Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is just months away - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 22 Feb 2024 15:00 PST

Prestige M48 APAC © TMG Yachts
As we approach the first major boat show of the year, exhibitors are forwarding details of their brands. The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show runs from May 23 to 26
TMG Yachts will bring a luxury lineup to the Show. The event will feature an impressive display of luxury yachts, including the highly anticipated premiere of the PRESTIGE M48, along with the PRESTIGE 420 and the Lagoon 46. The multi-award-winning PRESTIGE M48 power catamaran, recipient of the prestiious "Design Innovation Award" and the "European Powerboat of the Year", offers unparalleled freedom of movement and stability, providing a luxurious floating villa experience at sea. With its optimised interior and exterior layouts, the M48 delivers uncompromised family enjoyment in a spacious 50-foot multihull design.
Also, leading European yacht distributor in Australia, Eyachts, has announced an impressive line-up for Sanctuary Cove. This highly anticipated event will see Eyachts premiering some of the most cutting-edge vessels in the industry, including the much-anticipated Axopar 29 Sun Top, Axopar 45 Sun Top, and the ground-breaking RAND Supreme 27 Electric - the first electric vessel in its category to grace Australian waters.
Electric propulsion continues to make the news and since its launch in September 2023, the International Electric Marine Association (IEMA) has swiftly emerged as a force to be reckoned with, bringing together an impressive 40+ members from across the globe. Its members are committed to spearheading collaboration that dismantles barriers obstructing the widespread adoption of marine electrification.
Through technical working groups, IEMA will focus on the key priorities of Safety, Interface, and Infrastructure establishing robust standards, best practices, protocols, and certifications. This diverse membership comprises industry leaders, including renowned boat builders such as X Shore, Mobyfly, and Tyde, infrastructure specialist's Aqua superPower and Kempower, marine certification agency HPiVS, electric inboard and outboard motors maker Evoy, drivetrain manufacturers Vita Power, and battery technology experts Kreisel.
Australian plate aluminium boat builder Bar Crusher has welcomed three new dealers to its national network. Gippsland RV & Marine (VIC), North Coast Boating Centre (NSW) and Port Lincoln Boat Supplies (SA) have come onboard in recent months to broaden access to the premium fishing boat range. Bar Crusher general manager Sam Holmes said the three new dealerships shared Bar Crusher's focus of creating exceptional customer experiences. "We've always partnered with family-owned businesses deeply rooted in their local communities," Holmes said.
Leading Australian and New Zealand yacht importer Windcraft will represent Contest Yachts in the region after an exclusive dealership agreement was signed at boot Düsseldorf. The recent announcement will see Windcraft take on Contest's range of premium blue water cruising yachts from 42-85 feet, as well as the Dutch's brand's acclaimed motor yacht model the Contest 52MC. Windcraft Managing Director Anthony Bishop was in Düsseldorf last month and inked the deal with the CEO of Contest Yachts Arjen Conijn. He welcomed the opportunity to represent such a highly regarded name in the yacht building industry.
Our industry associations are keeping a high profile and it was great to see 32 potential trimmers kick off their 12-week Take a Seat With Us (TASWU) taster program this week at Holmesglen. The Boating Industry Association of Victoria has worked hard along with colleagues from Textiles, Furnishings and Caravans to get the course in place, and to help address the drastic shortfall in trimming apprentices and resources.
BIA's Program Manager, Shane Wilson, visited Victoria last week, accompanied by BIA Victoria CEO Steve Walker; the pair visited marinas and boatyards to discuss the benefits of implementing the Marine Card and Access Management System (AMS) at their premises. The Marine Card program is an industry-wide approach to basic Workplace Health & Safety management to support a safe marine business operation. Designed to improve WHS practices, build better systems of compliance, increase safety awareness and streamline the registration and sign-in process for visitors entering marine sites to undertake work activities.
However, the BIAV was this week saddened to hear of the passing of industry veteran Alister Payne. Alister was the partner of another industry stalwart and, current Board member Peter Buckingham, who together first entered the Marine Industry in 1970 when they opened Reef Marine in Heidelberg Rd. Darebin. This was a Johnson outboard dealership, in a vacated BP service station. The duo also opened up Inland Marine at Eildon Boat Club. Alister was quite a character and was very well known in the industry.
Overseas, The New Zealand Marina Operators Association (NZMOA) is pleased to announce that entries have opened in the NZMOA Awards for 2024. The program recognises New Zealand's very best and most innovative and progressive marinas, boatyards and suppliers to the industry. "We are proud of the New Zealand industry, it's doing great things to contribute to environmental improvement, and to provide opportunities through economic development," says NZMOA Chair Chris Galbraith. "Recognising and celebrating that is fun and worthwhile."
Japan's largest marine event, the Japan International Boat Show will take place from March 21 to 24 at Yokohama. Excess Catamarans takes the pride to participate in the show and have the entry model-Excess 11 being exhibited on site, arranged by a dealer in the country, Odyssey Marine.
New Products: A big 4" NiAl bronze self-priming pump with hydraulic drive has been released by Australian Pump Industries. Aussie is a major supplier of marine specific pump equipment and is a major supplier and service station for most Navy platforms. The new pump called the B4XRA/B HYD34 produces 2200lpm and can operate at up to 42psi. It can also lift water through a vertical suction lift of 6m.
Compact yet powerful, ZF's new ZF 3100 A repower transmission series has been purpose-designed for sport fishing boats, allowing these vessels to achieve maximum speed, acceleration, and low-speed manoeuvrability. The ZF 3100 A repower series delivers a massive power range, from 1,900 to 2,444 HP at 2,300 RPM, and features a lighter, compact design that weighs 108 kilograms (240 lbs) less than comparable products. In addition to helping sport fishing boats reach maximum speed with incredible handling on the water, the ZF 3100 A is shorter in height and length, allowing owners to install engines lower in the vessel.
Keep your news coming. We enjoy keeping the industry advised of developments and we update daily, even on weekends!
Keep aware,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@worldmarine.media