Lifting / Antifouling

Our facility can handle vessels up to 9.5m (31') in Beam, 15m (49') in Length, and 12t in Weight.

The Marina is the only one in Brisbane Waters set to lift Wide Multi-Hull Vessels up to 9.5m in Beam.

So the time has come and your boat finally requires a new coat of antifouling paint.

We provide Vessel Lifting / Cleaning / Antifouling / Anodes Replacement, along with other requested work. Our services include the following options:

• Lift Vessel.
• Clean/Water Blast and Inspect Hull and Propellers/Drives.
• Acid Wash water line, or as requested.
• Hull preparation. Patch priming small areas if required. Tape waterline and Mask underwater fittings.
• Apply the requested number of coats of an Industry leading AntiFoul to the manufacturers specifications. To surfaces made of aluminum, only an AntiFoul having a copper-free, organo-tin base must be applied.
• Prop Speed Treatment.
• Anodes Replacement.
• Polish / Detail Vessel.
• ...... anything else you requested.
• Re-launch to water.

You can be rest assured that at the end of the job you will have a thoroughly cleaned, prepared and AntiFouled boat that will last the distance.

Please Note: Vessel First Time Antifouling is more complex, and more time consuming.

Call us to discuss your specific requirements.

• We embrace a commitment to customer satisfaction through customer service and value. Experience has taught us that the best advertisement we can ever get is a referral.
• We are keen to provide you with the best service so you will be happy to come back and see us again.

Our Repair Facility is Different

• Working to improve our environmental performance, in 2012 we upgraded our old slipway to a new Boat Lift.
• Our facility is capable of slipping vessels to 9.5m (31') in Beam, 15m (49') in Length, and 12t in Weight.
• Our Boat Lifting facility is an air dock 10m by 15 m, providing safe and convenient access to underwater areas of Vessel.

Way too often we see "Free"  Berthing, Antifouling, Moorings, etc. Unfortunately we all know that nothing is really "Free".

We offer good old fashioned "Service" with the same good old fashioned "Prices". At prices up to 50% less than Sydney Harbour it's worth making the trip up and combining some cruising and exploring in Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River.

• Once we have discussed exactly what you require, in most cases, we can offer fixed pricing - though it is impossible to give a finite quote, without knowing what additional work may need doing, until that boat is out of the water.
• Our quote formalizes our initial discussion. We email to you our written quotation for the extent of works as requested by you. Your booking is confirmed only when we receive your approval; we cannot commence any work without receiving your approval.
• We encourage owners to come down to the Marina on the day of the haul out and we can inspect your boat together. Taking an active interest in the underwater section of your boat also provides you with an invaluable insight into the condition of your hull.

We pride ourselves on supplying high quality services at affordable rates.
If you happen to find a cheaper price for the same scope of work, do not hesitate to share it with us, as our intention is to beat it.
We are committed to your satisfaction.

Variations to Quote

• From time to time, unexpected issues may arise and need attention, which can only be identified when your boat is out of the water. Even with the best efforts of the owner and the Marina, situations can arise that require extra labour or materials.
• In this event, you will be contacted and invited down to the Marina to discuss and decide for yourself the necessity of our recommendations. If you are unable to visit in person, an accurate quote can be provided over the telephone for your approval.
• In no circumstance will we proceed with any activity outside the original quote, no matter how necessary, without your express consent.

To assist those customers with busy schedules, who may not be able to take the time off to deliver and collect their boat, we offer a Pick Up service from her permanent place of abode and Delivery back again.

Towing involves the use of the workboat plus any other equipment. Drive or Tow, with Assistance or not, we are fully equipped to perform short or long-distance tow or drive jobs as required. 

Fees do vary, but to keep costs low are heavily discounted from our usual hourly labour rates and are quoted for your approval.

Your Vessel is lifted using our Boat Lift.

Booking the lifting of a Vessel is dependant on its draft, the tide and scheduled length of stay.

• The Boat Lift is set up so that it can lift an array of different types of vessels including runabouts, yachts, motor cruisers, and wide vessels such as houseboats and catamarans up to 9.5m in Beam.
• Now we have to set up the Lift for your Vessel. In preparation for your Vessel lifting we will have to obtain from you all the relevant data, unless it is not the first time, and you have provided it before. In this case we have all the data on record.

