A Shell Cove resident is determined to take boat-building to a new level in the Illawarra.

Tim Makepeace has 33 years of experience as a shipwright and established Fifth Element Marine, a Shellharbour-based boat-repair and -building business, in August 2022. The workshop specialises in custom carbon-fibre products, marine repairs, insurance repairs and more.

“There are other shipwrights in the area so I’ve got some competition, I’m just doing my own thing though really,” Tim said.

“I just wanted to bring the boat-building back to Wollongong and the area.”

Tim’s connection to boats started when he was a young boy; his family were avid sailors, especially his dad. Tim sailed in Maricat 5.0 state and national titles, and also represented Australia in the 2007 Seawind F18 World Championship, sailing a F18 catamaran.

Tim started his career as as a shipwright apprentice in Meadowbrook in 1989 then moved to Wollongong three years later. He has since been involved in the development of numerous ships, including the Seawind 1160.

“I developed it from the floor up, so 18 months' worth of building – all the plugs, moulds, everything,” Tim said.

With a wealth of experience at well-regarded companies, such as Seawind Catamarans and Azura Marine, Tim decided to start his own business and pursue his dream project.

“I did have my business before, which just wasn't the right time,” Tim said.

“I've learned a lot more just by being in different businesses and I’ve had a bit of a dream to produce a 47ft catamaran.”

The job presents its share of challenges, but meticulous preparation is crucial to boat development, Tim said.

“It's all about preparing the shop so it all works, and so I've got everything I need.

“That's the main thing, you need the right tools to do the job.”

“I learned from my dad because he was a cabinet maker: if you don’t have a tool, you make a tool to do the job.”

What brings Tim the most joy as he walks into the shop every day is the opportunity to build and engage with projects that ignite his passion.

“I just get the satisfaction of fixing boats for people, getting them up to scratch and getting them out on the water, that’s the main thing."

Tim already has some great career highlights on which to reflect, such as the time he celebrated the 100th Seawind built with a grand party, but what he enjoyed most was seeing it for himself on the water.

“I also think just being able to build a boat from scratch, to be involved with the design and producing it and there's hundreds of those out there that we've built over the years,” Tim said.

“Not long ago, I saw the first one that we built.

“So that was pretty cool, even had a look at it and went on-board.”

He acknowledges the help of many people throughout his career, but none more than his partner, Elizabeth Makepeace.

“She has sort of pushed me in this way as well.”

For more information on Fifth Element Marine, check out the website.