Do you have dealers in other countries?
We have excellent dealers worldwide. View our dealers here.
We like to work directly with you initially to understand your preferences before referring you to our nearest dealer. This allows us to discuss your boat in detail and ensure you receive exactly what you want. As a result, both of us learn, and the final product is a better and FASTER boat.

How do I order?
Please use our online shop to submit an order enquiry for your parts or boat package. Once we receive your order enquiry, we will email you a quote that includes payment details, shipping costs, and estimated delivery time. If you want to proceed, you will then need to send a payment to confirm your order.
We will not ask for payment until after we have reviewed your order and sent you a quote.
 
How do I pay?
To confirm the order, you will need to send full payment for parts or a 25% deposit for a boat package once you have received the invoice.
For credit card payments over USD1000, there is a 2.5% surcharge.
Our bank details for payments will be on the invoice that we send you.
Please read or download our terms and conditions.

Are there taxes or duty on my boat and parts?
Each country has different rules for taxes on imported goods. You will be required to pay these when your boat enters your country. If you first receive and sail the boat in a different country, then check with a customs agent to ensure you import it at the lowest possible cost. Please contact us if you have questions.

How are parts shipped?
We use DHL Express Worldwide. They can transport small items up to 3m. Approximate delivery times are listed on the DHL website (https://mydhl.express.dhl/nz/en/home.html#/getQuoteTabl). You will receive an email with the tracking number. We recommend tracking the shipment and contacting DHL immediately if you experience any delays after the package arrives in your country.
 
How do I get my new boat from New Zealand?
We ship boats to different parts of the world most weeks. Most of the time, we can ship boats together to a common destination to keep shipping costs as low as possible. This is most effective when your boat is shipped to a major regatta where others will also want to send their new boats.

How long does it takes to get a new boat?
Delivery times vary based on the time of year and the shipping destination. Usually, it takes 2-3 months to receive your boat in Europe or America after confirming your order.

What services does Mackay Boats offer once the boat leaves New Zealand?
Our team attend various regattas throughout the year. Check the news page of the website for contact details of our travelling team. We are happy to discuss your current or future boat and help you get the best from your Mackay Boat whenever possible. You can also contact us at any other time with questions. Contact details for staff are available on our staff and contacts page.

How do I repair scratches or chips on my boat?
Small gel coat repairs are relatively easy to do. Below are some handy tips:

What is Gelcoat made up of?
Gelcoat is a polyester product that is cured by using a catalyst called MEKP. (Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide)
MEKP is a dangerous substance and should be treated as such when using, being very careful not to get any on your skin or in your eyes.
 
How can I get the catalyst – MERK?
We cannot ship MEKP, so you will always need to buy it separately from your local marine store or fibreglass manufacturer.
 
How much MERK do I need?
The amount of Catalyst varies depending on the conditions you are using it in, but around 2%-3% will always work.
 
It is best to use a small syringe or dropper to get the required catalyst rate.
If you have mixed 100gm of gelcoat, then you are aiming for 2ml of catalyst.
 
Generally, polyester doesn’t stick well to Epoxy, so if you are repairing an epoxy boat, then you should source a special epoxy-compatible gelcoat.
 
What are the Gelcoat colours?
Gelcoats colours are not always a 100% perfect match.
Colour will vary depending on the depth of the repair and the batch.
470, 420, 29er & Starling are built from polyester resin.
49er, VX One & Zephyr are built from Epoxy resin.
 
For the epoxy boats, we use a product made by Scot Bader.
Grey is Crystic 253 RAL= 7035
White is Crystic 253 PA   – White 337
 
For Polyester boats
470  White-  LS30    White PA 337
470  Grey- Grey RAL 7035
Blue = is supplier by Nuplex who have their own code which is not an international code
 
Does Mackay Boats supply gelcoat?
We supply a small tin (of each relevant colour) with each new boat.
Order additional gelcoat from our store, although it cannot be shipped by courier.
 
How do I do gelcoat repairs?
Doing gelcoat repairs is an art that improves with experience.
Making sure the surface is prepared well and keyed up is critical.
Overfilling and then sanding back is a slow and time-consuming process.
 
Be very careful not to scratch the boat around the repair.
You shouldn’t sand the original surface around the repair with any paper coarser than 600-grit.
Mask around the repair to protect the boat.
You can initially use a file or 150g to take the high parts off the filling, but don’t use the coarse paper for too long, or you will end up with scratches in the finished repair.
 
Once you have it fair with 600g, you can work your way through the sandpaper grades until you finish with 1500-grit before cutting and polishing.
 
We would typically use 600g, then 800g or 1000g, then 1200g, then finally 1500g.

Where do I get 49er | 49erFX class numbers and country flag from?
Sail numbers and flag details can be found on the class website: 49er / FX Class Association

How should the 49er | 49erFX wings be safely transported?
Wings must be transported with foam blocks underneath each wing to prevent denting the underside of the wing plinths on the deck. Ensure they are securely tied down so they don’t fly away! Place padding under the ties in the non-slip areas to protect the non-slip surface and prevent it from wearing out.
 
