SHOWS Preview: Sydney International Boat Show
SYDNEY’S LARGEST BOAT DISPLAY
S
ydney Boat Show coming up 1-5 August is a little larger than
Sanctuary Cove, and is happily held in Darling Harbour overlooked
by CBD office highrises. These two events are by far the biggest in
the Southern Hemisphere.
Here a similar 200 boats are shown in-water at Cockle Bay, and another
800 craft and an incredible range of marine accessories are housed in the
adjacent, recently upgraded exhibition centre.
Although timed in mid-winter as opposed to Sanctuary Cove’s balmy
sub-tropical venue further north, when flags can sometimes stand stiffly
to attention as strong-wind fronts come through, this is Australia’s near
five million population principal city, set on superb Sydney Harbour, and
residents have buying power to match.
Strangely the big superyacht yards of Europe and America have never
had a presence here, although Australia probably has more superyacht
owners and crew per capita than anywhere else in Asia-Pacific, bolstered
by expats in Asia and elsewhere, and Amels, Feadship and Benetti are
among builders that have made substantial sales Down Under in the last two
decades.
Instead, Australian production builders and Taiwan and lately a few
Chinese yards rule the roost, which is more focused on the sub-30 m range.
About 60,000 visitors regularly attend, 10,000 more than Sanctuary
Cove’s single resort land access, plus helicopter and river boating arrivals.
Both Australia and New Zealand have significantly higher numbers of
sailboats than in Asia, where motor yachts reach a dominant 9:1 ratio, so
this is definitely the place for adherents of wind power.
Most individual and production brands worldwide are represented, and
visitor-buyers can literally sail off to Asia’s exotic seas and straits or the
South Seas with their purchases.
Domenic Genua, ultra-experienced General Manager of Events and
Marketing for the Boating Industry Association that runs the show, says
“recreational boating lifestyle, plus all the gear you need for a greatexperience on the water, are showcased here”.
Ever innovative, last year he introduced an Events Deck on the top
floor of the exhibition centre, which will now feature an enormous 35m
boating safety pool, with its own DJ island providing music, and a 7m tall
lighthouse.
The pool is devoted to demonstrating aquatic products such as kayaks,
paddle and peddle boards, and there are great attractions for children.
Adults keeping an eye on their offspring can sip a cold chardonnay and
perhaps try a tapas plate of lobster, prawns, green-lipped muscles or
Balmain bugs.
Fishing experts discuss in-depth tackle and techniques, and SBS
probably has the greatest range of marine electronics currently available.
Famous water speed record holders and solo ocean rowers also take part.
If planning a trip to Sydney, including the boat show period can provide a
really interesting experience.sydneyboatshow.com.auThis boat show is unique, overlooked by CBD highrises in the natural amphitheatre of Darling Harbour and its Maritime MuseumExhibitors such as Brig make the RIBS, trailer boats and marine accessories floors
worth exploring for a day or two