Works News F L AG S H I P M A R I N E S E RV I C E
• GOLD COAST
I would like to extend a warm welcome to the first edition of The Boat Works newsletter. Here, the crew and I look forward to sharing current news from our industry-leading boatyard, marina, refit facilities and the wider boating world. We are privileged to have access to the extensive knowledge of our talented crew and in-house trade professionals here at The Boat Works. If you would prefer to receive a copy of this news in printed form, please email me using the email link above and we will gladly add you to our distribution list. With each edition, we aim to provide you with professional insight in caring for your boat. Enjoy! D AV I D W H Y T E G E N E R A L M A N A N G E R , T H E B O AT W O R K S
EDITION 1
People power inspired by a new brand
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The Boat Works’ new branding was officially unveiled during the inaugural Gold Coast Marine Expo last November with an encouraging response from our crew, inhouse trade professionals and friends. The change came after ten years operating as the Gold Coast Marine Centre, to better reflect the growing and diverse trades and services now on offer and the recent completion of industry-leading facilities including a number of large, covered refit bays. This transition has since created a new vigour in all areas of the flagship marine service yard. This energy has been showcased with a sizeable increase in activity in the yard including the opening of The Boat Works Supplies store and a new customer lounge on the waterfront, as well as the successful slipping of the Clipper round-the-world yacht fleet during their stopover in December. Supporting an expansion of services and the new infrastructure, it’s the passionate individuals that drive The Boat Works and set us apart from other marine service yards. Our team’s passion takes us beyond service for a fee and adds an extra element of our customer care. And there is no shortage of marine experience. David Whyte, The Boat Works’ General Manager, has been a part of the industry
for ten years and is a self-confessed mad fisherman. He agrees it’s the individuals that set the service apart, “Personally, I enjoy talking to boat owners and love being out on the water, all our guys are like that. I believe boat owners pick up on that genuine connection with boating. It’s more than just a job we get paid to do.” One character you are sure to come across is the energetic and passionate Operations Manager, Shane Subichin, who maintains guru status in the industry with over 20 years experience, and numerous qualifications to back it up. He will personally ensure yourself and your boat are pampered during your stay. “It’s funny, you know, the Clipper crew were extremely impressed with the way we ran the place and mentioned more than a few times that they felt extremely accommodated by us. Truth is, we care about everybody and that is why our customers experience a real level of commitment from the guys here,” Shane says. As The Boat Works continues to set itself apart from competitors, boating enthusiasts are beginning to connect the new name and branding with the people and the service. “It’s great to see new faces and new boats that have never been here before coming in.
A lot of that is local support too. There’s been a significant amount of new customers making bookings for future slipping. So I look forward to meeting them all and hearing their story too,” says Shane. If you haven’t had the opportunity to witness the massive transformation of The Boat Works, we look forward to your next visit.
Celebrations as invited guests toast the official launch of The Boat Works at Coomera on the Gold Coast last November.
Only from this perspective can you appreciate the sheer scale of The Boat Works.
A Clipper fleet for Christmas
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estivities were in the air during December at The Boat Works, our busiest period of the year, but it wasn’t the holidays the team were anxiously awaiting. Ten prestigious 68-foot Clipper yachts were sprinting from Tauranga, New Zealand to the Gold Coast in Race Six of the great Clipper Round The World Yacht Race.
Shane Subichin takes the helm of the Gold Coast Clipper entry during a lay day sail.
With the estimated time of arrival constantly changing and in need of accommodating seasonal tides, a lot of prior anticipation and commitment had been required in preparation for the entire fleet’s slipping and maintenance program at The Boat Works. The fleet arrived at Coomera on December 15. “We did invest a lot of time, effort and expense to ensure the slipping program all went
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smoothly. We purchased new equipment and dredged our births to accommodate the three meter drafts on low tide,” says David Whyte, General Manager of The Boat Works. “It was a great opportunity to show the efficiency of how we run the yard to the yachting world,” says David. “We lifted ten 45 tonne yachts, in rapid succession out of the water.” The Clipper organisers had suggested that we allow three hours slipping time for each yacht, a timeframe set by previous boatyards the fleet had visited. Shane Subichin, Operations Manager, and his team lifted the boats and had them on the hardstand in an hour and forty-five minutes. “The Clipper guys were really impressed with that time frame and what was achieved by working smarter. From there, we took them to the waterblast bay and had two guys working hard to get through all the yachts by the deadline. We even had to extend the waterblast guns to reach the height of the topsides.” “The crews antifoul their own boat and Clipper maintenance teams do more critical works – like the rudder bearings, anodes, minor adjustments to the running gear and pre-lining of the keels. It all went really smoothly,” says Shane. The Boat Works sponsored the Awards Night at the Southport Yacht Club and also
A very festive and colourful sight. The fleet at the Southport Yacht Club just prior to its departure.
