The boat was launched in 1987 at Milford Marina. Built by John Gladden Boat Builders.

Brett and Sandra Fleetwood purchased Double Rum from the McCabe family ( McCabe and Sutton fame) in July 1999 and immediately started work turning the vessel from a rock solid boat into a operational charter vessel.

The first stage of the work was all completed by December 1999 through the efforts from Paul Tucker boat builders, Roy Mcfarlane from Marine Electrix, Advanced Trident Ltd, Sea Quip Marine, Gloss Boats and numerous others which know who they are. The vessel however took on a new personality once all the new stainless steel railings were put into place by Pete at Marine and Architectural Stainless in Porana Road Takapuna.We were now ready for the Americas cup.

By luck and hard work Double Rum took on the new identity from when it was first launched in 1987 at Milford Marina and now relived in another form. A stable platform to entertain from.However,this plan did not work out as hoped,as the Americas cup went soon after to Switzerland :-(

The operation then became more of a Fishing and Diving platform once Brett had become a fully operational Skipper himself in 2002. Due to Brett's local knowledge of the Little Barrier / Great Barrier and Mokes area most weekends Double Rum would be plying it's trade to and from these areas in 10 and 40 knot winds.

To the guys who fished on the boat in the early days we were a "meat market" catching dozens of large fish from Hapuka and Kingfish through to XXL Snapper in all types of conditions. George from Great Barrier Radio would frown when he heard us hammering into 4 meter waves at the top of the Needles.

The boat in 2005 had another serious refurbishment and new Volvo engines were put in with new props and shafts. This gave us extra power and the chance to have trouble free running which we still enjoy up until today. The investment in the motors was huge but needed .

The boat is continually re-fitted with the most up to date GPS / Fish finding equipment and Radar.The fishing gear is constantly monitored by Steve at Ian Hunts sports,to ensure trouble free fishing.

I wish now to take this opportunity to thank the various skippers and crew which have helped Double Rum since it has come into survey.

Garry Hull, Daniel Court, Karl Hayward, Jeremy Short, Logan, Teagen, Russell,Steve and Tony wongkam, Stephen Clarke, Richard, Jason, Rob, Anthony Ben, Amykay and Sandra which have boarded Double Rum over the last decade to make our vessel into a success.Without their persistence, knowledge and time donated we would not be what we are today.Thanks everyone.
                               Free Phone  0800 237 247          



Skippers

Brett Fleetwood

Brett was born to the sea, being bought up in Campbell's Bay, fishing, surfing and diving is in his blood. He knows almost every rock in the Mercury Bay region and most rocks and pinnacles around the Great Barrier and Mokes area. He always wanted to be a marine biologist and takes special interest in the types of life coming up from the ocean.

Brett has been a full skipper since 2002 and has eight seasons of charter operating Double Rum. Fishing the Hauraki Gulf, every day, every group is different. I sometimes get more excited than the guys pulling in the fish. A great day is when everyone catches fish.

We try our hardest to achieve that result. We keep our lines tight and our guys never give up.

Garry Hull

He has been a qualified skipper for three years. Beforehand he fished all over the Hauraki Gulf and Northland region. He has worked for Double Rum for two years now and knows every square metre of the vessel. Garry is an accomplished skipper and fisherman catching plenty of extra large snapper and kingfish and also loves to eat crayfish, so welcomes divers on his trips.