Southern Pacific's inflatable boat range has a new addition, and it has been built with New Zealand conditions firmly in mind. The SeekR measures 6.2 metres, placing it squarely in the sweet spot for chase boats, support vessels, and active family use. Fast, functional, and reliable by design, this RIB is as capable shadowing a race fleet as it is towing kids on a biscuit or shuttling gear ashore.
That suitability for local conditions is no accident. Southern Pacific has been building inflatable boats for New Zealand's coastlines, lakes, and offshore environments since 1988, growing from a small Browns Bay workshop into a modern manufacturing facility in Kumeu. Now operating within the Kiwi Yachting Group, the company continues to draw on decades of local experience when shaping each new model.
The SeekR arrived in 2024 as a direct evolution of the PerformR, the model that first established Southern Pacific's sharp, performance-focused RIB platform. Where the PerformR prioritised agility, the SeekR broadens the brief, placing user versatility at the centre of its development. It is the first Southern Pacific model to feature the company's new 'never-go-flat' D-tube, a hybrid system combining air and foam fill beneath a Hypalon outer skin. The practical benefits are considerable: more internal space, improved resistance to puncture and abrasion, and greater rigidity along the tube line.
The D-tube geometry does double duty. Its squared-off profile creates a natural step or ledge running along each side of the vessel, making boarding easier and gear transfer more straightforward. For yacht clubs, coaching crews, and families, that is a detail that pays off across a long day on the water.
The layout is uncomplicated but well considered. A full-width aft bench seat sits above dry storage, an anchor locker is neatly incorporated forward, and a GRP console amidships keeps the working area clear and tidy. A jockey seat is fitted as standard, with an upgrade path to a Shark suspension seat for those anticipating high-speed runs or extended time offshore.
Hull construction uses CNC moulding throughout, ensuring precision and consistency from one build to the next. The 22-degree deadrise and high-shear bow profile combine to produce a dry ride and confident handling across a range of sea states, whether driving into a head sea or running alongside a racing yacht at pace. An underfloor 60-litre fuel tank keeps weight low and centralised, complementing the recommended 100hp outboard setup. Standard electrical equipment includes LED nav lights, USB charge ports, and a 500GPH bilge pump.
The SeekR is not trying to be a luxury tender or a stripped-back specialist tool. Its target market is yacht clubs, coaching staff, and families wanting a RIB with genuine capability, more comfort, better handling confidence, and room to work. Professional skippers needing a dependable multi-use platform for regattas or waterfront operations are equally likely to find it appealing. At a dry weight of 620kg with a payload capacity of 1160kg, it is light enough to trailer or davit launch while carrying enough reserve strength to handle crew, equipment, and tow lines in rougher conditions.
Southern Pacific has come a long way from its origins gluing seams by hand in Browns Bay. The SeekR is the latest step in that journey, a RIB that understands its purpose, handles the elements with confidence, and resists any temptation to overcomplicate things.
