Aussie winch maker Lone Star Marine cracks China export market
Lone Star Marine winches will be fitted to boats made in China and exported to the worldA Victorian winch manufacturer has started selling its products to a boat-builder in one of the toughest markets in the world – China.
Carrum-based Lone Star Marine makes winches for boats. It already exports a number of its products to 22 markets globally – with almost half of its annual production selling into the US alone – and added China to its list of destinations about four years ago.
However, that market has grown to now include potentially hundreds of orders from a China-based, export focused boat-builder that selected the Australian-made Lone Star winches ahead of those it could have sourced from locally made suppliers.
Lone Star Marine managing director Malki Ary said adding the Chinese boat brand to its list of clients was “really cool”.
“We are effectively selling hardware which anyone could attempt to copy, but the difference gets back to the quality of our product,” Ary said.
“Our motors are IP protected – we own our motors – our transmissions are made in Italy, we overbuild our products for reliability and we deliver superior backup support.
“In this day and age we are so used to seeing this type of stuff coming our way coming from Chinese imports, so it’s a real thrill to be supplying China – known for making so many of the world’s products,” he said.
Sales network
Lone Star Marine employs eight people to make winches that are sold across a network of more than 200 resellers and supply partners throughout Australia.
The company also refurbishes winches.
Lone Star winches are used by Dave Marciano, the captain of the Hard Merchandise, a fishing boat that features in the National Geographic series Wicked Tuna. Marciano will be making a guest appearance at the Melbourne International Boat Show, which runs from June 12-16.
Lone Star will give one showgoer and their friend a chance to spend a day out tuna fishing with Marciano out of Portland in mid-June.
Top 5 winch tips
- Winch capacity is key. Ensure you have a drum size that will store enough rode and chain to suit the depths the boat is fishing or anchored in
- Chain length is probably more important than the anchor selection itself. The chain needs to be long and heavy enough to ensure the anchor pulls horizontally when loading up
- Ensure the boat’s bowsprit is strong enough to compliment the power of the winch, and is fitted out with quality hardware fittings
- The winch system’s wiring should be checked at least once a year. This includes battery connections, solenoids and switches, all of which are the common cause of failure. Check for corrosion or loose connections, and use tinned wire
- Be wary of the wrong advice, particularly if it pushes you towards a winch that does not suit the boat and intended use
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