Ouch!

by John Curnow on 28 Jun 2016 When the kite’s up, you never look back. Just look at all the videos running around of the wicked Chinese gybes that result from even a momentary lapse in concentration on the primary task. Remember, it’s someone else’s job. So grab the helm for second will you? Yours! Cheers.

You see it kind of snuck up a bit on us. Almost like the third wave in the set whilst crossing the bar and you weren’t counting. Yep. The BIA’s centrepiece gemstone in the crown, the Sydney International Boat Show (SIBS), is not that far away. July 28, to be precise.

In talking with the man himself, Domenic Genua, the BIA’s National Manager, Member Events & Marketing, you could see how proud they are of the number of mono and multihull yachts that will be in the Cockle Bay marina. “Our research shows that one third of all our SIBS visitors have a primary interest in yachting, so whether indoors or outside, they are bound to be delighted at what they can see across many sizes and types, as well as all the ancillary products and services geared towards them.”

Just under half the craft on display in the marina come with rags. It’s enough to get you inspired, much like a brochure day with the A2 aloft, so giddy up!!!

Now one company that can truly cross all divides is Bavaria, for they will be showing a total of eight monos and multis from 34 to 51 feet. Farr Yacht Design penned the technical aspects of Bavaria’s Cruiser range, but it is Design Unlimited that created the overall exterior and interior look and feel. As time has moved on, Bavaria has made it possible to customise your craft and make it even more homely. The Australian Premiere of the Cruiser 46 Style will showcase this building trend.

Also look out for the Cruiser 34 that is on World Premiere, and the Cruiser 41 that is being seen here in Australia for the first time. Bavaria’s Vision range is geared towards extended cruising, and with that in mind, offer you trim and dock assistance. Think of it like cruise control and park assist in your car. With just the two cabins, the Vision 42 is all about making sure you and any guests can go far, far away in absolute luxury.

Bavaria’s cats are distinguished by their large and open pilothouse/cockpit configuration, which is also applied to their names. The Open 40 has been named Best Multihull Cruiser for 2016 and the Open 46 has its World Premiere at Sydney. No doubt many a Bavaria owner will be keen to take in the show from the in situ Bavaria Owner’s Lounge.

The Boat Books stand will be laden with treasures as usual. One of these will be Kevin Barr and his AIMEX award winning Barz Optics specs. Check out the Carbo floating frames, of which there are six styles. There are also the bi-focal sungalsses, for those whose arm is no longer long enough. The magnified area is not polarized, so reading the LCD displays is easy.

I recently got an upgrade to a new pair of Barz Optics, with the earlier ones having served well. The comfort and sight has been heavily tested immediately in the Queensland sun, and they passed with great aplomb.

Andrew Parkes will have X-Yacht’s resin-infused Xp 38 Cruiser/Racer on display. She’s a little lighter than some of her opposition in this tough market segment, and with a generous 130m2 A-sail she will be an interesting one to investigate. He’s also the NSW dealer for the MC31 that will be on display, as too with Slovenia’s twin-ruddered Seascape 18 Sportboat. The extra room afforded under the high boom of the latter could be a handy feature there.

Now I have already written extensively on Catana’s Bali 4.3, the Loft. In conjunction with Dream Yacht Charter, the new Bali 4.0 (the Open) will be on display as part of Andrew’s collection. It will be good to discover if this boat is as impressive as her bigger sisters!

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