Organisers of the 29th annual Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) are buoyed by the support and confidence from the hundreds of prominent marine brands signing up over summer.
Leading manufacturers, dealers and distributors are among the next wave of big-names to reserve space at SCIBS 2017 from May 25 to 28, boding well for a bumper edition of the southern hemisphere’s premier boating event.
Major on-water brands just announced include Maritimo, Horizon Motor Yachts, Leigh-Smith Yachts, Integrity Motor Yachts, Whitehaven Motor Yachts, Grand Banks Motor Yachts and Palm Beach Motor Yachts.
Long-time watercraft exhibitor JSW Powersports will return to its prominent position in The Marine Village, with Nautilus Insurance & Club Marine on display along the Parkway. The Main Pavilion will welcome displays from Seabreeze Industries, Ultra Marine and Stella Systems.
In the Superyacht & Marine Pavilion, Superior Jetties will be joined by Megapulse & Adit Marine, while AIMEX Alley will be home to the latest marine specialists including Aqualuma, Pantaenius and Gold Coast City Marina.
Dedicated sport, trailer boat and watercraft precinct The Boatyard is also selling quickly, with RIB Force Inflatables, Game & Leisure Boats, Fishing & Leisure Boats, Sirocco Marine North, Northside Marine and QMC among the key exhibitors.
This follows the announcement that bookings were up 50 per cent on 2016 just three weeks after applications opened, with 100 major brands such as Leopard Catamarans, Multihull Solutions, Multihull Central, Garmin, Navico, AMI Group, Pacific Motor Yachts, and Fleming Motor Yachts joining the ocean’s finest.
SCIBS sales and exhibition manager Dominic O’Brien urged businesses to capitalise on the positive consumer sentiment and secure their preferred position quickly.
“Exhibitors are telling us it’s been a good summer and sales are strong, so they are taking more space and investing greater resources for SCIBS 2017,” Mr O’Brien said.
“There has been a notable demand for increased space in both pavilions, The Boatyard is well stocked with trailerable boats and the Marina has over 80 boats booked in,” he said.
“There is still premium space available in all areas, including in and around The Marine Village, but we are taking bookings daily so exhibitor’s intent on attending SCIBS 2017 should reserve their space now.”
SCIBS long standing exhibitor Maritimo are among the latest brands to confirm their presence at this year’s Show, and international sales and marketing manager Greg Haines has confirmed a world premiere and Australian launch among the line-up of vessels on display.
“We will have two new models on show this year, including the world premiere of the S70 and the new M59, which will make its debut in Miami in February,” Mr Haines said.
The first S70 has been customised for its New Zealand owners who were serious about creating a big volume, genuine passagemaker for ambitious cruising in Australia and the Pacific.
It has four cabins, three bathrooms and an exceptionally large saloon and helm area with all facilities on one level for optimal living and socialising.
Maritimo has confirmed six vessels on water: M51, M54, M59, M64, S70 and the Elandra 53.
Mr Haines said Maritimo clients and dealers consider SCIBS among the brand’s top shows each year.
“We all love the atmosphere of The Marine Village and its buzzing restaurants and boutiques,” he said.
“In 2017, we will again be partnering with Maserati in several VIP social events and experiences.”
Leigh-Smith Yachts, another regular SCIBS exhibitor, are this year planning a display valued at more than $10 million, including the brand-new Alaska 47 Sedan.
Also on show will be the new Fairline 48 Targa from the UK, 15 metres of sleek Mediterranean styling and spacious design.
Dean Leigh-Smith said the LSY brokerage display will feature the Endurance 720 by Hampton Yachts.
“This year we will display our boats in our new location at H pier,” Mr Leigh-Smith said.
“LSY and the SCIBS team have followed the ‘stern to’ format of Fort Lauderdale and Monaco with all our stock viewable from the boardwalk and the floating pontoon display.”
Foundation exhibitor Superior Jetties have attended each year since SCIBS began in 1988.
In 2017, the Gold Coast-based company with an award-winning international business will again have its stand in the Superyacht & Marine Pavilion.
Superior Jetties CEO John Hogan said the pavilion offers high traffic volume and visibility, making it the perfect spot for the company.
“We are taking a larger booth this year so people feel comfortable to drop by and speak with us,” Mr Hogan said.
The stand will display Superior’s Waterscape range of furniture, its pontoons, and other products for commercial and domestic berthing needs.
For long-time exhibitor Ultra Marine Products, the Main Pavilion is their perennial pick for prime position to attract the cream of consumer and trade visitors.
“The Main Pavilion is traditionally the place for equipment and marine products to exhibit, so you attract constant flow-through of quality customers and the B2B visitors, which is great for networking,” said Fabien Vignes.
“The Main Pavilion is our choice because whatever the weather outside, we can be sure of a comfortable, well air-conditioned venue that shows off our products to their best.”
This year, Ultra Marine is taking additional space – 21m x 3m in total – and plans to display a host of new products, including a range of European tableware and accessories, and an innovative washing machine for boats 50-feet and above.
“For us, SCIBS is one of two main events along with Sydney Boat Show that add momentum to our sales and marketing for the whole year,” Mr Vignes continued.
“It has an excellent set-up with the marina, Village and restaurants. Everybody attends!”
Premium Australian motor yacht brand Whitehaven will host the launch of the latest custom-built model from its 6000 Flybridge Motor Yacht series at SCIBS this year.
Whitehaven Motor Yachts’ general production manager Ryan Hanson said SCIBS allows his clients to enjoy inspecting boats in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.
“The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is an ideal setting to reflect the premium quality and nature of the Whitehaven Motor Yachts brand,” Mr Hanson said.
Long-time SCIBS exhibitor and Sanctuary Cove tenant Integrity Motor Yachts will launch the new 530 Grand Sedan at the 2017 Show.
Integrity Motor Yachts founder Brett Flanagan said the brand-new three-bedroom, two-bathroom Euro-styling flagship model boasts a Scania 700 hp engine, along with all hydraulic thrusters and stabilisers – features you’d expect on a much larger boat.
“It’s really something special, like a mini-superyacht,” said Mr Flanagan.
Integrity will also present their latest 320 Express, 380 Sedan, 440 Sedan and 490 Grand Sedan models – all new 2017 models which have been reworked based on customer feedback, including features like ensuites, dual helms and additional storage throughout.
“Sanctuary Cove is the home base for us and the major annual boat show for Integrity,” he said.
“We always derive exceptional leads from SCIBS and many sales as a direct result of the show every year, so it’s a primary marketing event for the brand.”
For more information, visit www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au or phone the Boat Show office on +617 5577 6011.
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