13 July 2007

Visitor to the 2007 Sydney International Boat Show (August 2-7) may not get to meet the “Pinball Wizard”, but if high technology and amazing electronics are high on the list of things to see, then Darling Harbour is the place.

The Sydney International Boat Show, sponsored by Club Marine Insurance and NSW Maritime, is, of course, primarily a boating showcase, with the six halls of the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre and the adjoining Cockle Bay Marina jam packed with every imaginable style of vessel.

Nevertheless, there’s more to boating than boats and at Darling Harbour visitors will be able to get up close and personal with all manner of marine accessories, from nautical clothing to marine engines, from water ski and scuba equipment to the latest in fishing tackle.

Sure to attract a fair share of attention will be the dazzling array of marina electronics, from digital cartography to chart plotters to fish finders and depth sounders, radar to highly efficient communications and global positioning systems.

While show organisers, the Boating Industry Association of NSW celebrate the show’s 40th edition by endeavouring to make it ‘one to remember’, it will be an easy one to recall for world leading digital cartography producer, C-MAP Australia.

The company earlier this year was acquired by a subsidiary of the giant Boeing Company, Jeppesen Marine, and this will be the first Sydney show for C-MAP under its new ownership.

Jeppesen Marine obviously recognise the status and importance of the Sydney International Boat Show, and some of the US headquarters top executives will be at Darling Harbour.

C-MAP Australia managing director Wayne Hunter says it’s been very much business as usual under the new ownership.

“The Australian arm of the company is excited at the prospect of working with Jeppesen and we’ll be all out to host an impressive stand at the show,” he added.

Visitors to the C-MAP display will be able to try hands-on some of the latest C-MAP technology with LCD screens set up for the amateur navigator.

Other displays equally deserving of attention will be hosted by the award-winning Sydney company, GME Standard Communications.

Leaders in maritime communication and navigation for more than 35-years, the company has been at the vanguard of marine electronics in the Australian region.

Oceantalk is another that will rate highly on the list of displays, with the latest products in the fields of wireless instrumentation, antennae and television digital equipment.

Offshore yachtsmen will see the superb safety features offered by the MOBi-lert systems, the MOB signifying Man Over Board.

This unique system has been designed to enable rapid response and safe rescue of crew members lost overboard.

Simrad, Navico, Northstar, Garmin, Lowrance, Huminbird, all the big names will be there, making a visit to the Sydney International Boat Show an absolute must for boat owners.

Throughout the vast exhibition centre and along the spectacular purpose-built marina on the waters of Cockle Bay, visitors will find something of interest at every turn.

Whether it’s the daily Musto fashion parades or the often humorous and always educational Boat Building Competition (staged on the Saturday of the show), every member of the family will find the show an enjoyable day on the Sydney Harbour waterfront.

As an additional attraction this year, show organisers have engaged dot come companies Sail-World and Powerboat-World to coordinate a range of guest speakers for the Strictly Sail and Better Boating Workshop stages.

Speakers will comprise some of Australia’s leading yachtsmen and women, including Olympians and national titleholders, offshore and Formula I powerboat aces and water ski champions.

As usual, one of the prime attractions (and most popular!) will be the Yamaha Fishing Clinic, an event that can be counted upon to play to standing room only audiences.

From canoes and kayaks to multi-million dollar megayachts, the Sydney International Boat Show really does have something for everyone.

The show will be open at 10am daily, with the halls of the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre remaining open until 8pm.

Operations on the marina will cease at 8pm.

Admission charges are $18 (single adult), $42 (family ticket admitting two adults and up to three children aged 6-17 years), $16 (Seniors Card holders), $12 (Pensioners) and $10 (children aged 6-17 years).

Children under 5-years admitted free.

For further information visit the show’s informative website, www.sydneyboatshow.com.au or call the info line, 1300 7 boats (26287).

Photo: C-MAP Australia’s ‘new look’ since the company came under the ownership of Boeing subsidiary, Jeppesen Marine.

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