Two super yacht recruitment success stories are from Gold Coast locals, Jesse Barnes and Bindy Bryce, who both underwent training with Coastal Yachting Recruitment. Sure, their workplace is often floating through paradise, but both Bindy and Jesse echoed the need to be prepared for hard work, and described some pretty hectic schedules during the peak seasons. Normally, crew will be required to work around the clock when guests are on-board. Seventeen to eighteen-hour days can be necessary. During really busy seasons, you may work for two to three months with only a few days off. But then, when the ships are moored, or without guests, there is significantly more downtime for crew.

When you are working with the ultra-rich there can be some pretty bizarre tasks, too. Bindy recalled that when she was working as a steward and a masseuse, she had to massage a celebrity’s hands for two hours. “We had a celebrity on board who had to have her hands massaged every night until she fell asleep, while listening to her own music. There were some nights I was massaging each hand for over an hour. I had her songs stuck in my head for weeks after that trip, and I still cringe when I hear them now!”

Compared to that experience, we reckon Jesse has had better luck with the odd requests. The strangest one he could recall was, after he had lost a game of cards, the principal charter told him he had to jump off the mast wearing a jock strap.

Risky card games aside, one danger of the job, according to Jesse, is that it can be a strong temptation to get swept up in the party lifestyle. “Having no rent, chef-cooked meals and continuous travel are very appealing. For those who don’t have other goals, finding a reason to leave is almost impossible. You must have a hobby, or a goal. If you follow the crowd, you will just end up at the pub every night and then become a problem for everyone else the next day.”

In spite of the demands, Jesse said travel is by far the best part of the job. “We live on a five-star floating hotel and visit some of the most expensive and opulent places on the planet, at no cost to us. On top of that, we can visit some of the most remote places, too. Sitting at anchor in turquoise water, surrounded by white beaches and palm trees, it is hard not to appreciate the secluded side. I just love being at sea and being able to cross oceans. The time away from land helps me reform my appreciation of it.”

For Bindy, as well as the travel it is the amazing moments she treasures. “We work a lot, but when you look outside and you are in the South Pacific and dolphins are jumping over the bow or a whale’s breaching 50m away, you are reminded it is all worth it.”

Both Bindy and Jesse are success stories for Jade Fitzpatrick, owner of Coastal Yachting Recruitment. Jade Fitzpatrick began her super yacht career sailing around the Mediterranean, surrounded by the sort of breathtaking scenery and extravagance that most of us have only seen in movies. After spending a decade working on a range of amazing yachts, Jade came up with the idea of starting her own business.

“I’d helped a lot of my friends find work before I started the business. And it was actually when I was helping a friend write her CV and sending it to captains that I had the lightbulb moment and decided to start my recruitment company. I had all my own experience as a crew member to draw from, and I knew what clients wanted. Plus, I just loved the boats and didn’t want to leave the industry,” Jade explained.

Unsurprisingly, a genuine love of the ocean and travel are key ingredients for a career on super yachts. As well as passion, you will need to be flexible and patient because often, your life can be on stand-still until guests leave, and their demands can be surprising. Being a team player is also essential since you will be living and working alongside the crew in very close quarters for months on end. So, do not go in expecting to be sunbaking on the top deck.

Even though Jade has only been running her recruiting business for a little over a year, she has already placed many applicants on yachts domestically and internationally. It is true that the majority of work is still found in Europe and America, but New Zealand and the Pacific are on the rise. Australia is still developing as a super yacht destination, but it is steadily growing.

Super yachts have large crews, which means there is a good range of jobs to choose from. The most common positions are captains, engineers, first mates, first officers, chefs, stewards and deck hands, although some of these roles can be combined on smaller yachts. The qualifications needed do scale depending on the role, but all super yacht roles require both a medical certificate and the STCW95 training course. This is a five-day course, which is internationally recognized. It is essential that you check that any super yacht training you do is internationally recognized because it is such a global industry. Thankfully, in Australia there are many accredited training locations in Brisbane, Sydney and Cairns that offer specific courses that are well respected.

If you are feeling the call of the ocean and are considering a super yacht career, then keep Bindy’s advice in mind. “When you’re first starting out, it can be daunting finding a job and getting your head around how the yachting industry works. Just stay positive and remember that you will get a job and it will all make sense at some point. You can feel a little lost at times, and unsure of yourself, but persevere. The positives of this industry definitely outweigh the negatives.”

By Narayan Pattison

The post Super Lifestyle appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

Sauvignon Blanc is still the most popular white wine variety consumed, accounting for the vast majority of all white wine sales in Australia. It is a high yielding crop, thrives in most regions, is quite disease resilient, and the public are mad for it. But like anything in life, too much of a good thing leaves you wanting something else. Sales have flattened out in the last few years as we look for alternatives.

Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio. These two are making serious inroads with white wine drinkers, and deservedly so, as they are generally well suited to most cuisine. Pasqua Pinot Grigio (Italy) is a great example from where the style originated. The Vidal Pinot Gris from Hawkes Bay NZ is also worth seeking out. The Adelaide Hills produce great examples too. Bleasdale and Zonte’s Footsteps should be on your shopping list.

