Sanctuary Cove preview on Seven's 'Creek to Coast'

by Jeni Bone on 9 May 2012 Channel Seven's 'Creek to Coast' will feauture all the innovations and new releases in the line-up at this year's Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, 24-27 May, on Queensland's Gold Coast, screening Saturday 12 May at 5pm in Queensland and nationally on SevenTwo, Sunday morning.

Hailed as the 'truly international boat show', this year's event will feature everything for the boating lifestyle, from tinnies, tackle, kayaks and PWCs to cruising catamarans, luxury sailboats, motoryachts and charter options, as well as gadgets and gear such as navigational equipment, precision watches and this year, more than 40 new exhibitors!

There are more than 60 Australian and international launches, including the Aussie launch of the phenonemal JetLev - which shoots riders up to 18m in the air - and numerous 'firsts' in the form of standup paddle boards, RIBs, polarised eyewear, all manner of performance and casual apparel AND plenty of entertainment for the whole family.

There are 'movie star' boats in the form of the heavenly Chris Craft 'Silver Bullet', star of the Twilight instalment, 'Breaking Dawn' and one of only 150 in the world. The 20ft, limited edition luxury runabout, manufactured by Chris-Craft in Sarasota, Florida, is the boating equivalent of a sports car with optional 300hp Mercury or Volvo engines capable of speeds in excess of 60mph.

Alongside the 'Silver Bullet' will be the 1950s stunner, 'Mistral', on sale at the show for $89,000. Built from a kit of authentic parts shipped from the US to Tasmania in 1950, Mistral was then completely restored between 1992 and 2001 by only its second owner since the boat was built.

The design emanated from the WWII Motor Torpedo Boats (MTBs) and is regarded as one of the finest designs ever to come out of the Chris Craft factory. To the best of everybody's knowledge ‘Mistral’ is one of the only survivors.

Mistral’s hull is made from King Billy Pine with Brazilian mahogany and Huon Pine for the deck and trim. A freshwater-cooled Chevrolet 350 cubic inch V8 powers this amazing craft, which uses as many of the original components as possible to retain her heritage. Her top speed is 40 knots and will cruise all day at 20 to 25 knots.

In the motor yacht segment, there are launches from Horizon, Belize, Jeanneau, Prestige, Maritimo, Mustang, Pelorus Marine, Palm Beach Motor Yachts, MJM Yachts, Integrity, Clipper, Outer Reef Yachts, Fleming, Grand Banks, Alaska, Hampton, Riviera and more.

The largest vessel on show, 'Norseman' is an Italian built Falcon 90 constructed for luxury Mediterranean charter and will treat visitors to a glimpse of the multi-million dollar, megayacht lifestyle. She has spent two seasons in the Mediterranean and two seasons in Australia and will be seeking expressions of interest.

Horizon Motor Yachts Australia is looking forward to showing off two brand new models, never before seen in Australia.

Along with the sensational E54 making its debut in Australia, the sublime superyacht, the first hull of the stunning AquaCat 80 will be on show – for only the second time since its world debut in Fort Lauderdale.

The Horizon AquaCat 80 catamaran design was created to meet the demand for greater onboard comfort at sea. Compared to monohull designs, twin-round bilge slender hull provides superior stability, faster acceleration and higher top speeds, more efficiency, and greater suitability for long-range cruising, especially for those people who live aboard for extended periods.

Maritimo is planning an impressive on-water display of seven luxury vessels worth more than $8 million, including the new M58 and M45 Motoryachts and the new Mustang 43 sports cruiser.

Palm Beach Motor Yachts will present its new PB 55 and PB 45 for the very first time in Australia. These stylish and superbly crafted vessels are built similar to the high-tech racing yachts used in the Americas Cup races. The latest materials and production methods are used to produce a super strong, but light weight vessels that are as classically chic as they are high-tech.

For the connoisseur, the VanDutch power boat, described as 'the pinnacle of European sophistication meets naval architecture' and normally thoroughly at home in St Tropez, will be on show for the first time in Australia.

The VanDutch was designed by acclaimed and highly awarded Dutch naval designer, Frank Mulder. Fitted with hydraulic motor hatch and two Yanmar 480 horsepower engines, it will reach a top speed of 45 knots.

