E D ITION 2
(07) 5500 0000
Works News
B o at W o r k s D r i v e M a r i n e P r e c i n c t, C o o m e r a , G o l d C o a s t, Q L D e m a i l i n f o @ t h e b o a t w o r k s . c o m . a u • w w w. t h e b o a t w o r k s . c o m . a u B oat Yard S ervices
• R E F I T FA C I L I T I E S
A little bit of Gold Coast maritime history >
Amy Thompson with Kaelan
yacht by the time she was secured, and from there, he decided he would buy the beautiful timber boat.
Familiar faces return
I
f you are out and about the boat yard, pop in to the office and say hello to Amy and Charmaine. They have both recently returned from maternity leave and are enjoying the added company of a new little family member.
Proper stowage of life jackets –
N
New stowage requirements of life jackets issued by Maritime Safety Queensland came into effect at the start of this year. As skipper, you are now required to ensure each person onboard is aware of the location of life jackets and safety equipment, and provide clear signage and access.
‘PeeWee’ and The Delltones during their heyday
T
he moment John Hawkins stepped into the main stateroom of Adagio he was stumped. He’d never before seen a bed of its size. The classic Halvorsen had caught his eye moments earlier as she was coming up the Brisbane River, destined for the auctions. At the time, John was standing on the deck of his 58ft Millcraft. He was onboard the 54ft Alaskan motor
Detail your vessel with confidence Applying a life jackets sticker at the stowage location
Report serves as a timely reminder of the importance of the life saving devices onboard. Out of the 12 fatal marine accidents, ten incidents may not have resulted in fatality had better trip planning, situational awareness, and appropriate safety responses to changing circumstances been applied.
Charmaine Webb has been back onboard since May, after giving birth to her first little one, a beautiful girl named Kiara. This PFD is definitely NOT acceptable
Adagio in The Boat Works travelift
cont. >
If you haven’t already implemented the new rules, the most recent Marine Incident
Amy Thompson returned to reception in June after giving birth to Kaelan. Now six months old, her little boy has found a playmate in his proud big brother, Tyler (two years old).
It’s great to have you back, ladies!
As he dove into the past to answer the questions surrounding Adagio, he began to uncover the vessel’s unique history. Adagio was built in 1974, just a year before the famous Halvorsen boat builders left their Ryde yard and went offshore to build in Hong Kong. She spent her early days as a grand lady on Sydney Harbour. She was named Carla, after a beautiful Italian woman the owner had met at the Playboy Club in London, who soon became his wife.
The Royal Pines Princess at The Boat Works
a top priority!
Charmaine Webb and Kiara
• GOLD COAST
A passion beyond Peewee – if only the bulkheads could talk.
Yard Talk The 90’ Royal Pines Princess departs after over three years here at The Boat Works. The Princess is now undergoing survey for her next adventure on the waterways.
F L AG S H I P M A R I N E S E RV I C E
• BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
Go to www.msq.qld.gov.au for more safety requirements and the full report.
With the clear skies and less bite in the sun, Spring happens to be the best time of year to detail your vessel; not just for comfort reasons, products have stronger application during these conditions. Here are some of my tips to get your boat looking great before spring…
Shane Subichin, Operations Manager, The Boat Works.
