Stabicraft boss lashes out at Chinese knock-offs

However, Stabicraft chief executive Paul Adams was also able to see a bright side to the problem, saying the 32-year-old brand had now joined the ranks of a number of other multinational companies that were also undermined by cheap copies.

The video, posted on Stabicraft's Facebook page, shows walkarounds of boats looking very similar to the ones built in New Zealand, but purported to be manufactured in China.

“These Chinese manufacturers are producing imitations of our boats, and dumping them in markets all around the globe under a range of different trading names,” Adams said.

“It is actually quite a milestone for Stabicraft – all great brands have cheap imitation knock-offs.”

Adams said the Chinese companies behind the imitation boats were only trying to sell on the surface level, and were not looking for ways to improve the boats.

“We love competition, as it drives us to be better,” Adams said. “Competition has pushed Stabicraft to be an international market leader in boat design.

“We are constantly looking to improve at every level in order to remain competitive.”

He warned that while the Chinese imitations looked like Stabicraft boats on the outside, buyers would need to look beyond just skin deep, where quality would be almost impossible to assess.

“Compromises in quality always come in the areas you can’t see,” Adams said.

“Our brand has been built through designing boats that allow our owners to adventure with confidence,” he said.

“Our imitators stand for the exact opposite.”

Stabicraft has asked people to share the video in any online forums where the Chinese knock-offs were featured.