Superyacht Refit on the Gold Coast: What to Expect, What It Costs, and How to Plan Your Project

If you’ve been researching superyacht refit options in Australia or the wider South Pacific, you’ve probably already noticed the problem: most yards make it surprisingly hard to find straight answers. Process? Vague. Pricing? “Contact us.” Facilities? A PDF from 2019.

This guide is designed to change that.

What follows is a practical, honest overview of how a superyacht refit works at Gold Coast City Marina and Shipyard (GCCM), located on Queensland’s Coomera River. We cover the facility specifications, the project stages, what actually drives refit costs, and the questions captains and owners ask us most often.

Whether you’re comparing yards, scoping a first project or ready to book a haul-out, this should give you what you need to make a well-informed decision.

The short answer on cost: There’s no fixed price for a superyacht refit — scope, vessel size and duration all vary too much. What we can tell you is that GCCM’s on-site contractor model consistently delivers more competitive rates than yards where trades mobilise from outside. Read on for the full breakdown.

Why Captains Keep Coming Back to GCCM

GCCM has operated from its Coomera waterfront location for over 25 years. The facility won Best Superyacht Refit Yard at the 2022 ACREW Global Superyacht Business Awards, adding to a record that includes Best Superyacht Marina Australasia (ACREW, 2020), Superyacht Business of the Year (Superyacht Australia, 2018 and 2015), and the Superyacht Industry Champion Award presented to CEO Trenton Gay (Superyacht Australia, 2020). In 2024, the facility was re-awarded its coveted 5 Gold Anchor Global Marina Accreditation.

But the awards tell only part of the story. The thing that consistently brings yachts back is the on-site ecosystem.

Over 90 independent marine businesses employ more than 800 specialist tradespeople, all within the same facility. No other yard south of the equator offers this concentration. In practical terms, it means:

• Competitive quotes across every discipline, without waiting for contractors to travel in
• Faster coordination between trades, which keeps projects on schedule
• The ability to request multiple quotes for the same scope item and choose your preferred contractor directly

The captain of M/Y SuRi (207ft expedition yacht) put it simply: “The facility with all the trades we require under one roof enables us to get numerous quotes for the same job so that we can make informed decisions quickly.”

The captain of S/Y Atao, a sailing yacht from Sydney, noted the yard was “50% cheaper than Sydney and the contractors were very price competitive.” That’s not an outlier. It’s the structural advantage of a facility where trades compete for your work rather than arriving on a single, take-it-or-leave-it quote.

Facility Specifications

GCCM’s superyacht precinct is purpose-built for large vessel projects. Here’s what the facility accommodates:

• Marina berthing: Vessels from 10m to 75m
• Travelift capacity: 300-tonne (plus 50-tonne for smaller vessels)
• Maximum beam: 10 metres
• Hardstand: 50,000 square metres, clean and controlled
• Enclosed work sheds: 8 to 45 metres in length
• Undercover work areas: Vessels up to 100 feet (~30 metres)
• Keel pit: Deep-draught sailing yachts
• River depth: Coomera River dredged to 3.5m at lowest astronomical tide
• Security: 24-hour manned patrols, CCTV, controlled access
• Accreditation: 5 Gold Anchor, Superyacht Ready (Marina Industries Association)

The largest vessel to complete a refit at GCCM was M/Y Dragonfly, a 73-metre Silveryachts motor yacht that underwent a full repaint, engineering overhaul and interior refit. The 50,000-square-metre yard accommodates multiple large projects concurrently, so arriving during a busy period doesn’t mean competing for space or contractor attention.

Note for sailing yachts: The dedicated keel pit and dredged river access make GCCM one of the few east coast yards genuinely equipped for deep-draught sailing vessels. It’s worth flagging your draft during the initial scoping call.

How a Superyacht Refit Works at GCCM

Every project is different, but the process follows a consistent structure. Understanding these stages helps set realistic expectations around timelines, costs and decision points.

Stage 1: Scoping and Quotation

The process starts with a conversation. Owners, captains or management companies contact GCCM’s superyacht team to outline the scope of works. From there, the team coordinates with on-site marine trades to compile quotes across every required discipline.

