Gold Coast
PH: 0415 754 170
Covering the coast
Rain, leaves, and debris hammering your boat? No boat cover?
Rain, well that’s not so bad, however, the leaves that fall can stain the fibreglass and that’s what we will address as best we can today.
The stains can vary from leaf to leaf depending on the particular tree. It is the oils in the tree leaf that can carry the stain deep into the gel coat.
Firstly, sunlight can usually do the trick on its own and obviously is the non-labour, no cost treatment option. The sun can bleach stains out completely within a week or two. Give this a go first.
If this doesn’t work the next best option we have found is a mix of 50/50 bleach and water, spray on (in the shade if possible), leave for 5 minutes and return. The chlorine bleach will attack and neutralize the tannins.
The result can be like a new boat with little effort however you may have to re-wax as bleach does strip the wax.
Other options we have heard of:
As always prevention is the best medicine so a good boat cover will eliminate the effort required altogether.
We certainly have the sun on our side here on the gorgeous Gold Coast. We want to feel the warmth of the rays without being burnt so protection for yourself and the family is vital.
Bimini tops are custom made so you have the perfect fit for your boat. New bimini frames can be fabricated or if you only need a new bimini top then covers can be made to fit the existing frame.
The colour and fabric selections available these days is so vast that there will be something to suit everyone’s taste. Classic neutrals or far out designs. it’s all up to you.
The best option for full boating protection, stay dry and out of the wind with quality boat clears. Look after yourself and your boats cockpit area.
Here at Gold Coast Marine Upholstery only the leading brands of UV stabilised clear is used. This ensures maximum visibility, full functionality and an aesthetically pleasing look.
Boat cushions, seating, and sunbeds. This is where you really get to showcase your style. Get creative with colours, patterns and stripes.
We can recover existing outdoor boat seats or custom create from scratch. This includes mattress covers, indoor and outdoor lounges, sunbeds etc.
The range of outdoor fabric and types of marine vinyl available is astounding and can stand up to the sun, salt sprays and the UV rays. Call us to check out some samples and see just how easy it is to match up top your style.
Indoor and outdoor marine carpets can be installed in a variety of different methods. Your marine carpet can be glued down or clipped down and edged with quality binding or overlocking. Carpet covers are another great option to prevent against fading, spillages, and staining.
Boat covers can be created to provide partial or full boat protection depending on your style of boat. Again there are many options for the way they are attached. They can be clipped into place or used with a draw rope.
Ill fitting, loose covers without support just won’t hold up to mother nature and sure enough, pools of water will collect and stretch out cheaper fabrics.
Quality heavy duty materials need to be used to make sure your asset is well protected.
Do you need covers for your boat? Does your boat hibernate during winter, Either way, keep your assets protected with a custom-fitted boat cover.
We use only quality heavy duty materials to make sure your boat sleeps safe and soundly when not in use.
Every boat cover created is thoughtfully constructed with the best materials available on the market.
For outdoor use, during the winter a top of the line fabric is recommended. A well-constructed custom cover built from quality fabric should provide approximately eight years protection.
A well-fitted cover is going to keep dust, dirt and grime out of your boat and also any critters looking for a new home.
There are different choices available in regards to the way your cover attaches to your boat. You may select press studs, tie downs or a pull rope depending on your personal preference.
A unique process is used to manufacture these clears resulting in a high-quality clear finish perfect for marine applications where visual clarity is so essential. A tinted formulation is also available to reduce glare and heat.
Do I need a Bimini top? Well, that’s your call, the best way to decide is to ask yourself a few quick questions, When do I use my boat? how long do i use it for each time? am I sensitive to the sun etc? The Gold Coast is a beautiful place for boating and protecting yourself from the elements is really important.
If you are out early mornings only and beating the sun, chances are you may not find one totally necessary, If you go out boating through the day and stay out for long periods of time then keeping that sun off you is a huge plus, if you plan to take friends & family out it’s a good idea to protect them as well as yourself and make everyones day much more enjoyable. Your Bimini will also protect you from sudden downpours.