Can I retrofit the 49erFX | 49er?
The class rules clearly specify what can be added or changed on the boat as part of maintenance. Blocks and ropes may be replaced with similar products from other manufacturers. Please read the rules carefully and remember, you cannot alter anything unless the rule explicitly allows it.

What can be customised on the 49erFX | 49er?
The concept of the 49erFX | 49er is that all boats are the same. We offer the option to upgrade to EVA foam for non-skid on the wings and also offer a service to custom pack and align the centrecase.

What is included in the full 49erFX | 49er package?
The boat package includes all ropes and sheets from Robline, a rudderstock, two tiller extensions, a gennaker pole, a boom, and a turnbuckle set. The rig package includes a mast, wires, halyards, halyard adjusters, trapeze lines, and trapeze adjusters. ***Boatbreaker and footstraps are not included and must be ordered separately.

Can the layout of the 470 boat be customised?
Yes. Nearly all 470 are customised to suit your own preferences.
 
What can be customised on the 470 boat?
We offer options for most control systems on the boats. Go to our 470 order form to see the options available (supply link)
Many teams send us pictures with their own personal systems for us to copy.
 
What fitout options do the top 470 teams choose?
All teams have something slightly different, but generally most top teams choose the continuous rig tension system (Option c) , the 4:1 up with 2:1 down centreboard system (Option a) and the carbon jib brackets. These are the only 2 systems that most top teams have in common.
 
How do you fit a mylar gasket to a 470 | 420 boat?
Please watch a demonstration: Fitting a mylar gasket

What can be customised on a 420 boat?
Deck colour and non-skid on the side decks. You can find these options if you try the boat configurator on our website.
 
What colour options are offered for the 420?
White, Light Grey, Light Blue, Light Green, and Cream. On the 420, Grey is the most popular, with Blue and White equal second most popular.
 
How do you fit a mylar gasket to a 470 | 420 boat?
Please watch a demonstration: Fitting a mylar gasket

What is included as a VX Evo accessory?
Trolley (Aluminium), top cover, bottom cover
 
What is included in the full VX Evo package?
The boat comes complete with all ropes and sheets from Robline, foils, rudderstock, tiller extension, pole, hiking straps, and boom. The rig package comes with complete mast, stays, halyards and boom. Sails are not included.

What is the difference between standard low drag verticals?
The low-drag verticals have less area. They are shorter and also narrower in some areas. As a result, they are also lighter.
 
What is the difference between horizontals?
Area and section shape. More area has more drag, but it also lifts the boat sooner in lighter winds. The section shape varies the amount of lift and drag. For heavier air foils, the emphasis is more on reducing drag. On a lighter airfoil, the lift becomes more important, but not if it increases drag too much. It is always a compromise, which is why development will always continue in the quest for more lift with less drag.
 
Why are there two different Mackay Bieker Moth travel boxes?
The Hi-Top box is needed if you want your solid wings to fit into a box with your boat. Alternatively, you can use the standard box and package the wings separately if you don’t travel a lot.
Air freight is charged by volume, so it costs less if you use the smaller box and pack the wings separately. However, this also has its risks, so we recommend the Hi-top box if you are regularly freighting your boat to reduce the chance of your wings being damaged or lost.

What colour options are offered on the VX One?
The boats are all the same colour with a white hull and light grey deck. 
Boats can be customised with a non-skid inside the cockpit.
 
What can be customised on the VX One?
The boats are all built to a strict One Design rule. This limits what can be modified, although there is the option to personalise the non-skid arrangement on the boat.

What is included as an accessory on the VX Two
Trolley (Aluminium), top cover, Bottom cover, Rig Tension Gauge – Loos & Co PT-1M, Boatbreaker.
 
What is included in the full VX Two package?
The boat comes complete with all ropes and sheets from Robline, foils, rudderstock, tiller extension, pole, hiking straps, boom, and Bluewave turnbuckles. The rig package comes with a complete mast, stays, halyards and boom. Sails are not included.

Can a bare hull be purchased?
Yes. We offer a bare hull that you can fit out yourself.

What can be customised on a Starling boat?
Deck Colour – discuss your colour preference with us.

How do I purchase a Zephyr Boat?
Zephyrs must be purchased through the class association.
 
Can you customise the fitout?
The boat has a standard fit-out with a couple of options available.
For a fully custom fit-out, you have the choice of buying the bare hull and then fitting it out yourself.
 
Are different colour options available for the Zephyr boat?
Grey is the standard colour. A limited range of other colours are available as an upgrade option. Special colour requests are only available when a new batch of boats is being built.
 
Can the bare hull be purchased?
Yes. Bare hull comes with maststep, vang tang, venturis, and chainplates only fitted.
 
Where are Zephyr sails purchased?
Sails are available through the Zephyr Class Association
 
Where is the mast and boom purchased from?
Spars are available through the Zephyr Class Association