Making up the majority of boats on the water and on-land displays, the powerboat segment always draws plenty of attention at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. From the ultra-luxurious Belize, Horizon and Grand Banks motor yachts, to entry level tinnies and RIBS, some complete with outboard and trailer packages, the 2014 event will feature new models as well as innovations.
The first exhibitors to announce their line-ups are eager to emphasise that 2014 will be a big year for innovation and value for money.
Returning to the Australian market and to Sanctuary Cove, luxury superyacht manufacturer Ocean Alexander will be displaying its impressive Ocean Alexander 72 yacht, ideal for Australian conditions and usage, being manageable by two people, or with quarters below to accommodate a skipper and crew.
Also on the larger front, Horizon Motor Yachts Australia which calls the Sanctuary Cove marina home, will have the RP97, E56, PC60 and the V74 yacht models on show.
In addition, HMYA will be showcasing its innovative Yacht Controller joystick system and the Horizon Series of inflatable tenders.
Australian manufacturer, Maritimo will have one of the largest on-water displays this year, and its main attraction will be the new S58, having its world premiere at the 2014 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. The company has already taken orders on the S58 from Australia and the US and is confident the official launch at SCIBS will result in plenty of interest and further orders.
Also on display will be a Maritimo’s series 2 M50 and M58, the throaty and exceedingly fast world-champion Maritimo race boat, an M50, S50, M58, S58, C50 and a S43.
Maritimo USA President, Dave Northrop will be attending this year’s event with some of the company’s US dealers, eager to show them the home of Maritimo and one of the world’s major boat shows.
According to Maritimo sales and marketing manager Greg Haines, SCIBS ranks among the top shows and is of major importance to Maritimo.
“It’s one of the best boat shows on a world scale –certainly in our top five internationally,” he said.
Visitors will be spoilt for choice with the range and diversity of powerboats on show.
From LeisureCat, the latest model, a 10m power cat on show for the first time in Queensland.
“It’s a new breed of cat into the market from us,” said Kevin Horsley, marketing and sales director at LeisureCat Australia/Malaysia.
“Able to be outboard or inboard diesel driven, this is available with an open back or enclosed hardtop Express versions.”
From multihull specialists, Multihull Solutions, the Summerland 40 by Fountaine Pajot Motor Yachts will be the standout in its power range.
The popular power catamaran has introduced a host of new features including a newly designed saloon that provides 360 degree visibility through panoramic windows, additional storage space and improved integration of the galley and cockpit areas.
All of the cabins have been upgraded with premium quality finishes and fixtures, and the flybridge has been revised to optimise spaciousness. The Summerland 40 has been one of the brand’s most successful power catamaran models and its popularity is attributed to the boat’s low fuel consumption 40 per cent less than comparable catamarans in the market.
Fairway Motor Yachts, an exhibitor in 2013, will have even more models on display in 2014. Principal, Stewart Smith says they will be launching two new models, the 37 Flybridge and 43 Flybridge, in addition to exhibiting the current 27 sedan and 41 Sportsfisher.
“We had a great response last year and sold five after the show. It’s a good show for us, and we’re just around the corner at Hope Island,” said Stewart, who was a founding tenant at the Sanctuary Cove marina when it opened in 1988, establishing the first marine engineering business in the precinct.
Brett Flanagan from Integrity, who calls Sanctuary Cove home, will have three models on the water at SCIBS this year.
“A brand new 38 Flybridge, which has had makeovers based on owner feedback, an Integrity 440 Sedan and one Aspire 45 sedan, which we launched last year, but will officially unveil at Sanctuary Cove,” he said.
Flanagan said the second generation of Integrity boats have had their timber work enhanced, and have been reworked to make living spaces and accommodation even more spacious.
New in November last year, the Aspire brand is Euro-design influenced, with all European fittings, fixtures, leathers and styling, as well as delivering exceptional performance, safety at sea and economy.
Collins Marine will be exhibiting its range of Arvor boats in a prominent position outside Pavilion A, among them the Weekender, a versatile 7m powerboat popular with Queenslanders for being trailerable and rising to all challenges, from pleasure craft to fishing boat.
“It ticks all the critical Arvor boxes – diesel, shaft, bow thruster, lockable cabin, self-draining cockpit, walk-around decks – while also allowing owners to sleep aboard with their family and friends,” says dealer, Peter Collins.
In the day boat, RIB, tender and tinnie market, there will be a plethora of makes and models on show.
Returning for a second year at SCIBS with additional space after a great introduction last year, Noble Boats will showcase a diverse range of products in 2014.
According to general manager at Noble Boats, Jason Lee, “Noble Boats have a boat to suit everybody. We will have the Noble dinghies on display, from 3.6m to 5m, as well as the Noble 5.8m Centre Cabin Targa, Noble 6.25m Centre Cabin Hardtop, Noble Aluminium V-Hull Rigid Inflatable Boats in the 3m and 3.7m models.”
There will also be several models in the Noble range of inflatable boats with flat aluminium flooring and for those who want to get in to the latest craze on-water, the Noble Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board range from nine to 11-foot.
“All our plate aluminium boats are manufactured to the highest quality standards and can be used as specific fishing boats or for leisure boating,” says Lee. “Each Noble Boat is of superior integrity – in all aspects of design, construction, welding, fit out and finishing – for safety and durability,” said Mr Lee.
Sponsored by Club Marine and Maserati Euromarque Brisbane, SCIBS 2014 will run from May 22 to 25.
In 2014, SCIBS has partnered with Translink to offer free train travel to and from the 2014 Boat Show on all regular Queensland Rail City Network trains when users display a pre-purchased ticket to the event. SCIBS will also run Free ‘Park ‘n’ Ride’ services for all self-drive visitors from Helensvale.
The 2014 Boat Show will showcase a wide variety of international boating brands, products and technologies on display alongside the superb backdrop of the award-winning Sanctuary Cove marina and The Marine Village.
Offering something for the whole family, SCIBS will also feature a full program of live entertainment, cooking demonstrations and seminars as well as a kids zone and Women on Water program throughout the four-day event.
Tickets are on sale now at the website of SCIBS or through Ticketmaster. Adult day passes start at $20, with concession passes available for seniors and students. Children under 18 are free.
The $A2 billion Sanctuary Cove, located on the northern Gold Coast, is Australia’s leading and most successful master-planned community.
Featuring two 18 hole championship golf courses, a 300 berth marina, five-star InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, Country Club including full fitness centre, tennis courts and 25m swimming pool, Sanctuary Cove is also home to some of the most diverse waterfront, golf course fronting or hilltop residential house and land options on the Gold Coast.