This year’s highly anticipated 26th edition of the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show will open its doors tomorrow, on May 22. The event will feature an amazing array of exhibitors, activities as well as entertainment to experience over four days.
SCIBS overview
SCIBS 2014 is hosting more than 300 international and Australian exhibitors who will be showcasing the very latest in national and global boat launches, marine products and trends in Sanctuary Cove’s spectacular Marine Village.
And while everything boating is the focus, the event is also about fun with plenty of live entertainment, presentations, demonstrations, food, competitions and activities for every member of the family.
Mulpha Sanctuary Cove head of events Johan Hasser said organisers had worked hard to ensure the 2014 show appealed to a wide range of budgets and tastes.
“A lot of planning and preparation has gone into enhancing the experience of exhibitors and visitors at the show and we look forward to seeing this hard work pay off,” he said.
“There is a diverse range of exhibitors catering to every interest and budget and this, paired with the entertainment available, makes it a great event for the whole family.
“It’s always exciting to see The Marine Village transform and watch the exhibitors come in and there is a real buzz around the community.”
Leading boating brands on show include Maritimo, Horizon Motor Yachts, Riviera and Clipper Motor Yachts.
Luxury cruiser manufacturer Maritimo will have one of the largest on-water displays and sales and marketing manager Greg Haines said the team was looking forward to unveiling exciting new products to the public.
“We will be displaying for the first time our new S58 cruising motor yacht and a number of other vessels and we are confident it will be a great show,” he said.
“A number of our dealers from the United States and Europe will be in attendance and they are all looking forward to coming to Sanctuary Cove.”
Multihull Solutions also will hold the Australian launch of its opulent Catana 59 sailing catamaran during the Show.
Representing the cutting edge of industry design and performance, the Catana 59 features a sleek and innovative design, incredible sense of space, and fast, blue-water performance.
Also in the multihull sector, Vicsail will feature some of the most innovative cats on the market this year: the Lagoon 39 and the Lagoon 52. Both are weighty in the features department, with generous internal spaces and Lagoon’s hallmarks of elegance, comfort, safety, user-friendliness and performance.
Fellow on-water exhibitor Kadey-Krogen is unveiling its newest 48, a classic trawler-style cruiser suited to the Australian market. Ideal for long-haul cruises, the new 48 is supremely comfortable for life abroad.
Maritimo, Multihull Solutions and Kadey-Krogen will be joined in the exhibitor precinct by brands including Fairway, Grand Banks, Hanse, Bavaria, Lagoon, Seawind, Ocean Alexander, Meridian, Light Wave and Outer Reef.
While there is no shortage of prestigious vessels, the sub-$100,000 sector is well-represented at this year’s SCIBS.
Daniel Souvleris of the family-owned JD’s Boat Shed, in Sydney, said they were returning for their eighth show with vessels for a wide range of budgets.
“We’re bringing five vessels from our luxury and middle market ranges, Cobalt and Glastron.
“With prices starting from $37,000 our range sits well with most people’s budgets.
“The show is a must for us as it helps us generate sales ahead of the summer peak period.”
Other exhibitors at the show will be Game & Leisure Boats, Palm Beach Motor Yachts, Sunseeker, Multihull Solutions, Stefan Boating World, Northside Marine, Queensland Marine Centre and Sirocco.
Alongside the exhibitors will be a raft of entertainment and activities to keep everyone happy including The Kidz Zone, Women on Water program, 7 News Weather, Beach, Boating and Fishing expert Paul Burt’s seafood preparation tips, cooking demonstrations, live music and roving street performers.
The Queensland Water Police will showcase operational vessels, including their tactical response boat, jet skis and the “Brett T Handran” 22 metre catamaran.
World record-breaking rower Andrew Abrahams returns to the show to share his adventures after rowing the 5000 kilometre Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge solo in January.
Showgoers will also have the Marine Village’s many restaurants, cafes and bars to choose from.
Sponsored by Club Marine and Maserati Euromarque Brisbane, SCIBS 2014 will run from May 22 to 25.
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.
Tickets are on sale now online and through Ticketmaster. Adult day passes start at $20, with concession passes available for seniors and students. Children under 18 are free.
In 2014, SCIBS has teamed up with Translink to provide free train travel for all pre-paid ticket holders for travel to and from the show between May 22 and 25.
Visitors to SCIBS are entitled to free train travel on all regular Queensland Rail City Network trains when they display a pre-purchased ticket to the event, along with accessing the free ‘Park ‘n’ Ride’ services from Helensvale.
SCIBS is a key event on the national and international marine industry calendar and has injected millions of dollars into the Gold Coast economy over the past 25 years with last year’s show generating more than $148 million.
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.
At the heart of the community is the Marine Village – Sanctuary Cove’s very own waterfront commercial, retail and dining precinct, with more than 80 tenancies.
