Auckland On Water Boat Show - See the newest boats

by Kate Gordon-Smith/Sail-World Cruising on 6 Sep 2013 The 15th edition of the annual event formerly called the Auckland International Boat Show – features a number of brand-new sail and motor yachts and will be running from the 26 to 29 September of the Auckland On Water Boat Show.

Michelle Khan, CEO of the Auckland On Water Boat Show, says the September timing of the show offers New Zealand boat builders and distributors the ideal opportunity to display the newest models as boating enthusiasts prepare for the busy summer season on water.

'We’re always delighted to see New Zealand-designed boats on show,' says Ms Khan. 'This year we welcome the chance to see the latest designs.'

From the other side of the world comes a new range of Croatian-built fast performance cruising yachts which New Zealand distributor Richard Wardenburg, of Hybrid Boats NZ Limited, believes are ideally suited to New Zealand yachties and New Zealand’s sailing environment generally.

The first 12.5-metre Salona 41 to arrive down-under is one of more than 90 vessels moored around the easily-accessible, purpose-built marina at the Auckland On Water Boat Show.

'Whether it’s club racing, family cruising or more likely a combination of both that you’re looking for, Salona Yachts has produced a range of boats that are unquestionably fun to sail yet maintain all the safety, quality and comfort that is now demanded of a modern day cruising yacht,' says Wardenburg. 'We’re sure the performance angle will appeal to those who follow the European racing circuit and won’t have failed to notice Salona’s growing presence on the podiums.'

An immensely strong bonded stainless steel frame provides the foundation for Salona yachts’ lightweight vacuum infused hull, resulting in boats that are both stiff and powerful upwind, yet light and responsive downwind. The range is designed by J&J Yacht Design, the same multi award-winning European team that designs the Greenline hybrid boats upon which Wardenburg has founded his New Zealand business. Built to Germanischer Lloyd A Category (Ocean Going) certification, the Salona range includes five competitively-priced performance cruisers between 33 and 44 feet LOA, with a new 60 model nearing completion.

The team from Busfield Marine Brokers will be busy at this year’s show. They’ll feature the latest and largest yacht in the Bavaria Cruiser range, the 17-metre flagship Cruiser 56, for the first time and the recently-released Bavaria Cruiser 33 will also be on display. Just this week, Busfield Marine confirmed they will also represent the Bavaria motorboat yacht range in New Zealand.

'The certified quality of Bavaria yachts and motorboats is one aspect on which New Zealanders can depend,' says Busfield Marine director Bill Rutherford.

'Innovation, modern methods, computer-aided manufacturing processes and highly skilled craftsmen at Bavaria’s German facilities all enable these great vessels to be produced comparatively inexpensively. We are then able to pass on this competitive advantage direct to our customers.'

Invercargill’s Image Boats brings their new 10-metre Cruisemaster to Auckland for the show. It’s the latest of their alloy-hulled boats which are used for both recreational and commercial activities all around New Zealand.

Owner Dean Wilkes prides himself in offering much more than just a standardised assembly line. 'Every boat that Image Boats builds is custom-fitted to be highly personalised to the specific requirements of our individual clients. A one-stop shop, we have everything you need to build, detail, and outfit the exact boat you want.'

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'These are modern motorboats for those who really enjoy their time on the water. There are five models, from the Sport 29 to the Sport 44 Hardtop, meaning there is a boat to suit every size and budget, and we look forward to being able to speak with people about the Bavaria motorboat range at this year’s show.'

Busfield Marine’s sales manager Christine Bird adds: 'One of the great things about the Auckland On Water Boat Show is that people can come aboard any model we have moored in the marina created especially for this event. This offers the perfect opportunity to bring the whole family down to explore the available models in detail.'

Orakei Yacht Sales plans a line-up of 10 premium sail and powerboats at the show with the company’s sales manager Jason Snashall excited to present the very first 14-metre Jeanneau 450S in New Zealand.

'We’ll feature the first 2014 model Prestige 450S in the world with a blonde timber interior as well an impressive range of powerboats including the Prestige 500S, Prestige 450S, Jeanneau NC11, Scout 345 XSF and the Ranger Tug 27, a crowd favourite with its unique miniature trawler exterior design,' says Snashall.

Again on the sailing front, the Orakei team presents four models from the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey range well as the standout Jeanneau Yacht 57, which Snashall says has already had an incredible response from potential buyers and respected media.

The first Lipari 41 cruising catamaran in New Zealand will be on display at this year’s show with the multihull experts from Multihull Solutions. Setting new benchmarks for its class, the 11.95-metre cat delivers outstanding levels of safety, stability, offshore performance and comfort.

These and more than two hundred other boats – on-land and on-water – can be seen at this year’s Auckland On Water Boat Show, New Zealand’s largest on-water boating expo which utilises the world-class facilities of Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour, part of the Wynyard Quarter in downtown Auckland.

If you are anywhere within reach of Auckland you won't want to miss this show. Running from 26 to 29 September, the Auckland On Water Boat Show opens at 10 am on all four days, closing at 6 pm Thursday through to Saturday and 5 pm on Sunday, 30 September.

See Auckland Boat Show for further details about the show or find Auckland On Water Boat Show on Facebook (www.facebook.com/OnWaterBoatShow).