Boat Shopping, QUEENSLAND
Airing Date: May 29th, 2006
The Gold Coast is classified as a hub of boat building and is home to several internationally renowned companies. You'll also find everything from a tinny to a super yacht here.
The Gold Coast City Marina is situated in the Gold Coast Marine Precinct. It's an area 250 hectares in size dedicated exclusively to marine industry and is the largest growth area for boat building, refit, repair and maintenance for vessels in Australia. Around 70% of boats manufactured in Australia are now built in the south east corner of QLD. And this means that three quarters of all recreational and light commercial boats in the Asia-Pacific region are built locally. In Queensland, recreational boating generates more than 7000 jobs with an annual turnover of $1.3 billion. The most popular boat to buy is still the ol' tinny followed by the fiberglass fishing boat.
The company Gemini Inflatables manufactures fully inflatable boats, rigid inflatable RIB boats, tenders, SOLAS inflatables, rescue Inflatables, military Inflatables, dive RIBs, racing RIBs and commercial RIBs. The company has a strong commercial focus and this is a major benefit to recreational boaters as it means getting all the latest in military technology in their very own boats! The range of Gemini boats available range from 2.6m to 9m in size and each inflatable is hand made.
Pegiva Boats is a specialist boat building company based on the Gold Coast. The company specialises in building Super Squalo Convertibles for a niche market of people who want a classic style motor launch or runabout or super yacht tender. They are just over 7 metres in length and all Super Squalo models come standard with a flush fitting convertible hood - a fitting touch for such a classic design. These boats will take you back to the 1950's and 60's in style!
Riviera is Australia's largest builder of quality Flybridge Convertibles and Sport Cruisers.
The company was founded 25 years ago and now exports more than 400 of its luxury cruisers to more than 30 countries worldwide each year. Some of the biggest buyers are France, the Greek Islands and the Spanish Coast, both coasts of the USA and Japan, Thailand and New Zealand. This might be the ultimate vessel for quiet weekends on secluded beaches, a spacious live-aboard, long-range sports fishing or the perfect entertaining platform. No matter how you view the Riviera, this is a world-class pleasure craft that sets a new benchmark for both quality and value.
Further Information
Basic models - boat only from $1625. Motors from $744.
Gemini Inflatables
Website: www.gemini-inflatables.com
Pegiva
Prices start from just under $200,000.
Website: www.pegiva.com
Riviera
From around $365,000
Website: www.riviera.com.au
Jetstar one way to Gold Coast from $59 ex Newcastle, $79 ex Sydney, $99 ex Melbourne, $109 ex Adelaide. Prices available online and include surcharges, fees & taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.
Website: www.jetstar.com
Prices correct 24/4/06
Apartments from $72.50 a person . Minimum two night stay
BreakFree Maldives
13 26 78
Prices correct at 29/5/06
