Townsville, QLD 4810
Townsville, QLD 4810
Peter O’Brien, founder of O’Brien Boats, began boat building in the early 1960s and completed his shipwright trade in Townsville building commercial fishing vessels. A passionate game fisherman, he gained recognition after landing a 986‑lb Black Marlin in 1975, leading him to captain several vessels.
Peter and his wife Val opened Peter O’Brien Marine in 1971 before launching O’Brien Boats in 1978. The company produced its first model, the O’Brien 33 OB1, in 1981, built around Peter’s vision of strong, fast, economical, and practical game‑fishing boats.
The O’Brien family holds a long‑standing legacy in game fishing, with numerous Australian and world records.
Peter’s son, Leigh O’Brien, is a qualified diesel fitter, experienced charter fisherman, and accredited boat captain. He works closely with the engineering and construction team, bringing strong technical expertise and practical on‑water knowledge to every build.
Leigh has spent many years as deck crew during the heavy‑tackle marlin season between Cairns and Lizard Island, gaining over two decades of hands‑on experience in this internationally renowned fishery. This background gives him valuable insight into the real‑world demands of game‑fishing vessels and continues to influence O’Brien Boats’ design and innovation.
While Peter has now retired, Leigh remains a key figure in the company, carrying forward the O’Brien legacy of quality craftsmanship, performance, and dedication to the game‑fishing industry.