Rosé . The industry is going mad for Rosé right now. The producers are all trying to emulate the French, especially the Provence region, which makes beautiful easy drinking styles of Rosé. It always screams pan-fried salmon to me. It also is a great match with chili crab. Rosé actually outsells white wine in France nowadays. It is such a versatile wine, and pairs well with red meats.

My go-to is the 83 Provence Rosé (France). It has attitude, elegance and where many are quite nondescript, this wine has presence. From Australia, try the RockBare ‘Wild Vine’ from McLaren Vale SA. From New Zealand, the Villa Maria Organic Rosé ticks all the right boxes. All are around the $20 mark at Corker Cellars.

Riesling. This is without doubt my ‘desert island’ wine variety. Most winemakers in Australia will echo that statement. It truly is an underrated and undervalued variety. The Clare Valley and Eden Valley regions of Australia dominate the show results, but this variety is suited in other regions too. The Great Southern region of Western Australia, Tasmania, Canberra, and parts of Victoria are producing great Rieslings. Pikes ‘Traditionalle’ (Clare Valley, SA) and St Hallett (Eden Valley, SA) never fail to impress, while West Cape Howe from Mt Barker, WA (Halliday’s Top 100) is an absolute bargain.

Chardonnay. This has been enjoying a major resurgence in Australia. Gone are the days of heavily oaked and ripe styles. Winemakers are finding the right regions for the variety and producing wines of extreme elegance and purity, letting the fruit shine. Look out for examples from Western Australia, Adelaide Hills, Tasmania and the Yarra Valley (Vic).

There are so many choices out there, and it can get a little confusing. Register at Corker Cellars stores for their free regular wine-tasting sessions, and come along and try before you buy. Call Corkers Cellar Hope Island at (07) 5514 8511, or Corkers Cellar Sanctuary Cove at 07 5514 8511.

By Alfie Pardoe

The post After Sauvignon Blanc, What’s Next? appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

As soon as Adam, my border collie, realises he is boating with us, he can hardly contain himself. He loves nothing better than spending time with us and taking in the sights and sounds as we motor along. We enjoy having him along too, because boating with a dog is now a pretty stress-free operation for us.

One of our favourite boating excursions is taking the Quintrex runabout up creeks or rivers with Adam on board, exploring as far as we can go. On windy days, “gunkholing”, as it is known, is a great alternative to bashing around in less protected waters, which is the only time we take him on the water with us, unless conditions are exceptionally mild. Bouncing along in rough conditions is just not fair on dogs, especially in our bumpy little vessels.

Adam is my third “on-water” dog, and I have learned a lot from his predecessors. I am also a professional dog trainer with C.L.E.A.R. Dog Training School Brisbane, which helps. I have come up with my top tips for those of you considering taking your dog out on the water.

The boat

Appraise your boat objectively. How dog-friendly is it?

Adam is allowed on the family 4.2m runabout, which has marine carpet and plenty of open space; but not on the trailer-sailer, which has a gelcoat surface and small cockpit divided by a mainsail traveller.

Your boat needs to have room for a safe go-to spot where your dog can lie down out of the way, preferably where you can rig some sort of shade.

The dog also needs secure footing. Decks covered in marine carpet are ideal, but slippery gelcoat is not. You can get doggy boots; however, some dogs do not like them, so it is best to get them used to the boots before venturing out on the boat.

There also needs to be an obvious and easy way the dog can jump on and off the boat. If not, be prepared to lift, or invest in the type of removable ramp sold at places like Supercheap Auto.

Planning

The key to a successful outing is detailed planning. Ensure your chosen route has plenty of dog-friendly stops where your canine companion can have a game or swim safely, and do their essential business.

All councils have designated areas where dogs are allowed. The Gold Coast City Council, for example, has three designated off-leash beach areas, and allows dogs on leash on most beaches. You can download the Gold Coast Dog Parks app with details at www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au.

Dogs are also allowed on leash in some national-park controlled areas. Visit www.npsr.qld.gov.au/parks and type in the name of the park you would like to visit.

Fines of more than $100 apply if you and your dog are caught somewhere they should not be.

It is also important to remember that not all marinas are dog friendly. If you are considering visiting one, make sure you call and check with the marina beforehand.

Weather

Avoid hot, sunny days if possible, and at all costs if you cannot provide shade aboard for them. Keep a close eye on your dog for excessive panting, and make sure he or she has access to cool water. You can keep them well hydrated by adding things like sweet coconut water to their normal water, which makes them drink more.

Swimming is an obvious way to cool them down, but only do this where you know it is safe. Bull sharks are present in some rivers, and the tide and current can also rip in and out at a furious rate.

For Adam, who also competes in dog sports, I have other accessories to keep him cool, including a “cool” coat you soak in water and then put on the dog, a “cool” gel mat for him to lie on, and a portable fan. There is a myriad of such things available at your local pet shop or online.

Basic commands

Life will be a lot less stressful if your dog has some basic obedience commands down pat. At the very least, this should include a reliable recall and sit-and-stay, so they will remain on the boat when required, and jump on and off the boat safely on command. I also teach my dogs to toilet on command.

