EVENTS - SCIBS NOTES BOOST TO MARINE CONFIDENCE
In the two-month lead up to the 2010 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) 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 SCIBS general manager Barry Jenkins, adding that 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 Jenkins. The SCIBS celebrates its 22nd edition this year, from May 20 to 23 (held 9am to 5pm daily).
“Already, we 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 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, SCIBS said visitors can view some exciting new sailboats 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.
On the powerboat front, SCIBS says Riviera has the Australian launch of its 56 Open Flybridge and the world release of its 43 Open Flybridge, which are part of the company’s 2364m² 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 powerboats 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.
Scorpion Ribs Australia is at SCIBS, exhibiting its mid-range Scorpion Serket in a southern-hemisphere launch. SCIBS said the high-performance RIB is based on the proven dry-riding and rough-weather capable 8.5m hull. The display boat is powered by twin Mercury Verado 200hp outboards.
“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 multimillion-dollar vessels of over 30m,” said Jenkins.
As in past years, event organisers said 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.
Within the marine product and accessory area are numerous world launches said SCIBS, including Adit Marine world launch of its Australian designed and manufactured freshwater inlet device to protect and extend the life of an inboard motor’s heat exchanger.
Applied Satellite Technology Australia has a world launch, too, with the Satmate i60 that offers voice, data and tracking ability, applicable to fishing vessels, leisure boats and on land in remote areas.
Swedish company Humphree AB has recently established a Western Pacific office in Australia and is launching its Trim and Stabilisation product line in an Australasian launch.
TMQ offers three new products to the Australian market at SCIBS — the Autopilot TMQ AP47, the BM-1 Compact, and Echopilot 3 Dimensional Forward Sonar.
R Electronics displays a range of new products for Australia with a desalination watermaker unit — the Seafari Versatile by US manufacturer HRO systems — plus the latest high-definition range of OceanView Night Vision cameras and the Capera cockpit floodlight by Lumitec.
Ticket sales for the Show are available online and offer a small discount to gate ticket entry. One-day online general admission prices are $22 for adults, with concession online tickets at $19, while children aged 14 years and under are free. For a full range of gate, two-day and four-day admission tickets, view the website at www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au
SCIBS said tickets will soon be online for the Australian Marine Industry Breakfast facilitated by Gold Coast City Marina scheduled for Friday, May 21. Members of the public can book to hear the latest marine news in the US from Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and president of the International Council for Marine Industries (ICOMIA).
There is no public parking onsite for SCIBS, however, officials said streamlined transport options include Park ‘n’ Ride, water taxi and ferry transfer, helicopter transfer, and limousine and taxi drop off.
Photo: Last year’s Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.