06/2008 –

The 20th Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show brought multi-million dollar sales showing the event had truly come of age.

A snapshot of 15 exhibitors – only a fraction of the full exhibitor list – confirmed actual sales for them at the Show of close to $A150 million.

The feeling of the major exhibitors was that the show was positive and for many beyond their expectations. Tim Sayer, Managing Director of R Marine, said that the Show had the best vibes of any boat show in the world. Across the range of Riviera, Princess and Grand Banks models, Riviera accounted for some $A37m in sales with more expected in the coming weeks.

Paul Smithson the Gold Coast builder of Sunrunner said: “this year’s show is the best result I have ever had in my life.” Sunrunner exhibited seven boats from their range and sold them all except one with multiple orders for some.

Maritimo released a brand new 60 sports yacht to complement the range of luxury Maritimo cruisers. The brand new boat attracted much interest over the four-day show. According to marketing manager Peter Jenkins they now have so many forward orders they will need to employ more staff and up production output .

Tim Catanese who imports Regal boats said: ”It’s the best show we have ever had.” He sold some $4 million worth of Regals in the 40 foot and above range.

The 20th annual show drew a total of 455 exhibitors with 400 boats on water plus a further 491 boats and watercraft in pavilion and hardstand displays. There were at least 127 confirmed world and Australian marine product launches. If placed stem to stern, the on-water exhibitors alone stretched 5.232km.

Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show general manager Barry Jenkins said some exhibitors were amazed on the confirmation of multiple sales actually at the Show. “We had 50, 678 visitors, the second highest tally in the Show’s history while the exhibitor count was just one less than last year’s record exhibitor field. All exhibition space was fully booked and we are already receiving inquiries for next year’s dates.”

Sunseeker reported sales of some $15m worth of luxury cruisers during the Show with a Manhattan 70 sold on Friday, the sale of a 75 Yacht to a Sydney businessman and the sale of a Manhattan 66 to a Melbourne tycoon.

In record Show sales, Sunseeker East Coast’s Managing Director Rick Rodwell said the show had been a huge success for the company. “While murmurs have been that the market is feeling the squeeze, Sunseeker has seen unprecedented sales results and an increased flow of high end buyers from right across Australia,” he said.

Brendan Hunt from VicSail said he noticed a trend of people changing from power boats to sailing boats, particularly catamarans. “We sell more catamarans at the show than monohulls as people come to compare the range catamarans on display here before they buy,” he said.

In some of the spectacular results, Halvorsen Boat Sales sold two Selene 59s and one Selene 75 for a total value of $A7.3 million.

Mark Elkington of Fountaine Pajot Catamarans confirmed the sale of seven boats by 5pm on Sunday. “We sold three Salina 48s, two Orana 44s, one Lavezzi 40 and one Highland 35. It is the best result we have had and the best Show we’ve done in the history of the company,” said Mr Elkington. “We’ve got sea trials arranged in coming days for nine clients.”

Mr Jenkins expects the sales tally to be much higher than today’s quick snapshot from power and sail exhibitors. “Some companies are still negotiating sales or taking away strong leads which may result in sales in coming weeks.”

More details: www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au

– PR –