Milestone Superyacht Haul Out at The Boat Works

Since the opening of a new state-of-the-art Superyacht Hub at The Boat Works in February 2020, the shipyard has quickly become one of Australia’s most sought-after superyacht service facilities. The A$100m investment was made into a 25-acre site which now hosts The Boat Works’ 300-tonne travel lift, with space for 50 superyachts throughout the marina, hardstand and refit sheds.

Captains and Owners have been drawn to The Boat Works not only for the outstanding new facilities, but also for its quality of service and lifestyle experience. The shipyard features a bespoke VIP Captain’s Lounge to greet guests directly from their superyacht, where they can rest and overlook the marina.

So great was the surge in demand that The Boat Works even brought forward stage 4 of its development, which will add five new 50-metre refinishing sheds.

45.7m Benetti superyacht Mistress became the largest vessel to be lifted on the Gold Coast when she recently took advantage of the yard’s 300t travel lift.

"This is an historic milestone for The Boat Works and the Gold Coast,” says Shane Subichin, General Manager at The Boat Works. “Our 300-tonne lift we call ‘Rhino’ has proven itself a very versatile machine that can adapt to any vessel.”

The positioning of the Gold Coast in between Australia’s popular cruising grounds in Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef makes it an ideal destination for maintenance work before or between charter seasons.

“What impresses me the most is the number of utility vehicles and people crowded around each and every vessel,” comments David Good, CEO of Superyacht Australia. “It’s one thing to build infrastructure, but it’s incredible to see how many people are employed by each of these big boats in ever shed – trades people, deliveries – and these are all individual businesses, not big corporations.”

The quality of facilities and surrounding specialised trades has helped to make Australia more accessible for large superyachts, particularly important following the passing of important charter legislation.

“There’s increasing demand from larger vessels which are rising in number in our region,” adds Shane. “The influx in supply has welcomed additional major marine infrastructure with construction underway on Stage 4 of The Boat Works which comprises of 4 x 20-metre high sheds to accommodate these massive, tri-deck and flybridge motor yachts, both commercial and privately-owned. They will be ready to welcome visiting yachts in first quarter 2022.”

Like so many before them, the Captain and crew aboard Mistress were impressed by The Boat Works’ team’s precision handling of the vessel, attentive service and the facilities, including the bespoke Captains’ lounge, from where the Owner was able to watch his superyacht eased into the facility.

The Boat Works is continuing to enhance its offering to visiting yacht, with dedicated 5,000-square-metres of dedicated hardstand completed in recent weeks. The hardstand will accommodate up to 16 cruising catamarans and monohulls, providing a workspace for Owners to undertake their own antifoul and refit work.

The upcoming Australia InDepth documentary series will provide further insights into the refit and maintenance facilities across Australia, as we focus on one of the world’s most exciting superyacht destinations.