Clint Jones “Best Two Jobs In The World”
A full house at the Remuera Golf Club was treated to Clint Jones’ enthusiastic explanation of his two passions, both based on his involvement with the New Zealand marine industry. 
Clint is Managing Director of Oceanmax, the developer and distributor of “Propspeed” an innovative anti-foul coating for submerged metal parts, most notably of use on marine propellers, underwater struts and similar boat fittings. From its origin as a local niche product Propspeed, in a few short years, has become an internationally sought-after brand exported to 30 countries worldwide and has been gathering export momentum. Most recently Oceanmax/Propspeed has twice been named “Vendor of the Year” by US-based West Marine, the world’s largest marine retailer.
The company’s rapid rise in the marine market was assisted by grants from both New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) and Callaghan Innovation. The operation employs 22 staff in NZ and has five full-time representatives in the USA. Other marketing is accomplished through agency partnerships, other co-operative trade relationships, and increasingly social media. Ever larger market options beckon, for instance planned sea trials on one of Carnival Cruise’s 25 ships as a possible foothold in the commercial market. Clint says there has never been a better time to be a NZ exporter.
Oceanmax is Clint’s primary engagement but his second vocation is his deep involvement with the America’s Cup where his exciting “unreal” job involves management and operation of a super-fast carbon-fibre multi-hull chase boat, custom built as a platform for a $.5M gyro-stabilised camera, under the auspices of America’s Cup Race Management, the entity which conducts actual AC race operations. 
Capable of 30-knot on-course speeds, the chase boat is the only craft authorised to go absolutely anywhere on the race course during an actual race …anywhere, that is, without affecting race contestants.
Interestingly, some of the most spectacular on-the-water race footage has never been seen publicly because it has been restricted by Team Oracle who are legal owners of official race imagery. An international effort is underway to pool all historic Americas Cup film material for public consumption.
The Bermuda clash was heavily weighted by Oracle in its own favour and it is a real credit to Team New Zealand, with its Kiwi ‘can-do’ mentality and passion, that we were able to bring home the cup. It is expected that next time, in Kiwi hands, the true spirit of sportsmanship and the character of the Cup’s origins will be returned in the best interest of the sport.
Clint is currently scheduled to be involved in the design and production of the replacement AC chase boat capable of the 50 knot speeds necessary to keep up with the next generation of Americas Cup foiling mono-hulls.
Clint is 61 years old and claims he is “living the dream”.
Many in the audience might agree.