• When the keel supports have been placed in position and the arms located to hold the boat, the Boat Lift is ready to be sunk to maneuver the boat into position.
• The vessel is literally lifted by air. The keel is supported in multiple locations. The vessel is supported with side arms to the gunnels. Support to gunnels does not cover spots on the hull which are difficult to access for painting and polishing, and does not require repositioning of the supports, which is usually chargeable.
• At this point the Vessel and Boat Lift are checked for safety and the area is declared ready for work to proceed.

The relevant data includes measurements, out-of-water photographs of the Vessel previously lifted elsewhere, seaworthiness, floatation/structural/mechanical problems and any known relevant issues. We must rely on the information provided by you.

The hull is thoroughly cleaned using ultra high pressure fresh water to clean and remove most organic growth.

• All underwater strainers, skin, grates and fittings below the water line are cleaned. If the vessel is stern driven, the leg is thoroughly cleaned, removing all contaminate from the legs.
• We then move onto cleaning of the hull water line, removing scum staining on the hull. We Acid Wash waterline if necessary.

Whilst the pressure gun is mostly used for the cleaning of underwater sections of the hull whilst the boat is on our Boat Lift, we have hired it out 
on several occasions for the cleaning of Customers boats. 
It is portable and can be used anywhere where there is 240V and fresh water supply.

• We take the opportunity to give your hull a good visual inspection to ensure everything is in good order. The hull, shafts, props, etc are inspected. We also check for things like osmosis, cracking and early signs of electrolysis.
• The Stern Drives are thoroughly inspected, focusing special attention to the most vulnerable parts of the Stern Drive around the bellows. Excessive growth in this area can lead to premature failure of the bellows, causing sea water to enter the area between the gimbal bearing on the transom and the rear leg bearing, which in turn can cause failure and siezure to many related components. This is a very important part of the inspection.

Having decided what antifouling you are going to apply we need to consider the condition of your hull.

Irrespective of which paint is already on your hull, it should be in good condition with little or no damage and be compatible with the antifouling we are going to apply.

• We will need to give the surface a good wet sand. This will remove the top layer of paint that is depleted in biocides, contains salt and calcium deposits and is not in a condition to accept a new coat of paint. Failure to remove this layer will lead to blistering, de-lamination or even poor antifouling performance as ingredients and biocides in the new paint permeate the old depleted layer.
• If the paint is an unknown product, after sanding and washing, we allow it to dry thoroughly and apply a sealer/tie coat. This will seal the old antifouling avoiding unwanted interaction between old and new and will create a surface the new antifouling can bond to, otherwise the freshly applied antifouling will fall off.
• If the hull has damaged areas these will require re-priming.
• The hull waterline is masked, all underwater strainers, skin, grates and fittings below the water line are masked/prepared for Antifouling.
• Advanced Industry leading Antifoul is applied to the hull to the manufacturers specifications after final preparation post the priming stage.
• To surfaces made of aluminum, only an Antifoul having a copper-free, organo-tin base must be applied, therefore, it is pretty common, that more than one type of Antifoul is used on a Vessel (e.g. a fibreglass hull with a Stern Drive).
• All other inlets, hoses, speedo, etc are cleaned and de-masked.
• Anodes are placed back on the vessel or replaced if required.

After the manufacturers recommended cure time, the vessel is put back into the water, and is ready for delivery.

Applying the first antifouling is the most important process for your new vessel, all care is taken to ensure the correct preparation.

This is a time consuming process, and a very important one, as any shortcuts or poor preparation can lead to your Antifoul falling off or delaminating and possible problems such as osmosis down the track.

Machine polishing is highly recommended to protect your boat from the salt and sun by introducing a wax layer to the surface.

Newer boats that are polished will retain their gloss much longer with regular polishing. They will stay looking new and help add value upon re-sale against a similar boat that has not been polished.

Older boats are more difficult to bring a shine to, though with an acid wash and a good machine buff, you will certainly notice the difference, even if you don't achieve the "as new" shine. For older boats it is a longer process and the machine buffing provides a good platform to build upon; the more you polish during your regular maintenance days, the better she will become.

Oxidation Removal & Wax

Gone are the days when we had to use hard, abrasive rubbing compounds to literally scrape the oxidation off the gel coat.