Where do I start? Can I buy one pre-made or do I need a custom made Bimini top?
The cheapest option will always be the standard pre-sized Bimini top and this can sometimes be a great option. If you have a popular boat model then a Bimini top retailer is more likely to have something in stock, make sure you locate a reputable retailer that specialises in Bimini tops.
You may prefer a custom job if you require the perfect fit, custom dimensions and/or add on’s or want a colour other than the standard ones on offer. Another reason for a custom fit is that you simply don’t have the option for a pre-made Bimini due to your boat model.
If this is the case your best bet is to locate some local boat upholsterers/marine trimmers and obtain a few quotes (always get more than one to compare). Aiming for someone local obviously keeps travelling costs down as the upholsterer/marine trimmer will generally visit the boat more than once. (First up to make patterns etc and then again to install the various elements).
When comparing quotes it’s important to be clear about what material the upholsterer is using, one quote may sound cheaper but just make sure the material isn’t! Saving a few $ wont mean much if your Bimini top deteriorates and lasts half as long.
Check these items when comparing your quotes:
Just make sure you aim for quality, a loose or ill fitted Bimini top just wont stand up to the test of time, people who take the lesser quality first always opt for the better quality second time round. Save yourself $ and get it right first time.
The most important thing is that you are happy, comfortable and enjoying your boat on those wonderful waterways we have here on the gorgeous Gold Coast.
It’s still way too nice out there to put the boat away, that’s if you ever do as some of us really enjoy the cooler weather.
If you do let your boat hibernate in the winter here’s some great tips to keep it in good condition. You don’t want to pull out a smelly mouldy boat when summer hits again.
Mould and mildew are the enemy, the spores are everywhere and a cool, dark, poorly ventilated area are just what they want. If you have areas that are soiled they’re going to love it even more. For this reason, it’s very important to thoroughly clean and disinfect all areas before storing. It helps to use the humidity absorbing products for stored boats (get these at your local chandlery or online).
Wow, alot of work but oh so worth it, come summer you’ll be ahead of the rest and you know you’ve done your absolute best to keep your boat in top condition.
The Gold Coast is a beautiful place to play on the water and we want our boats to look and perform to their absolute best. This is why we need to think about boat covers.
Have a little read below to find out the benefits to having a boat cover, there are many reasons we find them so necessary.
One of the best ways you can protect your boat on our beautiful Gold Coast is to invest in a boat cover. When properly fitted, a boat cover can increase the longevity of your boat by up to 30 percent.
A cover can prevent scratches, dents, sogginess, washed out carpets and fading. Keep your colours vibrant, don’t let the sun turn your seats and fabric dull and lifeless.
It will also greatly reduce dirt, dust and grime buildup, you’ll spend less time cleaning and have fewer repair and replacement costs.
Your cover also keeps bugs, critters & bird droppings out, lets face it you don’t feel so great out on the water in a dirty poop covered boat!
A boat cover is also a great way to avoid and deter casual theft of your parts and equipment (the most stolen boat items are outboards & electronics).
Its not hard for a passerby to grab a battery, paddles etc from your boat in the open, its much harder if you have to get in and under a cover so deter them, make it difficult and they’ll be much more likely to walk on by.
As with all cherished belongings you want to protect and extend the life of your craft.
Your boat is a major investment and prolonging the value is another reason for keeping your boat performing and looking its best. If for some reason you decide to sell or upgrade a well looked after boat is obviously going to have a higher resell value.
Ultraviolet rays can fade the colours in your carpets & rubber components can break down causing cracks and weaknesses to many parts, all of these areas have an effect when it comes to selling your boat.
A boat cover will keep out nesting animals and rodents when your boat is in long term storage, another problem with these animals is the chewing on your wiring.
Boat Covers are custom made to provide entire boat protection, these can be clipped into place or used with a draw rope to save applying clips to your vessel. The amount of coverage can be varied depending on your particular style of boat. Have a think about your needs and get that boat covered, Don’t forget we provide free quotes and advice so if you are looking at getting a new cover or replacing your existing one give us a call, we’re here to help.
