Proper maintenance is vital for protecting your boat and your family’s safety while on board, and for owners of yachts, motor yachts and catamarans haul-outs are an important part of routine professional maintenance. “For all maintenance work it’s vital to have reliable and skilled trades in the same location, and who are used to working with each other,” says Shane Subichin, General Manager of The Boat Works, an award-winning shipyard and marina on the Gold Coast which has 5 Gold Anchor and Superyacht Ready accreditations. Working with a skilled team, Subichin oversees around 100 boat movements in and out of the water each week at The Boat Works.

“Generally, owners can manage their boat coming out for detail, antifoul and engine service,” advises Levi Duncan, Director at Ocean Degree Yacht Services, who has been involved in Project Management for 30 years and operating at The Boat Works for 12 years. “For anything more complex in terms of maintenance or refit works, we recommend appointing an experienced project manager. We have a comprehensive in-house team of shipwrights and technicians who work closely with contractors to handle any size project. The benefits are myriad and include a single point of contact, minimising yard time, efficient scheduling and coordination of trades, each at the right time, transparency of quotes and weekly progress reports. This equals a stress-free yard period and gets your boat back on the water fast.”

We asked Subichin to share some top tips to consider before booking your boat in for haul-out and maintenance.

Shane Subichin’s top 10 haul-out tips

  1. Plan ahead. Establish an annual maintenance program and schedule a haul-out every 12–18 months, regardless of vessel size.
  2. Book early. Secure key trades well in advance, then confirm your haul-out date with the yard. The Boat Works is home to an on-site community of more than 100 marine businesses spanning the full A to Z of the industry, including Australia’s largest chandlery, Marine Trade Supplies. Boat owners have a great selection of businesses, trades and service providers who work collaboratively with each other to deliver efficient, coordinated service for visiting vessels.
  3. Appoint a project manager. For larger or more complex works, consider engaging a project manager to coordinate the process and consult on your behalf. Appointing a project manager ensures efficiency and the best application of trades to save you time and money, offering you peace of mind all facets of your maintenance or service have been checked for you.
  4. Get itemised quotes. Clear, detailed scopes help compare pricing and ensure parts, trades and timelines align.
  5. Secure your yard space. Book the shed, hardstand or service berth, depending on the vessel and the scope of works.
  6. Start with the lift and clean. Haul-out and pressure washing are the essential first steps.
  7. Hull and gear inspection. Your marine trade professionals will check antifouling condition, anodes, skin fittings, propellers and running gear.
  8. Stay in communication. Liaise regularly with trades or through your project manager to keep works on track.
  9. Schedule the relaunch. Plan for relaunch and allow time at a service berth if final in-water works and testing are required.
  10. Sign off before departure. Review the task list, diarise what products were used and ensure all works are completed to your satisfaction. Make a note of your relaunch date and use it as the marker for booking your next 12 to 18-month maintenance cycle.

Visit theboatworks.com.au