SCIBS 2015 – Midnight Express 37 Open to make Australian debut

by Sanctuary Cove Media on 19 May 2015 Something stealthy and oozing sex appeal will be making its Australian debut at Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show this week, 21 to 24 May.

The US-built Midnight Express 37 Open, represented by Motorline is bound to turn heads with its sleek styling, spaciousness, versatility and performance.

This boat boasts the ultimate pose factor, but looks can be deceiving. In this case, the Midnight Express 37 Open delivers much more than jaw-dropping good looks.

Custom-made in Fort Lauderdale, the Midnight Express centre-console range spans 34 to 43 feet and is the preferred boat of US Customs agencies and Water Police.

Motorline Group, a company long-associated with the BMW and Mini brands, but with a diversified offering that comprises motorbikes and now boats, will introduce the Midnight Express brand to Australia with the first model, the 37 Open on show at SCIBS.

As dealer, Craig Rose explains: “Midnight Express is regarded very highly for its excellent performance. It is ideal for Miami and equally, the Gold Coast, Sydney Harbour or west coast. It’s great for us to have an additional luxury toy now available for our clients.”

A long-time boatie, Craig first laid eyes on the Midnight Express in Fort Lauderdale and was impressed with every aspect of the company and its product range. What appealed most was the contemporary styling, open centre console, and its roomy and social configuration.

The Midnight Express range is sturdy and stable and designed to handle big swells. “The two-step hull gives it excellent stability, and the 37 open has a massive 11’6” beam, so it’s wide and very spacious.

“Most of all, it’s fast and it’s fun!” says Craig, who attests the 37 Open can leave the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron at Manly and reach Tangalooma in just 20 minutes. “It hits a top speed of 60 knots – that’s 110kms an hour.”

Manufactured in Florida by the Glaser family, two brothers and father since 2007, Midnight Express produces 32 to 35 units per year, mostly for the US, the Med and Middle East.
“They’re custom builders and will build to order, including additional horse power. These boats are designed to take from two to five engines – from 300hp each to the V8 engines up to 627hp per engine. It’s a Chevrolet motor 6.2 L, the same as is found in our HSV Commodores.”

Clients can choose from electronics packages by Garmin or Raymarine, with Fusion audio and JL speakers, all with global warranty, backed up by Motorline service.

Craig says exhibiting at the Show is ideal for the launch of Midnight Express, to generate interest, leads and feedback.

“Sanctuary Cove is the ideal test market for us,” says Craig. “It’s a great place to launch Midnight Express and get customer feedback. From there, we will build our next demonstrator based on what people tell us they want. What colour, number of engines, layout. There are a myriad of options.

“We would love to come away from SCIBS with the boating public excited about Midnight Express, and their input on a list of Australian variations on the boat, as well as a handful of orders from boaties around the country. We are excited to welcome people into the Motorline family and have the opportunity to build them something special.”

Johan Hasser, boat show general manager, says the launch of Midnight Express is another coup for the Show, now it its 27th year. “Our aim is to present the latest and greatest in boats and the boating lifestyle for visitors, to keep the show fresh, relevant and international.

“I’m sure Midnight Express will strike a chord with visitors from around Australia and the Asia-Pacific who are looking for something different with that ‘wow’ factor, and the endorsement of theMotorline name.”

The Midnight Express 37 Open delivered will be priced from $450,000, depending on configuration. A boat takes around three months from order to build, and then one month to ship, ensuring delivery in time for summer.