Rates & Inclusions for Reef Sailing and Snorkelling off of Low Isles with Shaolin
from Port Douglas - Explore Low Isles off of Port Douglas, Australia
SHAOLIN -
An Authentic Chinese Junk
MARINE TOURISM BUSINESS FOR SALE
1 of 4 only Marine Park Permits - Daily Access to Iconic
Low Island
Snorkelling with turtles, island heritage walk, glass
bottom boat
Established 26 years, successful and enjoyable tourism
niche
Unique Teak Motor Sailor Vessel in excellent condition
Including full marketing collateral and goodwill
Great R.O.I. Fully crewed or suit Owner Operator
Available Immediately - POA for Vessel, Permit
& Goodwill
SHAOLIN
Shaolin has great commercial potential
for a new owner operator. Shaolin Low Isles is an
economical capital investment into profitable marine
tourism showing great R.O.I. Last year carrying 3200
passengers over 179 days. Operating daily for over 26
years. Features are a later departure of noon, offering
snorkelling from the beach with turtles in the sheltered
lagoon of Low Isles, surrounded by a healthy soft coral
gardens and giant clams. Lunch is provided along with
guided snorkel tour, island heritage walk, during prime
quiet time (usually the only people enjoying the island)
afternoon tea followed by sunset sail/motor home to
Port. Traditionally the original brass bell is rung 3
times at 3 restaurants as the boat cruises down the
inlet to and from Low Isles and the Buddha on the mizzen
mast is offered fresh flowers each day to maintain good
Karma. Alternate itineraries could include inlet cruises
under moonlight, special lunches, weddings, sunset trips
as well as corporate and private charters. Due to her
high profile and charm combined with style of operation
with small numbers, Shaolin attracts her own following
and currently is IN Survey for 26 pax to match her
special GBRMPA permit
Shaolin is very well maintained and has plenty more
years of charter work ahead, her uniqueness is a major
feature and is not challenged by rising fuel costs.
Shaolin is effectively marketed and her strong identity
and repeat visitors is loved by many locals resulting in
a very high occupancy rate and excellent passenger
numbers. With the Chinese Olympics being topical,
curiosity, respect and awareness to the Chinese
tradition and culture adds to her character and
uniqueness, being an Authentic Chinese Sailing Junk
(Around 26 tons of teak and one of last in world)
perfectly located in a prime position in Port Douglas
marina mirage. Shaolin will remain in daily operation
and fully crewed until transfer to a new owner.
Professional marine insurance may continue, vessel at
$300 000 valued by surveyor plus full public liability
cover.
LOW ISLES
The special permit to Low Isles, 1 of only 4
allows 365 daily access to the iconic Low Island for a
maximum of 26. Low Isles is the first place in the world
for coral research in 1928 and the closest part of the
Great Barrier Reef to mainland Australia. Low Isles is a
sensitive site, green zone. Moorings and visitor numbers
are strictly capped and protected often represented as a
showcase of the GBR environmental management and
protection. No new permits or expansion is allowed and
the most sought after permit on the entire Great Barrier
Reef. Work almost complete to increase power efficiency
and the increased number of solar panels with the aim to
be the first Carbon Neutral island in the world.
Only the caretaker rangers reside on Low Island and no
access is allowed between sunset and sunrise. Recently
Low Isles was awarded special heritage listing for
indigenous and modern Australia culture. As a focal
point of Indigenous Dreamtime combining the historic
lighthouse built in 1878 provided safe navigation for
shipping allowing in the development of Far North
Tropical Queensland. Low Isles is also base for an
important weather station and has future plan is to open
the base of the historic lighthouse as a museum.
Experience Shaolin, an irreplaceable and truly unique
character vessel, capture your imagination of a unique
lifestyle business opportunity or make her your home.