You will encounter many other dogs on jetties and boat ramps. If your dog is not well socialised and friendly, be prepared to keep them on leash and muzzled when interactions are possible. Apart from the experiencing trauma from an unpleasant encounter, you may be further fined for an incident. Earlier this year, a Brisbane man was ordered to pay more than $1500 for failing to prevent his dog attacking another man and dog on a beach.

Essential equipment

A lead, a water bowl, a container of water, and doggy poo bags are essential equipment. I also take a soft foam mat when the weather is cool, or a gel cool mat when it is hot for Adam to lie on. This lessens some of the jarring vibration, and also doubles as the dog’s safe go-to spot. You can attach a lead to the boat to keep the dog on the mat, if necessary, or even put the mat in a portable crate.

Many owners take the added precaution of putting a life jacket on their dog.

If you are going out on a sunny day, or your dog has a pink nose susceptible to sunburn, invest in some doggy sunscreen.

It goes almost without saying that your pet should be microchipped. Adam also has a tag on his collar with my phone number.

Keep it fun

Finally, remember that this is meant to be fun, both for you and the dog.

My first boating dog, Max, used to have a fixed stare he would give the helmsperson if it got too rough for his liking. Just as old Max used to, your own dog will soon let you know what it likes and dislikes.

The key is starting with short trips on flat water on cool days, and building from there, ensuring every outing is a happy one.

By Caroline Strainig

The post Boating with a Dog appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

Having spent all of my life here on the Gold Coast, we have narrowed down from many a small collection of anchorages where you can spend a weekend away with the family or maybe just a day cruise for lunch over the festive season. Some spots are obvious and do become quite busy but this depends on the size of you boat. One thing I have learned is that someone always has a bigger boat.

The Jumpinpin is nestled on the northern end of the Broadwater. Typically, it is an area where you can get away from any prevailing wind blow and still enjoy the serenity and clean waters flowing around your feet. Here, a few channels house nice sandy beaches, deep-water access for all craft. It is relatively safe for swimming, and the fishing is not bad either.

Slipping Sands, which is situated at Canaipa Passage, has a deep-water channel running adjacent a large sand dune that stretches from the top of a peak on North Stradbroke Island all the way down to the water’s edge. On a big high tide, the water nearly laps at the base making for an exciting landing when sliding down on a piece of cardboard. The surrounding channels are littered with sand crabs, whiting and flathead making it perfect for those wanting to catch some seafood while relaxing on the banks of North Straddie. Slipping Sands…a perfect spot for the average size boat.

Further south of Canaipa Passage, we have Millionaires Row. The area lies along the northern banks of South Stradbroke Island, and becomes quite busy on a regular weekend, especially for the larger craft. The reason for this is quite simple: depth. A deep channel runs along the banks. Basically, you can park a sixty-footer five feet away from land without hitting the bottom. It is a perfect area for a day or night away, and is quite protected from the winds during this time of the year. Camping is also allowed here, although a permit is required. The larger boats used to anchor in Tiger Mullet Channel, situated directly adjacent; but the mangrove-lined banks are plagued with mosquitoes and sand flies, and for the life of me, I could and never will understand why they anchored up there! The fishing is excellent throughout this area as you are only a few minutes away from all the top spots of the Jumpinpin. The crabbing is also red-hot. Millionaires Row…a perfect spot for the larger craft.

The Bedrooms is located a few hundred metres south of Millionaires Row and is only accessible for smaller boats. Half cabins up to twenty-footers and dinghies are best suited for this area as it does become extremely shallow particularly on a low tide. Once in the area, you will find a perfect getaway spot for the family and friends. A spot where you can lie back and relax with the surf less than a few hundred meters behind you. You can catch a few fish here, with the shallow waters attracting mainly flathead and whiting. The Bedrooms… a perfect spot for the average size trailer boat.

Tipplers Channel is an easy spot to find and if you do not mind the crowds. It is the place to be for a party. There are bars at the resorts where you can buy a cold beer and lunch. Be prepared to have a few knocks on your boat though. At peak periods Tipplers Channel becomes extremely over-crowded but suits all kinds of vessels big or small.

The inside of South Stradbroke Island from Brown’s Inlet south to the Seaway is another spot that is perfect for anchoring along. There are a few small spots you will want to avoid due to the shallow water. But all have beautiful sandy beaches and plenty of shade. Camping is allowed in certain spots, such as Currigee, where amenity blocks, showers, and barbeque facilities are located.

Wave Break Island never used to be busy. But now nearly all ships and other boats of a magnitude size moor along the banks and on the surrounding channels. Best suited in a prevailing south-easterly, the northern side of the island is well sheltered, has deep water access up to the sand, provides plenty of shade along the foreshores to get out of the sun, and has a good flow of water in the channels making it extremely safe for swimming. Camping on the island is allowed and no permit is required. There are no water or amenity blocks, and only small campfires can be built. If the wind changes direction, you can easily slip around to any side of the island to take shelter. The shallowest part of the island would have to be the western side. Apart for a small deep hole on the southwestern corner, the flats are best used for those targeting flathead, whiting and sand crabs.

