Sydney International Boat Show 2006

It goes without saying that the Sydney International Boat Show attracts the finest in boats and boating equipment the market has to offer, and that’s certainly true of the 2006 show scheduled for August 3 – 8.

The Sydney International Boat Show is renowned worldwide, with many prominent industry observers regularly rating the show as being in the top 10 in the world.

More than 350 exhibitors will be on hand for the 2006 show, the 39th organised by the Boating Industry Association of Australia.

This year, the show plays host to its largest marina display in its history, with more than 300 craft at home on the specially constructed marina on Cockle Bay.

Among the stars will be the display from industry icon Bill Barry-Cotter, a man needing little in the way of introduction to boating enthusiasts.

It’s now 40-years since Barry-Cotter established Mariner Cruisers, 26-years since he formed Riviera Marine on the Queensland Gold Coast.

He went on to combine the two into a ‘boating behemoth’, The Rivera Group, before selling out to a combined management/finance group in 2002.

Barry-Cotter in 2003 established Maritimo Offshore, a company carrying the same name as his successful offshore powerboat racing team.

Success was almost immediate, the company’s first model, the magnificent Maritimo 60 being named Australia’s Cruiser of the Year and all-round Boat of the Year in 2005.

Visitors to the Sydney International Boat Show will have the opportunity to inspect this stunning vessel, together with two Maritimo 52s, honoured with a Commendation Award in the 2006 Australian Marine Awards and the eagerly awaited Maritimo 48, making its first ever appearance on NSW waters.

Needless to say, being the Sydney International Boat Show, largest exhibition of its type staged south of the equator, Bill Barry-Cotter certainly won’t have things his all to himself.

The competition will be there and there will be plenty of it, including that from his former company, The Riviera Group, hosting as usual one of its largest and most impressive displays.

While it’s always heartening to see Australian-built boats taking centre stage, show visitors are odds on to be equally impressed with the magnificent array of imported craft, the ‘headline act’ sure to be the stunning Predator 72 from the prestigious UK builder Sunseeker.

Although obviously an integral part of the show, boats are just that…a part of Australia’s most dominating recreational boating exhibition.

Fishing tackle, marine electronics, engines, outboard, inboard and stern drive, nautical clothing, safety equipment, charter boat holidays, water ski and scuba dive gear, name it and if it has a connection with boating it’s sure to be at the Sydney International Boat Show.

Organiser, the Boating Industry Association of NSW, recognises that whilst providing the industry with a fine venue in which to market product is a primary aim of the show, it must also offer a package of entertainment to draw the crowds for members’ benefit.

With that in mind, this year’s show offers something for everyone, even a ‘mouth watering’ display of genuine memorabilia from the popular James Bond movies.

Old favourites return, including the amazingly popular Yamaha Fishing Clinic, which can always be counted upon to draw a packed house and, on the Saturday of the show, the often hilarious always educational Boat Building Competition.

Throw in the Better Boating Workshops, Strictly Sail and the Discover Sailing Centre, daily Musto fashion parades and one must ask oneself…….”can we afford not to be there?”.

The 2006 show will be 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).

Proudly sponsored by Club Marine Insurance and NSW Maritime, the Sydney International Boat Show is ready to welcome the industry and its leaders from the four corners of the world.

Be a part of it, be there, August 3 – 8 at Darling Harbour.

For further information visit the show’s website, www.sydneyboatshow.com.au

Photo: The Maritimo 48, making its first appearance on NSW waters at the 2006 Sydney International Boat Show.