Gel coat is the material used to provide the high gloss finish on most fibreglass boats. When a gel coat finished vessel is not maintained correctly, oxidisation occurs and the gel coat becomes porous and looses its ability to repel. From here, everything that lands on the surface of your boat blends into the gel coat and stains it. At this point you will notice fading and dullness, a result of microscopic pits and crevices in the gel coat. If your vessel becomes
Spring is a great time of year for detailing
oxidised, you need to cut or sand the outer layer of gel coat to eliminate the stains and the pits, leaving a smooth surface to wax and protect. Damage can be prevented with proper maintenance and waxing, which will also cont. >
> A Passion Beyond PeeWee
“The boat was owned by Ian ‘Peewee’ Wilson from The Delltones. His nickname being a swipe at his height, he’s one John Hawkins really tall guy! This immediately explained the reason for a seven-foot long bed. You can only imagine the parties this old girl saw during the height of his career,” John says smiling. The Australian vocal harmony group stormed to fame with ‘Get a little dirt on your hands’ in 1962. Peewee is the last original member of The Delltones, arguably Australia’s longest live performing band with over 50 years in the industry. With the generous space of the saloon and galley, the glamorous teak interior and remnants of ‘70s style, it’s easy to imagine cocktail glasses clinking, the flared jeans and the hot pants. The mystery of the past is not lost on Hawkins, a passionate man who loves his wooden boats. He has owned three to date,
with Adagio, by far, the most hands-on project he has taken on, tending to her for the last three months at The Boat Works. “You can’t have timber boats unless you are passionate about them,” says John. “Just as you only ever buy them off guys who have loved them. I met a mate of Peewee’s at the yacht club who mentioned how much he had loved this boat. Like any boat, if you don’t maintain them, they succumb to the elements,” says John.
which was amazingly very little for its age,” says John. “From there, Doug Fielding from Broadwater Marine took to spray painting her hull. The result is immaculate. It looks like glass. So much so, that I couldn’t put the old chrome back on her, so while it was all in pieces, we sent it to specialists in Coffs Harbour to strip and re-chrome.”
Adagio, named by the owner prior to John, translates to slow and steady, the gentle quieting of an Italian orchestra. John says he can tell by all the accounts in his logbooks that he was a meticulous seaman, who enjoyed his time at sea with his wife. He had also outfitted the motor yacht with all the modern conveniences you would expect in any super yacht, much to John’s delight. The boat is in very good condition for her age, and Hawkins intends to restore her to her former glory, from the bottom of the keel to the top of the radar mast. “So far, we’ve pulled her out of the water, stripped the mahogany hull right back and checked every joint. We cut out any soft timber,
back more sun-exposed areas like windows and doorways. However, Hawkins acknowledges the job is not over yet. The super structure of the boat will be targeted next, but it won’t be as much work as the hull.
Smart technology
making waves in the marine industry
Somewhat in show business himself, John seems to have poured the same enthusiasm he applied to his career into his boats. Passion is evident in all his endeavours; from building Hawkins Nursery, the largest in South East Queensland, to hosting numerous television shows including The Great South East, Hawkins Style, Click on Ten and Healthy, Wealthy & Wise. And who will ever forget the extravaganza that was World Expo 88? Once the overhaul is complete, the dream begins, and John plans to follow in the wake of Adagio’s recent owner.
The Delltones in more recent times
All teak, Adagio’s interior has retained her glamour with nothing more required than a light rub over and revarnish, taking
“The logbooks also tell the tale of cruising the most beautiful parts of the reef, past Port Douglas, near Lizard Island. She’ll spend a lot more time back up there during my lifetime. It’s a great spot for my wife and family.”
Marvair VAB compressor internals > Detail your vessel with confidence
the removal of surface grime and dirt. A properly and regularly maintained waxed finish will be easy to keep clean with fresh water alone.
