Helen At The Helm

04/11/2026

JUST LISTED!

⛵ 1979 Irwin 52 Cutter Ketch – "Parmelia"
💰 $390,000 Negotiable
📍 Gold Coast, Queensland

Introducing "Parmelia", a substantial 52-foot centre-cockpit cruising ketch offering traditional bluewater sailing capability, spacious accommodation for seven and the comforts of a well-equipped home afloat.

For those considering extended cruising, having the right equipment aboard makes all the difference. Parmelia combines the character of a traditional sailing yacht with an impressive inventory of modern machinery and onboard systems.

Her replacement 110hp Yanmar diesel engine has just 174 hours, complemented by a Cummins Onan 7kW generator, 24V bow thruster, watermaker, air conditioning and extensively upgraded electrical systems.

A comprehensive Raymarine navigation suite adds to her cruising appeal, while generous fuel and freshwater capacities provide further practicality for longer adventures.

Professionally maintained and thoughtfully upgraded, Parmelia offers an attractive opportunity for those seeking a substantial cruising yacht with the comforts of home.

Full listing: www.oceaniamarine.au
Inspection by appointment.

Call Helen James – Oceania Marine Australia
📱 +61 480 634 685
📧 [email protected]

04/11/2026

04/11/2026

🚤 FOR SALE – 2020 JEANNEAU MERRY FISHER 1095 COUPÉ
💰 $345,000 negotiable
📍 Sunshine Coast, QLD

This immaculate Merry Fisher 1095 presents remarkably close to new and is designed to make getting away easy — whether it’s for the day, the weekend or longer.

Imagine it can be this simple...

“Do you want to get away for the weekend?”
“Yep — let’s go.”

You step onboard and go.

The fridges are already full of cold drinks, kept that way on shore power during the week. The extra storage lockers are pre-packed with clothes, towels, toys and all the bits and pieces you’d normally cart backwards and forwards. They can simply stay onboard, ready for those last-minute “just go” weekends.

The bathroom already has the shampoo and toothbrushes. The beds in the three private cabins can stay made. Swimmers, pyjamas, books and boating gear all have somewhere to live.

Maybe it’s just for the day. Maybe Friday afternoon turns into Sunday night.

In the morning, the kettle is on for coffee while bacon and eggs cook in the proper galley. Someone is still asleep in a cabin. Someone else has already claimed the bow sunbeds with a book.

Meanwhile, the cockpit is where everything else is happening — swimming, fishing, lunch being passed around, drinks opened and wet towels over the rails.

And that’s the clever thing about this boat. You can all be together without being on top of each other.

Then dinner gets cooked, the sun goes down, the stars come out and suddenly your day boat has become your little floating home for the night.

That’s what good boat design should do. Make getting away easier, not harder.

Full listing: www.oceaniamarine.au

Inspection by appointment.
Call Helen James – Oceania Marine Australia
📱 0480 634 685
📧 [email protected]

04/11/2026

Gold Coast Marinas – It's Not Just About the Berth, It's About the Service! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The southern end of the Gold Coast Broadwater is becoming a serious contender in the international yachting market, with four marina options now at Main Beach and The Spit, and a fifth on the way! yes - there's that many to choose from now!

Southport Yacht Club, Marina Mirage Marina, Palazzo Marina (next to the trawlers), the new The Mantaray Marina (next door to the water police/GCWA) and the future "Main Beach Superyacht Marina" (MBSM) at the new Ritz Carlton (the former Mariner's Cove site) opening in late January! Each offers something different, all within minutes of the restaurants, nightlife and attractions of Main Beach and Surfers Paradise, with beautiful surf beaches literally across the road for owners, guests and crew.

Add the growing superyacht activity at The Boat Works and Gold Coast City Marina (GCCM), and it's easy to see why the Gold Coast is attracting increasing attention. As a yacht broker, I'm finding the Gold Coast rivals Sydney as a destination to present and sell a quality vessel.