A few smaller islands are also situated just to the south of Wavebreak Island making them ideal spots for people in smaller craft who have the privilege of getting into the shallow waters. Once in, it is pretty much all yours. But a word of advice: get in early or you will miss out.

All in all, this Summer break will be a busy one. The foreshores of the Broadwater, the Nerang River, the Currumbin and Tallebudgera, and even the shallower creeks south of the Tweed all have beautiful spots where one can throw a blanket onto the ground, have a picnic, and watch the kids splash around the water, or wet a line in the hope of catching dinner.

By Paul Burt

CLICK HERE FOR A GUIDE MAP

(Jan2018)

The post Summer Holidays on the Broadwater appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

What is it with the boat that they found so arousing anyway?

In the last few months after V-Day this year, we asked our readers to take our “Love Survey” anonymously. The survey was about experiences making love in or on a boat. The answers are varied, but while some are a bit predictable or conservative, others are leaning towards kinky and adventurous.

Let us read through the summary of the responses.

The most common type of boat of the respondents is a cabin cruiser. However, the list of answers shows that pretty much all types of boats are just as good to make love on. Making love in bigger boats is much more common, including houseboats. Others have done it on game boats, sports boats, sailing boats, tug boats. But a rowboat may just be the most interesting!

We continued to ask where on the boat they most enjoy doing the act. The bed is a common answer, but quite conservative. On the deck, on the benches in the top cabin, and on the fly bridges were the other more popular answers. The “shower/bathrooms” answer caught our attention, as everyone knows these offer very limited space. What we thought was most interesting was on the trampoline on a catamaran. Careful coordination between the partners in that case is a definite requirement, for sure!

The consensus was that anytime is a good time to make love on a boat. The respondents’ requirements vary though. Making sure the kids or other passengers are not around seems like a common requirement. But for a few brave ones, doing it at a time when there is a “higher chance of being caught” is the best!

The location of the boat does not seem to be a big factor. However, most respondents say that they have done it while the boat is at the marina, at anchor and/or out at sea. Some claim to have done it underway, but they do acknowledge the dangers involved in that for sure. And some admit that the boat does not even have to be on the water. Making love on a boat on a trailer seems to offer more stability.

Creating a romantic ambience is just as important in making love on a boat as anywhere else. The usual mood-setting activity does involve wine a lot though; so let us just advise that if you have do have wine, make sure the boat is at a marina, a private jetty, or on a trailer! Music, candles, dinner, lights down are typical modes of romanticizing the mood before getting down to business. One respondent believes that a simple act, such as closing the curtains, is enough to impress! The “kinkier” answer involves “catching marlin in the nude”. We say, why not?

When the mood is set and the partners are in full action, nothing else matters – that is, until they get caught out. While most respondents say they make sure that they only do it when no one is around or close by, there have been unexpected turns of events. One respondent claims, while at a marina, they were “busy on the dinette when some punters walked past”. And another recalls how the people in the next boat told them the next morning that they could hear them! Definitely awkward! And yet, a few say that the thrill of getting caught out is part of the lovemaking adventure.

The respondents’ experiences taught them about the dangers of lovemaking on a boat. The boat suddenly rocks or moves, the anchor drags, the boat drifts, you hit your head on the roof, and of course, getting caught out, are a few of the dangers. Other unusual, but practical, insights have been mentioned. One respondent says that sand is a problem, as it creates “unnecessary friction that can cause serious pain”, while another problem is that the wind may pick up and swing your boat from “out of sight” to “into sight very quickly”. Another respondent seems to suggest that too much sex is like being intoxicated that it “might leave you distracted, and mistakes can be made.” And the “trampoline” respondent says that you can get a “wet arse” if the boat is moving along.

It must be the rocking motion of the boat. Or the feeling of being on a small private island. Or the proximity to the water and the open view of the sky. Or the feeling of the “wind on your bits”, or “in your sails!” Whatever it is, one respondent summarises it well: “There is something primal about bobbing around on the waves that makes you want to get it all off, and make love.”

Don’t we all agree?

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Here are some very interesting tips from the “love-making-on-a-boat” experts:

• Use portholes on the deck to put your head through.
• On a rowboat, wear a skirt or take a towel; do not slide around so you do not get splinters.
• Limit the number of crew!
• Beware of drone cameras.
• Be impulsive. Play dirty. Don’t be shy.
• Don’t do it underway if you are the skipper; you might nod off afterwards leaving the boat driverless!
• Set goals. “Our rule is to catch as many marlin on the boat as love-making sessions on the boat. That way, if one gets ahead of the other, you know what area to work on.”

By Roselle Tenefrancia

/Sep-Dec2017

The post When a Boat Becomes a Love Boat appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

St Helena Island

“What’s that? I can see some buildings on that island. Are they ruins?” I said excitedly to my friend, Richard. A quick glance at the marine guide and booklets we had picked up from the tourist information centre in Manly revealed the island was St Helena and the ruins were that of an old convict settlement.