We use the latest eco-friendly liquid Oxidation Remover that simply washes off oxidation to bring back the shine without abrasion. This is followed by the application of Boat Wax, a high silicone liquid wax providing the highest standard of long lasting shine.

Fouling is a kind of unwanted buildup (usually animal/vegetable derived) occurring on the boat's bottom and lower unit. Fouling creates additional drag which reduces boat performance and causes everything from corrosion, loss of speed, reduced steering and maneuverability and increased fuel consumption. All things we would rather avoid when motoring.

Your boat is a significant investment. To protect your investment and provide reliable leisure time aboard, maintenance is key. There are antifoul paints that, depending on vessel usage and local environmental factors, can give up to 2 years of satisfactory service, if you're prepared to pay the premium for the product.

On the running gear, we haven't found any antifoul paint that works sufficiently well for 2 years. Invariably, the propeller & leading edges of the rudders will always require re-application as the antifoul wears off with the constant abrasion of the turbulent water caused by the propeller.

Our advice is to haul your boat annually and

• Carry out these inspections;
• Apply a full coat of an antifoul all over, with a manufacturer specified thickness, and a 2nd coat around the waterline, leading edges of the keel, rudder(s) and running gear.

* * *

Year in year out, we find that this is the most cost effective program for boat owners.

What are the merits of applying 2 full coat of antifoul as against one ? Of course we will do whatever the customer asks, however our observations are that boats which receive two coats become just as fouled after 12 months as those which receive a single coat plus two coats at the waterline and along leading edges.

Antifoul by nature is very thick; it has various solids and resins that are designed to dissolve out of the paint during its life. This causes the remaining paint to be slightly "brittle" and weak in structure. Over years of antifoul build up, the old paint is prone to cracking or flaking and may simply fall off in patches.

* * *

Typically we recommend a hard antifouling over the ablative types. Both have their place and limitations, particular to each, but both really only offer the same 12 month service life. It's a personal preference.

Our observation at Hardys Bay is that after 12 months, boats we service that have used ablative antifoul have more slime and shell than boats that have used a hard antifoul.

For the last few years we’ve been using International Yacht Coatings products and we are quite happy with their most comprehensive range available to suit every budget, season and environmental requirements.

Prop Speed is a relatively new innovation specifically designed for application on propellers, rudders, shafts, skegs and trim tabs. Prop Speed™ works because it is slick, not because it is toxic.

Application of Prop Speed is a two step process using a 2-part advanced catalysed etch primer followed by a silicone based top coat.

Prop Speed is an environmentally safe product and does not contain copper, tin or any other toxic substances which may cause environmental pollution.

This is very good question. Many boat owners will be familiar with galvanic corrosion and the costly nature of attending to the issues associated with metals in water. All metals will corrode when exposed to oxygen and moisture and revert back to the basic natural state of their raw material.

Without preventative measures and proper maintenance, corrosion can occur very quickly and be costly. However, there are simple measures which can be taken to significantly reduce the effects of corrosion in terms of time and cost.

The gel coat on a GRP boat over time will oxidize, stain and lose its gloss. An acid wash when she is on the slip or hardstand is a cheap and easy way to remove the oxidization, brighten the colour and remove stains. It will not restore any shine whatsoever, for that you will need to have the vessel machine polished.

All boats from time to time can get a brown "moustache" where the water pushed up from the bow wave is constantly washing past the hull. The acid wash process will remove this stain without scratching or causing any damage to the gel coat. Your boat will look much cleaner and brighter.

Stern Drive manufacturers recommend inspection and servicing at 6 month intervals. It may sound like overkill, however we highly recommend that you adhere to the manufacturer's advice.

We often see families and friends arrive at the Marina on the weekend all in good spirits, eskies full of ice, bags full of picnic items, ready for a day out on the water. It is amazing how often the owners who neglect their stern drive servicing have to abort the excursion because the leg overheats and fails, or propellers are fouled and the boat simply won't move, and suffer the embarrassment in front of family and friends.

Marina Users who choose to contract non Company staff must seek prior approval from the Marina Manager.

For a variety of legal, compliance and administrative reasons the Company only permits duly registered businesses with adequate insurance cover to provide services on the Premises.

The Marina is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment. This commitment includes compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The Marina Regulations constitute one element of our risk management strategy.