Boating Valhalla
It’s high time for yachting enthusiasts to get on board the 2018 Sydney International Boat Show.
Written by Jack O'Rourke
01 August 2018
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The 51st Sydney International Boat Show (SIBS) will return to the International Convention Centre (ICC) and Cockle Bay from 2–6 August 2018.
With SIBS 2017 lauded as the biggest event in the show’s history – over 200 exhibitors showed 800 boats and attracted some 63,000 visitors – the scene is set for another big year.
Organised by the Boating Industry Association Ltd (BIA), the show has become the largest recreational boat show in the southern hemisphere and will again fill the entire exhibition space available at the convention centre, as well as the show’s purpose-built marina on Cockle Bay.
The show spreads across the ICC’s two exhibition levels, while the Event Deck adjacent to the top level will have a pool devoted entirely to demonstrating aquatic products such as kayaks, paddleboards and pedal boards. There will also be a second pool offering the kids free bumper-boat rides.
The schedule is packed full of seminars and entertainment, including fishing masterclasses, historic boat displays, the Australia International Dive Expo and on-water equipment demonstrations, plus the Transport for NSW Boating Safety Zone.
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The popularity of the show with exhibitors means that available display space is in great demand. Meanwhile visitors can expect high-quality presentations and gear to suit all budgets, plus many important global and regional premieres.
President of the BIA Alan Blake said, “The enthusiasm for the show is always remarkable.”
“We returned to Darling Harbour last year after the new facility was complete. ICC Sydney’s two-level venue, the outdoor Event Deck and the marina at Cockle Bay have certainly lived up to expectations; 2018 is shaping up to be an even grander show.”
This year the BIA have decided to name the SIBS marina the David Lockwood Marina in memory of the journalist whose work contributed significantly to recreational boating in Australia.
Blake commented, “David was an excellent writer and terrific friend to the boating industry.
He was passionate about his writing and reporting of recreational maritime pastimes, contributing to newspapers, magazines and even online video reviews.
“David passed away after a short illness earlier this year and we’re immensely proud and pleased that David’s family have allowed us to share our appreciation of his work in this way.”
Yachting enthusiasts should get on their deck shoes and be ready for a serious shop, as SIBS 2018 will see many important global and regional premieres at the show.
Flagstaff Marine’s showcase includes the world premiere of Beneteau’s new Oceanis 46.1, as well as the 51.1, the 41.1 and the 38.1 as well as the Oceanis 62.
Flagstaff Marine Director Graham Raspass commented, “It is a testament to how highly regarded Australia is as a sophisticated sailing market that Beneteau have chosen Sydney for the world premiere of the New Oceanis 46.1.”
The Oceanis 46.1 features a stepped hull, which opens up an incredible amount of space inside. Even so, her seakeeping performance is still impressive. A host of clever customisable fittings make her easy to sail and pleasantly comfortable.
The furling mast, self-tailing jib and all the halyards and sheets brought back to a single winch at each of the helm stations make manoeuvring simple when short-handed sailing.
Team Windcraft will be displaying their largest showcase yet this year, featuring a number of Australian debuts.
Brand Manager Ric Hawkins is looking forward to Windcraft returning after a successful 2017: “The Sydney International Boat Show is always a great show. It is internationally recognised and we attract clients from all over Asia too.
“Every year it seems the momentum for the show builds.”
Windcraft represent Solaris, Dehler and Hanse and for the first time will be displaying Moody Yachts at the show.
“We have a number of yachts premiering at the show this year, including the Solaris 47, the Dehler 42 as well as the Hanse 348, 388, 418 and 548.”
“We are particularly excited to show off the Hanse 418. Its straight stem and extra-long waterline are key to a fast, safe and comfortable sailing experience. We are expecting a great response.”
Complementing this line-up, Windcraft will also display the Dehler 38 and 46, the Hanse 315 and 455 as well as the Moody 45DS and 54DS.
Ensign Ship Brokers will bring the Bavaria C45 Down Under for its highly anticipated Australian launch. Designed by Maurizio Cossutti, the Bavaria C45 will be making its first public appearance since its world premiere in Dusseldorf earlier this year.
With up to ten layout options varying from three- to five-cabin arrangements, as well as multiple versions available, owners can customise this yacht to their own individual taste and style.
Another big feature on board is the bluetooth connectivity. Bavaria Yachts have now made their boats smart, allowing almost the entire yacht to be operated from a tablet and smartphone.
At this year’s show, Jeanneau Australia dealers will be displaying the award-winning Sun Odyssey 440 and holding the Australasian premiere of the new Sun Odyssey 490. Also on display will be the Sun Odyssey 349, the Jeanneau 51 and Maverick, a Sun Fast 3600 that competed in the Sundance Melbourne Osaka Cup 2018.
Performance Cruising Yachts will have six yachts on display. They will be introducing the Dufour 360 and Dufour 520 for their Australian debuts, alongside the Dufour 382, Dufour 412 and Dufour 460, as well as the Elan E5.
Multihull Solutions is busily preparing for the show, where it will stage the Asia Pacific launch of its latest sailing catamaran from the Fountaine Pajot shipyard, the Astréa 42. The MY 44 power catamaran and the Lucia 40 sailing catamaran will also be displayed.
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