Bimini and clears – Ultimate Protection

A new bimini top and boat clear combination will keep you out on the water …

even as the weather begins to cool.

keep boating keep fishing on the gold coast

Keeping yourself comfortable while out among the elements is a must, A quick easy fix is to add a bimini top and clears to your boat.

Start with a custom fitted bimini cover. Never compromising we use Sunbrella Plus fabric for our bimini tops ensuring the ultimate protection while on the water.
The key features of Sunbrella being:
  • UV and Fade Resistance – With a 10-year warranty against fading, Sunbrella fabrics hold their vibrant color even with constant exposure to the sun, salt and chlorine of harsh marine environments.
  • Mould and Mildew Resistance – All Sunbrella fabrics are mould- and mildew-resistant. Should exposure to dirt, debris and the elements cause mould and mildew to occur, Sunbrella marine canvas can be quickly and easily cleaned with a simple bleach solution.
  • Bleach Cleanable – When tough stains such as mold or mildew occur, Sunbrella fabrics can be cleaned with bleach without losing color.
  • Sun Protection – All Sunbrella marine fabrics hold the Skin Cancer Foundation’s seal of approval, providing valuable protection from the sun so boaters can safely enjoy long hours on the water.
  • Breathable Comfort – Unlike some marine fabrics that trap heat in, Sunbrella fabrics allow air to pass through, creating a comfortable boating experience for all aboard.
The colour range is extremely extensive, whatever shade or hue your boat is Sunbrella has a fabric to match or compliment perfectly.

sunbrella fabric range for bimini top gold coast

skin cancer foundation logo for sunbrella fabric


Now add some custom fitting clears so you’re snug and warm inside.

achilles rollglass for boat clears gold coast
The perfect solution to keep comfortable while out in the elements. These boat clears are ideal for both commercial and residential applications. Achilles is the leading brand of UV stabilised clear. Use Achilles rollglass to be certain of a well functioning and aesthetically pleasing solution.  

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.

So, no need to hide away during the cooler upcoming months.

Be prepared and enjoy the waterways all year round.

Don’t forget, we offer courtesy onsite quotes.
If you’re curious about the cost of a new bimini top, clears or both or would like to see some samples give Mark a quick call.
Click here for contact information.
Just click to take a look at some of our Custom Bimini Covers with Clears

 

Benefits of a Bimini Top for your Boat on the Gold Coast.

Do I need a Bimini Top for my boat?

Bimini top black

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:

  • What fabric are they using, does it have UV Inhibitors to protect against fading, are they ant fungal or anti microbial so they don’t mould and deteriorate over time. What warranty is offered with the fabric they are supplying? Sunbrella fabric is undoubtedly number one for an A1 Bimini top, see our information on quality durable boating fabrics here.
  • What is the frame made of? Plastic, stainless, aluminium, Most people tend to opt for aluminium frames as it looks like stainless steel and is a lighter option.
  •  What are your connector pieces made from? some standard tops are fitted with plastic or wire fittings, these connectors take alot of the stress so heavy duty nickel plated brass or stainless steel is obviously a better option

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.

 

 

Boat Covers – Gold Coast

Boat Covers, Why do we need them?

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.


 

Keep your boat clean

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!


Keep your boat safe

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.


Prolong the life of your investment

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.


Long term storage care

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.

 

 

 

 

 

Boat Upholstery Advice

Boat Upholstery and Marine Trimming

People have so many questions and rightly so…

question mark banner_opt (2)

What are boat covers made from?

What are the best materials to use for my bimini?

Where can I buy boat upholstery?

Who fixes boat upholstery?

Can I just fix the covers I have?

These are all questions people ask online every day and need answers for, there really is more than just one answer. What you need is dependent upon your boat, your location, your storage area, your budget etc.

If you are unsure just give us a call, we can offer advice over the phone (without trying to sell anything to you; and that’s important). Feel comfortable calling and asking for advice, we’ve got the answers for you, that’s why we’re boat trimmers.

What size boat cover do I need?

Do I really need a custom made boat cover?

How long will my boat covers last?

How do I care for my boat upholstery?

It really can get confusing for people out there, We’ve provided some hints and tips on cleaning your boat upholstery so there’s a start for you. Click Here

We’ve also offered some advice about the best materials to use and why. Click Here

Hopefully, this helps answer some of those questions you may have, give us a call for other advice without worrying about a sales pitch.

Many customers are grateful and surprised when we tell them “hey you don’t have to get new covers yet, a good clean or simply a re-stitch is all you really need right now”.

There are many options, sure if you want brand new covers we’re here to help however we are more interested in happy loyal customers here at Gold Coast Marine Upholstery.

 

Fishing for South East Qld Sand Whiting

Found this great article about sand whiting fishing.

From the website of Jarvis Walker

We thought they were great tips and we wanted to share with you all

Fishing Gold Coast for Sand Whiting.

HOW TO CATCH SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND’S SAND WHITING

Sand whiting are the sporty little speedsters of South East Queensland’s shallow surf gutters and beaches. They are great fun to catch on light line and there is no arguing the lovely sweet taste of fresh whiting fillets.

