03/2010 –

In the two-month lead up to the 2010 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in May, event organisers believe the marine sector is showing boosted confidence in the economy.

“We have close to 340 confirmed exhibitors with further bookings coming in daily,” said Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show general manager Barry Jenkins. This is on track with recent years.

“Our three large pavilions are almost fully booked and the hardstand display space has been snapped up,” said Mr Jenkins. The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show celebrates its 22nd year. “Already have 50 world and Australian marine product launches that we know about while the 2010 show has drawn exhibitors from the US, Italy, New Zealand and China,” said Mr Jenkins. This year, a number of Italian manufacturers are planning to exhibit as a group at the Show.

“Many exhibitors see Sanctuary Cove as crucial in reaching important international and Australian industry markets and consumers. Overall there is an underlying confidence surfacing within the industry and it appears that the marine sector is rebuilding itself from the gloom of late 2008, ” he said.

Within the sail sector, visitors can view some exciting new sail boats with Lagoon Vicsail’s display of the Lagoon 400 and Lagoon 620 in Australian boat show releases.

There are new releases for leading brands including the Dragonfly 35 Swing Wing Trimaran; Fountaine Pajot’s Lipari 41; the Bavaria Cruiser 32; Hanse 375; and Hunter 39. Wichard Pacific is showcasing Profurl’s new generation of flying sail furlers called NEX and Wichard’s MX halyard shackle.

New power boats will draw interest. Riviera offers the Australian launch of its 56 Open Flybridge and the world release of its 43 Open Flybridge which are part of the company’s 2364sqm of display space. Some of the nine models on display include the 5800 Sport Yacht with IPS, the 51 Enclosed Flybridge with IPS, the 3600 Sport Yacht with IPS and the 43 Offshore Express.

Other power boats include the Australasian release of the Arvor 215; the world launch of Lizard Yachts’ new 12.7m power catamaran; and displays from luxury brands including Sunseeker and Princess.

“We have also gained a lot of interest in our Prestige Brokerage and Charter exhibition which will be sited on marina arm C. We are currently in discussion with some operators to showcase several multi-million dollar vessels of over 30m, ” said Mr Jenkins.

As in past years, engineering companies are strongly represented including Cummins MerCruiser Diesel, Yanmar, Volvo Penta Oceania, Honda, Isuzu, Vetus, Caterpillar, Steyr, MTU, M.A.N, ZF and Twin Disc.

– PR –