Sydney International Boat Show preparations in full swing - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 22 Jun 2023 15:00 PDT
Sundancer 320 Outboard coupe © Sydney Boat Show
With indoor exhibition space now almost at capacity, and close to 200 boats appearing on the marina at Cockle Bay, the 54th Sydney International Boat Show returns to the International Convention Centre at Darling Harbour from 3 to 6 August 2023 with an incredible line-up to satisfy all those who love being in, on and around the water.
The latest and greatest in trailer boats, power cruisers, kayaks, tinnies, sail boats, fishing gear and more, rounds-out the most extensive and diverse collection of watercraft and accessories seen in Sydney. Leading Australian and New Zealand dealer Eyachts is set to make a splash at the Show with their biggest showcase on record, featuring three exciting brands: RAND, Axopar, and Pardo.
News of power developments continue to reach my desk, the latest coming from Europe. Torqeedo GmbH, a global market leader for marine electric drives, today announced a new battery option for its Deep Blue series of powerful electric drives: Deep Blue Battery 80. The new battery leverages lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry and delivers 80 kWh of energy storage, twice the capacity of the previous generation of Deep Blue batteries. The new battery was unveiled at the Electric & Hybrid Marine World Expo in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
"The new Deep Blue Battery 80 doubles the range and runtime for Deep Blue systems. It's a game-changer for electric mobility on the water," said Fabian Bez, Torqeedo's CEO. "This new battery marks one important step in our new strategy to make Torqeedo even more customer-centric by providing optimized products for specific market segments."
The new battery's state-of-the-art cell-to-pack architecture is an advanced approach to battery assembly in which individual battery cells are directly integrated into a pack without the need for intermediate modules or components. This advanced construction offsets the lower energy density of LFP batteries and enables a more compact footprint that is easier to install in many boats.
One of Australia's most successful sailing regattas is receiving ongoing government funding. The NSW Government is extending its long-standing commitment to Sail Port Stephens, Australia's second largest sailing regatta, with funding allocated for 2024 and further renewal options secured for 2025 and 2026. The announcement comes in the wake of the most successful regatta in the event's 16-year history, which injected an estimated $2million into the region's visitor economy. It is a significant stimulus for continued expansion as past investment from Destination NSW - the NSW Government's Major Events and Tourism agency - has been critical in enabling Sail Port Stephens to exponentially grow from a small regional event contested by fewer than 30 yachts to the largest in NSW in terms of entry numbers.
Industry sponsorship is also assisting another well supported sailing week. Nautilus Marine Insurance, one of Australia and New Zealand's leading providers of insurance solutions for recreational vessels and marine business assets, is very pleased to once again be on board supporting the internationally renowned Hamilton Island Race Week being held from 19-26 August. Nautilus Marine Insurance commenced a multi-year partnership with Hamilton Island Race Week in 2022 with the regatta making a very successful return to the sailing calendar. The 2023 event is already shaping up to be equally strong with crews from every state already entered for a week of some of the best yacht racing Australia has to offer. Lyndon Turner, CEO of Nautilus Marine Insurance, is enthusiastic about being able to again support the skippers and crews. "The team at Nautilus Marine Insurance are very much looking forward to continuing our partnership with Hamilton Island Race Week. The regatta is well known as one of the highlights of the sailing season and is an ideal opportunity to display our yacht insurance expertise and our on-going support of the yachting community.
Eight bells Sir James Hardy. It was with great sadness that we learnt of the demise of a sailing legend. Sailing in Australia has lost one of its most loved identities, with Sir James Hardy OBE passing away in Adelaide aged 90. An absolute colossus of the sport, Hardy inspired a generation of Australian sailors after competing in and winning many of sailing's most prestigious races. "There will never be another Sir James," said Australian Sailing President Alistair Murray AM. "His contribution to the sport cannot be understated. He was beloved by everyone he met and could not have given more of himself to driving the success of sailing in Australia. Personally, he was my hero, and I was proud to call him my friend. "On behalf of Australian Sailing, I would like to share our sadness at the news and pass our condolences to his family and the many sailing friends he made along the way."
Jim Hardy was raised in Seacliff, South Australia. He won his first national championship in the Flying Dutchman class at age 16 before being selected as a reserve for the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games. He would go on to compete at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, where he finished seventh in the 5.5 Metre class with Gilbert Kaufman as Crew.
I met Sir James on a number of occasions and was touched by how incredibly humble he was and how he was so approachable. No airs and graces for Sir James, a "true blue Aussie" and a total inspiration.
The Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX) takes pride in organising and hosting the Australian Marine Industry Awards, which covers a wide range of categories, including superyacht, commercial marine, and marine export sectors. Among these categories, the 'Australian Marine Industry Apprentice of the Year Award' holds tremendous significance, as it recognises and supports the growth of emerging talent within the Australian marine industry. This year, AIMEX received a record number of submissions in the 'Australian Marine Industry Apprentice of the Year' category, reflecting the exceptional talent within our industry. The winner of the award is granted an extraordinary opportunity including complimentary return flights and accommodation to Amsterdam, where they will join the Australian industry delegation at METSTRADE 2023. METSTRADE is the world's largest trade show for marine equipment, materials, and systems. For these young apprentices, this highly sought-after award presents a transformative experience, allowing them to explore the international marine industry and propel their careers to new heights.
News from outside Australia, Robertson and Caine, South Africa's leading boat builder which designs and manufactures sailing and power catamarans for the export market under its Leopard brand, is pleased to announce that founder and significant shareholder John Robertson together with the current private equity shareholders, Capitalworks, have entered into an agreement for the sale of Robertson and Caine to Vox Ventures. Vox Ventures is a wholly owned subsidiary of PPF, a leading investment firm in Europe with its roots in the Czech Republic. PPF is active across a wide range of sectors with investments spanning financial services, telecommunications, media, biotechnology, real estate, mobility and e-commerce, across Europe, Asia and North America. The sale, which is expected to close in the second quarter of this year, is subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions including requisite regulatory approvals.
In Thailand, The Yacht Sales Company have announced the arrival of the first Dufour 61. The company reported that this remarkable flagship by Dufour Yachts has quickly gained recognition for its perfect balance of luxury and simplicity. The meticulous construction and thoughtfully planned deck layout ensure both robustness and safety at sea, without compromising on comfort. Every manoeuvre is made effortless, enhancing your overall sailing experience. Large windows and portholes flood the interior with natural light, adding to the distinctive character of the new Dufour line.
From Europe, Groupe Beneteau's Boating Solutions division is being strengthened to accelerate the development of new activities such as digital and personalised services for end customers and informing owners of different ways to enjoy their boat.
Paul Blanc will be in charge of developing Boat clubs and new businesses within the Boating Solutions division, headed by Bruno Thivoyon. He will start is new role on September 1, 2023. Paul joined the Jeanneau and Prestige teams in 2010 as Sales Director for Asia Pacific. Initially based in Shanghai, he established the Jeanneau Prestige regional office in Hong Kong in 2011. In 2018 he became Managing Director of Groupe Beneteau Asia Pacific office in Hong Kong where all brand teams are gathered. Since 2020, he has been Brand Director for Jeanneau.
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Stay safe,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com