Boatworks
There are many differences between boaters aren’t there? There are those who cruise and those who race. Those who love the peace and serenity of sail and those who like to get moving and arrive at their destination in the same day. There are those who love the sight, smell, feel and handling of wooden boats and those who love the fast, sleek, light, modern production boats. And of course there is everything in between – even houseboats!
But the one thing we all have in common, apart from the obvious love of the water and life out on the waves, is the fact that we all need to get our boats slipped and cleaned regularly.
We had been looking to haul our 1800’s inspired Tops’l schooner, Argos, out of the water all the way up the East Coast but everywhere we tried there was a problem - either we were too heavy or too long, or the bow sprit got in the way or we couldn’t do the work ourselves and it was simply too costly. We had last hauled her out in Albany at the Emu Point Boatyard but that was almost 4 years ago.
We were on the Gold Coast after we became ‘skipper-less’. We were still recovering from our loss but knew that scheduling a very-long overdue haul-out would give us more confidence in the boat and in our continued journey on her and so we began to consider the local options.
We made some calls and were extremely happy to be told that we could be fitted in at The Boatworks in just a matter of days if we were willing to be on a standby list and come in mid-week. We had only heard good things about The Boatworks and really hoped it would be manageable. Our skills and capacity to do this on our own was going to be our biggest challenge but taking Argos to a slipway where all the work would be done for us wasn’t an option.
The Boatworks is one of Australia’s largest facilities but we never felt lost in its vastness or overlooked in any way. It’s not uncommon in boat yards and marine environments for women to be treated very differently to men, or for owners of big expensive yachts to be accorded value and others treated as lesser mortals, but that is so far from the case at The Boatworks. This is an exceptional business that has got a lot of things right.
With a brand new 100 Ton travelift with a beam capacity of 8 mts, a 70 Ton travelift and a hydraulic Sea-lift, they are able to haul out anything that you can throw at them. The boat yard is massive and can accommodate over 50 boats on the hard stand at any time and in addition has more than 50 working/marina berths (that can accommodate even the largest vessels of over 120ft), allowing you to work on your boat while close to all the services located in the yard, as well as those located in the adjacent bustling marine precinct.
There are refit sheds, scissor lift hire, covered hardstand options, a sandblast shed, lockable sheds and long term handstand storage – all with deep water access in the Coomera River and it is amazingly clean.
Right from our first contact we knew we had made the right choice to book in at The Boatworks.
I had, so far, not steered Argos into a jetty or marina on my own and didn’t fancy making The Boatworks slipway my first trial! I asked if we could get a hand and was immediately given a phone number and contact with a business that would prove to be a huge help for me.
That’s the thing we found the most beneficial to us – everything we needed was available close by and everyone we encountered was willing to help. We had some damage to the hull that had become visible when we first came out of the water and also, some time ago had sustained damage to the rudder when we lost the Sayes Rig Windvane in the Bight in massive seas, taking the top section of the rudder with it. We were ready to have a go at the cleaning and anti-fouling but really had no idea when it came to dealing with these very significant problems. They were way beyond our knowledge and skill level!
Ian from Everything Marine, who had helped us with steering Argos into the slipway came to our aid, offering advice, helping with the repair to the rudder and directing us to another awesome business, Affordable Antifoul Solutions, that advised us and then took care of the hull damage.
For us, such raw newbies (despite our 2000 NM of ocean sailing), it was fantastic to both be able to ask for advice and so swiftly receive it.
The Boatworks boasts over 30 on-site businesses that include:
These are all run with excellence in mind – there was barely any waiting when we needed something and on the few occasions we needed to go further afield for supples, were able to take advantage of one of the two courtesy cars available for 2 hour blocks – a Hyundai Getz and a twin cab ute.
The on-site trade supplies shop is well-stocked and well positioned to be able to supply almost everything you might need when you are on the slip-way and since we left has even been able to begin a delivery service to anyone in the yard so that you can call and order what you need and have it brought down to you.