A worn out gel coat will require proper repair
avoid the need to sand or use heavy cutters on a regular basis. Aggressive cutting compounds, or wet and dry abrasives, only restores shine, which will only last a short time. The contaminants will still be trapped underneath the surface and the sun will draw them out. Another thing to consider is sanding and cutting the gel coat removes layers over time and reduces the thickness of the layer of gel coat, so eventually transparency will occur. Cleaning – You should avoid using any aggressive chemicals or household cleaning products on your vessel. These chemicals contain acid and alkaline, they can be abrasive and damage the finish. Some washing products will strip away the protective waxes. Always use fresh water to remove salt, and a soft, quality wash and wax (look for a high-wax content) for
2
Frequency – There is no set time frame and no guarantees made by product manufacturers as to how long your polished or waxed finish will last. This is due to vessel location, intense sun, and/ or tropical rainfall. If you have purchased a pre-owned vessel, you may not know the history of how regularly it was maintained by the previous owner. When the first signs of fading (glass deterioration) are noticeable, this is the visual indication that polishing and waxing are due. Battling the elements – Remember that your vessel is subject to the weather and the elements every day. If you were to leave a classic sports car out in the sun and weather, by the sea, every day for a year, without any protection, you could expect major deterioration in the condition and finish. The same applies to our vessels. A well maintained vessel will achieve a better resale value than a poorly maintained vessel of the same model. We recommend that after polishing and waxing your vessel that you return to wash and re-wax every
three to four months. We also suggest you rinse your vessel with fresh water on a weekly basis to slow the build-up of salt and dirt. I hope these tips come in handy. If you would like any further information on products or application of detailing your vessel, please don’t hesitate to contact myself on (07)5500 0000 or the crew at The Boat Works Supplies Store on (07)5500 0002.
A properly maintained waxed finish is vital for protection
Shane Subichin, Operations Manager has over 20 years experience in the marine industry and is one of only two Certified Service Managers (CSM) in Australia; an international certification endorsed by the Marine Industry Association Australia (MIAA). He’s also a qualified trainer who teaches MIAA’s Straddle Carrier Operations and Management courses across Australia.
THE BOAT WORKS • FLAGSHIP MARINE SERVICE • (07) 5500 0000
T
he Marvair VAB system is what the marine industry has been waiting for – for a long time. It’s pioneering, so much so, that it would be a shame if we didn’t share it with you. VAB stands for Variable Speed Modulating Air Conditioning System and it will, no doubt, change the way people heat and cool their boats - all with the touch of an iPhone or iPad. Doc Blacka and Gary Kennedy of iMarine Airconditioning, exclusive Australian distributors for Marvair and new tenants here at The Boat Works, get noticeably more excited as they reveal the features of this quiet reverse cycle system. In their words, it’s one of the most innovative products the industry has seen in the 25 years they have been in it. “Nobody has this technology. In an industry where air-conditioning hasn’t really changed over the last 15 years, this is so different. It’s smart technology,” Gary says. “The Marvair system runs one small, lightweight compressor with an inbuilt Variable Frequency Drive that eliminates amperage on start up. The beauty of it is, it’s designed to slow down and draw less amps as the boat cools or heats - so it’s not only quiet, but energy efficient too.”
Doc explains that in comparison, a regular 36,000 BTU (British Thermal Unit) compressor draws a huge current on start up at approximately 80 amps, and runs on a relatively large continuous current, regardless of the load. The VAB system has one compressor for all voltages and hertz, single phase or three phase. “This system runs from 36,000 BTU down to 7,000 BTU with very little start up at approximately eight amps and a variable running current, depending on the load. For larger applications, a 60,000 BTU VAB system is available,” he says. A Variable Speed Compressor connects to individual Air Handlers with their own touchscreen control in each cabin, negating noisy air-conditioning units in each room. Overall, the price is comparable as a complete system. It also happens to be the only system that harnesses touch-screen technology on the thermostat controls, none of the old dials and buttons. A first in the industry, both Doc and Gary acknowledge that this brings a new dimension to the system. “Here, we can fit what’s called a ‘Canbus’, which brings up the image of the thermostat touch-screen on your iPhone or iPad. You can effectively turn on your air-conditioning from where ever you are! So if I’m on my way down to the marina, and I want my boat cool or warm for when I get there, it’s simply a touch on my iPhone,” says Gary.
