INSIDE HB MARINE & HB CUSTOMSBUILT IN ZIMBABWE. BUILT FOR AFRICA.
Zimbabwe may be landlocked, but anyone who has spent time on Kariba, the Zambezi, or the countless waterways across Zimbabwe knows just how strong the boating culture really is.
From serious offshore anglers and safari operators to families chasing weekends on the water, the demand for capable, well-built boats continues to grow — and that is exactly where HB Marine has carved out its place.
Operating from their workshop in Ruwa, HB Marine and HB Customs have become known for building and restoring custom boats designed specifically for African conditions. Every project that leaves the workshop is built around practicality, durability, functionality, and clean craftsmanship — whether it is a full custom catamaran build, a complete refurbishment, or a bespoke trailer and fabrication package.
More than just a boat workshop, HB has become a space where engineering, fabrication, and a genuine passion for the outdoors all come together.
A Workshop Built Around Real Use
Walking through the HB workshop, it quickly becomes clear that this is not a production-line environment. Every vessel, trailer, and fabrication project is approached individually, with a strong focus on detail and long-term reliability.
Inside the workshop, boats sit at various stages of completion — from bare fiberglass hulls being structurally rebuilt, to fully finished offshore catamarans rigged and ready for launch. Fiberglass work, stainless fabrication, upholstery, electronics installation, trailer manufacturing, custom fuel systems, flooring, paintwork, and marine fit-outs are all handled in-house.
The atmosphere is hands-on and practical. Grinders run, welders spark, fiberglass is shaped and sanded, and custom parts are fabricated to solve real-world problems.
Much of the work is highly customized because the conditions these boats face are demanding — rough roads, long-distance towing, shallow launches, offshore fishing, safari operations, and remote African environments where reliability matters more than showroom polish.
Alongside the marine side of the business, HB Customs supports the operation through custom steel fabrication, trailer manufacturing, structural work, and one-off engineering projects. That crossover between marine experience and heavy fabrication gives the team a unique ability to build complete systems rather than simply assembling boats.
Built for Southern African Conditions
One of the things that separates HB Marine from many imported alternatives is that the boats are designed around how Zimbabweans actually use them.
Trailers are built stronger because roads are harsher. Layouts are designed for fishing practicality or general Family use and long days on the water. Materials are selected with heat, dust, corrosion, and hard use in mind. The goal is not simply to build something that looks good at a boat show — it is to build something that performs year after year in real conditions.
The team also understands that for many owners, towing and launching are just as important as the vessel itself. Because of this, HB places major focus on complete towable packages, including heavy-duty multi-axle trailers, recovery systems, custom rigging, and practical launch setups suited to local conditions.
Spotlight on “Apricity”
One of the workshop’s standout recent builds is the custom off shore Catamaran “Apricity” — a vessel that captures the balance HB Marine aims for between offshore capability, comfort, and clean custom styling.
Designed for serious fishing, family adventures, and charter-style use, the vessel combines large open deck spaces with practical offshore features and premium finishing touches throughout.
Powered by twin Suzuki 200HP four-stroke outboards, the catamaran delivers the reliability and efficiency required for long days on the water. The helm setup integrates modern marine electronics, clean stainless fabrication, and a practical operator-focused layout designed for real offshore use rather than unnecessary complexity.
The boat also showcases the workshop’s attention to detail — from the EVA decking and stainless work to the integrated fishing systems, rod storage, boarding access, and trailer setup.
But more importantly, the build reflects the HB approach as a whole: practical, capable, custom-built equipment designed to be used properly.
Passion Behind the Business
At its core, HB Marine remains a proudly Zimbabwean business built around passion for craftsmanship, engineering, and the outdoors.
What started as a hands-on operation driven by a love for boats and fabrication has grown into a respected custom workshop servicing clients across Zimbabwe and the wider Southern African region. Despite that growth, the focus has remained the same — build properly, solve problems properly, and create products that owners are proud to use.
Whether restoring an aging hull, fabricating a custom trailer, rigging a high-end offshore catamaran, or engineering one-off custom solutions, the HB team approaches each project with the same philosophy: practical quality, honest workmanship, and equipment built for African adventures.
For many clients, HB Marine is not simply building boats. They are helping build the experiences, trips, memories, and stories that happen once the boat finally hits the water.
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