Adjacent to the office is the delightful Galley Cafe Restaurant Bar. Not only is this an excellent place to stop and take a break, providing excellent coffee and snacks, but when you have finished work on your boat for the day you can even rock up for an excellent meal! The décor is perfect – very nautical and calming – it’s a great place to wind down after a long day – or any time you want a break from all your hard work!
When you first arrive at the slip way and are handed a most useful information pack outlining the services available to you, including complementary vouchers for coffee and cake. How very welcoming is that?
This place has very quickly become our favorite boatyard and unless we find ourselves broken down somewhere too far away, is the only place we would ever want to slip our boat again. Not just because it has everything – but because everything it has is made available to you with such a ‘no worries’ attitude. Willingness to help and a can-do attitude are the hallmarks of this facility. For us, it made what could have been a very difficult experience quite manageable and very reasonable.
There are a bunch of special rates, like mid-week stand by’s, half-price specials and various options to make the cost of your next haul out very reasonable - you can even choose the option of paying to have everything done for you but whatever you choose, it is all made possible, easy and every support you could ask for is made available.
I’m sure we have all been happy to hear we can stay on board while on the hardstand and then discovered there were no real facilities to make that practical! It’s not like that at The Boatworks. The immaculate ensuite bathroom facilities are impressive, as are the excellent laundry facilities and top-quality appliances which really made it not just possible to live aboard while on the hardstand but to feel not completely welcome and like an accepted part of the boating community.
That’s the thing – everyone is welcome and no one has a bad word to say about this place!
Our particular experience might be a little unusual – being suddenly responsible for a boat we knew well but had not done much work on but what an excellent gauge that is of what would be available to anyone. While the level of assistance available and the attitude of the staff and associated businesses was paramount to us, surely it’s what we all look for.
Contact The Boatworks on (07) 5500 0000 or www.theboatworks.com.au .
But the one thing we all have in common, apart from the obvious love of the water and life out on the waves, is the fact that we all need to get our boats slipped and cleaned regularly.
We had been looking to haul our 1800’s inspired Tops’l schooner, Argos, out of the water all the way up the East Coast but everywhere we tried there was a problem - either we were too heavy or too long, or the bow sprit got in the way or we couldn’t do the work ourselves and it was simply too costly. We had last hauled her out in Albany at the Emu Point Boatyard but that was almost 4 years ago.
We were on the Gold Coast after we became ‘skipper-less’. We were still recovering from our loss but knew that scheduling a very-long overdue haul-out would give us more confidence in the boat and in our continued journey on her and so we began to consider the local options.
We made some calls and were extremely happy to be told that we could be fitted in at The Boatworks in just a matter of days if we were willing to be on a standby list and come in mid-week. We had only heard good things about The Boatworks and really hoped it would be manageable. Our skills and capacity to do this on our own was going to be our biggest challenge but taking Argos to a slipway where all the work would be done for us wasn’t an option.
The Boatworks is one of Australia’s largest facilities but we never felt lost in its vastness or overlooked in any way. It’s not uncommon in boat yards and marine environments for women to be treated very differently to men, or for owners of big expensive yachts to be accorded value and others treated as lesser mortals, but that is so far from the case at The Boatworks. This is an exceptional business that has got a lot of things right.
With a brand new 100 Ton travelift with a beam capacity of 8 mts, a 70 Ton travelift and a hydraulic Sea-lift, they are able to haul out anything that you can throw at them. The boat yard is massive and can accommodate over 50 boats on the hard stand at any time and in addition has more than 50 working/marina berths (that can accommodate even the largest vessels of over 120ft), allowing you to work on your boat while close to all the services located in the yard, as well as those located in the adjacent bustling marine precinct.
There are refit sheds, scissor lift hire, covered hardstand options, a sandblast shed, lockable sheds and long term handstand storage – all with deep water access in the Coomera River and it is amazingly clean.
Right from our first contact we knew we had made the right choice to book in at The Boatworks.