Every Clipper entry was waterblasted by The Boat Works crew prior to being set down on the hardstand for antifouling and general repairs.
Routine maintenance was carried out on the Clipper entries by their crew.
The crew of the Gold Coast entry wave to well wishers who gathered at the Southport Yacht Club and on the shoreline near the club.
contacted David Whyte in case emergency slipping was required. Rough three metre seas hampered efforts. While The Boat Works crew were tossing up who was working Christmas Day, the Clipper team managed to fix the damage and continue the race.
The keel signing was popular with the public that visted The Boat Works during the scheduled maintenance period.
hosted the ‘Signing of the Keel’ during the maintenance slip as part of Clippers’ tradition. For a gold coin donation, local yachting enthusiasts added their names and good wishes to the keel of the Gold Coast boat, in support of Sailability; a charity that facilitates sailing for disabled individuals. “It was a great feeling of satisfaction and achievement for all of us here when the Clipper fleet departed the Gold Coast on Christmas Eve - knowing everything our team had put into the slipping program and how we had handled it, and that new challenges were successfully accomplished,” said David. But the excitement didn’t stop there. The Gold Coast Clipper yacht was well on its way when it began to take on water through a leaking stern gland. They
THE BOAT WORKS • FLAGSHIP MARINE SERVICE • (07) 5500 0000
Southport Yacht Club’s Clipper Awards Night. Committed to being more than just a boatyard for the prestigious Clipper event, The Boat Works proudly sponsored the Awards Night for the previous leg of the race, hosted by the Southport Yacht Club. “We were excited about the opportunity to be involved in Clipper, in association with the Southport Yacht Club. We have been a gold sponsor of the club for a several years, so it was great to build on our relationship,” says David Whyte, The Boat Works’ General Manager. People who were directly involved with the Clipper operation, including race organisers, the crews, and maintenance teams mingled at the lavish cocktail event accompanied by around 100 of the Southport Yacht Club members. “It made a lot of sense for us to display our new branding and show our commitment to the local yacht club and boating scene,” says David. “We gained a real positive response from local boat owners after the event, saying it was great we got involved.”
The official unveiling of the Commonwealth Games logo was undertaken on the hull side of the Gold Coast Clipper entry and attracted considerable media interest.
Interest in the Clipper boats whilst out of the water at The Boat Works was considerable from the general public and boating enthusiasts.
WORKS NEWS
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Mojo made with passion
Rodney Longhurst (right) Wes Moxey Riviera CEO (centre) and Stephen Milne Riviera Marketing (left) with the Riviera Team at the staff announcement of the move of Riviera back into private ownership on March 8th.
The aptly named Mojo was slipped just recently at The Boat Works.
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ith her carbon rig towering 25 metres above the water, Mojo inspires a mixture of passion, jealousy and awe for those who dream of sailing the seven seas. Gold Coast local Peter Wilcox is a familiar face at The Boat Works, and the proud owner of the 55ft G-Force 1500 multihull - a racing yacht with all the cruiser trimmings. The Boat Works crew marvelled at Peter’s new pride and joy when she was slipped here for minor maintenance and performance tweaking in mid February. “Shane the Operations Manager and the guys were very appreciative of the quality of the boat. It was great to know she was in good hands,” Peter said of his visit. “The service they provided was outstanding – they can expect to see us again, she’ll need slipping once we’re back from where we are going!” Mojo has many unique aspects, but none more obvious than the aesthetics of the design. Jeff Schionning at Schionning Designs is responsible for this. Jeff refers to Mojo as the Lamborghini of his entourage. The yacht was built in Noosa, over ten intensive months by Julian Griffiths at Noosa Marine. The composite vessel features DuraKore (hulls) and DuFLEX (bulk) sourced locally from ATL composites. She is lightweight, with a little bit of carbon in the important places, including a carbon rig and carbon sails. Peter acknowledges that Mojo is a product of the right design and materials combined with the right builder. “She’s a fine and comfortable yacht that’s
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The only lift of its kind in Australia, the SeaLift at The Boat Works, is ideal for the safe lifting of catamarans such as Mojo.
