Hello Coxy31
I was talking to a shipwright at Mackay (60nm south) slipyard a few months back to do some extended work on my boat and he said he was having trouble trying to get shipwrights to work for him. I also asked him about the possibility of there being an over abundance of them in Airlie Beach and he said that a lot of them do it part time. They work for charter companies as sail guides, skippers, deckies, and then do shipwright work when required. Not sure if they are in short supply. As for the kite surfing I do a bit myself and I have always wondered if Whitehaven would be a good beach as it is in the wind shadow of Hazelwood. On a strong easterly it would be great but the main breeze for winter is a south easterly. It’s a bit of a catch 22. The best place to anchor the boat is not going to be the best place to kite surf. Maybe you should put this thread in the Kitesurfing forum as I know there are a few guys from the Airlie Beach area who ride at Conway Beach.
Good luck.