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More than 93,500 visitors turned out for the 2004 Sydney International Boat Show (July 29 - August 3) firmly establishing the spectacular Darling Harbour exhibit as the biggest and best boat show this side of the equator.

The show not only set an attendance record, it resulted in the industry's first "million dollar gate" and according to early sales figures will be the first show to hit the half billion dollar mark (AUD500,000-plus).

Organisers, the Boating Industry Association of NSW, were understandably delighted with the overall result.

Association general manager, Roy Privett, said the show proved beyond doubt that the recreational marine industry in Australia was in very good shape.

In excess of 300 exhibitors displayed their goods and services over the six days.
If there's a down side to the Darling Harbour venue, surely one of the finest boat show venues in the world, it lies in the fact that the industry to a large degree has outgrown it.

It is believed more than 100 potential exhibitors were turned away due to lack of space, despite the association some time ago limiting the degree of floor space some exhibitors demanded.

"It's an unfortunate fact of life," Privett said.

"We're certainly not going to walk away from such a superb venue, but we will continue to look at ways and means to accommodate maximum exhibitors."

Spectacular was certainly the word most used to describe the 2004 show.

It features the largest marina ever assembled specifically for an Australian boat show, with more than 235 luxury vessels on display.

Although Australia's own leading brand names were prominent, the array of imported vessels also drove home the fact that this show is truly deserving of its international status.

Big names from across the world on display included Sunseeker, Beneteau, Princess, Hunter, Bayliner, Cobalt, Catalina, Bavaria, Boston Whaler, Sea Ray, Four Winns, ETAP, Glastron, Maxum, Fairline, Seaswirl, Grand Banks and Offshore.

Many of the displays were impressive to say the least.

Princess, for example, displayed seven luxurious motor yachts with a combined retail value of AUD$16 million!

Australia's own big boat manufacturer, The Riviera Group, staged the largest exhibit of flybridge convertibles and sportboats in its history.

Two world releases at the show also attracted plenty of attention.

Industry legend Bill Barry-Cotter, the man who built The Riviera Group into a worldwide force before selling out two-years ago, chose Sydney to unveil his latest creations, the magnificent Maritimo long range motor yachts.

The show proved so successful for Maritimo that marketing manager Peter Jenkins was able to report 12 months production of the Maritimo 60 confirmed sold.

"If the Sydney International is not one of the best boat shows in the world, I'll give the game away," said the man who has visited more than 30 of the world's top boat shows.

Seawind Catamarans, another Australian company enjoying considerable success on the international market, also conducted a world release, launching its 1160 Catamaran to an admiring horde.

Of course, the Sydney show is not just about big boats.

Within the six cavernous halls of the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre, every type of trailer boat imaginable was on display, together with an astonishing array of marine engines, electronics, nautical clothing, fishing tackle and general boating accessories.

One of the most popular attractions was boat show regular the Yamaha Fishing Clinic, which featured several of Australia's leading angling experts demonstrating casting, new tackle equipment and giving enthralling talks on all manner of fishing.

The clinic was standing room only on almost a daily basis.

Domenic Genua, the association's marketing and event manager and a key man in the organisation and conduct of the show, said 2004 was one of those years where every aspect came together in an accurate manner.

"Our show manager, Warwick Fairweather, handled move in and move out superbly, the marina proved a major attraction in every sense and despite the massive crowd the floor plan allowed unhindered access throughout the halls," Genua explained.

"The association's Board of Directors and all our staff deserve credit for the hours they devoted to the show's success.

"I can assure you that bringing a show the size of the Sydney International to fruition is no simple task and it was only through the hard work of many people that we were able to achieve this success.

"Our exhibitors, too, deserve compliments for the highly professional manner in which they displayed their product.

"This was not only a very successful boat show, it would also have to rate as one of the best-looking shows we've ever staged."

Genua said initial planning for the 2005 Sydney International was already underway.

"We're really going to have to come up with something special next year," he said.

"Not so long ago we imagined a visitor attendance of 100,000 to be nothing more than a pipe dream.

"Now, I've got Roy Privett looking in my direction thinking of that magic ton, a 100,000 gate," he joked.

"We certainly intend to give it our best shot."

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