Because over 90 businesses operate within the facility, you can request multiple competitive quotes for the same scope item and select your preferred contractor directly. No lock-in, no single-source pricing.

Stage 2: Choosing Your Project Management Approach

GCCM offers three project management tiers. The right choice depends on the owner’s preferences, the project’s complexity and whether the captain or crew will be on site day-to-day:

• Full project management: GCCM coordinates all trades, timelines, budgets and quality control. The owner or captain approves key decisions, but the yard handles the operational detail. The captain of M/Y Pursuit (167ft Damen) described this as “such an asset, making every aspect of the refit that much easier knowing it was quality-controlled and kept to a strict schedule.”
• Self-managed: The owner or captain engages on-site contractors directly, negotiates pricing and manages the schedule. GCCM provides the facility, lifting and hardstand services.
• Hybrid: GCCM manages selected work packages (painting and structural work, for example) while the captain retains direct oversight of others (engineering or electronics).

Full project management adds a coordination fee, but it typically reduces waste, rework and schedule overruns — particularly on complex, multi-trade projects.

Stage 3: Haul-Out and Positioning

The Big Lift handles haul-out for large vessels. Once on the hardstand, the vessel is positioned in an enclosed shed or undercover work area, depending on project requirements. The travel lift team at GCCM is frequently commended by captains: “calm, safe, and dependable” in the words of M/Y Mangusta’s master, Lachlan Griffiths.

Stage 4: Trade Execution

This is where the on-site ecosystem pays off. With every major marine discipline available within the facility, there’s no waiting for external contractors to mobilise. Core refit capabilities include:

• Hull refinishing and full repaint (including Awlgrip and premium topside systems)
• Main engine and generator overhaul (MTU, Kohler, Rolls-Royce KaMeWa systems)
• Marine electrical system design, survey and installation
• Hydraulic and jet drive systems
• Interior joinery, cabinetry and soft furnishings
• Structural fabrication, welding and custom metalwork
• Marine electronics and navigation systems
• Antifouling and vessel protection coatings
• Deck hardware, rigging and canvas work
• Tender refit and maintenance

For a full list of on-site trades and specialists, the GCCM marine directory is the best starting point.

Stage 5: Crew Support During the Project

Refit stays run anywhere from a few weeks to several months, and crew welfare genuinely matters to how a project runs. GCCM provides 5 Gold Anchor concierge support, access to the on-site Quarterdeck Kitchen + Bar, laundry facilities, courtesy vehicles and 24-hour security.

The Gold Coast itself offers beaches, restaurants, national parks and year-round sunshine, which makes extended stays genuinely comfortable rather than something to endure. Several captains have named this as a meaningful factor in choosing GCCM over competing facilities. A well-rested crew is a more productive crew.

Superyacht Refit Cost: What Drives the Numbers

This is the section most people are looking for, so let’s be direct: there is no standard price for a superyacht refit. A two-week annual maintenance visit is a fundamentally different proposition to a six-month full repaint and interior transformation. Anyone quoting you a ballpark without understanding your vessel and scope is guessing.

That said, the factors that influence total project cost are consistent and predictable. Understanding them helps you scope more accurately and compare quotes on a like-for-like basis.

The Seven Cost Drivers

• Vessel dimensions: Length, beam and displacement affect lifting fees, hardstand requirements and the volume of materials and labour involved
• Scope of works: A routine antifoul and engine service is priced very differently from a full hull strip, repaint and engineering overhaul
• Duration: Time on the hardstand or alongside is a direct cost component; more complex projects simply take longer
• Number of trades: A three-discipline project costs less than a twelve-discipline one. GCCM’s on-site model keeps coordination costs lower than facilities where trades travel in from outside
• Paint specification: Coating systems range from standard antifoul through to full Awlgrip or premium topside refinishes. The difference in cost can be significant
• Engineering complexity: A routine engine service is very different from a full main engine overhaul or systems replacement
• Project management: Full GCCM project management adds a coordination fee but typically reduces waste, rework and schedule overruns

Why GCCM Rates Are Competitive

GCCM does not publish fixed pricing because no two projects are alike. Instead, the approach is to provide a detailed, itemised quotation once the scope is understood. Owners receive line-by-line visibility into what each component costs, and can accept, negotiate or re-scope any item.