Clipper Motor Yachts’ new Hudson Bay 50 will be on show. Not simply a new model but a completely new line for the renowned builder of classic motor yachts. The Hudson Bay 50 is designed around a single-level family and entertaining area stretching from the aft cockpit protected by a generous overhang of the hard top through the galley and saloon and dinette. It includes three cabins and two bathrooms in the accommodation suite.

The superb Prestige 500, recently crowned 'Powerboat of the Year' in the 45’category at the European Powerboat of the Year Awards in Düsseldorf, will be seen for the first time in Australia at Sanctuary Cove.

The Prestige 500 also won the trophy for 'Best Interior Design' in September 2011 at the World Yacht Trophies Awards in Cannes, France, as well as 'Best Motor Yacht' at the Nautical Design Awards in Milan, the 'Best of the Best' 2011 in Hainan by the magazine the Robb Report, and was also honoured with the prestigious title of 'Motor Yacht of the Year 2012' in London in the category of yachts up to 55 feet in length.

This year, Integrity Motor Yachts will have four boats at the marina – a 330 sedan, 360 sedan, 360 Flybridge and 400 Flybridge, as well as the 330 sedan bobbing serenely in the lake at the entrance to the Sanctuary Cove precinct.

Sailing too is well represented, with a series of 'firsts' from some of the major international players.
In the ever-popular catamaran arena, Seawind is set to impress with its latest Seawind 100 XL2 and a revolutionary new concept, still under wraps – a 'category first' that will have global appeal.

Multihull Solutions will have on show for the first time in the southern hemisphere, the new Catana 47 high performance catamaran. Timed at almost 25 knots during trials, the Catana 47 is fast, light, robust and exceptionally easy to handle, giving both helmsman and passengers a remarkable sensation of speed and acceleration.

Jeanneau Australia and the Queensland importer, Mooloolaba Yacht Brokers, will host the Australian show debut of the first of the stunning new deck saloon range, the Sun Odyssey 44DS.

The model was only launched at the Paris Boat show in December so it is hot off the line. Paying particular attention to feedback from Australian customers, the interior of the new 44DS has no fewer than 16 opening ports to give superb ventilation throughout. The owner’s cabin is especially catered for with a large opening port out to the transom offering a wide view.

In the trailerable category, there is a swag of launches catering to the fishing, tender, sport and family markets.

Arvor will unveil its Weekender, a derivative of the much-loved Avor fishing boat range with additional features like a large vee berth, convertible dinette, workable galley with 12-volt fridge, a gas stove, private head compartment and two sinks with pressurised water for family-friendly weekends away.

It sports a single Cummins CMD 150hp diesel, mid-mounted for superior balance and driving a shaft for ultimate reliability. Top speed is 22 knots and fuel economy is something petrol outboards and stern drives can only dream about.

Sealegs will have its latest amphibious craft on show, a 7.7m cabin RIB, and there are scores of tinnies, RIBS and ski boats for all skill levels and applications.

Zodiac will present its new 'Mona Lisa' range of Cadet compacts and Cadet RIBs, constructed to be sturdy and stylish in high-tech Strongan (PVC) and Neo (Hypalon).

The PWC on show will excite young and the young at heart, with the official launch of the 2012 range of Yamaha’s redesigned FX series, including the Yamaha SuperJet – the ideal craft for riders who crave a challenging and exciting 'stand up' ride.

There is an array of high-tech navigational equipment on show too, with launches from Raymarine, FLIR and the Navico brands - Lowrance, B&G and Simrad.

For 2012, the entertainment has been boosted to overdrive, with awesome launches, demonstrations and hands-on experiences. There are fashion parades with a difference, cooking segments and live music throughout the day, every day, on the stage in the new entertainment piazza.

Once again this year, the ladies have the chance to don their finest and take to the water, with the glamorous 'High Tea on the High Seas' cruises as part of the Women on Water program.

Also for the 'best mates', there will be cooking onboard your boat demonstrations, as well as tantalising cooking demos by boat show favourite, Club Marine's Bart Beek, interiors seminars conducted by Boat Style and hands-on practical experiences such as FREE ladies basic skills training sessions by Sunshine Sailing Australia.

Read all about the program of events, exhibitors and attractions, and buy your tickets online at www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au