But it's not just about the facilities. Service makes all the difference.

Today I was searching for a berth in the southern end of town for a 21m vessel and was genuinely impressed by the assistance I received from Hugo at Mantaray Marina, Rachel at Palazzo Marina, Chris at Marina Mirage and Silvia from MBSM.

All four were responsive, helpful and willing to explore solutions. Phone calls were returned promptly, options were discussed, and nothing seemed too difficult.

Mantaray is positioning itself at the premium end of the market, with facilities and a level of personalised service aimed at rivalling the superyacht marinas of the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Having worked in both regions, I appreciate exactly what they're trying to achieve. Yes, it comes at a higher price, but for some owners, that level of service is worth paying for. Next is "Main Beach Superyacht Marina" who are answering emails with price and avail with 3 months to open time. Their logo is almost identical to Southport Yacht Club Megayacht Berth, which is going to get confusing, and has no doubt been done on purpose.

Palazzo Marina, (off Imperial Hotel Gold Coast), offers competitive berthing with a genuinely helpful team, and Marina Mirage remains fully operational despite the surrounding redevelopment. Its relatively modern marina facilities and competitive pricing make make both these two excellent options.

SYC has long been a cornerstone of Gold Coast boating, offering some of the most affordable berthing on The Spit. However, with the marina at capacity, lengthy waiting lists and redevelopment underway, availability is increasingly challenging. So its nice to know you have options!

With so many alternatives now on its doorstep, competition is certainly heating up. And that can only be a good thing for boat owners. Price matters, but so do availability, communication, flexibility and bloody good customer service.

The further north you go the more the purse strings ease. There are some great more affordable marinas around Runaway Bay, Hope Island & Hope Harbour, heading all the way up to Horizon shores - now called Pacific Point Marina.

After more than 30 years in the marine industry, one thing I know is that the people behind a business make all the difference.

A big thank you to Hugo, Rachel, Chris & Silvia for your assistance. It's wonderful to see this level of professionalism in our local marine industry. If you are looking for a berth - give these guys a call.

🎥 Mantaray has recently released this excellent video showcasing its new marina and the premium experience it's bringing to the Gold Coast. Well worth watching!

https://youtu.be/-vFIsTqtrwk?si=D4aspr8XFovhZ5PA

PS - no I don't get any kick backs when I write these articles - I wish I did. 😄 I just find myself looking for berths more and more these days as my brokerage picks up - and I'm truly stoked with the level of service I get at most marinas. Out of the 14 (and more) marinas on the Gold Coast - we are spoilt for choice! So yes - this article is about the bigger boats - sure. But there are another 10 or so marinas on the broadwater available for the family 30ft yacht too - and that's important to me too!

Helen at the Helm

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03/11/2026

909 FOLLOWERS! THANK YOU!

A huge thank you to everyone who is following my page, supporting my posts, sharing my content, recommending me to others and trusting me with buying and selling their boats.

Having spent more than 30 years in the marine industry, I’ve been fortunate to meet some incredible people, build lifelong friendships and turn my passion for boating into a career I genuinely love.

Starting Oceania Marine Brokerage has been another exciting chapter, and it’s wonderful to have so many of you following along. We have 2.5k followers on that page!

There’s plenty happening behind the scenes, some fantastic boats coming onto the market and lots more to share!

Thank you for your continued support. It really does mean a lot.

Helen - at the Helm! 🥰

03/11/2026

🚤 JUST LISTED!
🛥️ 1990 Sea Ranger 50 – BATEKE
💰 $295,000
📍 Gold Coast, Queensland

One of BATEKE's standout features is her magnificent extended aft deck!

This is where you'll spend your afternoons — entertaining friends, enjoying a long lunch, watching the waterways go by or simply relaxing with a good book.

The generous covered outdoor area flows directly into the saloon, creating an exceptional indoor-outdoor living space.

For buyers who value outdoor entertaining as much as comfortable cruising, BATEKE is well worth inspecting.

