Sydney International Boat Show 2005

Visitors to the 2005 Sydney International Boat Show will be the first in NSW to view the winners in the recent Australian Marine Industry Federation (AMIF) annual Marine Awards, incorporating the prestigious Boats of the Year.

The Sydney International Boat Show, scheduled for six action-packed days, July 28 - August 2 at its now traditional Darling Harbour venue, will see in excess of 300 exhibitors displaying the finest boats and marine equipment the industry has to offer.

More than 250 luxury vessels will be on show at the spectacular Cockle Bay Marina, the largest such facility for a boat show anywhere in the southern hemisphere, while the six cavernous halls of the adjoining Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre will be packed with millions of dollars worth of trailer boats, engines, marine electronics, fishing tackle and general boating accessories.

One exhibit sure to attract maximum attention will be the magnificent motor yacht from Maritimo, the company headed by industry legend Bill Barry-Cotter. The luxurious, long-range motor yacht, the Maritimo 60, which was a sensation when unveiled for the first time at last year's show, was accorded top honours at the AMIF awards, being named Cruiser of the Year and all-round Australian Boat of the Year. It was an incredible achievement for the first model from a newly established company, only formed three-years ago following Barry-Cotter selling The Riviera Group, which he had built into a worldwide force.

While the Maritimo 60, together with Barry-Cotter's latest creation, the Maritimo 52 making its debut at the show, can be guaranteed to attract widespread admiration, the other category winners in the AMIF awards will have their own appeal.

On the marina, show visitors can inspect the Australian Sailboat of the Year and the Imported Sailboat of the Year, the Seawind Catamaran 1160 and the Beneteau First 44.7 respectively.

The Seawind 1160, built at Bellambi, on the NSW south coast, was a clear victor in its category, Sailing Non-trailerable, effectively naming it Australian Sailboat of the Year. Although barely 12 months since hull number one was launched, 25 of the stylish catamarans have already been sold, with the export market taking its fair share with one sale to Hong Kong and five to the United States. In February next year, the Australian flag will fly high over Miami as the Seawind 1160 goes on display at the famous Miami International Boat Show in Florida.

The superb offering from Beneteau, the Bruce Farr-designed First 44.7, had already been named Sailboat of the Year by the international publication Sail World magazine. It's a luxurious cruiser/racer, which has already exceeded the high expectations of Vicsail, Australia's importer/distributor of the Beneteau breed.

Keen anglers strolling the marina arms will doubtless bid for a close up look at the Powercat 3000 Cabriolet, named by the judging panel as Australia's Non-trailerable Fishing Boat of the Year.

Within the halls of the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre, show visitors will be able to see first hand the winners in the smaller boat categories, comprising some of the best-known names in the marine industry, such as Quintex, Cruise Craft and Whittley.

Hunts Marine, one of Sydney's major marine dealerships, is in the fortunate position of having two winners to display, the Quintrex 540 Freedom Sport, named Dayboat of the Year, and the fine Sea Legend 700 from Whittley Marine Industries, which took out the Trailerable Cruiser of the Year honour.

Webbe Marine, another of Sydney's primary dealerships, will display the excellent Cruise Craft Explorer 625, honoured as the Trailerable Fishing Boat of the Year.

Other category winners are sure to grab their fair share of attention from show visitors, among them the absolutely stunning Sunseeker 75, named as Imported Powerboat Non-trailerable Boat of the Year and the beautifully built Cobalt 200, victorious in the Imported Powerboat Trailerable category.

Many other vessels were honoured with Commendation Awards by the hard-working judging panel which, in many cases found the decision-making very tough indeed.

Among the craft receiving Commendations were the M400 Sports Cruiser from The Riviera Group, South Australia's Theodore Marine's 720-01 Coastal, the fine 57 Catamaran from Perry Catamarans, Haines Hunter's 650 Classic and Tracker Marine's Nitro 901.

The Boats of the Year comprise just one of a virtual horde of attractions making the Sydney International Boat Show one of the major events on the Sydney calendar.

Show organisers, the Boating Industry Association of NSW, have pulled out all stops to ensure the show presents as an extravaganza of entertainment. Fashion parades, the Yamaha Fishing Clinic, Better Boating workshops, the Strictly Sail exhibit, Boat Building Competitions, all come together to ensure the Sydney International Boat Show retains its status as the biggest and best recreational boating exhibition south of the equator!

The show will open daily, 10am to 8pm (halls and marina). Admission charges are $17 (single adult), $40 (family ticket admitting two adults and up to three children aged 6-17 years), $15 (Seniors Card holders), $11 (Pensioners) and $9 (children aged 6-17 years). Children under five-years admitted free.

One of Darling Harbour's primary advantages is its ease of access; the complex is services by all manner of public transport, including rail, bus and ferry and offers numerous parking options for motorists. With Harbourside shopping and a wide choice of restaurants and waterfront cafes, the Sydney International Boat Show offers a grand day's outing for the whole family.

For more information contact Domenic Genua, Marketing & Event Manager on 0412 642 357 or (02) 9438 2077
or visit the show's website, www.sydneyboatshow.com.au

Caption:
Maritimo Magnificence! The Maritimo 60, named Australia's Cruiser of the Year and all-round Australian Boat of the Year, just one of the highlights for visitors at the 2005 Sydney International Boat Show.