Premier brands quick to shore up space at Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival

Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival © Sanctuary Cove Media

The Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival, scheduled to take place from November 13 to 15, is shaping up to be a bumper event following the launch of exhibitor bookings just three weeks ago.

More than 60 prominent marine brands have already secured prime positions including Riviera, Maritimo, Princess Yachts Australia, Horizon Yachts Australia, Integrity Motor Yachts, Whitehaven Motor Yachts, Beneteau, Clipper Motor Yachts, Fleming Motor Yachts, Hampton Motor Yachts, Fairline Motor Yachts, Alaska, e-yachts and Lagoon - to name a few.

A host of big names in the fishing and trailer boat segment have also confirmed their attendance, with the likes of Australian Marine Centre, Game and Leisure Boats, Nautique Central, Surf Coast Marine, Cobalt Boats, Hurricane, Sailfish Catamarans, Nitro Marine, Whittley Marine Group, Magbay Yachts and Northside Marine on display throughout the vibrant Marine Village.

A precursor to the 2021 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS), the Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival is a free, three-day event that aims to whet the appetite of marine enthusiasts after SCIBS 2020 was cancelled due to Covid-19.

SCIBS Sales & Partnerships Manager Dominic O'Brien said exhibitor interest and bookings have been extremely strong.

Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival - photo © Sanctuary Cove Media

"The level of industry support has been very gratifying. Exhibitors have secured sites on both land and water, which reflects industry desire to showcase the best the marine sector has to offer," Mr O'Brien said.

"After a challenging year, it is important that we support the local marine industry with a smaller, yet meaningful and safe event.

"The Festival will feature every segment of the boating lifestyle, with a range of impressive displays from sailing boats, motor yachts, mono and multihulls, to fishing and trailer boats, leisure crafts, and new gear and gadgets."

One of the first to secure space at the event, Riviera's owner Rodney Longhurst said the premium luxury motor yacht builder was gearing up to premiere a number of new models on water.

"The Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival will be a great opportunity for boating enthusiasts to step aboard a premium showcase of Riviera motor yachts at a boat show for the first time this year in Australia," Mr Longhurst said.

"The two newest additions to our growing fleet are the Riviera 50 and 64 SMY models, extending our popular Sports Motor Yacht collection to four models. These new yachts, along with the larger 68 and 72 foot yachts, have the attributes of a passage maker, pilothouse, motor yacht, and convertible sports fisher, all in one.

"We believe they are truly in a league of their own and in November we will showcase the 50, 64 and 72 for the first time at Sanctuary Cove."

Maritimo's lead designer Tom Barry-Cotter said the luxury motor yacht brand was looking forward to showcasing its latest models at the Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival.

"We hope the Boating Festival will give people the opportunity to see first-hand the latest models in the water and innovations we have in development. We're looking forward to an action-packed three days."

One of Australia's largest marine dealerships, Northside Marine, has also signed up to exhibit at the Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival.

Managing director Greg Nickerson said they were extremely happy to hear that Sanctuary Cove announced a marine event for late 2020.

"With the cancelling of all other boat shows this year, an opportunity to display our great range of boats to a wider audience is welcomed," Mr Nickerson said.

"Whilst the Boating Festival will be on a smaller scale compared to a traditional SCIBS format, I believe it will bring out fantastic crowds to this world-class Sanctuary Cove facility and we are very much looking forward to participating."

The Festival will be set against the backdrop of the Sanctuary Cove Marina, which has recently undergone a $12 million expansion, providing event goers with the opportunity to explore the new world-class facilities.

Boating enthusiasts and families looking to make a weekend of the event can opt to stay in the stunning InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, which has also recently undergone a $9 million refurbishment.

Access to the Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival is made easy with free on-site parking available.

To ensure the safety of all patrons, visitors must pre-register their attendance online. Registration and access details will be released closer to the event date, as organisers work closely with health officials to ensure the event complies with COVID-safe practices.

Exhibitor spaces are selling fast and limited space remains. To join the ocean's finest at the Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival, visit here.