an absolute joy to sail, and yet she weighs under six tonne,” Peter says. “Julian builds everything to perfection. He was always conscious of weight – we wanted to keep her as light as possible to maintain speed. I would often bring him new materials and he would say, ‘No, too heavy’ without a second look.” Julian and Peter continue to work closely together, making minor adjustments to Mojo to optimise her performance. “We still consider this boat to be developmental. We have only raced her twice, and don’t really know her full potential. So we are still changing things slightly, all in the quest for speed,” Peter says. And it seems they are succeeding in their quest. Mojo took line honours and first place, two hours ahead of second place, in the Offshore Multihull PHRF Division of the Surf to City, Sydney, in January. And more recently, placed second in the Brisbane to Gladstone Offshore Multihull Yacht Race.
Racing onboard with Peter was boat builder Julian and Sailmakers Yancy and Bucky Smith from Doyle Sails Queensland; who will continue to race as crew through till the end of the year. Soon Peter will be setting off on a voyage of a lifetime, cruising north for the Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race, then further afield in the Sail Maluku Archipelago, before making their way to crystal waters of Phuket for the King’s Cup Regatta. “We have a great adventure lined up. We’re looking at a good two years or so away from home,” says Peter. “We’ll take it real slow through the Pacific islands on the way back down, through the Philippines, PNG, and Solomon Islands. We’re looking forward to a lot of smooth sailing.” Surprisingly, smooth sailing has not been lost during the quest for speed. At almost eight metres wide, Mojo has great stability in all kinds of weather. “When we have battled winds during our small trips, we needed to slow her down. She builds speed easily. She’s a bit different to normal cats. Mojo has a very fine entry, with reverse bows, creating reserve buoyancy,” says Peter. “We are never sitting on the edge of our seats waiting for her to bury - which would be a terrible way to be. Here, you can sleep at night. Even in a seaway. The hot meals and hot showers are just like an apartment and make it so much easier. Comfort is a huge factor.” The Boat Works team wishes Peter and Mojo’s crew the very best in their competitive endeavours. We look forward to keeping you up to date with Mojo’s progress.
THE BOAT WORKS • FLAGSHIP MARINE SERVICE • (07) 5500 0000
The Riviera 43 Offshore Express.
Even at anchor the Riviera 53 Enclosed Flybridge looks like she is doing 30 knots.
The stunning Riviera 5800 Sport Yacht.
Riviera acquisition cements Longhurst’s commitment
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odney Longhurst is well known in Queensland business circles having developed an investment portfolio in tourism and property. Rodney has a significant investment in the marine industry with the extensive 9.2 hectare modern and progressive marine service facility that is now The Boat Works. Early last month he moved to cement the Longhurst commitment to the marine industry with the acquisition of Riviera, Australia’s largest and most awarded luxury boat builder.
Riviera will now distribute the bespoke Motoryacht line, Belize.
This move has brought a sigh of relief to boat lovers around Australia and around the world as well as marine industry personnel as it has paved the way for the businesses future, keeping Riviera independent and Australian. Riviera, now sits securely in Rodney’s accomplished hands after almost three years of operating in Receivership. The Longhurst family have a great association with boat building in Australia that dates back to the early 1960’s with the creation of Pride Boats in Sydney. “For the past 20 years we have watched with interest the growth of Riviera. When you look at how Riviera has out performed many of their competitors during the GFC and Receivership period it shows you that the Riviera brand is one of real substance and integrity,” said Mr Longhurst. What most people don’t know is that Rodney Longhurst is no newcomer to Gold Coast Marine Precinct. This substantial acquisition joins an existing commitment on the same riverbank at Coomera, with the purchase of The Boat Works site in
1999, then called the Gold Coast Marine Centre. “For the past thirteen years I have put a great deal of thought and energy into establishing The Boat Works as premium marine service centre,” says Rodney. “We started from a cleared site in 2002 and we are only half way through the project. This gives you an indication of the size and scope of services that The Boat Works will ultimately become and offer in the future.” “The association between The Boat Works and Riviera will bring a sharing of knowledge, skill, man power and resources that will further strengthen the two businesses,” says Rodney. “The acquisition of Riviera cements our commitment to the boating industry, from the refit, repair and service maintenance aspect of the market at The Boat Works, to the design and construction of the Australian international boating icon Riviera, which is represented in 66 countries globally.”
