Both men have made lasting contributions to New Zealand’s trailer boat industry. Gerry Gerrand has steered Buccaneer for nearly five decades, becoming a trusted figure in Kiwi boatbuilding with a legacy defined by consistency, quality, and innovation.
Brian Firman, led Firman Marine since the mid-1980s, where he was at the forefront of boat sales and manufacturing; in 2008 he took the lead at Profile Boats and drove that as hard as Firman Marine. After selling Firman Marine in 2022, he has shifted his full attention to Profile Boats. Along the way, Brian has pushed Profile Boats into a new era—successfully bridging the digital and physical worlds with impressive success in online sales and customer engagement.
Below, we pay tribute to both Gerry and Brian—two industry leaders whose vision, dedication and craftsmanship have helped shape New Zealand’s boating landscape.
The 2025 Hall of Fame inductions celebrate two distinct but equally impactful legacies. Gerry Gerrand’s Buccaneer Boats shaped the trailer boating experience with family values and fibreglass innovation, while Brian Firman’s Profile Boats brought fishing-first functionality and digital-savvy growth to aluminium craft. Both men built more than boats—they built trust, lifestyle, and enduring connections to the water. Their work reflects the spirit of Kiwi boating: practical, passionate, and proudly local. As we honour their achievements, we also recognise a shared legacy that continues to shape how New Zealanders explore, fish, and enjoy our coastal backyard. Their influence endures.