With a busy schedule ahead of them, Gary and Doc are thrilled to distribute this innovative product and brand to the Australian marine market. They’ve been encouraged by the response of major manufacturers and the public to the working model launched at the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show. iMarine Airconditioning also stock other clever Marvair products including Chilled Water Systems, Self Contained and Split Remote Systems and 12 & 24 Volt DC air-conditioners. Marvair is an American company with an engineering focus that has been servicing a diverse range of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning needs since 1947.
iMarine Airconditioning The Boat Works - Building J3 Doc Blacka doc@iMarineAirconditioning.com.au Ph: 0412 723 673 Gary Kennedy gary@iMarineAirconditioning.com.au Ph: 0448 882 056
WORKS NEWS
3
Range expansion to benefit contractors & DIYs
There’s plenty in the works
New Marine Specialists now based at The Boat Works
As The Boat Works continues to expand, more and more specialist marine companies are deciding to base their businesses at our world-class boat yard. Here is a brief look at the latest specialists to call The Boat Works home.
Doc and Gary from iMarine Airconditioning
The team from Ocean Degree Services
The team from Nautilus Marine Services
iMarine Airconditioning
Ocean Degree Services
Nautilus Marine Services
0448 882 056 Building J3
0411 722 542 Building W1 Office
0417 220 720 Building F7
iMarine are exclusive Australian distributors of Marvair systems, including the innovative Marvair VAB. They provide innovative solutions to iMarine Airconditioning needs.
Their services include vessel management and maintenance; servicing and repairs including detailing and antifouling.
Specialise in complete vessel management, all aspects of refit and maintenance; including engineering services, project management and detailing.
There is opportunity in the works If your business is looking to relocate to a professional and independent boat yard complex, please contact David Whyte on (07) 5500 0000 to discuss your future opportunities.
The Boat Works Store now boasts an expanded range of products
T
he Boat Works Supplies Store has dramatically expanded their range, now offering an extensive selection of detailing products, solvents, anodes, resins and fibreglass, servicing both contractor and DIY needs. “We’ve really opened up the store so we’re catering not just for the general yard maintenance supplies, but also for major jobs and new builds. We aim to appeal to big contractors and local businesses by providing access to products that are in demand and often difficult to locate,” says Store Manager Tim Livesey-Kennon. Resins and fibreglass are some of the products currently in demand with two major suppliers recently pulling out of the industry. To cater to this niche market, the supplies store now stocks vinylester, polyester, flowcoat and gelcoat resin and chop strain matting.
Detailing products are vital for the maintenance of your vessel. Going beyond a basic offering of cutters and waxes, the store now hosts a full range of Farecla products and brand names including 3M and Septone. Stock includes wool and foam pads, adapter nuts and waxes. It also showcases Clean-A-Shine, a new, locally manufactured brand, which features everything from metal polishers to peat cleaners and brighteners. These products are attractive to DIY boat owners as they are cost-effective and user-friendly products. Anodes are a vital component to the maintenance of your vessel, and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The store has extended the basic shelf stock, and if they don’t have what you are after in store, the guys will access it for you with a nextbusiness-day turnaround. Stylus Tapes is a new brand on the shelves. They offer quality tapes at competitive prices; ranging from basic masking, 14 day, VHB and double-sided tape. Solvents are now available in more varieties in 20 litres for the contractors
4
as well as one and four litres for DIYs. This includes gunwash, all purpose thinners, mineral turps and metholated spirits, wax removers and degreasers. So if you are heading out to tend to your boat during the milder conditions of the winter months – be sure to read Shane’s detailing tips in this issue - and take Tim up on his timely offer… “The team here in the supplies store are more than happy to lend a helping hand in terms of direction in application and product. We can also check-in on you as the job progresses. Sharing that detail is a perk of our profession.”
VMR
V
olunteer Marine Rescue Southport has been looking out for Gold Coast boaties for over 40 years. They provide assistance in all routine and emergency breakdown situations and work with other emergency services unit for Search and Rescue activations. Common problems on the water include breakdowns, a flat battery, grounding, running out of fuel or sinking. VMR Southport’s base is manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week by highly trained crew operating three state of the art rescue vessels. VMR can be contacted on VHF 16 and 73 or by phoning 07 55911300. Breakdown assist membership is available from $55 per year which provides peace of mind whilst out on the water. For further information visit www.vmrsouthport.com.au
Contact The Boat Works Supplies Store directly on
(07)5500 0002 or email any queries to tim@theboatworks.com.au
THE BOAT WORKS • FLAGSHIP MARINE SERVICE • (07) 5500 0000
VMR boat on The Broadwater
WORKS NEWS
5
Gold Coast Australia Clipper yacht soaks up race victory
C
rews battling it out in the Clipper 11-12 Round The World Yacht Race finally crossed the finish line in front of thousands of spectators in Southampton, UK, on Sunday July 22, 2012.