Several visiting captains have noted that GCCM’s contractor rates are significantly more competitive than comparable yards in Sydney and internationally. The reason is structural: when 90-plus businesses operate in the same facility, they compete for your business. There’s no overhead from contractor mobilisation, no travel time built into day rates, and no single-supplier pricing.

A useful benchmark: The captain of S/Y Atao (82ft JFA sailing yacht) described GCCM as 50% cheaper than Sydney for the same quality of work. That’s a meaningful difference on any project of scale.

[Insert screenshot of GCCM vessel on hardstand or in refit shed here]

Notable Superyacht Refits Completed at GCCM

The range of projects completed at GCCM illustrates the facility’s breadth. Recent and notable refits include:

• M/Y Dragonfly (73m Silveryachts): Full repaint, engineering and interior refit
• M/Y SuRi (63m Halter): Full repaint and deck equipment refit
• M/V Ammari (60m aluminium catamaran): Full internal refit
• M/Y Pangaea (58m Halter Marine explorer): Engineering refit
• M/Y Lionwind (44m Feadship): Internal and engineering refit
• M/Y The Star (44m Benetti): Major refit project
• M/Y Playpen (43m Richmond): Internal refit and partial repaint
• M/Y De Lisle III (41m Gulfcraft): Full repaint and internal refit
• M/Y Mangusta (40m Overmarine): Extensive repair, refit and 5-year survey over four months
• M/Y Akiko (34m): refit managed by GCCM based business partner

The M/Y Mangusta project is worth highlighting as an example of scope complexity. Over four months, the vessel underwent tank re-coatings, generator rebuilds, main engine half-life overhauls, Rolls Royce jet drive overhaul, electrical design and overhauls, paint repairs, interior repairs, deck repairs, tender refits and a full 5-year class survey. Eleven separate specialist contractors were involved, all coordinated on-site.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the largest vessel GCCM can accommodate for a refit?

GCCM’s marina berths accommodate vessels up to 75 metres. The 300-tonne travelift handles haul-outs for vessels with beams up to 10 metres. The largest vessel to complete a refit at GCCM to date was M/Y Dragonfly at 73 metres.

How long does a superyacht refit typically take?

It depends entirely on the scope. As a general guide:

• Annual maintenance and antifouling: 1 to 2 weeks
• Mid-life engineering refit: 4 to 8 weeks
• Comprehensive repaint and interior transformation: 3 to 6 months

GCCM provides detailed timelines during the scoping phase, and these are built around your operational schedule where possible.

Can I get multiple quotes from different contractors?

Yes. With over 90 specialist marine businesses on site, owners and captains can request competitive quotes for every discipline. You are not locked into a single contractor for any component of the project.

Does GCCM handle customs and biosecurity for international vessels entering Australia?

GCCM supports international vessels and can assist with customs, biosecurity and quarantine logistics. As a member of the Seal Superyachts network, the team can coordinate arrival requirements for visiting yachts from overseas. GCCM is located 10 nautical miles from the clearance berth.

What project management options are available?

Three tiers: full project management (GCCM coordinates everything), self-managed (the captain or owner engages contractors directly), or hybrid (GCCM manages selected packages while the owner retains oversight of others). More details are available on the project management page.

Is GCCM an accredited superyacht facility?

GCCM holds 5 Gold Anchor accreditation and Superyacht Ready status from the Marina Industries Association. The facility won Best Superyacht Refit Yard at the 2022 ACREW Global Superyacht Business Awards, Best Superyacht Marina Australasia (2020), and Superyacht Business of the Year (2018 and 2015).

Where is GCCM located?

GCCM is at 76-84 Waterway Drive, Coomera, Queensland 4209, on Australia’s Gold Coast. The facility sits on the Coomera River with direct access to the Gold Coast Broadwater, approximately one hour south of Brisbane and midway between Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef. It’s also a dedicated port of clearance for international arrivals.

How do I start the conversation about a refit at GCCM?

Call the superyacht team on +61 7 5502 5888 or email info@gccm.com.au with your vessel details and an outline of the works you’re considering. The team will arrange a scoping discussion and begin compiling quotes. You can also submit an enquiry online.