Full listing: www.oceaniamarine.au
Inspection by appointment.

Call Helen James – Oceania Marine Australia
📱 0480 634 685
📧 [email protected]

03/11/2026

For Sale!
🚤 Key Largo 27 IB by Sessa Marine, Italy
🗓️ 2018
💰 $99,000
📌 Runaway Bay, Gold Coast

This layout makes a lot of sense for Queensland boating.

Bimini down for an open-air run up the Broadwater. Forward sunpad when you want the sunshine. Bimini up when it’s time for some shade. Huge swim platform when everyone wants to get in the water.

There’s a refrigerator close at hand, freshwater shower, generous seating and a private toilet below — all the little things that make a full day onboard much easier.

And with a double berth below, there’s no reason the day necessarily has to end at sunset.

For the full listing go to www.oceaniamarine.au
Call Helen on 0480 634 685 to arrange an inspection.
[email protected]

02/11/2026

⛵ This could be you…

The sound of the water, the breeze in your sails, and nothing but blue ocean ahead.

Imagine being at the helm of VÉRITÉ, a 2008 Catana 50 built for sailors who dream of going further.

Carbon mast, daggerboards, exceptional sailing pedigree and all the comforts of a three-cabin Owner’s Version.

Your next adventure could start right here. 🌊

⛵ 2008 Catana 50 VÉRITÉ
💰 $895,000 neg
📍 Gold Coast, Queensland

Full listing: https://www.oceaniamarine.au/vessels/2008-catana-50-verite/

Call Helen James – Oceania Marine Australia
📱 0480 634 685
📧 [email protected]

02/11/2026

JUST LISTED!

⛵ 1979 Irwin 52 Cutter Ketch – "Parmelia"
💰 $390,000 Negotiable
📍 Gold Coast, Queensland

Introducing "Parmelia", an impressive 52-foot centre-cockpit cruising ketch combining traditional bluewater sailing capability with generous accommodation for seven and the comforts of a well-equipped home afloat.

One of Parmelia's standout features is her spacious, sheltered centre cockpit. With comfortable cushioned seating, a fixed bimini and fully enclosed roll-down clears, it's a practical and protected space for passagemaking, entertaining or simply enjoying life at anchor.

The centre-cockpit design also allows for an exceptionally generous aft owner's stateroom, providing privacy and separation from the forward guest accommodation.

Professionally maintained and extensively upgraded, with a replacement 110hp Yanmar diesel, generator, watermaker, air conditioning and updated Raymarine navigation equipment, Parmelia offers an appealing balance of cruising capability and onboard comfort.

Full listing: www.oceaniamarine.au
Inspection by appointment.

Call Helen James – Oceania Marine Australia
📱 +61 480 634 685
📧 [email protected]

02/11/2026

JUST LISTED!

⛵ 1979 Irwin 52 Cutter Ketch – "Parmelia"
💰 $390,000 Negotiable
📍 Gold Coast, Queensland

Introducing "Parmelia", a substantial 52-foot centre-cockpit cruising ketch combining traditional bluewater capability, spacious accommodation for seven and the comforts of a well-equipped home afloat.

When considering a cruising yacht of this size and vintage, the history of care and investment is particularly important. Parmelia has benefited from professional oversight and a significant programme of planned maintenance and upgrades.

Recent investment includes rigging work, upgraded Raymarine navigation equipment, electrical improvements, air conditioning, bow thruster, engine-room fire suppression system and extensive interior and exterior timber refinishing.

Together with her replacement 110hp Yanmar diesel engine, generator, watermaker and generous three-cabin accommodation, Parmelia offers an impressive combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern cruising comforts.

A yacht that reflects the considerable care and attention invested in her over the years.

Full listing: www.oceaniamarine.au
Inspection by appointment.

Call Helen James – Oceania Marine Australia
📱 +61 480 634 685
📧 [email protected]