There may well be a global financial crisis, but as far as the Boating Industry Association of NSW, organisers of the Sydney International Boat Show are concerned, it is full steam ahead.
When the doors open for the 42nd staging of the biggest and best boating exhibition in the Asia Pacific region on Thursday 30 July, it’s a safe bet that Sydneysiders, as always, will embrace the show as their own window to the desired lifestyle of enjoying our waterways.
For five action-packed days (30 July-3 August), Darling Harbour will serve as the boating industry’s headquarters, with more than 300 exhibitors ‘on duty’ displaying their comprehensive array of goods and services.
The adjoining Cockle Bay Marina, with a capacity of 300 power and sail luxurious vessels, will provide the harbour city with one of its most spectacular sights.
As usual, the Sydney International Boat Show is far more than its name indicates; it’s an extravaganza of family entertainment with attractions of interest around every corner.
All available exhibition space within the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre will be packed with millions of dollars worth of boats, engines, marine electronics, fishing tackle and general boating equipment, accessories and services.
Major attractions, many well-known to regular show visitors, will include the popular Fishing Clinic, usually playing to standing room-only audiences, Better Boating Lounge, the often hilarious Boat Building Competition, Discover Sydney Harbour tours, fashion parades, the Walk of Fame and a special visitor among the display of historic vessels in the form of ‘Spirit of Mystery’.
Owned, built and skippered by Pete Goss, ‘Spirit of Mystery’, a 37-foot lugger has followed in the wake of seven Cornishmen who made a heroic voyage to Australia 154-years ago. Pete Goss built the ‘Spirit of Mystery’ in the Innsworke Mill Boat Yard at Millbrook, in South East Cornwall, to celebrate the achievement.
Domenic Genua, Marketing and Event Manager for the Boating Industry Association, is confident exhibitors will ‘turn on a grand show.’
“Most of the nation’s major boat manufacturers are planning new model releases, together with a number of innovative products aimed at making boating easier,” he said.
“The ‘heavyweights’ of the industry, Maritimo, Haines Signature, Riviera, Caribbean, Mustang and Quintrex among them, all have bold plans for the show.”
“We’re particularly excited to reveal that Maritimo will stage a world release of its fabulous Maritimo 73 Sky Lounge, the largest boat ever built by Bill Barry-Cotter,” Genua added.
The Sydney International Boat Show has always been a highlight on the Sydney’s calendar and this year will be no different.
Show hours are 10am to 8pm within the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre’s vast halls, and from 10am to 6pm on the open air Cockle Bay Marina.
Show visitors can jump the ticket queue and save money by purchasing tickets on-line. Admission prices are Adult $18 ($15 on-line); Family (two adults and up to three children aged 6-17 years) $42 ($35 on-line); Child (aged 6-17 years, 5 years & under free) $10 ($8 on-line). There is also a new three-day pass available at $39.
www.sydneyboatshow.com.au
Recorded info line: 1300 7 BOATS (26287)
Telephone: (02) 9438 2077
