All set for Sydney (August 2006)

With a massive spread of new releases and offerings, the Sydney International Boat Show will have the most frugal of visitors tempted to blow their budget. David Lockwood has the story on what to expect this year

Temptation will be everywhere at the Sydney International Boat Show, to be held from August 3 to 8.

It will be spread between the rafts of boats and boat bits in the 28,000 square metres of undercover display space and the 800m long marina in downtown Darling Harbour, where a record 300 glorious craft will solicit attention.

Proving there is a boat for every bent and budget, the Sydney International Boat Show will be bustling.

With the greatest sales and attendance - 93,501 through the gates in 2004 - of the lot, the Sydney International Boat Show is looking to crack the 100,000 mark this year. But speak to the exhibitors and they will tell you it's the high calibre of craft and willing attendees that make this show so special.

By any measure, sales are extraordinary and, by the time the gates closed last year, about $300 million in new boats and a further $200 million in post-show sales were forthcoming. That amounts to 25 per cent of new boat sales in NSW for the year.

Although many come to ogle and dream, admire the bronzed bodies in the fashion parades, catch the good oil in the fishing clinics and enjoy the family entertainment, many more come to act on their desire to own a new boat, upgrade, or add another craft to their personal fleet.

So what's pulling at the purse strings this year? Lots. The trend is to more accommodating motorboats, ever more luxurious and easily sailed yachts, and family-oriented trailerboats that provide the comforts of a cruiser. But first the big boats...

EYE CANDY
Where better to start than with Australia's biggest boat builder, Riviera, which will unveil an eagerly awaited new 4700 Sport Yacht, powered by twin Caterpillar C9 575hp shaft-driven diesel engines.

European-design influences range from an aft garage housing the tender and electric sunroof to a single-level entertaining area with Amtico flooring and amenities centre. The swing-up awning window pulls the indoor and outdoor areas together and has become a signature of the Sport Yacht series.

The 4700 is available in two or three-cabin and two-head layouts. Riviera's new 56 Enclosed Flybridge will also debut at the Sydney show.

Local marque Maritimo will reveal its new baby, the 48, whose coastal cruising range defies its size. As ever, engineering is a highlight and the walkaround decks and an internal ladder provide great bow-to-stern and bridge access.

Stalwarts Caribbean, Queensland-based Capricorn Cruisers, Fairway, Scimitar and Seawind Catamarans, Deep Vee and Whitecap will have their honest flybridge cruisers on show.

There will be at least one big Precision, something from Salthouse and Rayglass, a 44 flybridge cruiser from Bella Marina, some Asian-made Halvorsens, and high-volume cruisers from the likes of Integrity, Marlo, Ocean Alexander and Symbol. These are all good boats for hanging out in the Hawkesbury, as are the Grand Banks, represented by a 46 Europe, 47 East Bay, 52 Europa, and 64 Aleutian.

As with Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show back in May, American boats will be occupying many more spots. Among them will be the high-flying Bertrams headed by a 57-footer and, at the other end of the spectrum, a new 360 Open. There will be smaller but no-less-capable Boston Whalers, a fishy Cabo 43 and 48, 28-36ft Luhrs models, and a well-engineered upmarket Viking 48. The new Albin 28 Newport is an interesting picnic boat that will be on display, too.

FAMILY FUN
In respect of family cruisers, the mainstream American marques have it well and truly covered. Check out the new models from Bayliner, Carver (fitted with Volvo's revolutionary IPS drives), Chris Craft, Cruisers, Doral, Larson, Maxum, Monterey, and the big range of Regals including new bowriders and sportscruisers with and without hardtops, plus Wellcraft fishing boats. And that's just for starters.

American brand Sea Ray will flaunt some stunning new 52-footers, a new 48 and 38 Sundancer and some entry-level sportscruisers. For something, well, avant-garde the French Beneteaus take some beating, with cabin cruisers from 40 to 20ft and some nifty runabouts on the trailer.

