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MarineBusinessWorld.com Newsletter: Sanctuary Cove celebrates 30 years, London Boat Show closes

by Peter Rendle, Sail-World.com 17 May 2018 15:00 PDT
Multihull Solutions will showcase the internationally acclaimed MY 44 power catamaran by Fountaine Pajot Motor Yachts at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show © Gilles Martin-Raget

The first boat show of the season starts next week and John Curnow and I [Peter Rendle] will be on the ground at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show with the objective of catching up with industry members.

It is the 30th edition of the show and the Boating Industry Association is supporting the Queensland event. However, one boat show that has had a long history, the London Boat Show, will not be happening in the UK's capital in January and it appears that the show is no more.

I'm not surprised. The cost of staging a show in one of the world's most expensive cities plus the congestion that any urban environment inherits these days makes the alternate on-water show in Southampton, south-west of the capital, a much better option for exhibitors. It is also very cold in London in January.

At the Sanctuary Cove show the organisers advise that gadgets galore will be on show. Sailing deck hardware, stabilizers and safety devices, the latest generation drones, SUPs and inflatable slides, there's something for every interest at the show which runs from May 24-27th. Among the exhibitors global electronics giant Navico will be exhibiting a range of marine electronics from the Simrad, Lowrance and B&G brands. Navico marketing director Michael Blackwell said the company would be showcasing the new Hook2 series of fish finders, and fish finder and chartplotter combos from Lowrance.

Australia's iconic Clipper Motor Yachts is poised to reach a major milestone at the Show with the world premiere of two of its very latest models during its 40 year celebration of the brand. The newly-minted Hudson Bay 540 and its smaller sibling the Hudson Bay 390 arrived on the Gold Coast just two weeks before the start and are currently being readied for their unveiling.

Among the new product releases internationally this week and represented by Ocean Marketing, ACR's premium boating survival kits contain everything you need to quickly abandon ship and alert the Coast Guard of your emergency, conveniently prepacked and affordably priced.

On the sailing front, the 2018 Yacht Club Managers Forum, a national networking group of Australia's leading yacht clubs, will be held on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, Queensland, over three days from 4-6 June, 2018. A thoughtful agenda has been composed and speakers will include a combination of international and local leaders of the sport who have fascinating insights to share.

Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's General Manager, Hayden Porter, will discuss winning the America's Cup and how it has affected their Club. Royal Papua Yacht Club's Aaron Batts will speak on the unique challenges faced by running a yacht club in Papua New Guinea, while John Lee, appointed CEO of Australian Sailing one year ago, will provide a general update to include Q&A time.

Having been in the boating industry for over 36 years, one meets lots of characters and lifetime friendships are formed. It was with surprise and sadness that I learnt of the passing away of experienced marine journalist David Lockwood. David was just 51 years old and having talked to him less than six months ago without a hint of ill health the news came as a shock. Apparently David contracted a rare cancer that took his life far too soon.

David is survived by his wife Katherine, and children, Summer and Sandy. Our thoughts are with them. David Lockwood RIP.

Peter Rendle, Sail-World.com

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