Sail showstoppers

This year’s event will have a “festival feel”, with food trucks, dining and beverage options, picnic tables and a vibrant program of free live entertainment on stage.

Areas including Palm Grove, Tumbalong Boulevard, and Tumbalong Park will buzz with a vibrant festival atmosphere, welcoming thousands of visitors to explore the joys of life on, in and around the water. This general access zone offers the public a free and easy opportunity to discover boating, featuring accessible trailerable craft, essential equipment displays and hospitality offerings.

The festival aims to showcase how boating aligns with the “Blue Mind” concept – the meditative, restorative state we fall into when near, in, or on water – offering the perfect antidote to increasingly busy and stressful modern life.

While more than 160 larger vessels will headline the ticketed on-water display in Cockle Bay, the landside festival will feature a variety of popular trailerable craft, boating accessories and new technology.

Sailing yachts on-water span all categories and include large multihulls, trailerable cruising yachts, as well as high-performance vessels for competitive racing.

The Yacht Sales Co. will exhibit a mix of luxury sail and power yachts, including two Asia Pacific Premieres in the sailing category.

The Dufour 48, which has been nominated for European Yacht of the Year 2026, reinforcing its reputation for comfort and performance will be on show, along with the all-new Fountain Pajot FP41.

Offering an unparalleled sailing experience, the new Dufour 48 is a superb achievement by naval architect Umberto Felci of Felci Yachts Design.

With an emphasis on ensuring owners enjoy every moment of outdoor living, the model has a range of exterior living spaces, elegant lines and remarkable volume.

Its aft cockpit has been redesigned to deliver even more instinctive, safe and hospitable sailing. Movement on deck is simple and natural while underway, and two dining tables provide ample space for entertaining and relaxing at anchor.

The popular aft platform returns as a welcome feature on the Dufour 48, and this genuine outdoor galley is equipped with all the essentials for alfresco dining, including a plancha grill.

The yacht also features an innovative forward lounge with optional sunlounges for unrivalled comfort both underway and at anchor.

The Dufour 48 is available in a three or four-cabin layout with either a forward or lateral galley, and the yacht has been thoughtfully designed to feature premium comfort furniture, including exceptional saloon tables by Ardizio Design, as well as extensive storage.

The standard coachroof glazing has been redesigned as longitudinal windows with integrated opening hatches ushering outstanding levels of natural light throughout the yacht’s interior saloon and galley.

The spacious cabins are equipped with blackout blinds integrated into the ceiling to ensure absolute comfort and undisturbed sleep as the sun rises.

The Fountaine Pajot 41 has arrived in time for the Sydney show. This sleek 12-metre sailing catamaran has been designed to offer outstanding autonomy for extended cruising and is available with an internal combustion or electric drivetrain.

Delivering impressive volume and living space, the FP41 provides impressive handling and performance on long passages while remaining fun and easy to handle closer to shore.

The deck layout incorporates the popular double helm station with a pod housing all instruments for the skipper’s convenience. Positioned at mid-height, this helm station offers an uninterrupted view of the water and the sails while allowing the skipper to easily maintain contact with those in the cockpit and on the new sundeck.

This model offers a choice of relaxation areas, including sun loungers on the bimini and forward of the coach roof, as well as a decadent lounge integrated into the port transom.

On board, every space has been thought out and optimised to offer optimal comfort, both under way and at anchor. The three-window saloon opens completely onto the aft cockpit, and a large opening panel acts as a serving hatch between the galley and the forward saloon.

The FP41 is available in a ‘Maestro’ Owner’s version, where the port hull is transformed to an exclusive owner’s suite. The Quator version comprises four cabins and up to four bathrooms. Each cabin enjoys expansive windows, ample natural light and generously wide beds, courtesy of the hull chines.

From Leopard Catamarans, who will also have the power version on show, the new Leopard 46 Sailing Catamaran will appeal to long-range cruising couples and families.

According to its designers, the new 46 represents a significant upgrade from its predecessor, the Leopard 45. Building upon the successful DNA of Leopard catamarans, this new model offers a spacious, robust, and high-performing cruising experience.

With a new fluid connection between the aft cockpit and saloon and further integration between helm, flybridge and saloon, the future of cruising maintains unmatched space and performance, while multiple interior layouts cater to both private owners and charter operators.

A highlight of the 46 Sail is the optional Hybrid Electric Drive system, which integrates electric propulsion, lithium-ion storage, and solar regeneration. This technology delivers quieter motoring and reduced emissions, making the Leopard 46 one of the most forward-thinking sailing catamarans on the market today.

“Having both the Leopard 46 Sail and the Leopard 46 Powercat available to inspect side by side at Sydney is a fantastic opportunity for Australian buyers,” said David Flynn, Leopard Sales Manager.

“It allows people to experience the best of both worlds — the thrill of performance sailing or the convenience and power of a luxury motor yacht — all from the same trusted Leopard platform.”

Multihull Central promises “a huge show this year”, and as Director Brent Vaughan explains, they will be showing three exciting current models: Seawind 1160XL, Seawind 1370 and the latest 1170.

