The Sydney International Boat Show (3-6 August) offered a bit of everything, no matter how large or small your budget, reports Kevin Green.
Ranging from Hobie sailing canoes to the show flagship vessel – the $14 million Nomad 101 – there was plenty to engage the 47,000 visitors at Sydney. Plus, an esteemed line-up of speakers such as rower Michelle Lee, who told me that doublechecking the self-righting capability of her boat probably saved her life in mid-Pacific.
The theme of sailing meant that yachts played a major part in the show, such as the Polish Viko S30 that was the most affordable (A$235,000), to premier brands such as the glamorous Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54. Racing sailors flocked to the new Beneteau First 36 and the quality Grand Soleil LC 46.
Dayboat-weekender style of sailing craft is a new category for Sydney. This was represented by the exquisite Dutch Saffier Yachts 33 Life (A$539,000) and the very similar French Tofinou 9.7. Multihulls are major nowadays and were well represented with show flagship the Lagoon Sixty 5 offering six cabins with galley options as well. Starter models included the sporty 38foot Excess 11 and the Australian Seawind 1160 Lite, which can have diesel outboards. Offshore sailors patronised the new Catana 50 Ocean Class, with electric daggerboards.
Power catamarans is a major sector, represented by the Australian-designed Iliad 53 flybridge model and many others, including the versatile Aquila Molokia 28.
Another growing category is exclusive dayboats, which double as superyacht tenders. New brands to Australia included the Spanish made Tersero T40 with tall topsides that allow four sleeping berths and full fit-out below. Competitor, the Virtue V10 T-Top has even more space on deck thanks to fold-out topsides.
Another similar brand premiering was the range of Rand electric motorboats, while traditionalists checked out the classic-looking Vicem 55, built in Turkey. In the hall, Mercury outboards had their new range of electric Avator models on display, which are ideal tender engines. Interestingly, the more compact models use an external power bank, so have a longer range. BNZ