CONTACT:
Steve Edmondson
Owner Operator
Shaolin 'An Authentic Chinese Sailing Junk'
0417 993 109
steve@shaolinportdouglas.com
SHAOLIN'S SPECIFICATIONS:
"Shaolin" was built in Hong Kong around 1968 in the
Hip Cheung shipyard. Hull construction is teak, with
kalantis and yacal fit out. Length = 13.96 m Breadth =
4.33 m Draft = 2.47m the engine is a Perkins 6354 (86KW)
total engine hour unknown, but it is possibly the
original engine. The cylinder head has been fully
reconditioned October 2005. Max speed 8 knots. Cruising
speed 7 knots. 27 inch three blade propeller. 2 x 400 L
fuel tanks 2 x 200 L water tanks
Steering = cable/quadrant; chain and sprocket from wheel
(new Jan 05) 2 Aluminum battened sails (main & head) and
wooden battened mizzen All sails new within last 2
years.
Oregon masts Stainless steel shrouds, last inspected and
renewed Jan 05 2 x 30 kg anchors. 50 m chain & 80 m rope
Electric anchor winch & capstan Galley is equipped with
a gimbal 4 burner gas stove with oven. Installation
certificate current. Two 9 kg gas cylinders. Two heads -
fwd: manual, fitted with basin and hand shower; aft:
electric, set as ensuite with shower and basin. Holding
and sullage tanks fitted. Furnishings: large comfortable
bed in master bedroom; saloon table with seating for 8
in galley; seating for 15 around poop deck table;
settee/bed in saloon area; generous storage areas. 240 v
Freezer for ice making and keeping catering cool Safety
equipment: 2 Carlie Floats (@18 each) Life jackets for
26; 2 life rings; 4 fire extinguishers & engine room
fire suppressant system 07
All safety equipment current within 1D survey
requirements. Electrical - 24v DC; dual battery system;
dual alternator charging; 240v AC new automatic charger
fitted; 2x 24v/ 12v DC converters for radio and 12v
electrical accessories 240v AC shore power supply,
Electronics: GPS; depth sounder; VHF Radio; new sound
system.
New holding plate built in 240v fridge freezer fitted
April 08 Thorough hull maintenance by professional
shipwrights in Port Douglas including re-caulking using
traditional methods, new fastenings sister ribs and
topside repaint, new anodes and full antifoul April 2008
Sails serviced, all original brass port holes restored
hand polished and epoxy lacquered. All brass door
fixings restored hand polished and epoxy lacquered. Main
aft cabin interior refurbished including new double bed
mattress and wall linings. Re-upholstered captains chair
in red leather.
SHAOLIN'S HISTORY:
Shaolin was commissioned to be built in Hong Kong in
1965 by a retired American Naval Captain. She was
built in the Hip Cheung shipyards and is constructed
from teak, yacal and kalantis timbers.
Captain Stone and his wife, Joyce, took delivery of
Shaolin in Guam. They were amateur radio buffs, and
operated her as a radio relay vessel in the South
Pacific for over 15 years. Her original name back
then was Gloria Maris, which means "glory of the
sea" and is also the name of a rare, deadly and
valuable variety of cone shell. Interestingly, the
couple collected rare shells, and spent a lot of
time in the South Pacific. Story has it that they
were asked to leave the Solomon Islands because of
the shell collecting, and also may have done some
surveillance work for the FBI or the CIA during this
time. Joyce was a photographer and one of the rooms
in Shaolin was used as a dark room. They traveled
nearly twice around the world, and survived two
cyclones with 110 knot winds.
Captain Stone died of a heart attack when he climbed
Cooks Lookout hill at Lizard Island in 1983. His
wife continued to live onboard in Cairns for over a
year.
The boat fell into disrepair and was purchased by
Steve Broomhall from Port Douglas. He refitted her
as a charter boat and began the Low Isles Cruise
around 1982. She was renamed Shaolin after a sect of
Buddhist monks who practice martial arts. She ran
successfully for many years and was one of the first
charter boats in Port Douglas that is still running
today as an icon of Port Douglas and Low Isles.
Shaolin changed owners in 2006 and is
currently owned and operated by Steve and
Katrina Edmondson who have lovingly
maintained and improved this unique vessel,
thought to be one of the last authentic
sailing rigged junks in the world.
Snorkel the Reef & Lagoon of Low
Isles & Sunset Sail back to Port Douglas
with Shaolin, an authentic sailing Chinese junk
