http://www.ibi-plus.com International Boat Industry | JUNE–JULY 2018 57
SThe Boat Works is one of Australia’s premier boat yards. The 23-acre facility is
located at the gateway to the Gold Coast Marine PrecinctGCCM has been operating as a leading refit,
maintenance and repair facility since 2000. “Our
industry can only mature and blossom as the sheer
depth of Australian talent is revealed and promoted
on a global scale,” says Gay. “I think we are starting to
witness the coming of age of the superyacht industry in
Australia, and government at every level is starting to
grasp the economic potential of our industry fully.”
GCCM is a 17.5-hectare shipyard and marina located
in the northern Gold Coast suburb of Coomera.
The facility offers 50,000m^2 of hardstand, refit
bays, dedicated superyacht sheds, a 75m superyacht
work basin, travelifts up to 250 tonnes and access to
600-tonne lifts, and over 80 onsite trades employing
over 700 individual craftsmen.
Future developments include a marine innovation
hub to support further innovators in the marine
industry, plus the second stage of the development
which will see a significant increase in the
infrastructure available to larger yachts.THE BOAT WORKS
Located at the gateway to the Gold Coast Marine
Precinct, The Boat Works has become the premier boat
yard in Australia, not just by quantity and diversity of
operations, but also according to testimonials from
repeat customers and tenants who are proud to be part
of such a thriving enterprise. The waterfront site, just
30km from Surfers Paradise and 50km from Brisbane’s
CBD, was established by Bruce Harris, ex-Shark Cat
builder, in the mid-’80s with a single structure on 10
acres and some non-standard lifting equipment which
owed more to Mad Max than modern mechanics!
Now owned and run by motor-racing champion
Tony Longhurst, and overseen by general manager
Shane Subichin, The Boat Works has evolved to
become a world-class marina and shipyard with a
reputation for superlative service.
Since 2014, Tony Longhurst has invested A$25m
in the 23-acre facility, comprising marina extensions,
construction of a long-term storage precinct, 7,000m²
of hardstand open space, 16 work bays within a covered
work area, 40 individual refit sheds, a sandblast
bay, showrooms dedicated to retail, dealerships, a
restaurant and landscaping that provides shade and
enhances surroundings, all adding up to a true “resort
for your boat”. The most recent additions include
increased covered hardstand options, screened Refit
Sheds which can cater to vessels up to 15m in height
and accessible power and water so boat owners can
undertake their own work in bays that are clean and
environmentally-responsible.
“The result of these improvements is increased
visitation and visiting boats that stay longer, taking
advantage of the array of services and trades onsite to
get all their maintenance, resprays and major refit work
done at the same time,” says Subichin.
The 50-plus tenants offer the A-to-Z of marine
services: antifouling and sandblasting, chandlery,detailing, electronics and electrical, engineering,
fabrication and welding, insurance, painting,
mechanical and hydraulics, engine repair and
repowering, project management, refrigeration,
plumbing and desalination, rigging and sail making,
shipwrights, signage, surveyors and valuers, trimming
and upholstery, brokerage boats and new boat sales.
Subichin says: “On a typical day, the site is buzzing
with 100 personnel and 200-plus boats, with assets
including 70- and 100-tonne straddle lifts, and a
45-tonne hydraulic Sealift, allowing The Boat Works
to haul out and store boats up to 110ft (including
catamarans). Each week around 50 boats are lifted,
protected as they exit the water in a custom-designed
and built bay lined with fenders.”
Subichin promises visitors a warm welcome. “We’re
all boaties at The Boat Works and we assure owners we
treat their boats as if they were ours,” he says.TRENTON GAY, CEO
GOLD COAST CITY MARINAI think we are starting
to witness the coming
of age of the superyacht
industry in Australia.
Government at every
level is starting to grasp
the economic potential