Oceanpro 625 Hard Top

There’s a moment, just after dawn on the Coromandel, when the sea turns silver and the horizon feels wide open. It’s the kind of morning that reminds you why New Zealanders build boats the way we do – tough, capable, and ready for whatever the day throws at them. It’s also the kind of morning that inspired the creation of Oceanpro’s newest release: the 625 Hard Top, a boat designed with the realities of Kiwi boating firmly in mind.

The 625 is the latest evolution from Oceanpro Boats, manufactured by Pauanui Marine & Engineering Ltd and led by founder and owner Mike Bush. With a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Auckland and a career that has taken him from New Zealand’s leading RIB Coastguard manufacturer to the United States as head designer and manufacturing manager for a specialist builder of superyacht tenders, military craft, and workboats, he brings a level of technical depth rarely seen in the local aluminium market. His clients overseas included the US Coast Guard, Department of Justice, Police, and Oracle Team USA — organisations that don’t tolerate compromise.

But the dream was always to come home. Back in New Zealand, Mike set up Oceanpro in 2019 with a simple philosophy: build aluminium boats that perform in real-world conditions, not just on a spec sheet. Boats that feel planted when the wind gets up, stay dry when the chop turns messy, and give families and fishers the confidence to push a little further.

The new 625 Hard Top is the clearest expression of that philosophy yet. Evolving from the proven 620 platform, it offers more deck space, improved helm protection, and a noticeably more commanding presence on the water. The hardtop design gives the boat a purposeful silhouette — one that hints at offshore intent even before you step aboard.

On the water, the 625 feels unmistakably Oceanpro. The warped chine hull and ultrafine 55-degree entry work together to soften landings and keep the ride predictable, even when the sea refuses to play nice. It’s the kind of hull that encourages you to stay out a little longer, explore that next headland, and follow the birds a bit further offshore. Stability, both at rest and underway, is a standout — a trait serious fishers will appreciate immediately.

Much of that stability comes from Oceanpro’s signature tapered pontoon system. By lifting the pontoons higher at the bow and exposing a larger central hull plate, the design cuts cleanly through chop while maintaining the buoyancy and dryness pontoon boats are known for.

Step onto the deck and the 625 reveals another of its strengths: space. This is one of the largest fishing platforms in its class, with room for four adults to fish comfortably without feeling crowded. High sides and stable footing give a sense of security, while generous dry storage keeps gear organised. A fold-down rear bench seat adds versatility, making the boat equally at home on a family day out as it is chasing workups.

Construction is classic Oceanpro — heavy-duty aluminium, fully welded pontoon chambers, and a hardtop structure built to handle years of use. There’s nothing delicate here; everything has a purpose, everything is built to last. And because every Oceanpro is built to order, owners can tailor the 625 to suit their needs.

In a market crowded with options, the Oceanpro 625 Hard Top stands out not because it tries to be everything, but because it knows exactly what it is: a capable, confident, offshore-ready pontoon boat built for New Zealand conditions by someone who understands them.