14 tradeaboat.com.au
news &events
Visit tradeaboat.com.au for the latest news updatesGot an event happening?
Drop us an email at [email protected]World-class Australian
luxury yacht builder Riviera
will debut its new 68 Sports
Motor Yacht at the Sydney
International Boat Show on
Thursday, 3 August, amidst
a display of nine Riviera and
Belize boats.
Riviera owner and chairman
Rodney Longhurst said:“The vision for the 68 came
about as a collaboration of
our customers and senior
design team through a series
of 3D computer-modelled
presentations considering
what the Riviera of the
future could look like and
how it could function. It’s
a blend of our history andRiviera Premiere at SIBS
Brooker Marine and
BlueFin Boats have
announced a merger
of the two Australian
manufacturing operations.
Both are leading alloy
pleasure craft builders
and together have more
than 75 years’ industry
experience.
Brad Richey of BlueFin
and Kevin McCarthy
of Brooker Marine say
they’re looking forward
to creating an awesome
team and manufacturing
base in BlueFin’s
Lidcombe, Sydney, factory.
The merger aims to create
a future-proof alliance
to benefit dealers and
consumers.
Though they expect to
dovetail model variants,
each brand’s unique
features will remain, and
they will continue to oferbespoke modifications.
They will also ensure
dealers can hold stock as
they believe the ability to
touch and feel products
helps customers see the
advantages they ofer.
In recognising the
industry needs a shot
in the arm, the merged
companies say they
plan to make service
improvements to ensure
they are around for the
long term, providing
dealers and customers
with continuity and
warranty support.
Through the merger
they expect to gain
eciencies in production,
component purchasing
and overheads to enable
them to supply boats and
trailers at competitive
prices while maintaining
high quality standards.NSW Minister for Roads,
Maritime & Freight Melinda
Pavey says the Old4New
programme had exchanged
more than 20,000 old
lifejackets for new PFDs,
spreading the ‘wear a
lifejacket’ message.
“The Old4New van has
travelled to more than 500
towns, covering 100,000km
to ofer upgraded lifejackets
at a discounted price and
educate the community
about modern, comfortable
lifejackets,” Mrs Pavey
said. “Twenty-thousand
is not just a number –
each lifejacket supplied
represents a friend or family
member who is now more
likely to wear a lifejacket
while boating and come
home safely.”
The ‘wear a lifejacket’
message was also spreadby footy legend and
fishing fanatic Andrew ‘ET’
Ettingshausen, with Finn
the talking fish reminding
Andrew to properly care for
and maintain his lifejacket.
ET said he was proud to be
a part of a campaign that’s
all about saving lives.
“Teaming up with Finn
was fun but the crux of his
message is something all
us boaties not only need to
listen to, but do as well.”
“Sadly, eight out of
10 people who drown in
NSW while boating are
not wearing a lifejacket,
highlighting the importance
of safety for all water
enthusiasts regardless of
age and experience.”
See maritime
management.transport.nsw.
gov.au or facebook.com/
nswmaritime.BROOKER BLUEFIN
OLD4NEW PROVIDES
20,000 PFDS
future meeting to give
long-term customers their
ultimate yacht.
“The owners we spoke with
were seeking true blue-water
yachts that combine long-
range performance with
good speed when needed,
and the ability to fish,
dive, or provide the perfect
platform to relax.”
As well as a cockpit that will
keep fishers and watersports
fans happy, the 68 has an
elevated al fresco mezzanine
for entertaining, and a
foredeck that can house a
large tender and coverts
to a sunken eight-seat
entertainment centre with
foldaway bimini. Inside, a
timber staircase leads upto the flybridge where the
helm station can fit four 22in
screens. There’s also a fold-
out double bed, converting
the space into penthouse
accommodation. Meanwhile,
the accommodation deck
has four-cabin Classic
or three-cabin Grand
Presidential options.
Keeping the 68 moving
are two 1550hp MAN V12s
and V-drive shafts; 1800hp
versions are optional.
You can investigate the long
list of details at the show,
but keep some time to view
the Belize display, which will
include a presentation of
the recently announced and
classically styled 66, as well
as the 54 Daybridge model.