Welcome to Adobe GoLive 6

The victorious entrants in the 2004 Australian Marine Awards, incorporating the annual Boat of the Year honours, will be among the most visited displays at the Sydney International Boat Show, according to Domenic Genua, marketing and event manager for organisers, the Boating Industry Association of NSW.

"Boating enthusiasts look forward every year to hearing and then seeing who has won the coveted accolades from the industry," he explained. "This year, the majority of the victors will be on display, including the impressive craft named all rounds Boat of the Year and Trailerable Cruiser of the Year, the 2600 Sports Cabriolet from Powercat Marine".

The show, to be staged over six action-packed days, July 29 - August 3, at its now traditional Darling Harbour venue, is sponsored by Club Marine and the Waterways Authority and is expected to attract up to 90,000 visitors.

More than 300 exhibitors have "signed on" to present a range of goods and services encompassing every aspect of recreational boating, with the latest in boats, engines, marine electronics, nautically inspired fashion, fishing tackle and general boating accessories on display.

While the industry's "bread and butter" lines, hundreds of trailer boats, engines, electronics and accessories will be on show within the six cavernous halls of the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre, a definite show highlight will be the spectacular marina in adjoining Cockle Bay.

This year, more than 200 luxury craft, among them vessels costing more than a Sydney waterfront home, will be on display.

As with the halls, the marina, the largest facility of its type ever assembled for and Australian boat show, will feature a range of craft that rate as award winners or brand new releases.

Industry legend Bill Barry-Cotter, the driving force behind the emergence of The Riviera Group in its rise to world fame, has chosen the Sydney show for a world release of his latest creations, the magnificent Maritimo luxury long-range motor yachts.

While The Riviera Group, sold nearly two-years ago by Barry-Cotter, will stage its largest display ever, among its "fleet" the awesome Riviera 51 Convertible, named Non-Trailerable Cruiser of the Year in the marine award.

The glamourous British manufacturers, Sunseeker, Princess and Fairline will show luxury afloat, as will the United States' leading brand names, among them Sea Ray, Cobalt, Boston Whaler, Four Winns, Seaswirl, Maxum and Bayliner, to name but a few.

Other boats honoured in the marine awards on display at the show include the Haines Hunter V17 Legend (Commendation Award, Dayboat category), the Four Winns 250 Horizon (Imported Non-Trailerable Cruiser), Catalina Australia's ETAP 37 (Commendation Award, Imported Sailboat) and the stunning Cobalt 220 (Imported Trailerable Powerboat).

Other show attractions include daily fashion parades showcasing what's hot and what's not in the latest outdoor wear, the always-popular Strictly Sail exhibit and one which regularly draws the masses, the Yamaha Fishing Clinic.

This year's fishing clinic, with Master of Ceremonies Mile Bailey calling the shots, bring to the stage some of the sport's leading experts, among them the legendary Dick Lewers, lure guru Peter Pakula, bass champion John Bethune, radio/angling personality Bruce Schumacher, The Compleat Angler's Tim Simpson, rob builder Ian Miller and game expert Phil Atkinson.
Experts in their chosen field will also be on hand with the Strictly Sail exhibit, where yachting enthusiasts can learn first hand on everything from the latest equipment to proposed rule changes.

"To call the show action packed is probably an understatement," Genua added. "It's a gala event for all with an interest in recreational boating and over the years has become an important event on the Sydney calendar. There are people with involvement, either as hands on workers in the marine industry or simply as boat owners or would-be owners, who look keenly forward to the show every year."

This year's show will be open every day, 10am to 8pm, halls and marina included.

Admission charges are $15 (Single Adult), $38 (Family Ticket admitting two adults and up to three children aged 17-years or under), $10 (Ages Pensioners) and $8 (children aged 5-17-years). Children under 5-years admitted free.

Darling Harbour is served by all manner of public transport, with the vast suburban rail network, numerous bus services, ferries, light rail and monorail all conveniently placed. Motorists will find parking stations abound in the area, all within a few minutes walk of the main entrance.

Describing the show as " a spectacle not to be missed", Roy Privett, general manager of the Boating Industry Association of NSW and a man involved with every boat show staged at Darling Harbour, handed out some good advice. "There's no better way to start the day than breakfast at one of the many cafes and restaurants overlooking Darling Harbour," he said. "I recommend an early start to all visiting the show as a means to avoid the rush hour and the hassles that can accompany it."

For further information contact the association, telephone (02) 9438-2077 or visit the website, www.sydneyboatshow.com.au