One of the aspects I love the most about visiting somewhere new is the sense of anticipation. Today was one such day, our first outing in the runabout on Moreton Bay since moving to the area.

For us, finding convict ruins was sheer gold in terms of discoveries, and Richard immediately turned the runabout to starboard and headed for the anchorage near the jetty on the western side of St Helena. Ashore, the first thing we came across was a modern toilet block. Yes, useful if nature called. But where were the ruins? A short walk further on we encountered a convict graveyard and the remnants of an old lime kiln-like building. However, a fence and locked gate prevented us from accessing the main complex.

Research revealed you needed to join a guided tour to see the restricted area, and the following week we did just that. You have the option of joining a tour on a Wednesday or Sunday with a transfer by boat from Manly, or travelling to the island on your own boat and just joining in the island section of the tour, which costs only $30 a head. There are also several other tour options, including night “ghost” tours.

The island has a fascinating history. Initially, it was a quarantine station, but it was turned into a high-security colonial prison in 1867 because of overcrowding in Brisbane’s gaols. Seven per cent of the original penal settlement remains, mainly that made of beachrock or brick, plus a caretaker’s cottage built in the 1900s that has been turned into a museum. While idyllic now, back then it must have been a living hell for the inmates, who had to toil long days at farming or a trade, and live in cramped conditions on a diet that was cringingly unhealthy by modern standards.

The guides, all skilled actors from a theatre troupe, helped bring the convict history alive by dressing as convicts and staging a mock flogging, much to the delight of the children on the tour. One of the guides told us many people do not discover the island until they have lived in the area for half a life-time. “It’s Brisbane’s best-kept secret,” he said.

Thankfully, many schools are now including a visit to the island as part of their curriculum so this is changing with the new generation.

Caretaker’s Cottage (now the Museum).

Photo courtesy NPWS

Fort Lytton

A few weeks later, we discovered more gold. This time, it is of a military nature, just a short distance to the north-west on the southern bank of the Brisbane River.

The Fort Lytton Historic Military Precinct is a heritage-listed 1880s coastal fort, complete with gun emplacements and a moat. It was operational through the Boer War, World Wars I and II, and the Korean War.

Today, Fort Lytton is a national park, open to the public on most Sundays and some public holidays, when Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers and a non-profit volunteer organisation offer tours. There are also battle re-enactments every winter.

You can still see some of the original fort, including guns painstakingly restored. Many of the buildings in the surrounding military precinct are also intact and some of them are used to showcase military equipment and uniforms from different periods. For my partner Richard, who is ex-RAAF, it was a wonderful trip down memory lane.

You can access the fort by road from the Brisbane suburb of Lytton, or via the water from a public jetty on the Brisbane River. The QPWS can make ranger tours available to people who visit in their own boats on some weekends, but you must book in advance. The jetty is locked to the public outside these times and the fort inaccessible from the water. You also need permission from the Brisbane Port Authority because of shipping traffic on the river.

You can do a guided tour of  Fort Lytton for a donation.

Photo by Caroline Strainig.

So, there you have it – two wonderful historic destinations to add to your must-visit list next time you head up this way, whether by boat or car. Don’t wait 30 years to discover them. Enjoy!

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FACTS AND FIGURES

St Helena

St Helena is located five kilometres from the mouth of the Brisbane River and eight kilometres north-east of Manly. GPS: 27°23’36″S 153°13’54″E

The public may use the jetty to disembark and board passengers, but the vessel may only be tied to the jetty if the skipper remains on board; otherwise, the vessel must be anchored away from the jetty.

History: npsr.qld.gov.au/parks/st-helena-island

Tours: sthelenaisland.com.au

Fort Lytton

Fort Lytton is located on the southern bank of the Brisbane River, 14km from the Brisbane CBD. GPS: 27°24’44″S 153°09’00″E

The jetty can only be used by prior arrangement with the rangers on some weekends if you book a tour in advance – for more information phone 07 3393 4647.

History: npsr.qld.gov.au/parks/fort-lytton

Tours: fortlytton.org.au

Getting there

If traveling from the Gold Coast to Brisbane, you may refer to the article Gold Coast to Brisbane by Nic Welch published in Boat Gold Coast May 2016 edition. http://boatgoldcoast.com.au/gold-coast-to-brisbane/

/Sep-Dec2017

The post Hidden Treasures of Moreton Bay appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

FOR SELLERS

Selling a waterfront property is much different to selling a traditional home. If you decide to buy or sell your waterfront home, here are some tips that will help you to achieve a successful outcome.

It is critical that you engage the services of an agent you are comfortable with and that agent has experience with waterfront sales. You do not want to list with an agent that is going to post your home online and pray that it sells. The right agent will know how to sell the waterfront lifestyle that your home offers, and not just the structure.

You would think that waterfront homes should essentially sell themselves. Unfortunately these days, they do not. Allow the buyer to experience that relaxed lifestyle on a private beach. To achieve this, there may be a need for a bit staging to make a property more desirable, such as placing beach chairs, umbrellas, boats, inflatable swans in the pool, and a barbeque. Do not leave it to the buyer’s imagination.