I had, so far, not steered Argos into a jetty or marina on my own and didn’t fancy making The Boatworks slipway my first trial! I asked if we could get a hand and was immediately given a phone number and contact with a business that would prove to be a huge help for me.
That’s the thing we found the most beneficial to us – everything we needed was available close by and everyone we encountered was willing to help. We had some damage to the hull that had become visible when we first came out of the water and also, some time ago had sustained damage to the rudder when we lost the Sayes Rig Windvane in the Bight in massive seas, taking the top section of the rudder with it. We were ready to have a go at the cleaning and anti-fouling but really had no idea when it came to dealing with these very significant problems. They were way beyond our knowledge and skill level!
Ian from Everything Marine, who had helped us with steering Argos into the slipway came to our aid, offering advice, helping with the repair to the rudder and directing us to another awesome business, Affordable Antifoul Solutions, that advised us and then took care of the hull damage.
For us, such raw newbies (despite our 2000 NM of ocean sailing), it was fantastic to both be able to ask for advice and so swiftly receive it.
The Boatworks boasts over 30 on-site businesses that include:
- Antifouling
- Boat Management
- Boat Sales New & Used
- Electronics sales and repairs
- Engineering
- Engine parts
- Fiberglass repair
- Mechanical/Propulsion
- Marine Engines & Generator services
- Marine products i.e. Anchors, BBQs, Anodes, Helm seats etc.
- Marine upholstery, Biminis, carpets etc.
- Mast & Rigging specialist
- Propeller Service
- Refrigeration
- Refurbs & restorations
- Resprays & custom paint
- Sandblasting
- Signage & Graphics
- Stainless Steel fabrication
- Teak supplies
- Timber Vessel specialist
- Underwater gear repairs & manufacturer
- Welding
These are all run with excellence in mind – there was barely any waiting when we needed something and on the few occasions we needed to go further afield for supples, were able to take advantage of one of the two courtesy cars available for 2 hour blocks – a Hyundai Getz and a twin cab ute.
The on-site trade supplies shop is well-stocked and well positioned to be able to supply almost everything you might need when you are on the slip-way and since we left has even been able to begin a delivery service to anyone in the yard so that you can call and order what you need and have it brought down to you.
Adjacent to the office is the delightful Galley Cafe Restaurant Bar. Not only is this an excellent place to stop and take a break, providing excellent coffee and snacks, but when you have finished work on your boat for the day you can even rock up for an excellent meal! The décor is perfect – very nautical and calming – it’s a great place to wind down after a long day – or any time you want a break from all your hard work!
When you first arrive at the slip way and are handed a most useful information pack outlining the services available to you, including complementary vouchers for coffee and cake. How very welcoming is that?
This place has very quickly become our favorite boatyard and unless we find ourselves broken down somewhere too far away, is the only place we would ever want to slip our boat again. Not just because it has everything – but because everything it has is made available to you with such a ‘no worries’ attitude. Willingness to help and a can-do attitude are the hallmarks of this facility. For us, it made what could have been a very difficult experience quite manageable and very reasonable.
There are a bunch of special rates, like mid-week stand by’s, half-price specials and various options to make the cost of your next haul out very reasonable - you can even choose the option of paying to have everything done for you but whatever you choose, it is all made possible, easy and every support you could ask for is made available.
I’m sure we have all been happy to hear we can stay on board while on the hardstand and then discovered there were no real facilities to make that practical! It’s not like that at The Boatworks. The immaculate ensuite bathroom facilities are impressive, as are the excellent laundry facilities and top-quality appliances which really made it not just possible to live aboard while on the hardstand but to feel not completely welcome and like an accepted part of the boating community.
That’s the thing – everyone is welcome and no one has a bad word to say about this place!
Our particular experience might be a little unusual – being suddenly responsible for a boat we knew well but had not done much work on but what an excellent gauge that is of what would be available to anyone. While the level of assistance available and the attitude of the staff and associated businesses was paramount to us, surely it’s what we all look for.
Contact The Boatworks on (07) 5500 0000 or www.theboatworks.com.au .
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