Articles & Videos
What is the Boat Survey Process?
If you’ve never bought a boat before, you’re probably curious to know the normal procedure. Do you need to put down a deposit? Do we need to slip the boat?…
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articles | September 23, 2020
I Bet You’ve Made One Of These Boating Mistakes Before!
Getting out on the water on a new boat is exciting, but it can also be nerve wracking. With a long list of things to remember, it's easy to make little boating mistakes with costly consequences. Here are seven common boating mistakes I've seen, including some I've done myself. Boating...
articles | April 8, 2020
Outboard Vs Sterndrive Trailer Boats – What’s More Reliable?
When buying a used trailer boat, you can be faced with a couple of options which may not make a lot of sense to start with. Outboard vs sterndrive - what one should you choose? What does "sterndrive" or "outboard" even mean? What are the advantages and disadvantages of them?...
articles | November 3, 2019
Low Hour Boats – Are They Really Better?
"Low hours" and "only X amount of hours" are common tag lines thrown around in online advertisements when selling low hour boats, usually implying that it's a good thing. There is always two sides to every story. Inspecting boats everyday, I get the chance to see high and low hour...
articles | July 3, 2019
Everything You Need To Know About Buying & Selling A Boat
If you're in the market for buying a boat, or if you’re selling a boat – this article is for you. Having bought and sold a couple of my own boats over the years, I'm going to go through my top spots to buy and sell boats, some tips for...
articles | May 6, 2019
The Best Boat Ramps On Sydney Harbour
Growing up in Sydney and being in the marine industry, I've visited most of the boat ramps on Sydney Harbour. I haven't been able to find anything decent online detailing the ramps, so I thought I'd give it a crack. Manns Point Boat Ramp Now, this is one ramp I...
articles | April 5, 2019
5 Spots You Absolutely Have To Visit On The Hawkesbury
When I first started boating I would float around Sydney Harbour, and Sydney Harbour only. I didn't realise there were so many other places to explore and discover. After years on Sydney Harbour, I moored a boat at Brooklyn and this forced me to explore the Hawkesbury. I was incredibly...
articles | March 26, 2019
Marine Cooling Systems – What You Need To Know About Your Boat
How are marine engines kept cool, and what maintenance needs to be done to the cooling systems? We’ve all lost our cool before... but when it happens at sea you can find yourself in real trouble. Unlike a car motor, boat engines use the water from below the vessel to...
articles | January 7, 2019
Mercruiser Transom Assembly Replacement
A leaking transom assembly is a common problem found on boats over 10 years old fitted with sterndrives, living permanently in saltwater. Many popular makes such as Sea Ray, Riviera, Sunrunner and Mustang will all likely need a transom assembly replaced or repaired at some point. But what’s all the fuss...
articles | July 31, 2018
Sterndrive Vs Shaft – Are You Throwing Your Money Away?
You’ve heard the sterndrive horror stories… thousands spent on repairing transoms and other components - but how does something like this happen? First, if you need clarification of what a sterndrive or shaft-drive is, check out one of our first articles here. When you’re looking at a 30-35ft boat in...
articles | July 3, 2018
Aluminium Boats vs Fibreglass Boats
If you’re in the market for a boat - you’re most likely looking at a either fibreglass boats or aluminium boats - but what are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Fibreglass Boats The invention of fibreglass, also known as GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic), dates back to the 1940s. Like...
articles | March 14, 2018
9 Reasons You Can’t Sell Your Boat
Have you ever wondered what is going to come back in the survey when you go to sell your boat? Seemingly you’ve spent thousands on the boat, but was it on the clear covers or the mechanical components? Over the past few years I’ve hundreds of hull and engine surveys....
articles | December 13, 2017
7 Most Common Ways To Stop Your Boat Sinking
1. Check your float switches and bilge pumps It never ceases to amaze me how many people own a moored boat but don’t even know what the bilge pump or float switch look like. As an owner, one of the most important things you can do is test the automatic float...
articles | October 29, 2017
IPS vs Shaft: The Truth About Pod Drives
We’ve all heard the horror stories - but how bad, or good, can they be? Pod drives, such as Zeus or Volvo IPS (Inboard Propulsion System) are all so popular in Australia. The first Australian manufacturer that comes to mind is Riviera who have been fitting twin and triple set-ups....
articles | September 11, 2017
Top 9 Easily Avoidable Boating Breakdowns
Throughout the years of inspecting and repairing boats, I’ve noticed a trend of common breakdowns and issues that could’ve been avoided with proper preventative maintenance, and some basic inspection before boating. #1 Wheel Bearings You’ve all seen the trailers parked on the side of the M1 heading up the coast...
articles | July 25, 2017
Buying A Boat: What Is The Process In NSW?
So you’ve decided on the boat you want to buy, but where to from here? What paperwork do you need? Typically the process works as follows, although some people will do certain parts differently. This only applies for a boat bought and registered in NSW. Are you insuring the boat?...
articles | April 26, 2017
8 Berthing Tips That Work Every Time
1. Check the wind direction and speed Knowing exactly where the wind is blowing will have a big impact on the path you choose to park your boat. If you’re being blown onto another boat, you will need to drive into the wind, whereas if the wind is blowing you...
articles | February 7, 2017
How Much Does A Marine Survey Cost?
Marine Survey costs vary, depending on what type of inspection you want. Marine Surveyors in Sydney generally charge $22 - $35 per foot (vessel length) for a pre-purchase inspection, with the higher-end pricing generally for timber vessels. On the other hand, an insurance survey may be done for $14 - 18...
articles | January 15, 2017
How To Effectively Trim Your Boat
What is the best way to use trim and trim tabs? One of the most common questions we get asked are "how do I adjust the trim tabs", and "how do I trim the leg?". First things first, if your boat is a shaft drive, you don’t have to worry about...
articles | December 6, 2016
Mooring, Berth or Dry Stack?
Every boat needs a home, and in this article we’re going to outline the differences between storage options and which one is best suited to your needs. Aside from storing your boat on a trailer, you have three (3) options: 1. Mooring– a large cement block, typically placed on the...
articles | January 20, 2016
Sydney Harbour Boating Bucketlist – 9 Must Visit Spots
1. Athol Bay Getting a good vantage point on Sydney Harbour for NYE - Photo credit @ainslee Situated out the front of Taronga Zoo, this may be the most popular spot on Sydney harbour to anchor and swim. A great spot to avoid the wind, there are a few public...
articles | November 25, 2015
What If You Breakdown On The Water?
Owning a boat can have a lot of benefits, which we will list in another article, but what if you experience a breakdown? Unlike a car, you can’t just jump out and leave it on the side of the road. The marine environment is harsh, and you need to keep...
articles | July 23, 2015
Choosing A Boat – 4 Major Drive Types Explained
One of the most common questions I get asked is “Should I buy this boat for X amount?” Before I can give a good answer some basic details need to be figured out. First, you need to determine the main purpose of your boat (for example: fishing, cruising, watersports etc.)....