In any home sale, you have to be on the same page with your real estate agent if you are going to sell your home at a great price without too many hassles. This relationship is even more critical when you are marketing a waterfront property, as there are many technical aspects that need to be conveyed to astute waterfront buyers.

The experienced agent must know the ins-and-outs of selling waterfront property in order to handle buyer queries. Such knowledge should include information on accessibility by water, revetment walls, flood and insurance issues, rules relating to jetties and boat ramps, and what types of fish or marine life the buyer can expect to catch or see from the shoreline.

Your agent should also be familiar with the competition in the area by visiting and reviewing all the other homes of the same caliber. With a limited number of high-end buyers, your agent may need to go head-to-head and feature-for-feature with another property a premium buyer is considering.

Assist your agent to pen the written description of the property they intend to use when marketing your property. This includes a list of the same things that turned you on to the home when you bought it, and the reasons why you loved living in the house, that should be conveyed in the marketing material. Ensure your agent selects the most flattering photos of your home and insist on including video footage for interstate and international buyers to view. Remember, a picture tells a thousand words.

A great real estate agent understands that quality buyers are interested in the water access of the property. As such, the buyers often search for the right property from the water, so insist on a “for sale” sign on your water’s edge.

In today’s market, the price of the property is one of the many deciding factors. If you price your home right, it will sell. If it is over-priced, then it is going to sit on the market for an extended period of time and attract the wrong reputation. Buyers may begin to believe there is something wrong with it because it has not sold yet. The most common method of determining a reasonable selling price is to undertake a comparative market analysis by review the recent sale price of neighbouring properties, and then adjust accordingly, based on differing criteria such as location, views, frontage and amenities. Pricing your property too low before an auction is going to cause potential problems with disgruntled buyers claiming the agents were under-quoting.

Your buyer is paying a premium for the waterfront visibility, so ensure that trees, bushes, shrubs, pot plants, sheds, or equipment do not obstruct the water views. These should be trimmed back or moved to make way for that gorgeous view. Another simple and common sense way to increase visibility is to have the windows cleaned inside and out.

Most buyers looking for a waterfront property are doing so because of the body of water or the access to water. It is a good idea to make any minor repairs required to your jetty, pontoon, boathouse, and boat exterior. A potential buyer is going to visit your waterfront structures to evaluate potential difficulties and ensure its safe.

On the Gold Coast, recent changes to council laws make the responsibility of the ageing government-built revetment walls that of the home owner, so insure the walls are in good condition or seek an assessment from an expert as part of your due diligence.

FOR BUYERS

Buying a home is always complicated. But adding the term “waterfront” to your acquisition makes it even more complex to understand and decide.

If you are going to move into a waterfront property, you need to develop a detailed understand of these types of properties before actually buying one. If you ask yourself all the right questions, it could possibly be that you are not suited to a waterfront property, or perhaps the lifestyle you are looking for does not necessarily have to be in a waterfront home. If needed, an agent who is an expert in waterfront properties will also be beneficial for a buyer. In such a case, the same qualifications for a seller’s agent apply to a buyer’s agent.

You might think you have found a great deal on a waterfront property only to later realise your home is two hours by boat from the ocean where you were intending on going for fishing. Or your waterfront mansion is built on very shallow waters, or that the beach at low tide is actually rocks, or even worse that your waterfront is actually a lake and there is no boat access to the river, Broadwater, bay or ocean. (Now, don’t laugh as it does happen all the time!)

In some cases, low bridges will affect your boat access. Narrowing canals and waterways mean that water pressure causes fast currents, making docking or ramp access dangerous or impossible.

Many residential waterfront suburbs of Australia were built on flood plains, and as such can be vulnerable to flooding, which may actually be ok as long as you know what to check for before buying. You should first determine the previous floodwater height that occurred after an extreme rainfall, then check to ensure that the floating pontoon has sufficient ramp length and pile height to allow the pontoon to float high without disconnecting. Also, check that the pool pump and electrical machinery are well above the flood height to avoid a shorting out or expensive repair.

The direction of the property plays a vital role in your family’s comfort. For instance, a practical advice is to buy a north-to-water aspect. This will give you sun on your backyard/waterfront all day, esp. in the winter. If the house faces any other direction, you will be left with half-a-day in the shade, which gets very chilly during the colder months. A west-to-water aspect means you do not have sun on your backyard waterfront until the afternoon, and the orange glare of the sunset fills your windows often requiring you to pull the blinds down. Aside from choosing the home with the aspect of your choice, it is also worth considering if the land fans-out towards the water or not. A block of land that fans out towards the water will allow for a larger pontoon and sufficient room to maneouver; whereas land that fans-in towards the water will have restrictive boat access and will compete for space with neighbouring jetties.

You can check with your local council to confirm the current pontoon and jetty specifications as many council now allow these structures to be moved further out to avoid touching the sand at low tide and ensuring deeper water for boat access.