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Professional services onsite
Recently completed commercial buildings are attracting more national and international businesses to The Boat Works.
Get the right advice & product the first time round
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ehind the counter at The Boat Works Supplies, manager Tim Livesey-Kennon has a familiar face and is a true marine industry professional. Shelves surrounding him are carefully stocked with wide range of boat yard supplies including paints, detailing materials, solvents and safety needs. He heeds a warning to boat owners everywhere.
totally repair the entire surface. It’s not a matter of just having the right paint or product either. You also need the right preparation. It’s never just a matter of applying the right material on the right spot,” he adds. The Boat Works Supplies provides products to industry professionals and boat owners alike at trade prices. However its real value is access to marine specialists like Tim; talented professionals who have been in the industry a long time and are passionate about what they do. Tim started off sanding boats with big torture boards here in the marine precinct, then went into antifouling and shipwright work. After a stint as a deckhand up in North Queensland, he returned to manage other marine supply stores before taking The Boat Works Supplies offer friendly service, expert advice and up his position behind competitive pricing. the counter at The Boat Works Supplies. “It is so important that you get the right “My passion is in boating and the marine advice and the right product for your job, industry. I have extensive experience as there are so many different scenarios within the trade and the supplies field, and you need to be aware of,” says Tim. it’s a part of the industry I love,” says Tim. “”With the incorrect coating application, “I’m here to help give the DIYs all the the outcome can be time consuming and advice they need in terms of product and expensive to patch or worse, having to
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The Boat Works hosts a diverse range of in-house marine professionals who provide a raft of services onsite. The whole idea of our increased infrastructure is to provide a unique hub of marine experts in the one space, so, if required, your boat can receive the works! These professional contractors can undertake work on your vessel once our team has lifted, waterblasted, and set her down on the hardstand or within a refit shed. Here’s a look at our growing in-house trades and services. Give them a call for more on what they have to offer:
Andaman Teak
Choice Stainless
National Marine
07 5519 4001 Specialising in the importing and processing of high quality teak for the marine industry.
07 5580 1392 Fabricators of all marine and commercial products in mild and stainless steel, aluminium, brass and galvanised metals. Services include onsite welding and boat repairs.
0418 450 760 Mechanical repairs and services for all vessels, including antifoul, detailing, buffing and polishing. Welding and fiberglass repairs also offered, as well as vessel transportation.
Couran Cove
Seatech Marine
07 5529 4077 Handling and receiving depot for goods and services to Couran Cove Island Resort
07 5580 1883 Services include repairs to petrol/diesel engine and stern drives; antifoul, fiberglass and detailing. Authorised sales and servicing distributor for Volvo, Cummins, Mercruiser, Onan and Kohler.
Australian Marine Wholesale 07 5580 1511 Distributors of high quality marine electronics, including renown brands Raymarine, Furuno, Garmin, Simrad, Lumitec, Sea recovery, IRIS and Aqualuma.
Boat Control
Fairspray Marine Finishing
0422 605 899 Facilitates all services related to boat detailing, antifoul, repairs and modification, maintenance, shipwright, holding tank systems, refinishing and painting as well as all fiberglass work.
0423 777 018 Specialists in high quality vessel resprays, refits, refurbishments, gel coat, new builds timber works and varnishing, antifouls, maintenance and detailing.
Boat Works Supplies Tim Livesy-Kennon, Marine Trade Specialist, The Boat Works Supplies.
preparation. Sharing my experience is something I really enjoy doing. If there is something above my knowledge, I’m not about to give the wrong advice. I am just as interested in finding out the answer to questions I haven’t yet come across. The insight is never far away, with product data sheets and product representatives just a phone call away.”
