It’s time to pull back the curtain on the talented individuals who make up the Driveline team and keep this company running. Join us as we unveil some of their most intriguing stories in the months to come. We’re kicking things off with the head honcho this week.
Some call him the Fount of Finance; others call him the Lord of Leasing, we call him Sir Lancelot.
From the boardroom to the backcountry, he’s a man of many talents. When he’s not running Driveline, he’s out in the wilderness, fishing and hunting. But it’s his passion for jet boating that’s turning heads. Introducing Lance Manins and his revolutionary inflatable outboard jet boat.
Inflatable jet boat touring & fishing
Lance’s most recent escape from Auckland was a trip to the bottom of the South Island with his new SibRiver inflatable jet boat, which he describes as a game-changer.
The SibRiver inflatable jet boat is unlike any conventional jet boat on the market. Lance’s one features a 50 hp Tohatsu outboard motor with a jet unit mounted to the bottom of the leg instead of the usual propeller. This design allows the boat to navigate shallow waters, as little as ankle deep, which is perfect for backcountry fishing trips.
SibRiver boats are made from tough, puncture-resistant materials and are designed to withstand some pretty harsh environments. They’re better than traditional fibreglass or alloy jet boats for navigating super-shallow water, through rapids, and even across “rock gardens” without getting damaged.
V8 jet boat – too heavy for Lance’s excursions
Lance upgraded to his inflatable jet boat from a traditional 4-metre alloy jet boat powered by 383 cubic inches of American V8 muscle! While the sound was awesome, he found it to be less practical for solo trips. When the boat ran aground it was too heavy to push back into the water unless you had a whole team of people. The alternative was a time-consuming and laborious process to winch it off.
Jet boating the South Island
The inflatable jet boat, on the other hand, has been a game-changer for Lance. It has the ability to get into areas of the backcountry that were previously unreachable. He recently spent three weeks travelling around the South Island, with the main highlights being South Westland and the rivers south of Haast.
Jackson River > Lake Ellery
One of the most memorable moments of his trip was a jet boating adventure up the Jackson River and into Lake Ellery. You can find the video of his adventure here on YouTube, it’s definitely worth checking out.
BTW, if you want to buy a boat of any description and need boat finance, we can help with that. Just give the team a call on 0800 275-374 or fire a message through to your account manager.
Hunting
Lance’s passion for outdoor activities is not limited to boating and fishing. He’s also an avid hunter and enjoys spending time in the hills tracking game. His love of the outdoors is infectious and inspires others to get out and explore the natural beauty of New Zealand.
Holden Colorado > Ford Ranger
Changing from a V8 jet boat to an inflatable outboard jet boat is not the only significant change he has made, this time it’s about his choice of vehicle. Lance used to be a Holden man and would tow his jet boat with a Holden Colorado ute. However, with General Motors withdrawing the Holden brand from New Zealand and Australia, Lance has had to look for an alternative. And it turns out he has made the move to Ford.
Lance now tows his new inflatable jet boat with a Ford Ranger ute, a popular choice with Kiwis for its reliability and practicality. The move from Holden to Ford is reminiscent of Kiwi V8 Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen, who famously switched from Ford to Holden a few years ago. However, in Lance’s case, it’s the reverse!
Final thoughts
It’s clear that Lance has a passion for adventure and the outdoors, and his choice of vehicle and boat is a reflection of this. He’s not afraid to try new things and take risks, whether it’s trying out a new type of boat or switching to a different car brand. And while some people may be resistant to change, Lance’s willingness to embrace it has paid off in spades.
Lance’s adventurous spirit and willingness to try new things are an inspiration to all of us, and we can all learn a thing or two from his example.