Stars emerge for Sydney International Boat Show

by Bob Wonders on 8 Apr 2014 The 2014 Sydney International Boat Show will be very different from the exhibition thousands of boating enthusiasts have enjoyed for the past 25 years.

As has been well documented, Darling Harbour, where the show has been staged in that time, is undergoing a massive upgrade and subsequently the 2014 show, set for 31 July - 4 August will be staged at two locations.

The spectacular Cockle Bay Marina, always a show highlight, remains on its traditional site while the remainder of the show will be held at a purpose-built facility, Sydney Exhibition Centre, Glebe Island.

One aspect of the event will not have changed – it remains ‘the place’ to see the latest and greatest products by Australia’s and the world’s boating industry.

Ferry services and bus shuttles will link the two sites making it easy for boating enthusiasts to see it all while enjoying a first class day by magnificent Sydney Harbour.

Cockle Bay, of course, will attract many of the best known names in the business, among them Australia’s own ‘heavyweights’ Maritimo, Riviera, Jeanneau, Sunseaker, Hanse and Beneteau, to name but a few.

One new vessel will be displayed at Cockle Bay and I’m tipping it will create plenty of interest. It certainly boasts a renowned heritage sailing from the expansive French manufacturing plants of Beneteau.

However, in this case we’re not speaking of a sailboat, but rather a very stylish motor yacht, so stylish in fact that it has recently been named 2014 European Powerboat of the Year in its class at the massive Düsseldorf International Boat Show.

This particular award winner is the MC5 from Monte Carlo Yachts, a very smart range of craft distributed in Australia by Melbourne dealership Sundance Marine.

The company produces two ranges of luxury vessels, its larger breed marketed as Motor Yachts, the smaller, of which the MC5 is one, as Powerboats.

With an overall length of 15.2-metres (49’10'), the MC5 presents perfectly in the ‘mid-size range’.
Sundance Marine’s David Beck rated the level of comfort and quality aboard the MC5 as 'unprecedented' for a boat of its size.

'It benefits greatly from French and Italian influences which have come together to produce an exceptionally good-looing and sleek performing vessel,' he said.

The manufacturers claim the MC5 is the end result of complex development with a range of innovative ideas from highly experienced boat builders.

Each vessel carrying the MC ‘moniker’ is remarkably similar, size being the primary difference.

The three MC vessels, MC 4, 5 and 6 are all offered in either hard top or flying bridge designs; it will be a flybridge boat head lining the marquee’s introduction to the Sydney International Boat Show.

With lavish master and guest staterooms, spacious and luxurious salon, well-equipped galley and stunning examples of clever design throughout, the MC5 seems destined to make quite an impression.

A ‘healthy’ beam of 4.29-metres (12’ 1') allows for excellent stability and has assisted the designers create a very roomy vessel.

It carries two 650-litre fuel tanks to ‘feed’ the dual Volvo IPS 600 engines and dual 330-litre water tanks.
Definitely a class act from every angle.

For additional information on the Monte Carlo range, contact Sundance Marine, Melbourne, telephone 1300 550 089.
The Sydney International Boat Show will trade 10am to 6pm at Cockle Bay Marina, Darling Harbour and 10am to 8pm at the Sydney Exhibition Centre at Glebe Island.

For ticketing on-line or to gain further information visit the show’s website, www.sydneyboatshow.com.au
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