Global Boat Transporter confirms upsurge in sales - Australian MarineBusinessWorld.com newsletter
by Peter Rendle 22 Oct 2020 15:00 PDT
Jason Roberts (Aurora Global Logistics), Steve Fisher (Rivergate) and Trenton Gay (Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard) © Andra Bite
While the future surrounding the economy and the various negative results of the Covid-19 pandemic emanate from the plethora of news sources, one knowledgeable source that relates to the marine industry, boat transportation, is recording an entirely different profile.
According to Aurora Global Logistics, globally recreational boating markets are experiencing a huge surge in demand as consumers look for creative ways to endure the pandemic closer to home - a trend being seen strongly here in Australia. Transport and customs brokerage, Aurora Global Logistics says the Covid-led global boating boom is being felt here in Australia with a definite increase in both the export and import of luxury vessels. In the US, one of the largest boating markets worldwide, high-end motor yacht sales have boomed with the National Marine Manufacturers Association reporting a 75% increase in high-end boat sales compared with the same pre-coronavirus period in 2019.
Business is responding to the trend and the experienced team of Brett Flanagan, his brother Grant and Paul Atallah, formerly Sanctuary Cove Boat Sales, have relocated from Sanctuary Cove to headquarter their on-water display at Gold Coast City Marina. Now known as "Boats International" and located on H Arm of the marina, the team represents new brands including Island Gypsy, Focus, Hurricane Deck Boats, Powerplay Catamarans as well as a wide range of high-quality, pre-owned vessels. Boats International is thrilled to announce the unveiling of the latest model Newport 460, a twin cabin version, at the upcoming Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival, 13 to 15 November.
Also, the Asia Pacific region now has a premium new yacht sales company with the launch of The Yacht Sales Co. Founded by marine industry expert Mark Elkington, The Yacht Sales Co is set to follow the enduring success of Multihull Solutions, which Elkington established in 2008 and has since become the region's leading multihull sales specialist. The Yacht Sales Co deals exclusively with the sales of quality new and pre-owned sail and power yachts and is driven by a dedicated team of highly experienced sales professionals in centres across the company's Asia Pacific network. The company has commemorated its launch with the announcement it has been appointed exclusive Australian dealer of the prestigious Dufour Yachts brand of sailing monohulls.
Navico, parent company to the Lowrance®, Simrad®, B&G® and C-MAP® brands has announced Chris Radford will re-join the APAC management team as VP Sales Australia and New Zealand. Chris has been with Navico in different sales management roles for 14 years (from 2005 up until last year) when he joined Dometic to lead APAC Sales for their marine division. "I'm thrilled to welcome Chris back into the Navico family and I'm confident he will build on Mathew Hooper's success in growing our sales in the Australia / New Zealand region!" - Alain Pakiry, Chief Commercial Officer, Navico.
As Australia looks at ways of bringing manufacturing back to this country, one marine business has already taken the step. The MR Marine Group has begun making OCEAN TV Marine Satellite TV Antennas on the Gold Coast in Australia. "While OCEAN TV Antennas were designed and developed in Australia, we always manufactured the antennas in our factory in Asia". said Mark Rothwell, CEO and Owner of the MR Marine Group. "With Covid-19, supply and delivery issues, and the push to buy Made in Australia products, we decided to move production of OCEAN TV Antennas to Australia.", he continued.
And back by popular demand, Six10 Thickened Epoxy Adhesive is a useful adhesive that adds convenience to the versatile WEST SYSTEM product line. It is completely compatible with all other WEST SYSTEM products so that it can be used on top of or underneath any 105 Resin-based epoxies, whether cured or uncured. Six10 Thickened Epoxy Adhesive combines the strength, reliability and excellent physical properties of a two-part WEST SYSTEM Epoxy with point-and-shoot convenience. The self-metering coaxial cartridge dispenses a gap-filling structural epoxy that bonds tenaciously to wood, metals, fiberglass and concrete. The tube comes with a static mixer that lets you lay down a bead of thickened epoxy with any standard caulking gun.
John Curnow, editor of PowerBoat-World.com and Sail-World.com writes a preview of Lisa Blair's new book "Facing Fear". John writes "She's a ball of energy with a fantastic work ethic, an enduring smile, and a certain tenacity that reminds you of the claws below a wedge-tailed eagle. Adversity may strike, but her passion, desire, and will remain omnipresent. Always. So therefore, it will come as no surprise that whilst also working with Terry Wise's Pacific Sailing School, our Lisa Blair has put her COVID time to good use. Working in partnership with Australian Geographic, on 1 November, Lisa's launching her debut book entitled Facing Fear. Lisa recounts the inspiring true story of her solo voyage around Antarctica, which of course was a tale she almost didn't live to tell. It's a riveting read for people of all ages who are interested in the triumph of the human spirit. Lisa recounts the highlights of her extraordinary voyage, and along the way, she shows readers that positive thinking and perseverance can make a difference. Lisa was 72 days into her 183-day journey and 1,000 nautical miles from land when her mast came crashing down due to equipment failure."
Stay safe,
Peter Rendle peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com