The boat show season is in full swing - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 30 Oct 2025 16:00 PDT
Pittwater Sail Expo 2025 © RPAYC
The Pittwater Sail Expo, held from 24 to 26 October at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Sydney, was a resounding success. As Australia's largest sailing boat show, the event attracted thousands of visitors and celebrated every facet of the sailing lifestyle.
Set against perfect spring weather and the stunning backdrop of Pittwater, this year's show featured more than 35 monohulls and catamarans from leading international and Australian yacht builders.
From high-performance racing designs and blue water cruisers to elegant day sailors, the diversity on display captured the imagination of sailors from across the country. As someone who sailed from the club for over five years in the seventies, I was impressed with the updates in the marina and the club premises, making the venue one of the best sailing locations in Australia.
This year, the international jury of the DAME Design Awards comprised 11 leading design and user experts, with a wide range of perspectives covering key leisure marine and superyacht activities. A total of 146 products originating from manufacturers spanning 37 different countries represents a new high-water mark for the globally recognised competition. After initial scrutiny of online entries over two weeks, the jury gathered in a purpose-built facility at RAI Amsterdam for hands-on assessment and detailed discussions spanning two intensive days. Winners will be announced on 18 November, during the official opening.
Following the enthusiastic response to June's Winter edition, the Get Onboard Boat Expo - Brisbane is returning once again for an exciting encore 7-8 November at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, Manly. Hosted in collaboration with Yachtshare, the only boat show held in Brisbane promises even more on and off-water exhibitors on the spectacular grounds of Queensland's largest marina and MIA Club of the Year. Exhibitors from yachts to fishing boats though to accessories such as inflatable pontoons and bimini covers will all be on display to cater for all boatie interests, and just in time for summer.
In Victoria, exhibit at the inaugural Gippsland Lakes Boat Show, launching in 2026, running alongside the much-loved Paynesville Classic Boat Rally. This major boat show and boating festival will: Showcase boats, of all types, and the boating lifestyle. Celebrate the magnificent waterways of the Gippsland Lakes region. Reach extensive audiences of boaters and potential boaters, from Dandenong through to Bermagui, and beyond...Complement the Classic Boat Rally. Deliver a great experience for industry and the public
There's just over three weeks to go until the Sydney International On-Water Boat Show makes its dazzling return! Don't miss your chance to jump aboard as an exhibitor at this year's Show and gain opportunities to build brand awareness and engage with a captive audience at one of Australia's biggest boating and marine lifestyle events.
The BIA this week called for the South Australia Government to form a SA Marine Consultative Group of key stakeholders for the duration of the fishing restrictions announced last week. BIA believes such a Group would help ensure appropriate sharing of relevant data on the fishery, fishery monitoring updates, stakeholder updates/ reports and consultation on the wider range of activities by Government and stakeholders in support of the fishery and boating. The SA Government announced the fishing restrictions on 23 October with little to-no warning, citing its own data on fish stock assessments and the ongoing algal bloom issue, without showing appropriate evidence and justification for the decisions made.
A new era for Sydney's boating community has arrived. The all-new Marina Bayside, a purpose-built $20 million undercover facility, is officially open. Strategically located at Taren Point and just minutes from Sydney Harbour, this is Sydney's newest marine hub. The purpose-built marine repair and storage facility, caters for vessels up to 80 feet and dry boat storage for 160 vessels up to 40 feet. It offers dry stack storage with direct water access, a travel lift, full-service repair and refit, and competitive costs, all under one roof, in an all-weather environment. Marina Bayside will host the inaugural Southern Sydney Marine Expo on 8 November: a full day of free entertainment, education, networking, and discovery.
More news from our region at www.marinebusinessworld.com/Oceania from the largest boating news network, updated daily.
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@worldmarine.media