The new Seawind 1160XL is the third generation of the 1160 and a modern evolution of the award-winning classic.

In addition to an extended hull with reverse bows, which improves pointing ability, increases buoyancy in choppy conditions, and adds modern styling, the 1160XL boasts wider hulls and increased freeboard, creating more internal volume and headroom.

Other features include dual protected helms for 360-degree visibility, tri-fold saloon door, all running rigging to the cockpit, enhanced ventilation with large forward-opening saloon windows and lightweight construction for exceptional handling.

Also on show, the Seawind 1370, the 45-footer which made its successful Australian premiere at SCIBS 2025, and the Seawind 1170 which is one of the brand’s most popular models. Built in Turkey, it’s ideal for aspiring cruisers keen to explore the Mediterranean.

“All the Seawind models have undergone a dramatic redesign to enhance their look and optimise their space on board,” said Brent Vaughan.

“We have just released information and first images on the new Seawind 1270, which will be delivering at the Sydney show, and we already anticipate a lot of interest in this model – we have already taken orders straight out of the box!”

Carbon Yachts, exclusive importer of the Dutch-built Saffier range of sailing yachts, will present the dynamic day sailer and European Yacht of the Year 2024, the 7.1-metre Saffier SE 24 Lite.

Perfect for single-handed sailing with family or racing at full speed, the Saffier Se 24 Lite is a blend of modern design and impeccable functionality.

Weighing just 1,200kg, this vessel showcases a sleek hull with distinctive water- and cove lines, complemented by a clean, anti-slip deck. The spacious cockpit is tailored for comfort, seating six and enabling solo sail control by the helmsman.

With the ease of a self-tacking jib and an efficient below-deck furling system, setting sail is a breeze.

Embrace an eco-conscious sailing experience without compromising luxury or performance with the Saffier 24.

Powered by an electric Torqeedo Pod, it ensures silent, eco-friendly cruising, while its integrated solar panel system epitomises self-sufficiency, reducing your carbon footprint.

The Saffier SE 24 Lite emphasises eco-friendly sailing with removable instruments and lights that can be easily recharged in your car, at home, or with a power bank, underscoring its commitment to being powered by nature. A comfortable cabin awaits beneath, making overnight adventures serene.

Awarded the European Yacht of the Year 2024, the Saffier SE 24 Lite merges innovative design with environmental stewardship, driven by nature’s power.

Returning to the Sydney show is Lisa Blair, adventurer, author, environmental crusader and record-holding sailor. Blair will be exhibiting aboard her yacht, Climate Action Now – a 15.25-metre Hick 50 yacht, (ex-Funnel-Web.)

Blair is the fastest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around Antarctica on her yacht Climate Action Now and holds eight world records. Her voyages serve as a platform for scientific research where she collects ocean data to help understand and fight issues like microplastic pollution and warming oceans.

In the ‘Climate Action Now’ campaign, Lisa Blair uses her sailing voyages to highlight climate change and inspire individual action by collecting and displaying messages from the public on her yacht.

In Sydney, Blair will share details about her new record attempt, first human to sail solo and non-stop around the Arctic Circle, and introduce her new project – her next yacht built using basalt fibre and bio-resins.

Ocean Media, official media partner of the Sydney International On-Water Boat Show, will be exhibiting on the marina with stand partners Benetti and Pantaenius, and Kave Home showcasing a curated selection of their latest outdoor pieces. Come and say “hello” to the Ocean Media team, pick up a copy of the latest Ocean magazine enjoy our trademark hospitality.

Benetti “The House of Yachting”

Founded in 1873, Benetti is the storied Italian shipyard specialising in luxury yachts, an icon of timeless style and construction excellence. Every yacht is unique, developed around its owner. Benetti designs, builds and sells vessels in composite materials from 34 to 44 meters and boats in steel and aluminium from 37 to more than 100 metres. The Benetti fleet consists of eight categories: Class, Motopaniflo, Oasis, B.Yond, B.Now, B.Century, B.Loft and Custom. Part of the Azimut|Benetti Group, a world leader in the industry, Benetti recruits only highly skilled personnel for its Livorno production unit, Viareggio headquarters and offices in Fort Lauderdale, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and London.

Pantaenius Yacht Insurance

Pantaenius, a global leader in superyacht insurance for over 125 years, remains family-owned and insures 120,000+ yachts worldwide. With 10 offices globally, including Sydney and the Gold Coast, Pantaenius offers tailored coverage and exceptional service. Specialising in hull, machinery, crew health, and refit insurance, their team is passionate about boating and committed to strong values.

A 24/7 in-house claims team ensures fast, stress-free support. Their exclusive Superyacht Clauses provide superior protection, featuring agreed fixed values, coverage for wear and tear, and transparent all-risk terms with no hidden warranties, ensuring genuine peace of mind for superyacht owners around the world.

The Sydney International On-Water Boat Show runs 13 to 16 November at Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour. Tickets are available online.

sydneyboatshow.com.au