If you are considering a home on a main river or canal be sure to check the speed limits in the area and the types of activities allowed on the body of water. These restrictions may affect your travel time to destinations and in worse cases, fast moving boats or even wake boats will be causing high wakes that can continuously damage your waterfront structures.

On the Gold Coast, recent changes to council laws make the responsibility of the ageing government-built revetment walls that of the home owner, so ensure the walls are in good condition or seek an assessment from an expert as part of your due diligence.

Do not buy property without talking to the neighbours. They are going to play a significant role in your life, whether you like it or not. You may find that these neighbours are always willing to fill you in on the local gossip and anything they know about the home for sale. You are joining the local community, so you need to determine if you are going to love living there.

Understand your responsibilities as a waterfront homeowner, such as adopting your beach and immediate waterways. While most city councils will clean the waterways, they are not responsible for clearing the beach and fallen branches.

Sure, it might be more complicated to decide on a waterfront home, as there are more aspects to consider. But the pay-off is that once you move into a property well positioned on a waterfront location, you will be living close to nature with an ever-changing backdrop for the life of your family.

Living on a waterfront property on in South East Queensland with inspirational views of the waterways is a dream many boaties seek to make a reality. And the Gold Coast is an attractive location, as more than 90 percent of all residential canals in Australia are in this city.

By Andrew Kancachian

/Sep-Dec2017

The post Buying and Selling Waterfront Property appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

Wine tasting is as old as the invention of wines. While the practice was traditionally exclusive to the professional wine tasters, known as sommeliers, the know-how has spread among the savvy retail buyers.

At professional wine tasting sessions, a select set of lingo is used to describe such aspects as the perceived characteristics, flavours, and aromas of a wine. A leisurely wine tasting session may use similar terminology for describing the wine, but the descriptions would be less critical as the wine is consumed only for personal appreciation.

Corkers Express in-house sommelier Chris Morgan says, “The more you know about wine, the more you can enjoy the experience.” As an experienced wine merchant, he explains how to get the most from your wine and to make it love you back. “An attendee will gain more appreciation of wine, a greater knowledge of wines from around the world, and the ways in which they are labeled. I will sample best storing, tasting and identifying wines from sight, alcohol content, scent, and taste.”

Grapes and climate have changed so much over the centuries. Winemaking practices have also been refined and re-refined to complement the altering tastes of the drinkers. During a wine-tasting session, Chris discusses the winemaking processes, including oaked and un-oaked, malolactic fermentation, and steel barrel processes. He hopes that with more knowledge about wines, participants can “talk wine” with their friends and have them ask in surprise, “How do you know so much all of a sudden?”

Chris explains further concepts in wine appreciation. A wine’s “complexity” is shown by how many different flavours and sensations are detected. Its “character” illustrates how true to the grape varieties the wine is. The “potential” of a wine determines the suitability for aging or drinking. Not all wine are age worthy, for example, a sauvignon blanc and pinot gris are made to be consumed young. Age worthy wines are Shiraz, Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay and Riesling. The age ability depends on the alcohol content. The wines with a lower alcohol percentage (alc%) will age better and longer than the higher ones. A wine with 12% alcohol is going to age better than a wine that has 16%.

Don’t worry about getting drunk at the tasting, Chris assures us “The tasting will rarely exceed one glass in total and we have a spittoon, not so classy I know but it’s there. We do call it a ‘tasting’ not a ‘drinking’ for a reason, and we do keep a close eye so you won’t overdo it.”

Chris wants to make everyone a wine guru and points out that there is no obligation whatsoever to buy wine after the session. “Many of the first-time sommeliers will buy our wine as they now know they like the wine featured. And wines on the taste are discounted if purchased in pairs, so that’s a great incentive.”

The basic stages of wine tasting, according to Chris:

The look – Swirl the wine in your glass, and keep an eye on the sides of the glass. The dripping wine, known as “the legs”, indicates the percentage of alcohol. The alcohol content is higher if the wine sticks to the glass.

The nose – When you sniff the wine, there is a scent of oak, berries, grass, cassis, pepper, or possibly herbs.

The taste – Move the wine around your mouth until it reaches the back of your tongue where you can really taste the wine.

The finish – This refers to the sensation left behind after tasting. This may be a furry feeling, or smooth and soft. In addition, the wine can be said to have “length” measured by how long the flavor lasts in your mouth after drinking.

If you would like to learn more about wines and taste an interesting range of red and white wines, Corkers Express at Hope Island hold wine tasting sessions every Friday between 4pm and 7pm to expose people to wine they may not have tried before and to educate on wine making practices and tasting methods.

*Safety reminder: Drink responsibly. It is recommended to avoid alcohol consumption if you are the skipper of a boat, even at anchor.

Editorial by Andy Kancachian

/Sep-Dec2017

The post Be Wine-Wise appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

Joey and Gary Angove hosted the South African Springbok Rugby Team aboard their boat Jamesby, which can quite comfortably accommodate 15 passengers for a day cruise.

Gary handled the possible dangers of his expensive “cargo” without a hassle on board. He did however stress to the players the potential for serious injury if they happen to kick the deck fittings!

