In the two years since Grand Boats opened its first Australian doors in 2024, it has grown into the fastest-growing RIB brand in the country – and, as of this year, the second-largest Grand Boats distributor by volume, ahead of a global network of more than 50 distributors.
Operating from its Arundel showroom on the Gold Coast, Grand Boats Australia has established a growing dealer network, with boats now on display across Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania (NSW dealer to be announced later this year). The brand’s digital presence has grown just as quickly, reaching over 12,000 organic followers across its social channels.
The growth mirrors a wider shift as RIBs become an increasingly popular choice for families in Australia, prized for being safer, more comfortable and more versatile on the water. Across its 22-model range, Grand offers a boat for most points in that market, with a design language that sets it apart from traditional RIBs – owners consistently point to walkaround deck layouts and a level of refinement and finish, as things they notice first.
“What we hear again and again – from customers and industry partners alike – is praise for the quality and attention to detail in the boats’ designs,” said Daniel Arscott, Managing Director of Grand Boats Australia. “Grand has long set out to design rigid inflatable boats differently, and the feedback we hear is just how easy the boats feel to live with, and how proud customers are to be Grand owners.”
That reputation extends beyond recreational buyers, with Grand tenders increasingly specified as the tender of choice for Australian-built yachts, including Maritimo and Riviera vessels.
The Australian milestone lands in Grand Boats’ 25th anniversary year, as the Ukrainian manufacturer, operating since 2001, continues to grow both in Australia and internationally. Already the number one RIB brand in Norway, France, Greece and the UK, this year also saw two significant launches for the RIB brand: the new flagship Grand G980, and a 3D Configurator (the first of its kind for RIBs in Australia) – both reflecting a commitment to R&D that has held firm even as the team in Ukraine navigates the ongoing war.
“The team in Ukraine operate with a real sense of pride in their work, and it shows the moment every boat arrives in Australia,” Arscott said. “Since 2024, we’ve consistently imported the equivalent of one container a month, each carrying between three and six boats depending on model size – a significant volume to sustain for a new brand. We’re very pleased and optimistic heading into summer, and for the years ahead.”
Grand Boats Australia credits the milestone to a customer-first approach at every stage of ownership, alongside the trust of its dealer network and partners, and the ongoing work of the Grand Boats team in Ukraine.