UK motorboat manufacturer Princess, which makes luxury motoryachts from 42 to 80ft is expected to be the centre of a big announcement, while the company's countryman Sealine return with some sharp cruisers that, with retractable boarding platforms, reduce berthing requirements and associated bills. However, compatriots Sunseeker is odds-on to steal the Sydney Boat Show - again - with a huge display of 11 luxury boats from 37 to 94ft, each oozing glam and great lines, from a 60 Manhattan and new model 66 Manhattan, to a new Portofino 47 with electric hardtop and the Imported Boat of the Year, the Predator 72.

The annual cocktail party will be something else again.

The Italian giant Azimut will have multi-million-dollar motoryachts with chic interior and exterior styling, such as the 68S, 62 Fly, 55 Fly, 50 Fly and 43 Fly, while Ferretti will have a motoryacht and Pershing will flaunt its high-speed ocean cruisers such as the svelte 62 with speedy Arneson surface drives.

With a deep-water harbour, it's hardly surprising that the Sydney show is also very much a display of yachting strength. In fact, you can expect to find the best of new sail craft from Europe and America vying for our wind and water. The biggest yacht builder in the world, French Beneteau, will launch a Farr-designed First 34.7, cruisy Oceanis 50, Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 41, Cyclade 39 and Lagoon 380sII cat. Countryman Jeanneau will have some trendy new deck saloon yachts on show including the 42DS, plus the award-winning Sun Odyssey 45 and new 39i.

German brand Bavaria has power and sail offerings, with its strongest suit by far the latter. New models for Sydney include the flagship four-cabin 50, the two-cabin 37, plus the 42, 39 and 33. The Danish-made X-35, a lively racer, will be alongside.

Hanse will reveal a 342, 370E, 400E (a European Yacht of the Year) and 461E. The E Series is built from epoxy with a great finish and feel through the water. Nearby will be this year's Imported Sailboat of the Year, the Hallberg-Rassy 43 from Sweden. Stately.

Polish-made Delphia yachts will make its Sydney debut, American yachts Hunter and Catalina will have some high-volume and affordable offerings, there will be a sporty offering called the C&C115 from Ohio, and catamarans including a new Catana 47 and local Seawinds.

The list of mainly European yachts goes on, yet Azzura Marine, Iain Murray's boat business, will show what we're capable of creating. It's now building Marten Yachts and a stunning 49ft cruiser-racer with a designer interior that is set to wow.

Sydney Yachts will have a 36CR, (the CR stands for Cruiser Racer), while the canting keel 50ft racer Atomic reflects Murray's racing nous. Northshore will be on show, too.

No bucks for a new boat? Then have a look at the traditional family favourites: the popular Yamaha Fishing Clinic, the daily fashion parades, the boat-building competition, the Strictly Sail and Discover Sailing Centre, the Better Boating Workshops, and the exciting array of memorabilia from the James Bond movies.

Just maybe 100,000 will squeeze through the door.

THE PLACE TO BE

DATES

Thursday, August 3 to Tuesday, August 8

HOURS

10am to 8pm everyday for halls and marina

VENUE

Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour and Cockle Bay Marina, Darling Harbour, Sydney

TICKET PRICES

$17 Adults

$40 Family (two adults and three children, six to 17 years)

$11 Pensioners

$15 Seniors

$9 Children (five years and under free)

SIZE

Six halls (28,000 square metres) with 250 exhibitors. Marina (800m) will have over 270 vessels and 70 exhibitors

ACTIVITIES

Yamaha Fishing Clinic

Strictly Sail Expo

Boat-building competition

Fashion parades

Better Boating Workshop

ORGANISERS The Boating Industry Association of NSW. Phone: (02) 9438 2077 or visit www.bia.org.au or info@bia.org.au

Published : Tuesday, 1 August 2006
Issue : August 2006

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