Classic marine work is in our blood.
We are boatbuilders at heart, passionate about any vessel project we are engaged with – large or small, from one-off features to full refits and restorations.
We are wooden boat specialists based in the heart of the marine industry in Opua and nearby to Bay Of Islands Marina in Northland. We have worked
on many classic launches as well as all manner of modern boats.
Marline
Partial Restoration
The gentle upgrades of Marline began in April 2025, a bit of a refresh for her 75th birthday.
Marline's custodian Kennedy Warne worked tirelessly alongside us as we honored his father Ken's boat, originally built by Ken's father Leon Warne in 1949/50.
Upgrades included -
• New walk through transom
• Hand built wooden skylights with etched glass created in the original glass design
• Reconfiguration of cabinetry and storage in the galley and head.
• All new cockpit layout including kauri cockpit sole.
• Wiring and Plumbing upgrades
• Upgrading all water and diesel tanks.
• New Anchor winch, solar, refrigeration and oven.
• New Duckboard
• New Timber interior cabin door, timber benchtops and vanity top
• Paintwork refresh
• Partial recaulk and hull repairs
• New teak caprails
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Clark Gable
Refurbishment
The Beale 36 Clark Gable refit was a careful and pragmatic refinement of her traditional bones – a transformation from the light, cedar core racing roots of the 1980’s into a modern, practical, family oriented cruising yacht.
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Lady Crossley
Full Restoration
The Lady Crossley was a passionate affair – a full restoration project that demanded an eye for detail at every stage.
The result is a vessel of classical refinement, textural beauty and practical simplicity – ready for the next 50 years of luxury cruising.
CMC Design have had the privilege of completing further maintenance over the years on this beautiful classic.
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We specialize in the fabrication and refurbishment for marine vessels, from dinghy tenders to launches, from ocean-going yachts to commercial workhorses. We are master boatbuilders who shape traditional timbers, exotics, acrylics and carbon fiber into practical and beautiful pieces of marine art.
Other projects
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A Collaborative Approach ☆☆☆☆☆
It was one of life's great strokes of good fortune that a friend directed me to Craig McInnes and CMC Design for a 75th birthday refit of the classic kauri launch Marline, built by my grandfather in 1950. Over six months in 2025
Marline was thoroughly refurbished by Craig and his team, and the result is outstanding. I feel Marline is ready for her next 75 years.
For me, one of the great benefits of putting Marline in the hands of the CMC team is that the team not only has deep expertise in boatbuilding, but also in cabinetmaking. The two skill sets come together when the requirement is not just in functional aspects of the vessel (such as a new anchoring system, or a walk-through at the transom) but in creating beautiful interior features that are consistent with the period in which Marline was built (a new skylight featuring native timbers, new galley cabinetry and benches.)
Key features of the engagement with CMC were the following:
1. Participatory -- As someone who has spent 30 years working on Marline, I was deeply grateful to be invited to take part in her refurbishment. Working closely with the team I was able to witness at first hand the quality of the craftsmanship. Naturally I learned a huge amount. It was like having an unofficial apprenticeship.
2. Collaborative -- during the course of the project I appreciated an easy and productive exchange of ideas with all the team. No ego-driven argy-bargy between owner and artisans!
3. Cross-disciplinary -- the fact that CMC is both a boatbuilding enterprise and a cabinetmaking company has useful spinoffs in boat restoration. Computer-driven CNC machines make short work of complex cut-outs and cabinetry, allowing ideas to be rapidly implemented and incorporated into the work.
All in all, Marline's refurbishment was an experience to remember with pleasure for the process and pride in the outcome.
Kennedy Warne
Current custodian of Marline.
Alma G II
Full Restoration
The Alma G II commenced a truly remarkable transformation that took place at CMC Design's workshops in Opua over the course of 18 months.
This well known 1927 game fishing vessel from the famed Zane Grey era was rescued from an unknown fate in a paddock. Brought back by the original family who owned her, and returning her to the Bay of Islands, her rightful home.
The Alma G II is set for another 100 years of family traditions on the water.
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