Welcome to the mid-winter 2020 edition of the PHYB newsletter. Well as the saying goes “may you live in interesting times” and this year has certainly been one that is unlike any other in recent memory. While the year started off fairly normal by March it had all changed, everyone stopped boating and we were all wondering if we were ever going to be able to use our boats again. Then we became an  “essential activity” and gradually we saw people start to use their boats and the smiles started to return. By June things were becoming clearer and with the prospect of no overseas travel and limited travel within Australia recreational boating was back alive and kicking.

We are seeing a rush of activity in the market with both boat and berth sales going extremely well as people realize that boating will likely be one of the best forms of social activity for the foreseeable future, so much so that there has been influx of new boat ownership. So if you are thinking of selling your boat now is a great time to sell it with no need to wait till the traditional spring sales period.

 

SEQ Professional Services

The past few months has been especially busy on the service side of the business. Our business model on service is all about getting the work done right, on time, with minimal hassle and without costing you any extra. The companies that we use give us a ten percent trade discount on their services. We pick up your boat, take it to Boatworks, get the work completed and deliver it back to your dock for the same cost that you would pay but without all the effort and frustration of having to organize and manage getting the work done. Probably a testament to how well this works is that we have all of our customers coming back to us year on year. We put the call out in March and many owners took the opportunity while they couldn’t use their boats to get them all prepared for the year ahead. Boatworks was again our preferred service location as they ran a 50% off promotion for March, June and July on hardstand charges. Being able to get the boats into individual sheds was great as we were able to schedule works with confidence and minimize the time spent on the hard. The trades appreciated it as well being able to get their work completed no matter what the weather conditions.

Over the past three years we have been using a select group of trades that have delivered exceptional results for all of our owners. With our antifoul specialists we selected to use International Micron Extra 66 and now Micron AP hard antifouls on all the planning hull boats. This has given us excellent performance with most boats now getting two years of service between haul outs.  This has been complimented by using the one PropSpeed specialist to do all of the applications.  She is the best applicator I have seen and when I pulled my own boat from the water after two years the haul out crew asked what it was being lifted for and when I said “antifoul and PropSpeed” their comment was “why?”.  Apart for some growth around the waterline there was almost zero growth on the hull and running gear.

Another change that we have made is the introduction of Maddox corrosion system to many of the boats. Galvanic corrosion control has long been regarded as more magic and luck than science but that is changing quickly. Have a read of the article on corrosion later in the newsletter to get a more in depth understanding but in summary this system is already showing great results in reducing corrosion and also reducing the amount of growth on the underwater surfaces of the boat. This is not as simple as just putting a new anode on the boat but a wholistic and science backed system.

 

We have also been using a single detailing specialist crew to look after the outside of the boats. The system that they use is a two part polish that provides a “hard shell ’of polish over the gelcoat that is lasting longer than any standard boat polish and wax. To keep your boat looking in as new showroom condition we recommend getting the superstructure and cockpit etc redone every three months. The polish will last up to six months but it takes a bit more work after that time to get it back to a sparkling shiny surface. It isn’t just us using this system but it is also being used on a range of new multi million dollar Ocean Alexanders, multiple Palm Beach and Maritimo boats to name a few.  The great thing is that it doesn’t cost anymore than a normal polish.

 

Spring Escape – Whitsunday Islands

We had originally planned on holding our regular trip to the Bunker Group again this year however we are now going to change this to a two week long Whitsunday Escape Trip.  Our plan is to take the boats up early in September to Hamilton Island when we have a good weather window. You will have the option to stay up there or fly back and return around September 19th  when we are planning on gathering.  Using Hamilton Island as our base we will be able to explore with the option of staying out or returning to Hamilton Marina for the night. You will have full access to the facilities of Hamilton Island during our stay and can also fully provision your boat (alcohol excluded) from the IGA store at the Marina.  Similarly to other trips the agenda will be very flexible to allow for the weather however we are planning on visiting the following places sometime during our trip.
Whitehaven Beach, Butterfly Bay, Hook Island, Long Island, Bait Reef, Cid Harbour, Nara and Marcona Inlets to name a few. If you are interested in knowing more about the trip or wanting to register please email us at sales@phyb.com.au

Electrolysis

What is electrolysis on a boat?
The term electrolysis is actually used incorrectly  to describe galvanic corrosion that we  see on boats. You may remember high school chemistry class where a battery was created by connecting two dissimilar metals with wire and immersing the whole contraption in salted water thereby activating magnetic fields and starting an electrochemical process causing current to flow.
On a boat, with bronze, aluminium and stainless steel that are connected with bonding wires or simply touching each other and immersed in seawater you accomplish the same thing. The more noble metal is the “cathode”, the less noble, the “anode”. In this process the less noble metal gives up electrons to the more noble thus weakening the metal, otherwise known as “galvanic corrosion”.
The “sacrificial” anodes on your shafts, trim tabs etc. are supposed to sacrifice themselves thereby protecting expensive metal parts. This is why it’s important to keep your anodes in good condition and never paint them. Let’s never refer to anodes as “zincs” as anodes come in many different metal alloy combinations that are used for the same purpose but on different boats.

