors." - Boating New Zealand June 1991
"The performance and handling? Well it's just so typically Don Senior™. Kiwis build the best powerboats and launches in the world and this is one of them." - Don Senior™ 17.2mtr Sportfisher Cruiser - Boating New Zealand July 1997
Don has listings of various sized motor yachts, of his and other designs, available for sale here in New Zealand. For your chance to enjoy some of the boating life ...
Maritimo Authorised Sales Consultant
Don Senior
Don and his daughter, Donelle