For those real big whiting, or ‘elbow slappers’, you need to turn your attention from the surf back to the estuaries, as this is where most of those big whiting are caught. The slang term ‘elbow slapper’ comes about from when you catch one of these bigger whiting: as you grab the fish around the head to remove the hook, the tail slaps against your elbow. For most of us this span is about 30-35cm, so any whiting around that size and bigger most certainly fits the nickname. Catch a sand whiting around 40cm and you’ve a fish worth boasting about for many years!

There are four reasonably accessible spots in the South East I recommend you try for these fish:on the Sunshine Coast, the Maroochy and Noosa Rivers; and on the Gold Coast, the Nerang and Coomera Rivers.

All four of these rivers have good sandy bottoms throughout most of the lowers reaches, plus deep holes, channels and sand banks. For most of the time they also have clean clear water, particularly on the top half of the tide.

You will also find good whiting in areas such as Curramudi Lakes, Caloundra, Jumpinpin and the Broadwater.

What you need to look for is a good size sand bank next to deeper water that ends up with a good flow of water over it on the top half of the tide. The bank doesn’t need to be exposed at low tide and it is preferable if it has yabby banks and plenty of melon holes or undulations over it from the fast flowing water.This stirs up plenty of food for fish and provides those little holes to sit in. The fish need a reason to come up onto the bank and the main reason is food. That doesn’t mean you won’t catch them in the deeper channels—theywill be there too—but I achieve better catches over the shallows.

These days, all of these waters have a lot of daytime boat traffic—especially during weekends—so low light periods of dawn, dusk and during the night are the best times to fish. Big whiting do not like moving onto the clear shallows if there is a lot of noise and activity.

As the tide makes, whiting move from the deeper water up over the shallows with the tide. On the run out tide, you will still catch them over the bank but the best bite is when they are coming up to feed. Where the sand bank drops off into the deeper water is the place to try as the tide drops further; this is where they wait for food to come to them.

For bait, digging your own live worms is best, whether they be blood worms, rock worms or wrigglers. The effort required reaps rewards and is why some anglers always seem to do well.You can also opt for buying a few, if the idea of time and effort digging isn’t for you.

I prefer worms over baits such as yabbies and soldier crabs because they stay on the hook better and longer.Small bream and whiting are often over the same banks and they can easily have a quick pick at a yabby or soldier crab and the whole bait is gone. The longer your bait lasts, the better the chance of a bigger fish finding it.

Once you’ve found your chosen bank, anchor up on it. You may end up in less a metre of water but that is plenty deep for whiting.If the bank is too shallow or the boat is too big to get up there, anchor in the deeper water where you can at least cast up onto the shallows. It becomes a patience game: the idea being to throw a couple of long whippy rods out and let them sit there, waiting for the fish to come along.

Try one line close to the channel and the other up on the shallows. You will soon work out where the fish are moving and then concentrate your efforts in that area. It is vital you make as little noise as possible, or you risk spooking the fish. And keep an eye on that rod tip!

A soft whippy rod is best, so the whiting can just grab the bait and mouth it before swallowing it. The less resistance the fish feels, the better your chance of hooking it. It’s hard to resist grabbing the rod immediately but hold back and let the rod load up with the weight of the fish before you try and set the hook. Too eager and you will miss a lot of fish—you will see what I mean as we all do it some time.

The big whiting go hard, so let them go on that first run and then expect them to go at it again as you get them close to the boat. You will find the fish come in waves and you’ll catch a couple in a short period of time, then none for a while. This is why it’s always good to have a few rods out.

The bigger fish will be around right through spring, summer and into autumn so you will have plenty of time to practice. Those warm summer nights are certainly a nice time to be sitting quietly out on the water, just waiting for that ‘elbow slapper’ to come along.

Warwick Fabrics

 

Awesome Fabric Colour Ranges

Warwick Fabrics never fail to impress with their amazing fabric colour schemes.

This range has been specifically designed for the outdoors with bold geometric coordinating colours.

They are developed to withstand the effects of prolonged sunlight, wind, rain and humidity, the collection is water repellent and has been treated for hygiene protection, inhibiting microbial development and mould stains.

Perfect for your outdoor cushions around the home or on your boat.

 

 

 

New Website

welcome

Hi to all of our loyal long term customers and also to our new clients.

A quick note to say we hope you like the new improved website, we wanted to freshen up but also add some helpful areas for you, we get asked alot about cleaning methods for your materials so it was important we added a page just for that. We will keep that page updated with any new tips and tricks we find along the way, don’t worry, you’ll spot anything new on our blog first so it can’t sneak in unnoticed.

We also want to advise all new customers of the materials we use as this is also a common query, here at Gold Coast Marine Upholstery we only use the best quality, that way your covers and upholstery will stand up to the test of time. We live in a beautiful part of the world but the climate can be harsh so cheap alternatives are simply not an option.

Enjoy having a look around.