Doom and gloom? No way, not at the GCCM!

7:24 PM Sat 20 Dec 2008 GMT

'Harbour master’s tower overlooking the Gold Coast City Marina.' Bob Wonders Click Here to view large photo

The power of positive thinking is paramount at the Gold Coast City Marina. Occupancy rates at the marina have consistently been above 80 percent, while the tenanted factories, showrooms and workshop occupancy is at 100 percent.

For those sick of reading about how poorly the boating industry is faring at present, here's a prime cure; have a chat with Dean Leigh-Smith.

'Deano', as he's known, simply refuses to acknowledge any thoughts of a 'soft' market.

Dean Leigh-Smith, of course, is the eldest son of industry identity Jeff Leigh-Smith, managing director of the Gold Coast City Marina, heart and soul of the sprawling Gold Coast Marine Precinct.

In his everyday guise, 'Deano' wears two hats; he is responsible for the marketing of the marina and its services and is dealer principal of Leigh-Smith Cruiser Sales, authorised dealership for the superb Taiwan-built motor yachts Hampton and Alaska and the marina's own locally-built Pirate range.

Ready for a new owner, an Alaska motor yacht berthed at Leigh-Smith Cruiser Sales Gold Coast City Marina facilities. - Bob Wonders Click Here to view large photo

For the month of December, there are three excellent reasons why 'Deano' looks with disdain at any mention of a soft market; he has sold three Alaska motor yachts, a 46' Sedan ($800,000), a 54' Flybridge ($1.4 million) and a 56' Pilothouse ($1.7 million).

All three vessels were purchased by Gold Coast residents.

'We hear all the negative talk about how tough the market is, but we adopt a commonsense approach and do our own thing,' he explains.

'Let other people worry about the so-called global credit crunch, we don't need it here.

'Call it the power of positive thinking, if you will, we prefer to promote the attitude of damn the economy, full speed ahead.'

The Gold Coast City Marina is definitely riding the current economic storm in fine fashion.

As 'Deano' pointed out, the two month period from November 1 to the approaching end of December have been among the marina's top ten earning performances.

Service is the name of the game at the marina.

'Our staff is instructed never to use the word 'No' at any time,' 'Deano' says.

'If a customer wants something, he's entitled to have that request carried out quickly and efficiently.'

Occupancy rates at the marina have consistently been above 80 percent, while the tenanted factories, showrooms and workshop occupancy is at 100 percent.

'As landlords, we take a keen interest in our business tenants,' 'Deano' explains.

'If they're experiencing any downturn or quiet times we make every effort to promote their business and help them achieve additional clientele.

Day to day operations at the Gold Coast City Marina are the responsibility of Steve Sammes, CMM. - Bob Wonders Click Here to view large photo

'The last thing we would want to see is tenants falling over through a lack of work.'

Service to boat owners is equally high on the marina's agenda.

Many of its clients keep their boats on their own pontoons at their waterfront homes throughout the Gold Coast.

When maintenance or service is required, these owners simply contact the marina, book their vessel in, it is collected from their location, taken to the marina, the work carried out and the vessel returned to its home berth.

The marina has about 30 full-time employees, with experienced marina manager Steve Sammes, CMM (Certified Marina Manager) responsible for the day-to-day operations.

Perhaps Patrick Gay, AM, chairman of the board of the Gold Coast City Marina, should be given the last word.

He said, 'A wise man once told me that if you work a little harder, and think a lot smarter, success is an automatic function thereof.'

Sounds fair enough to me.

by Bob Wonders

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