“The DOCK” – The new yacht sales heart of The Boat Works

Sales Centre Opening Night © The Boat Works

The Boat Works, Coomera Marine Precinct new yacht sales precinct has opened. The DOCK is part of The Boat Works' Stage 5 major marine expansion- the next phase of investment by the Longhurst family in infrastructure and employment.

The DOCK comprises state-of-the-art office space as new headquarters for leading yachting brands, including R Marine Jones, dealers for Riviera motor yachts, Alexander Marine and The Yacht Sales Co.

The Boat Works owner, Tony Longhurst and the team at The Boat Works welcomed around 150 key proponents of the Australian yachting industry, guests and media to the official 'ribbon cutting', topped off with a celebration serving cocktails, canapes and fire-twirling entertainment.

The venue with its palm-fringed, white sand beach superyacht basin at The Boat Works' North Superyacht Yard - was the ideal vantage point to admire the array of vessels lining the marina and arranged in front of The DOCK.

After the formalities, guests entered the tropical enclave of Kokomo Kitchen & Bar, a laid-back, secluded oasis complete with pirate wreck that wouldn't be out of place in the Bahamas, for cocktails, canapés and sultry tunes.

Sales Centre Opening Night - photo © The Boat Works

The Yacht Sales Co. Director, Mark Elkington, R Marine Jones Director, Randall Jones, and Alexander Marine Director, Todd Holzapfel are unanimous in their praise for the quality and location of the architect-designed premises and say they are looking forward to a "new era" in boat sales at The DOCK.

Randall Jones from R Marine Jones said, "The DOCK is a big move for us, despite it being literally next door to our former base within the Riviera manufacturing plant.

"We're looking forward to brand-new premises that will be a one-stop-shop for customers - new and brokerage boats on permanent display - in luxurious, tropical surrounds. The DOCK gives us a superb, north-facing view of the boats we sell, and we're close enough to be connected to the Riviera factory for customers to visit Riviera within minutes.

"The Team of 12 at R Marine Jones covers sales, service and support, as well as organising owner events, both educational and social, which we will be able to host at The DOCK overlooking the marina."

Mark Elkington from The Yacht Sales Co. has been based at The Boat Works with his other business, Multihull Solutions, for 10 years.

"As we celebrate a decade at The Boat Works, this is an expansion for us as a group," he says.

"Our new flagship sales centre will be located at The DOCK, and the Multihull Solutions business will consolidate under The Yacht Sales Co. banner, merging the multihull brands into The Yacht Sales Co. as our core business for the group throughout Asia-Pacific.

"We present high-end products from ILIAD, Absolute, Maritimo and Fountaine-Pajot in the $2.5 million+ range, so it's only fitting that our customers have somewhere beautiful to do their boat shopping.

"The existing sales office remains for our team and for the 365-days-a-year, out-of-water-boat-show we offer at The Boat Works."

Todd Holzapfel, Dealer Principal/Director Alexander Marine said "We are excited to be part of the expansion of The Boat Works and the new premises in conjunction with the growing rate of our business, serving the increasing demand of customers buying and enquiring on superyachts.

"It's a positive step for the industry and the Alexander Marine team, along with the growing prevalence of superyacht activity in the country and overall expansion to accommodate the lifestyle on the Gold Coast."

The evening displayed a massive selection of vessels from each of the luxury yacht dealers, including the Absolute 47, ILIAD 53, ILIAD 62 and MY6 Fountaine Pajot 44 luxury power catamarans, Riviera 585 Sport Yacht Platinum edition, Riviera 46 Sports Yacht, 57 Flybridge and the superb superyacht, the Ocean Alexander 28E explorer, alongside the 87-foot Warren Skylounge Motor Yacht and Galeon 64 Fly Motor Yacht.

Highfield Boats showcased a selection of high-performance RIBS, with brand Ambassador, Olympian and Iron Man, Ky Hurst was on hand to discuss his family's Highfield adventures, as well as a range of Seabobs, Fliteboards, Skis and Roadstars from JSW Powersports.

Outlining plans for Stage 5, which is already under way, Tony Longhurst said the re-investment in the Northern Superyacht Yard will add additional covered controlled working environments with more sheds and more hardstand.

"The DOCK is open, and will be the new heart of The Boat Works, bringing more visitors from around the region and interstate.

"We're pouring the slabs now for the new Super Sheds, the steel has arrived and there are 100 people working on them now to get it all completed by December to meet unprecedented demand.

"In just three years, we've seen the rising demand for service and refit for superyachts around 100-feet, which is our target market.

"We see Marina Mirage is adding berths, and there are plans for luxury hotels with marina berths on the Broadwater which will accommodate even more vessels.

"Our family is yet again investing in infrastructure for the Gold Coast, which will bring more superyachts to our shores, and that in turn provides work for local trades and other industries.

"I'm so thrilled to be involved in the yachting and marine industry. This is a legacy from my dad, John Longhurst who first invested in Coomera in the 70s. From my background building Dreamworld, motor racing and working in development, I understand what people want, the level of landscaping, amenities and high-end architecture teamed with exceptional service."