MODA OF TRANSPORT

If you thought flawless fibreglass finishes were impossible to achieve in aluminium plate boats, think again. We have here a locally manufactured plate boat that potentially sports some of the best glass finishes around.

I’ve followed Moda Marine’s plate boat building for many years and would have to rate them as the top Aussie custom plate builders — and that’s a big call. Customisation, innovation, and futuristic design incorporated into every boat they build is what Moda Marine is all about. I saw that nearly a decade ago when testing their rocket ship-looking Moda BV8000 Wheelhouse centre console. There are a few definitions for the word ‘moda’ including fashionable, limited, stylish, even beautiful — and that’s exactly what these custom boats embody.

Back then, Moda Marine operated out of a small factory in Redcliffe in north Brisbane. Whenever I had the chance, I stopped in to see what they were up to and, as per usual, there was always some over-the-top tricked up plate boat being formed into some lucky person’s ocean weapon. Unfortunately, getting to test any of their incredible boats was nearly impossible as the customisation takes time, and the boats would fly out the door to the new owners before any testers could get much more than a glance.

Interestingly, when you