The Rise of Amphibious Boats Is Changing How We Store Fishing Rods

The New Zealand boating industry continues to innovate, and nowhere is that more evident than in the rapid growth of amphibious boats.

Once considered a niche product, amphibious boats are now becoming a serious option for anglers wanting the freedom to launch almost anywhere while enjoying the comfort, performance and capability of a modern fishing boat.

While reading the 2026 Ultimate Amphibious Boat Buyers Guide, published in the latest edition of Powerboat magazine, one statistic really stood out. The guide features around 90 amphibious models from 19 New Zealand manufacturers, highlighting just how rapidly this segment of the market has grown.

From offshore hardtops to RIBs and centre consoles, Kiwi boaties now have more amphibious options than ever before.

One Boat Type. Many Different Layouts.

One thing becomes obvious when you start looking closely at today's amphibious boats.

There is no such thing as a "standard" layout.

Some manufacturers produce fully enclosed alloy hardtops complete with traditional rocket launchers and side pockets, while others build lightweight RIB designs with inflatable tubes that leave little or no room for conventional rod storage.

Manufacturers such as Sealegs, Smuggler Marine, King Watercraft, Assault Boats, Flyfin Boats, Iguana Boats, Stabix, Extreme Boats and Osprey Boats all take different approaches to hull and deck design, meaning rod storage requirements vary considerably from one boat to the next.

Not Every Boat Has Side Pockets

Many traditional trailer boats allow rod racks to mount neatly into folded aluminium side pockets.

However, that's simply not possible on many amphibious RIBs.

The inflatable tubes that make these boats so capable also remove many of the mounting locations found on conventional alloy boats.

That doesn't mean owners have to compromise on rod storage.

It simply means the solution needs to be configured differently.

Different Boats Need Different Systems

No two amphibious boats are exactly the same, so neither is the ideal rod storage solution.

Depending on the hull design, deck layout and construction, Ultimate Rod Racks NZ may configure:

• GunnelCore™ systems for alloy side-pocket installations.
• Silverback Low Rider (SLR) systems for specific pocket layouts and low-clearance applications.
• Big Foot™ freestanding rod storage systems.
• Vacuum-mounted Big Foot™ systems for selected fibreglass boats, RIBs and installations where permanent mounting isn't practical.

The objective is always the same—keeping rods secure, organised and easily accessible without compromising the boat or its layout.

Amphibious Boats Continue to Evolve

Manufacturers including Extreme Boats, Image Boats, Innovision Boats, McLay Boats, Profile Boats, Purekraft, White Pointer, Southern Boats, Osprey Boats, Haines Hunter, Fin Chaser Boats and many others continue expanding their amphibious offerings.

Every new model introduces different deck layouts, cabin configurations and storage challenges.

As boat design evolves, so too must the accessories that support it.

Built Around the Boat

Rather than producing one rod rack that tries to fit every boat, Ultimate Rod Racks NZ configures each system around the boat itself.

That philosophy has enabled us to develop solutions for everything from traditional alloy trailer boats through to amphibious hardtops, RIBs and selected fibreglass boats.

As amphibious boats continue to grow in popularity, configured rod storage ensures owners receive a solution that suits the way they actually use their boat—not just a generic product that's expected to fit everything.

Whether it's an alloy hardtop, a RIB or one of the latest amphibious fishing boats, organised rod storage helps protect valuable tackle, improves accessibility and keeps your gear ready for the next adventure.

Looking for More Information?

If you're considering an amphibious boat, the 2026 Ultimate Amphibious Boat Buyers Guide in the latest edition of Powerboat magazine is well worth a read. It provides an excellent overview of the current New Zealand market and showcases around 90 amphibious models from 19 manufacturers.

While you're reading, keep an eye out for the Ultimate Rod Racks NZ advertisement to see how our configurable rod storage systems are helping owners of many of New Zealand's leading amphibious boat brands.

Continue Exploring

As New Zealand boat design continues to evolve, so too do the challenges of storing and protecting expensive fishing gear. Every new hull, cockpit layout and gunnel design presents an opportunity to refine the way Ultimate Rod Racks are engineered.

Learn how we've developed boat-specific mounting systems for Stabicraft® boats, Senator® boats and Extreme® boats, where different designs have inspired completely different engineering solutions.

If you're looking for the right rod rack for your own boat, our Shop by Boat™ guide is the easiest place to start. It helps match your boat with the correct GunnelCore™ mounting system and Ultimate Rod Rack configuration.

To better understand the thinking behind our designs, we also recommend reading Hybrid™ vs SLR™ – Which GunnelCore™ Mounting System Is Right for Your Boat? and Why Universal Rod Racks Don't Fit Every Boat.