About
Davis Marina was established in 1946 by Steve Davis after he returned from serving in the Royal Australian Air Force. His pre-war boss offered him a job in Broken Hill but this was never going to suit a man with boats on his mind and sea water in his veins. Steve turned the job down and instead established a boat shed on the shores of Sydney Harbour. He chose a quiet and sheltered corner at the base of a steep angophora covered hill near Manly called North Harbour.
Today the hill still shelters the marina from southerly busters and provides a haven for boaties while the neighbouring reserve acts as refuge for wild life. With its sandy beaches, clear water and marine life, including visiting penguins, pelicans and seals it has more the feel of a national park than a busy city business.
The marinas close proximity to Sydney Heads has seen it become renowned for fishing, sailing and sightseeing. Manly Yacht Club holds twilight yacht races in summer and there are many scheduled events such as the start of Sydney to Hobart Race, one the world’s greatest yacht races.
Sydney Harbour hosts the the world’s best fireworks display on New Year’s eve and hosts the nation’s biggest celebrations on Australia Day. But if extravaganzas aren’t your scene you can just have lunch in a bay and land on a sandy beach with the kids for a swim. If the kids have grown up you can potter down to the Fish Markets for lunch or Darling Harbour for dinner.
When you berth your boat back at the marina you will find it properly fended, mooring lines already fitted and staff checking to ensure every boat is safely moored. The spinoff is that with uniform black mooring lines and fenders the marina has an enhanced clean and tidy appearance.
The Marina has more than fifty swing moorings tucked into the most sheltered corner of the bay. Mooring clients can access their boats using the pick-up and drop-off pontoon, work berth and dinghy pontoon.
Boat repairs and maintenance are catered for on two slipways. Davis Marina’s sub tenant, Sailor Marine Engineering, operates the slipway and provides mechanical and shipwright services. They are agents for Volvo and Mercruiser.
It’s not hard to understand why this special little corner of Sydney Harbour under the steep tree clad hill is so popular. At Davis Marina we are always working hard to make sure our clients have a fantastic summer of boating.
