The Boat Works opens new superyacht yard on Gold Coast

Australian yard The Boat Works has opened its new yard on Australia’s Gold Coast, after a build time of just nine months.

The state-of-the-art new yard has already welcomed some of the region’s premium vessels over 30 metres (98 feet) for refit, repairs and maintenance, attracted by the five-star amenities and what is said to be the Gold Coast’s largest lift at 300 tonnes.

The Boat Works, which now boasts two facilities, occupies a total of 55 acres and can accommodate vessels between five and 50 metres (16 and 164 feet) at the Gold Coast Marine Precinct in Coomera. The new 300-tonne boat hoist joins the southern yard’s 70-tonne lift, 100-tonne marine travel lift and a 45-tonne hydraulic sealift, catering to wide-bodied multihulls.

Tony Longhurst, owner of The Boat Works, commented, “We’ve had a cast of thousands working on the development and it is already delivering economic flow on for businesses in south-east Queensland.

“Raising the standard has always been the motivation at The Boat Works, and the superyacht yard is testament to the Longhurst family’s dedication to eco-development and sustainability.”

The Boat Works’ new yard comprises over 50,000 square metres of hardstand and superyacht refit sheds, accommodating 1km of boats within, from wide-bodied catamarans, motor yachts and sailboats to superyachts.

The purpose-built marina features berthing for 15 superyachts of up to 50 metres (164 feet) on the water, as well as vessels up to 70 metres (230 feet) alongside.

The yard’s prime objective, from the outset, was to create a “clean, green marina”. Its commitment to preserving up to 200 metres (656 feet) of land along the 1km waterfrontage has resulted in a revival of plant and marine life and preserves the ecosystem.

All water on-site is treated via the latest high-tech filtration system. Rainwater harvesting captured from each super shed structure can be used for vessel wash downs. A second solar array will add to the 100kW solar panel system southern yard, with the aim of the entire facility becoming self-sufficient.

“More boats means more jobs,” Longhurst added.

He continued, “Not just in the marine and boating industries but in hospitality, tourism, provisioning – all the things visitors to our region want to see and experience, as well as works they carry out on their boats.

“The whole Marine Precinct is energised and there’s a surge of positivity in response to the new Superyacht Legislation [allowing foreign-flagged vessels to charter in Australian waters], the Queensland Government’s Superyacht Strategy and commitment to ongoing dredging of the Coomera River and Gold Coast waterways.”

The next phase of development will include a dedicated sand-blasting shed and refit workshops along with a lifestyle complex for retail, professional offices, a function centre, restaurants and bars.

For more information, visit The Boat Works. Sign up to our newsletter to get the best of Yachting Pages delivered direct to your inbox every month.