Boats Head For Sanctuary

Newcastle Herald

Friday May 18, 2007

Boating, Mark Rothfield

WITH the sad demise of the Newcastle Boat Show this year its execution performed in stealth by the Boating Industry Association with barely a whimper from local dealers Sanctuary Cove can rightfully reclaim its title as the first major regional show of the season.

Not that our April event ever posed a serious threat to the Gold Coast show which, when it opens next Thursday, will have a record 450-plus exhibitors. Ah, but we could dream.

Sanctuary Cove organisers say the show has surpassed Sydney as the largest marine display in the southern hemisphere with more than four kilometres of on-water marina displays plus 16,000 square metres of pavilion and open-air exhibits.

Indeed, if boats on the marina were moored end-to-end they would extend five kilometres.

"We expect to have more than 400 boats on water plus hundreds of other boats and marine products on show during the event," show general manager Barry Jenkins said. "There are 25 world launches and close to 50 Australian marine product releases."

Last year's event stimulated more than $140 million in sales and sales leads, which has attracted international delegations from China and Korea, along with America and Europe.

Newcastle's Schionning Marine will use the occasion to launch the Alaskan 41, an ocean passagemaker that has sweeping deck lines and a proud shear line. Economical and easily driven, it has a cruise speed of 17 knots and a top speed of 24 knots.

International Marine, the Melbourne company which built the iconic Caribbean (nee Bertram) 25, will stage the international launch of its 24 flybridge. Other models on show include the Caribbean 26, the Caribbean 32 flybridge, the 35, 40 and flagship 47.

Another international debutant is the Southbeach Vacationer 240 by Kencraft Marine. This 7.36-metre, multipurpose dayboat was designed and built on the Gold Coast. Its fibreglass deck lifts from a raised coaming to become a sleek-full-length hardtop with drop-down side covers. The boat is approved to carry 12 adults.

Marathon Pacific Australia is displaying the all-new Marathon 33 sportsfisher in an Australian launch. Powered by twin DF250-horsepower four-stroke Suzuki outboard, it cruises at 30 knots. The company has pledged to donate $1000 to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia for every Marathon boat it sells at the 2007 show.

A 21-metre alloy "fuel smart" boat set to be unveiled is the Black Gold, which can reprocess waste oil or vegetable oil into a useable fuel within its hull, blending it at suitable rates with diesel. The technology is the brainchild of Queensland-based inventor Allan Lear, who said the catamaran can be used as a standby oil recovery boat or for inter-island transport, in remote locations.

Riviera has its largest display ever at Sanctuary Cove, with the company releasing two new flybridge convertible models.

Maritimo, meanwhile, will show a new Maritimo 60, a 52 Sky Lounge and a 48 featuring the new forward helm cruising bridge design.

Among the innovative imports, Windcraft has the first release of the Fjord 40 Cruiser and Open models. These performance cruisers are manufactured in Germany in the Hanse Yachts boatyard, with naval architect Patrick Banfield responsible for the design.

There's a total of 10 square metres of sun beds and a walk-around deck, fully adjustable custom helm seating and spacious wet bar.

Wallrock Marine is unveiling two Contender boats: the 23 Open and the 25 Tournament. Both have centre consoles, but the smaller craft is trailable. Contender boats are built in New Zealand from solid fibreglass, using biaxial and triaxial clothes over PVC core.

An associated event next Friday is the Smart State Marine Industry Breakfast. Sydney-Hobart winner Lindsay May is guest speaker, detailing key elements leading to his 2006 win aboard Love & War.

Also on are the AMIF Australian Marine Awards, major international conferences and the Australian Superyacht Gala. This year the show runs from 9am to 5pm daily from May 24 to May 27. Admission is $21 adults, $18 concession and $7 for children five-14 years.

Given the size of the show, two- and three-day passes are available.

There is no on-site public parking but transport options include park'n'shuttle, taxi, limousine or helicopter drop off or water taxi transfer. See sanctuarycoveboatshow.

com.au.

mrothfield@theherald.com.au

© 2007 Newcastle Herald

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