‘OUR BEST BOAT SHOW IN 10 YEARS’
Big crowds and super sales at Sanctuary Cove marina
SUPER weather, superyachts and super sales ensured a buoyant mood among crowds and exhibitors at this year’s Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS).
Organisers yesterday hailed this year’s 29th event “the best show in 10 years” and promised something special to mark the marine showcase’s 30th anniversary next year.
SCIBS general manager Johan Hasser said 42,256 people had filed through the gates during the past four days – up from 41,000 last year.
The boost in attendance comes after organisers of the Gold Coast International Boat Show and Marine Expo moved their three-day event from May to March this year to allow exhibitors to participate in both shows.
This year’s SCIBS attracted more than 300 exhibitors and was expected to generate a $150 million windfall for the local economy.
The weekend delivered a slew of sales for dealers including Sanctuary Cove resident Horizon Motor Yachts Australia (HMYA), which showcased its Horizon RP115 at the show.
The 122-foot (37m), one-ofa-kind motor yacht will be the largest and most highly optioned Horizon Yacht to hit Australian shores when it arrives in early 2019.
HYMA marketing manager Erica Rae said it expected more sales in coming weeks.
“It was an awesome show – the quality of inquiry was incredible,” she said.
“We had seven boats on water and were busy the four days of the show. We have a heap of inquiry on the E84 and the E56XO Sport Yacht, the Australian-specific model.
“Things are really looking up,” she said.
Maritimo international sales and marketing manager Greg Haines hailed this year’s show ‘the best since the GFC’.
“We are really, really happy,” he said.
“It has been non-stop, unbelievable. The feedback from the new models, the M59 and S59 has been entirely positive and we are very happy with sales and leads.”
John Cowpe said sales for The Multihull Group included a new Lagoon 40, Lagoon 50 and a Lagoon 42, with another two new Lagoon 630 MY models likely to sell.
“It’s the premier boat show in Queensland with international appeal. There was a good spread of boats, something for everybody,” he said.
Multihull Central’s Brent Vaughan said his team clocked up a record total of $4 million in sales this year.
“We’ve had a cracking show – four boats sold including 2 Seawind 1160 Lites and an Aquila 44 Powercat, plus an Outremer 51,” he said.
Multihull Solutions’ Mark Elkington rated the show “the best in 20 plus years”.
“A total of $3.8 million in sales makes it worth coming. It’s nice to leave with unconditional sales and contracts to
complete in coming weeks,” he said.
Mr Elkington said the multihull market was growing, evolving and gaining confidence, with buyers from throughout New Zealand and show, which is great for exhibitors, particularly for our business which has offices in those markets.”
Crowds weren’t the only thing up – on both land and water – at SCIBS this year.
Dedicated trailer boat precinct The Boatyard and the Superyacht and Marine Pavilion returned bigger and better after their well-received debuts last year while marina berths were boosted to meet growing interest in SCIBS from the superyacht industry.
Mr Hasser said an extra 300 sqm of display space in the Superyacht and Marine Pavilion had helped exhibitors capitalise on traffic through the Marine Village while the Boatyard’s expansion to The Docks precinct was also a winner.
Brett Flanagan, owner and dealer principal of Integrity Motor Yachts, said the Sanctuary Cove-based dealership sold a new Integrity 53 Grand Sedan, a one-year old tradein 490 Grand Sedan, and a new 440 Grand Sedan with the 2017 layout – and expects more to come.
“This has been the best SCIBS for many years, for us – the biggest since we started exhibiting eight years ago,” he said.
Integrity had four boats on water and partnered with interior specialists 3 Beaches for a floating showroom.
“Next year we hope to have a full range of seven boats on water and really go all out,” he said.
“It has been worth year,” he said. it this