New boat show, new products and new boats this week - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 15 Jun 2023 15:00 PDT
Sydney International Boat Show © Sydney Boat Show
My dad used to say, "Time flies as the monkey threw the clock out of the window." He was right, and the next Sydney International Boat Show (SIBS) will be taking place in six weeks.
Tickets are now on sale for the 54th edition of SIBS, set to run from 3-6 August at the International Convention Centre, Sydney and the adjoining purpose-built marina on Cockle Bay at Darling Harbour. One-day early bird tickets are $25 + booking fee (early bird runs until midnight on 26 July). Early bird ticket purchasers have the chance to win $10,000 'Boat Show Dollars' to spend with an exhibitor at the show. Children under 16 years of age are admitted free with a paying adult.
New products dominate this week's news, including a new item from the Navico Group. B&G, the world's leading sailing electronics manufacturer, have announced the launch of the Hercules sailing performance processor, delivering advanced data in an instant, with enhanced settings, and maximized connectivity and compatibility. Additionally, B&G is introducing a new Hercules expansion module, allowing sailors to integrate additional sensors and expand their sailing system for cruising or racing.
"B&G's passion for sailing is what sets us apart and drives the continued innovation we deliver with each new product," said Kevin Steinbraker, VP and General Manager, Digital Systems of Navico Group. "A new solution for advanced cruising and racing sailors, the Hercules sailing processor offers greater compatibility across our suite of sailing electronics. This instrument will take your sailing system to the next level."
And top end powerboat users will look forward to examining the latest outboard. Mercury Racing elevates outboard engine power and technology with the introduction of the Mercury Racing V8 500R model. This supercharged 500hp V8 outboard was created for no-compromise owners of the fastest luxury sport boats. The 500R introduces a host of new components engineered to complement the raw power produced by this engine and the challenging demands of extreme-performance boating.
"Capable of delivering more than 500 horsepower in a wide range of conditions, and weighing as little as 720 pounds, the 500R establishes a new benchmark for outboard power density," said Stuart Halley, Mercury Racing general manager. "This motor offers incredible mid-range punch and pulls with unrelenting authority all the way to wide-open throttle. This is the most exciting production outboard to ever emerge from the Mercury Racing shop."
Also from the USA, news of an Australian product: Off the back of their successful first foray at an international boat show at Fort Lauderdale in October last year, Carbon Game Towers International is diversifying into other carbon fibre products, relying on a range of resins and glues from ATL Composites. Launched in October 2022, installed on the 40-foot game boat, BACK IN BLACK at an unveiling at The Boat Works, Coomera, the 100 percent carbon fibre tower is the product of two years and thousands of hours R&D.
Led by Levi Duncan and Josh Duke-Yonge, Directors at Ocean Degree Yacht Services, a talented design and production team devised the 8-metre carbon fibre tower which is hailed a ground-breaking innovation - a revolution in game towers.
From Europe: Peters & May, the industry leaders in yacht handling and shipping, transport the first Anthénea eco-friendly Luxury Suite to Doha. After five years of research and development, the luxury pod will join Marina corniche promenade in Porto Arabia at the Pearl-Qatar, between June 8th and June 12th, where it will be presided over by its new owner.
The smart floating space offers 50 sqm of living area across the main cabin and the rooftop solarium, emphasising the 360-degree nature-filled views available through its circular dome shape. The distinctive shape of this capsule proved an ideal opportunity for Peters & May to demonstrate its expert tailored-lifting capabilities and apply its decades of experience to yet another unique project.
New boats this week includes Horizon Yachts. Horizon has launched a new FD80 motor yacht. Specified with numerous innovative features, this is the first FD80 model in Australia to feature a galley-aft layout, a convertible VIP and a helipad on the hardtop. The aft galley arrangement is a popular configuration for Australia's active boating market, as it seamlessly integrates indoor/outdoor entertaining.
This increases the living area afforded by the high volume, four-stateroom FD80 exponentially. The sense of space begins at the customized aft deck, which is fitted with a large dining table for eight, a pull-out Teppenyaki grill station, two custom refrigerators, and sliding glass doors that intuitively blend with the open galley area and main salon forward.
In Queensland, the 900-strong team at Riviera, Australian luxury motor yacht builder, has celebrated outstanding teamwork at the recent Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show with a special luncheon at the company's Gold Coast facility. Company owner Rodney Longhurst praised the entire team for their drive to create the ultimate boating experience for Riviera yacht owners and showcase visitors.
Rodney said it required extraordinary teamwork to prepare the largest showcase of new motor yachts at the show, to create an inspiring atmosphere for visitors from across Australia and around the world and to bring to life the boating education on-water workshops, seminars and glittering social events for Riviera's exclusive owners Festival of Boating during the show.
And in Northern New South Wales, two Marine Rescue NSW volunteers from the Northern Rivers have been named finalists in the Marine Rescue agency category for the 2023 Rotary Districts of NSW Emergency Services Community Awards. Brunswick Unit Commander Jonathan Wilcock and long-serving Ballina volunteer Phillip Causley join Marine Rescue Jervis Bay's Leona Curran and Marine Rescue Merimbula's Edwin Dietrich as finalists for this year's agency award.
Stay safe,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com