Recent clients have very kindly written to us and offered their thoughts of their experience at The Boat Works and we are proud to share these with you….
In their own words
The Gold Coast Australia yacht proudly claimed first place after racing over 64,000 kilometres in 51 weeks, and visiting 15 ports of call across six continents. Visit Finland and Singapore fought it out for second and third podium positions, placing respectively. “It’s been an amazing adventure. We’ve achieved so much more than we set out to achieve. I’ve had an amazing crew that’s made this happen,” said Gold Coast Australia’s skipper Richard Hewson, before accepting the winning trophy. A few positions crewing onboard the twelve 70-foot racing fleet for the Clipper 13-14 Round The World Yacht Race are yet to be filled, visit their website to sign on:
Keith Hanson – New Ocean Yachts
Andrew Coffey – Outer Reef
Colin Vanderstelt
68’ New Ocean Yacht
63’ Outer Reef “Wonyip 3”
45’ Ketch “Shikama”
“A trustworthy haul out environment with a caring and good crew of guys. Very well supported set up for a boat like the 68.’”
“We like your place, and we like the people we are dealing with. In a corporate world with all of the spin that goes on, it is nice to keep our business relationships small and simple like the old days… we look forward to coming back soon!”
“Really impressed and I could not be happier with your staff and your facilities.”
www.clipperroundtheworld.com/ index.php/sign-up/
Sharing the passion for boating at Sanctuary Cove T
he Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show was a success according to David Whyte, General Manager of The Boat Works, who found it a great opportunity to chat with local boat owners and industry aficionados. “We’re excited about the new business relationships formed, and the exposure our new brand received. Both Shane (Operations Manager) and I are passionate about boating, so for us, it was a very exciting event,” said David.
The crew of Gold Coast Australia celebrate their victory
Be on watch for thieves
T
he fish are biting and the keen fishermen and boaties are enjoying the season’s better boating conditions despite the cold, but not everyone is out on the water. Many boats are stowed in anticipation of warmer weather on pontoons and moorings, or on the trailer in the back yard. These vessels are often the target of thieves. Over the last three months alone, $230,000 worth of boats and jet skis have been stolen in the South East Queensland. The majority of these were taken from yards or pontoons (mainly dinghies).
There are some excellent devices on the market, and a deterrent beats losing what you’ve worked so hard to get.
In most cases, no locks were used to secure the property. If you own a car, you lock it when you aren’t using it - the same should apply to your boat and trailer.
Lucas Young Senior Sergeant Officer in Charge Gold Coast Water Police
6
During the show, the boat yard and marina complex hosted a giveaway for a free lift, water blast, hardstand and antifoul. John James from the Gold Coast was extremely excited about his win as he had recently purchased a Bayliner Ciera 2455.
On a similar note, over $7,000 worth of fishing gear, electronic nav gear and the like, has been stolen from vessels during the same period of time. Be sure to remove all valuables from your boat if you are not using it. Most vessels can’t be locked up and are easy pickings for thieves so do the little things to protect your investment or as the saying goes… “Lock it or Lose it.”
The Boat Works will also be exhibiting at the upcoming Gold Coast International Marine Expo from November 2-4, 2012. http://gcmarineexpo.com.au
Stay safe and I’ll see you out there.
The Boat Works marquee at SCIBS
THE BOAT WORKS • FLAGSHIP MARINE SERVICE • (07) 5500 0000
WORKS NEWS
7