Bilge
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday July 29, 1994
BOAT SHOW FEVER
NO-ONE with even the slightest interest in boats needs to be told what's happening this weekend, and through to next Wednesday, at Darling Harbour. It's the 1994 Sydney Boat Show, the 27th edition of Australia's largest boating exhibition.
Here's a brief list of "must sees" at the show. On the floating marina, there's the $700,000 Steber 43, recently named Australia's overall Boat of the Year (see report at left).
Other category winners on display include the Jarkan 38 IMS cruiser/racer, the Seawind 1000 and, inside the exhibition centre, the Whittley Monterey and the Quintrex Top Ender.
Dominating the floating marina will be Bill Barry-Cotter's Riviera Marine, whose display will include three successive Boat of the Year winners and the radical new Riviera centre console sportfisherman.
You'll see the latest range from Seafarer, along with the revamped Stacer Alloy Craft, a firm favourite with fishermen.
PJ Family Boats, Sydney's Signature and Savage Alumacraft dealer, is hosting the largest indoor exhibit.
Other attractions include the popular Johnson Outboard Fishing Clinic, fashion parades, the EastSail winch grinding competition, the Trader Magazines' children's fishout, the boat building competition, demonstrations by the Youth Sailing Academy and, tomorrow, the Schwepppes Sports hydrocross, a personal water craft dash to Manly and back.
OTHERWISE ENGAGED
THERE are quite a few boating enthusiasts who won't be at Darling Harbour tomorrow, because we have a prior commitment to compete in the Sydney-Newcastle Offshore Powerboat Classic.
The race is the final round of the inaugural Trans Tasman Challenge, but the news for the Aussies is not good. No matter what happens tomorrow, the Kiwis have won the series.
Still, Sydneysiders will have their first glimpse of the two "heavyweights"of the sport up against each other when Bill Barry-Cotter (Shell Riviera)clashes with Steve Ackerie (Jager). The giant red mono up against the all-pink catamaran should be something to see.
If you want to see some positively awesome speed machines, you have your chance today while scrutineers are inspecting the boats in the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House.
18-FOOTERS ON VIDEO
FANS of Australia's exciting 18-foot skiffs are sure to be impressed by a new video, The World of 18-foot Skiffs, from Grand Prix Sailing.
Twelve of the skiffs feature on the two-hour video, which the maker says has all the "classic capsizes, colossal crashes and wild action" of the flying 18s.
Races were filmed in all mainland capitals and the inaugural clash was off Hayman Island resort in the Whitsundays.
The video is priced at $29.95. For further information call Grand Prix Sailing on (02) 332 2177.
© 1994 Sydney Morning Herald
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