The 42-foot Reichel Pugh “Black Diamond” (formerly “Black Jack Too”) has spent an intensive week at The Boat Works undergoing refit and repairs ahead of the summer season of sailing, followed by a full program of competition throughout 2020.
Under new owner, Glenn Burrell and Boat Captain, Lee Randall from Deepwater Collective, the revived and raring-to-go-Champion yacht will campaign in all Southport Yacht Club Offshore races, starting with 2020 Batercard Sail Paradise which commences 2 January.
In 2020, Black Diamond plans to compete in the Sydney to Gold Coast Yacht Race and Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race, followed by Hamilton Island in August 2020.
The yacht has already experienced success, clean sweeping the 2019 Flat Rock Race and improving her performances with her all-local crew which includes rising talent and high profile cameos from seasoned sailors such as Ben Kelly (North Sails), Mark Bradford (North Sails/Black Jack) and Chris Anderson (Rope Solutions).
Gold Coast-based owner, Glenn Burrell, chose The Boat Works for its proximity to Southport Yacht Club and concentration of marine professionals all on one site.
“Despite having a draft of 2.85 metres, we didn’t have any issue going up or down the Coomera River. The Boat Works’ proximity to Southport made it an easy, enjoyable voyage up and down the River,” said Glenn.
“It was great to be able to have access to so many different trades in the one place. This allowed us to get many different jobs completed with minimal time out of the water.”
The Boat Works caters to all vessels from the runabout through to superyachts with diverse haul out options from the 70t to the 100 tonne Travel lift that features an extended forebeam to accommodate yachts of all sizes without the need to de-mast or de-rig.
Then there’s the hydraulic submersible Sealift, ideal for wide-beam catamarans, offering maximum cushioning and support.
2020, will bring way to the Gold Coast’s largest lift, the 300 tonne Marine Travel Lift. She’s commissioned and ready to commence hauling out into the expanded boatyard facility for the new year.
The Boat Works is home to Australia’s largest concentration of marine trades, some 60+ specialist businesses, project managers and suppliers.
During the manic pre-Christmas period, on-site trades collaborated to get Black Diamond through her list of repairs in record time: out of water on the Monday and back in by Friday.
Works comprised three coats of VC Offshore racing Antifoul as well as prop speed application and some minor repairs to hull undertaken by the experts at Ocean Degree Yacht Services; hull graphics and additional diamond transfers created and applied by Print Image Signs; service of the Lombardini Diesel engine by the marine mechanics at Transmarine Asia Pacific; exterior wash and polish, interior clean and steam clean cushions, boom polish and sika wipe of bowsprit by the team at Sea Spray Marine and minor repairs and touch ups as well as installation of a new head by Deepwater Collective.
In her fresh, new livery, Black Diamond is now ready to contest the Gold Coast IRC Titles at 2020 Bartercard Sail Paradise, 2 to 5 January.
“In 2020 we intend to compete in most East Coast Ocean Yacht Races such as The Surf to City on 1 February, The Sydney to Gold Coast starting 25 July, followed by the Brisbane to Keppel Race 31 July,” added Glenn.
“Then it’s on to Hamilton Island for Race Week in August. As well as these major races, we will also be competing in Southport yacht Club Offshore and Twilight races throughout the year.”
