Refit in New Zealand vs Australia

[Fore and Aft]

Rucksta I can definitely see that working on big boat refits. But if you're only spending $50,000 then the biggest refund you will get is $5000. Which is probably going to get whittled down by the Master Contractors fees. So the whole exercise becomes more of a hassle than a saving.
Cheers

[Sabado]

We'll likely be in the 75k - 100k range. Although cost is ALWAYS an issue, we are more focused on quality of the work and ease of obtaining parts and supplies.

It's also our first length of time off the boat in a couple (almost three by then) years so we are looking for great comfortable accommodations and hopefully some city life.

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by Sabado

We have reached out the TBW as well as Multi Marine Australia with a list of work we would like to complete. I'm looking into a few of the NZ suggestions as well.


We're also waiting to hear back from our insurance company. They seem a little skittish about cyclone season.

You'd be okay in NZ cyclone season-wise, but in Oz, you'll need to be south of 22 1/2 deg. S. for most of them. The insurance co's concern is not invalid, and the cyclones have been getting stronger for some years. BW is down around 25 or so, iirc, so should be okay. The insurance may be the decider for you.

We have some friends who used to have a 55 ft. cat, who had some work done here in Tasmania done on it. Tassie is south of 40 S., and will be okay with the insurance company, and Hobart's a real city, and nicely maritimely friendly. We find it cold here, after a lifetime of tropical sailing, but we're still here.

Ann

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by Sabado

We'll likely be in the 75k - 100k range. Although cost is ALWAYS an issue, we are more focused on quality of the work and ease of obtaining parts and supplies.

It's also our first length of time off the boat in a couple (almost three by then) years so we are looking for great comfortable accommodations and hopefully some city life.

Cost - NZ wins. Weaker labour market and weaker dollar and 15% GST exemption.

Quality of work - even. But more difficult to maintain in AUS because a bigger local market and more available contractors means more potential for duds - you’re transient so less scrupulous contractors may cut corners. NZ is too small for that kind of behaviour.

Ease of obtaining parts and supplies - AUS wins. In NZ beyond the basics everything else will need to be ordered in.

City life/accomodations - TBW wins. And lots of your workers will be Kiwis! There’s a great Kiwi pie shop just outside TBW gates. And Surfers Paradise is a pretty nice place to hang out if you don’t need or want to be too close to your boat.

[JPA Cate]

I'd think that Brisbane would offer more night life/city life than the Gold Coast, but fxykty has a point there. Also, Melbourne and Sydney.

Whangarei would offer less.

Ann

[Gnilias]

Our previous boat was a 50’ cat with similar beam to yours. We used Boat Works for some major refurbishment, repairs and new works at different times. For our first project we debated whether to get project management help and eventually did, using Levi Duncan at Ocean Degree. He was fantastic and we always used him after that. We always thought he added a lot of value but it’s only after 3 years in the Med trying to manage work ourselves that we’ve realised how much harder it is to co-ordinate tradespeople and get them to stick to agreed deadlines that we fully appreciate that he ensured our agreed scope of work was delivered on time, by skilled tradespeople, at a fair price. There are plenty of tradespeople based close to TBW and we wish that they had another site in the Med we could use!

[Jef & Marin, Netherlands]

I was happy to use Norsand in Whangarei.
We have just concluded a 1.5 years refit at Norsand Whangarei. Planned was 6-8 months. Much was done by the boatyard, I also worked full time 6-7 days/week.

The delay was not due to Norsand, there was much more work than expected.

For using on of the sheds, for protected indoor paint work, you need to make clear agreements beforehand. Whangarei gets a lot of rain....

The GST exemption works well, even at Mitre 10. When a business is not prepared to do the GST-free hassle, they will give you a trade discount usually.

Your refit might also take more time; double the hoped for is pretty normal. Maybe I was too optimistic.

Norsand gives 30% hard stand reduction if you stay more than 6 months, but you have to ask for this beforehand.
Their strength is in painting and fiberglass work. Carpentry might be an issue.
There are some very good machine shops and welding/metalwork shops.
Importing stuff is GST and duty free if below 1000 NZ$.

[nofacey]

Hauled out in both OZ & NZ, in both yards were fine.

Trades in Oz were far more variable (you needed input on who were capable plus would actually show) and often less focused on the job at hand.

Living ashore likely more fun in Oz, more to see, good rail transit along coast.

Best place to do a major refit is Peakes in Trinidad 😎

[SY Maara]

I’ll second Whangarei
Either Norsands or Whangarei Marine Centre ( they can handle larger/ wider vessels)
If you wish to be closer to Auckland the Gulf Harbour Marina have all services on site and appartments nearby, you can catch a ferry to downtown Auckland from there too rates maybe higher there than Whangarei however
Marsden Cove is another option at entrance to Whangarei harbour, it’s a port of entry. However it’s not near a town
Don’t go to Opua as you will pay Auckland prices but be stuck in the middle of nowhere
Hope this helps
Workmanship in NZ is first class every time