Jamesby sailed the team to Tipplers Café. “This is such an awesome location to visit, and food at the café is really impressive. We frequent the area and wanted to share this jewel with the team,” says Joey and Gary.

Joey explains the remarkable circumstances surrounding this overtly masculine Gold Coast boating image. “We were asked to host the team for a boating experience while they were in the city for the Tri-Nations tour. As ex-pat South Africans, we were honoured to share our local boating life with the team in our newly adopted city,” reminiscences Joey excitedly. But it almost did not happen! “The boys were actually scheduled to play golf that day. However, for some reason, it was cancelled. And we received a last minute call requesting our help to entertain the team onboard our boat. We put on a spread for the team with beers and wine, a cheese platter, fresh prawns from the local trawler, and of course some biltong (South African style jerky) which was donated by Springbok Foods.“

With the Gold Coast sun shining, the team members had a chance to take it all off. Gary says, “They absolutely loved sailing down the Coomera River looking at all the waterfront properties and were flabbergasted at the high prices of waterfront real estate on the Gold Coast compared with similar homes in South Africa. The boys were also impressed at how many boats and varied size of crafts frequented the waterways.”

Gary having experienced life in other boat countries says, “There is an enormous difference between the two countries as far as boating is concerned with the Gold Coast having a vast waterway system and much calmer seas. The boating fraternity is also much larger here on the Gold Coast, with boaties being able to visit various places of interest with many anchorages.”

Joey explains how South African people are very patriotic, explaining that their Constitution defines the importance of relationship, to bring togetherness, so it is no surprise this was an important milestone for the Angoves. “It is an absolute honour to socialise with our birth nation’s sporting team, especially a rugby union team which is our favourite spectator sport. These opportunities don’t come around too often and it was a pleasure to accommodate the request.”

Now that it has been published, this photo is sure to be popular among our female readers!

About the photo
The photo was taken with an iPhone 6. Joey requested the team to line up facing forward, took a shot, then got them to turn around for another one. Calling her “Tannie” (meaning Aunty), which is a sign of respect, they were very obliging. It was a calm day with light winds, so keeping steady was quite easy.

Gary says, “Taking photos on the water is very special, you are able to get a different view of things which most people don’t normally see because you are aboard and looking at the object from a different perspective.”

Gary’s photography advice: “Make sure the sun is behind you and you are able to stand steady. Be very mindful of your surroundings when taking photos while on a boat. Too many times have I seen equipment fall overboard especially with people that don’t spend much time on boats.”

Read more about Joey and Gary, and their dreamboat Jamesby HERE, or type in this link: http://boatgoldcoast.com.au/jamesby-the-dream-boat/

Words by Andy Kancachian

The post Through the Porthole – Flexing the Springbok appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

The Serenity Cove lock connecting Lake Serenity with Saltwater Creek was completed last year at a cost of $5 million.

Construction was completed well ahead of the launch early this year of Serenity Cove, a luxury waterfront enclave that will ultimately comprise a mix of 143 vacant land lots, townhomes, freestanding homes and apartments when completed.

Central to the project will be a mini-marina with a stunning 3800sqm retail and dining precinct fronting Lake Serenity.

The lock provides direct ocean access to homes on Lake Serenity where more than $15 million in sales have been secured in the first stage boutique land release comprising 48 generous sized lots.

Colliers International National Director of Residential Project Marketing, Tony Hymus, said waterfront land was proving popular among the early buyers of the first stage.

“The lock has definitely been a winner among some of the true boaties looking to drop an anchor at Serenity Cove,” Mr Hymus said.

“Hope Island is home to a very strong boating community and Serenity Cove is perfectly located to take advantage of some of the best waterways in south-east Queensland.”

Serenity Cove is located about 1.6km metres upstream from Coombabah Creek which feeds directly into the southern arm of the Coomera River and into the Southport Broadwater.

The navigation lock can accommodate boats up to 15 metres long and 4 metres wide, and with a draft of up to 1.5 metres.

Dan Draper, General Manager Urban at Golding Contractors, said the lock is state-of-the-art and has the ability to transfer a vessel between gates in an average of five minutes.

“The design has been specifically crafted for leisure vessels with ease of use an important part of the process,” he said.

Bordering Oyster Cove and Hope Island Resort, Serenity Cove is considered the final piece of the Hope Island masterplan and will bring to life a new marine hub featuring luxury homes and designer apartments with water views.

More than a third of the Serenity Cove site, or about 27ha, is dedicated as a nature reserve while a further 10ha will become parkland. Just 19ha of Serenity Cove will be developed.

Serenity Cove is being undertaken by SDSC, a joint-venture partnership between two of Malaysia’s largest developers, Sime Darby and Brunsfield International Group. The partners have spent approximately $25 million in civil works, including the lock.

Colliers International has been engaged to market the project. Lots in the first stage are priced from $475,000.

The Serenity Cove Sales Centre, at Helensvale Drive, is open seven days a week from 10am to 4pm.

For more information visit serenitycove.com.au or phone 1800 188 018.

Sep-Dec2017

The post Boaties Eye Safe Harbour at Serenity Cove appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.