Australian Marine Wholesale on-site at the Boat Works

by Jeni Bone on 25 Apr 2016 Marine industry stalwart, Errol Cain of Australian Marine Wholesale has headquartered his entire operations at The Boat Works, joining the 40+ individual businesses on-site, each operating independently to guarantee clients the most competitive quotes.

“We are thrilled to be based here,” said Errol. “The Boat Works has undergone a complete transformation in the past year, a $20m expansion program, and it’s now, without a doubt, the most professional operation in Australia.”

At the gateway of the Coomera Marine Precinct on Queensland’s Gold Coast, The Boat Works comprises state-of-the-art equipment and facilities on its 23 acre site to store, service and refit every type of vessel, from trailerable craft to yachts up to 110-feet (33.5-metres).

The first tenant in Building J, the team at Australian Marine Wholesale have upgraded their showroom, creating dedicated displays for each brand – a self-contained marine electronics show open all year round.

Australian Marine Wholesale is the exclusive importer and distributor for Blue Water Desalination Systems, Pacific Light Desalination, Lumitec LED lighting and IRIS Innovations Marine Camera Systems, as well as representing the top marine brands such as Garmin, Furuno, Raymarine, Simrad and in entertainment systems Fusion, Clarion and Bose.

Australian Marine Wholesale has received various accolades for its sales and service achievements, including BlueWater Desalination International Dealer of the Year and Raymarine Electornics Queensland service Dealer of the Year.

Founder, Errol Cain has been at the helm of AMW for five years and in the marine electronics business for close to 30.

Errol’s qualifications are in Engineering but the boating industry proved too alluring, as both a lifestyle and livelihood.

“In 1985, I was 20 years old and working as an engineer. It was too hot for working in a tin shed, so I looked for a job outdoors, on the water and found a job working on the charter fleet at Akuna Bay.”

A decade of fitting new boats with premium marine electronics followed, with regular commutes between cities for boat manufacturers and clients. Errol eventually moved from Sydney to the Gold Coast in 1995 in response to boom in boating in the region. “I used to fly up constantly to fit out new boats, so the obvious next step was to move here. The whole family relocated and we haven’t looked back!”

Over those three decades, Errol has seen many advances in marine electronics – some massive, others more subtle.

“The major milestones would be the advent and now prevalence of GPS, followed by the rise of multifunction displays. Where once, each piece of equipment would stand alone, brands are now combining navigation equipment into one screen. Undoubtedly this was driven by our take up of phone and tablet technology.”

In the quick-paced sphere of marine electronics, you have to be at least one step ahead. Errol and his team of nine technicians take pride in being several steps ahead, constantly renewing and updating their training to ensure they have a thorough working knowledge of new models and advances.

“The speed of developments is astronomical,” he observed. “Something could be 10 years old and it’s now four generations out of date!”

Among their competitors, Errol and his team can claim an advantage. “Our expertise, experience and broad knowledge make us the best choice,” he stated. “The new display room where people can see and touch each brand and compare, and our certified installation and after sales service complete the package.”

AMW has recently added a new Fusion display which will thrill AV nuts!

“Entertainment is the primary focus these days,” said Errol. “Whether that’s listening to the stereo, watching the news, Foxtel or a full disco onboard. It’s all integrated in the multifunction display. You can control the stereo and TV or Sat TV, and play them through the stereo for sharper sound quality and power. People expect that now. You can Bluetooth your music straight from smartphone to Fusion – no need for CDs. You stream straight from your phone to the stereo using Pandora.”

Then there’s the completely customisable flexibility to suit your own AV requirements.

“The Fusion system has one, three or four zone options available. You can use the same stereo in the saloon, flybridge, cockpit and master with the Fusion AV750 with built in DVD player. The AV650 is the three zone and the RA70 covers a single zone.”

In 2016, Australian Marine Wholesale will exhibit at both Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show and the Gold Coast International Marine Expo, 19 to 22 May.

“We will be on show at SCIBS in the Main Pavilion at SCIBS and at Expo at the top of C Arm on the marina,” said Errol.

New products on show include the new Lumitec H60 (6,000 Lumens) and H120 (12,000 Lumens) floodlights, from Florida in the US and ideal for hardtops of vessels; the new Seablaze X Spectrum, full colour, changing RGB underwater lights; Blue Water Pacific Light watermaker on display for the first time, and all the latest electronics from the big four brands.

“The Blue Water Pacific Light watermaker contains no electronics,” explained Errol. “It’s extremely robus and reliable and is a great liveaboard watermaker for use where you are unlikely to have service, such as remote areas. It’s pared back to basics to ensure ease of use and reliability.”

AMW will be offering show specials on watermakers, electronics and lighting – package deals and individual sales. “We will have our trained technicians on hand to answer questions about every aspect of marine electronics.”

Also on offer, all year round, the exceptional value-add of customer training nights for each brand, as well as tuition for owners after installation.

“From a single box to entire boat setup, we can look after you!”