Luxury will be on show in quantity at the Sydney International Boat Show, opening at Darling Harbour for six exciting days, July 29 - August 3.
And nowhere will luxury be more obvious than at the marina display of Princess motor yachts hosted by Sydney dealership Chapman Marine.
Sponsored by Club Marine and the Waterways Authority, this year's show is shaping up to be one of the best on record, with more than 300 exhibitors and the largest marina facility ever assembled specifically for an Australian boat show ensuring that the expected 90,000 visitors will experience an exhibition to remember.
While the six cavernous halls of the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre, packed with every conceivable style of trailer boat and general boating accessories comprise the industry's "bread and butter" lines, it's the megayachts on the adjoining Cockle Bay Marina that will amaze visitors.
Some of these magnificent craft carry retail prices the equal of a Sydney waterfront home!
Among those attracting attention will be the fabulous UK-built Princess range, the "magnificent seven." The eye-catching display will feature five flybridge motor yachts and two awesome sportboats, typical of recreational boating as seen on exotic waterways such as the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
One vessel, the P57 flybridge, will be making its debut at the Sydney International, and will be supported by equally stunning displays featuring the P45, P50, P61 and the flagship, the positively luxurious P65. Despite its size, the P65, with its dual MAN 1050hp marine diesels, can sprint to 36 knots!
The classically designed interiors of these yachts must be seen to be believed. Any would qualify as a centre spread in Vogue Living or Home Beautiful magazine.
The V class from Princess, the sleek and stylish 'sportyachts', are truly "something else." Magnificent in every respect, these "giant speedboats" perform as good as they look.
The V65, largest and certainly most impressive of the 'V' range, can, thanks to a pair of MAN 1300hp marine diesels, show many smaller "performance boats" a clean transom, with a top speed in the region of 40 knots! Cabins down, below? Not aboard these craft, they're staterooms, superbly appointed staterooms with en-suites, queen berths and all the comforts of home and then some.
Such is the Princess breed that these masterpieces come complete with Princess cutlery, crockery, linen, towels, the list goes on........
Of course, the Princess range represents only one solid reason for making the Sydney International Boat Show the attraction that it has become over the years.
This year, visitors will be treated to a host of highlights.
Industry legend Bill Barry-Cotter has chosen the Sydney International for the world launch of his newest creation, the Maritimo long range, luxury cruising yachts, will Sydney's Seawind Catamarans will also host the world release of the company's new 1160 Catamaran.
Mercury Marine will show off its new four-stroke, supercharged Verado outboard range, the world's first supercharged four-strokes and now the world's most powerful four-stroke available.
Another industry legend, John Haines, recipient in the recent Queen's Birthday Honours List of an Order of Australia, will be unveiling two new Signatures from The Haines Group.
Winners in the prestigious Australian Marine Awards, incorporating the Boats of the Year honours, present yet another prime attraction, with Powercat Marine's 2600 Sports Cabriolet catamaran, named all-round Australian Boat of the Year for 2004/05, among the many impressive displays.
The Riviera Group, multi-award winner this year and a consistent Boat of the Year victor, will host its largest display ever on the marina, among the boats the powerhouse 51 Convertible, named Non-Trailerable Cruiser of the Year.
Keen anglers will flock as usual to the always-popular Yamaha Fishing Clinic, while the Strictly Sail exhibit will draw like flies to honey those who prefer their boating under canvas.
Families seeking entertainment will gravitate towards the Boat Building Competition and the daily fashion parades.
Domenic Genua, marketing and event manager for show organisers, the Boating Industry Association of NSW, is confident the '04 show will be a memorable one. "It's been said before, but the Sydney International Boat Show really does offer something of interest for all in the family," he said. "The exhibitors will be staging spectacular displays of their product and the show has a real user friendly ambience to allow visitors easy access to view all the exhibits at their leisure. We are supremely confident this year's show will be one out of the box."
The show will be open daily, 10am to 8pm.
Admission prices are $15 (single adult), $38 (family ticket admitting two adults and up to three children aged 6-17-years), $10 (Pensioners) and $8 (children aged 6-17-years). Children under 5-years admitted free.
Darling Harbour is only a short downhill stroll from the city centre and is well served by all manner of public transport, including the suburban rail network, numerous bus services, light rail, monorail and ferries. Motorists will find parking stations circling the venue, all only a few minutes walk from the main entrance.
For further information visit the show website, www.sydneyboatshow.com.au or contact the Boating Industry Association of NSW, telephone (02) 9438-2077.