THE BOAT WORKS • FLAGSHIP MARINE SERVICE • (07) 5500 0000
07 5500 00002 Suppliers of all boat maintenance supplies including antifoul, top coats, abrasives, paint accessories, thinners, and anodes.
Bradford Marine 07 5580 5555 Delivers a range of quality services from antifouls, engine and drive maintenance, to fiberglass, 2 Pac coating, respray and more. Also offers vessel collection and delivery.
Kingfisher Cruisers 0401 034 001 Manufacturers of Kingfisher Cruisers including customised boat layouts and furnishings to suit your individual style.
Lightwave Yachts 0422 605 899 Leading manufacturers of customised multihull catamarans.
Marine Antifoul Specialists
Sven Magnusson Marine 07 5665 6630 Authorised dealership for Swedish built Nimbus Boats and Storebro Cruisers, and American Mainship Trawlers. Boat sales and brokerage insurance agents for Club Marine.
If you would like to move your business to The Boat Works and take advantage of the growth opportunities that we are now offering through our substantially expanded facilities, please contact: David Whyte on 07 5500 0000.
0488 555 443 Below the waterline experts in antifouls, prop speed application, anodes, sandblasting, spray boot tops and detailing.
WORKS NEWS
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(07) 5500 0000 B oat W orks D rive , M arine P recinct, C oomera , G old C oast, Q L D email
info@theboatworks.com.au
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Example of a new transon anode.
Anodes
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hane Subichin mounted on their boat. Many has over 20 years owners don’t realize the in the marine corrosion damage that can occur industry and is to stern drives and under water one of only two Certified metal fittings if anodes are not Service Managers regularly maintained or replaced. (CSM) in Australia; an Why is it critical international certification to check and endorsed by the Marine maintain anodes? Industry Association Australia (MIAA). He’s Generally sacrificial anodes also a qualified trainer need to be replaced when 50% Shane Subichin, Operations who teaches and accesses Manager, The Boat Works. consumed. Correct corrosion MIAA’s Straddle protection to vital boat parts is Carrier Operations and not achieved if anodes are left to Maintenance courses across Australia. deplete below 50%. Generally the size and amount of anodes installed to each moored Anodes are critically important to your vessel are designed to last up to 12 months. boat. Our Operations Manager Shane However, many factors can contribute to Subichin takes the time to explain why… anodes depleting at a faster rate including; What is an anode? water temperature, salinity, water current flow, stray electrical current and vessel or An anode is a sacrificial block of either jetty wiring faults. Therefore, checks are zinc or aluminum alloy that is mounted often required monthly, quarterly or six on, or connected to, the underwater metal monthly checks to determine the depletion parts of your boat E.G. stern drives, shafts, rates of sacrificial anodes. propellers, rudders, trim tabs and skin fittings. Anodes come in a variety of shapes Any other advice? and sizes. Upon purchasing your vessel check for signs What do anodes do? of corrosion and condition of anodes as soon as possible. Anodes are designed to sacrifice themselves by depleting first, rather than expensive Obtain maintenance history to determine parts of your drive or underwater metal when the anodes were last changed. fittings. Stern drives, underwater propulsion Determine your vessel and jetty electrical gear and hull fittings are made up of two systems are in good order. or more types of metal. Galvanic corrosion Consult your local vessel and engine is an electrochemical reaction between two / drive package dealer for specific or more different (or dissimilar) metals requirements. submerged in seawater. Anodes connected to Note: This is a general guide only. If you these metals are more galvanically active and would like personalised advice regarding will corrode before the vital parts of your anodes, contact Shane on 07 5500 0000. He’ll vessel. be able to help you and/or direct you to a Are your anodes corroding professional team onsite for further action. as they should? It is recommended you contact your local boat or engine service dealer for specific Vessel owners need to be aware of the requirements for each vessel and engine/ location and condition of sacrificial anodes drive package.
These anodes are well past their effective life.
These anodes should have been changed a lot earlier to provide an adequate level of protection.
An example of an anode fitted to a trim tab fin on a powerboat.
Anodes should be checked each year and replaced as soon as they have reached 50% of their original size.
An example of the corrosion that can occur with propellers when the right anode protection is not employed.