A vessel suffering from galvanic corrosion is usually the source of its own problem, although two vessel’s linked by shore power grounds can create a galvanic cell between two very close boats.

There are some general rules to follow when setting your boat up correctly to prevent galvanic corrosion:

  • Ensure all your in-water stainless steel fittings are bonded back to the anode, preferably using an individual wire and not part of a daisy chain
  • Connect your engines and shafts (with shaft straps) to the same bonding system
  • Choose the correct anode for your boat and have it attached to the bonding system
  • Get an electrician to measure the current flow in your boat and adjust the anode load to bring the voltage etc within the right range
  • Don’t think that more anodes are better!

Marina Update

Our marina maintenance is well underway with all work due for completion by early September. With the refurbishment of the marina, we are installing new utility poles and are encouraging everyone to upgrade their shore power lead to comply with the marina requirements. By the end of September 2020 all shore power leads MUST have a compliant screw fitting on both ends where it attaches to the utility pole and the boat. These leads must be tested and tagged as being compliant and safe.

If you require a new lead we have arranged with a marine electrician to make custom length leads including assembly, testing and tagging. Please contact the office on reception@phyb.com.au if you would like to order one or would like more information.

 

Fountaine Pajot MY37  $745,000

A highly desirable MY37 from Fountaine Pajot, launched in March 2015, is now available in excellent condition. A premium power cat with luxury interior, high speed performance with remarkable economy and all the toys. This vessel has an excellent suite of electronics, a hydraulic swim and tender platform, 3 cabins and 2 bathrooms with luxurious fit out. She is powered by Volvo D3-220 shaft drive diesels and has a potential range over 1000 n miles. Engines have extended warranty through to March 2021.

Features and Equipment of this vessel include:

  • Volvo D3-220 shaft drive engines just 440 hrs
  • Cummins Onan generator
  • 3 cabins including 2 Queens, 2 bathrooms
  • Dual helm stations, both with electronics controls, lower station 12 inch Garmin display upper 9 inch, with GPS, sounder and autopilot, VHF
  • Full galley with huge bench space and storage, 2 hob gas cooktop, microwave, s bowl SS sink, 2 drawer fridge unit and additional 12v front opening freezer
  • Premium flybridge and cockpit seating and tables, flybridge bimini and cockpit Euro awning with surrounds
  • Hydraulic swim platform holding Highfield tender with Yamaha outboard
  • Walk around decks
  • 1000w electric windlass and good ground tackle
  • Fusion sound system
  • Inspections by appointment

 

Seacrest 40 Power Catamaran $495,000

A rare example of this new generation power catamaran design by Paul Stanyon and built by Mike Savins. High speed displacement hulls for remarkable performance and efficiency with the Yanmar 160hp shaft drive diesels providing a cruise speed of 16 knots with very low fuel burn. Can also cruise at 8-9 knots with extensive range from the 1700 litre fuel capacity.

A superior modern vessel well priced. Very comfortable and ideal for coastal and extended cruising. Located Brisbane.

Features and Equipment of this vessel include:

  • Painted hull, no gelcoats to fade and require constant polishing
  • Island master bed with ensuite
  • Second double cabin
  • Outside access main bathroom
  • Spacious cockpit with doorway access from boarding platforms with rear stairs to each hull
  • Walk around side decks for ease of access
  • Stairs to flybridge – NOT a ladder
  • Excellent all around rail system
  • Huge spacious saloon with atrium style ceiling
  • Large fully equipped galley with 4 br gas cooking, grill and microwave
  • Front opening fridge in galley, top loading fridge and freezer in cockpit
  • Opening widows in the saloon
  • Flexi Teak flooring in cockpit
  • Dual station steering with sheltered lower helm
  • Morse electronic controls
  • Huge fuel and range, 1700 litres plus 1100 of water
  • Raymarine electronics,  E80  primary  unit  with  sounder,  GPS,  24  mile  radar  and  repeater controller for all to the lower helm, EV-200 upgrade , Icom VHF
  • Yanmar 160hp 4LHA engines just 550 hrs use
  • Quick windlass with all chain rode
  • 500 watts of solar charging
  • 2000 watt inverter plus Xantrex 240v charger
  • Quality tender, Highfield 6 on davits with 2.5 Yamaha four stroke
  • Great Circle Liferaft 6 person
  • bait tank with aerator
  • and so much more, a high quality vessel with good service history

You can call for full details and to make an appointment to inspect Call for full details and inventory or to make an appointment to view.

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