Marine technology, engines and more at Auckland On Water Boat Show

by Kate Gordon-Smith on 18 Sep 2013 Next week’s Auckland On Water Boat Show offers boat owners an ideal opportunity to research and compare the country’s best technology, mechanical and service providers to help refit and refurbish their vessel.

The 26 to 29 September dates of the 2013 Auckland On Water Boat Show mean New Zealand’s largest on water boating event is well-timed for boaties looking to refresh or refurbish their boats before summer.

'From engines big and small, inboard or outboard, to paint finishes or newer exterior coating technologies such as vinyl finishes plus all the navigation, electronic and safety equipment you’ll ever need, there’s an enormous range of service providers and world-class products ready for your consideration at the Auckland On Water Boat Show,' says the show’s CEO Michelle Khan.

Many of the world’s leading marine electronics and communications brands are represented: Furuno, Garmin, Simrad, B&G, Furuno, Navico, GME, Icom, and Raymarine with their affordable, compact Dragonfly sonar/GPS, described as a real game-changer for owners of smaller trailer boats, RIBs and kayaks. Another supplier in this market and show exhibitor, Ocean Signal, makes the world’s smallest personal locator beacon, the rescueMe PLB1. Electronic Navigation (ENL) will showcase their WAASP multi-beam sonar products which handle many commercial applications.

Several exhibitors will feature new engines. The team from the Lees Group, for example, will be talking about the newly-refined Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT) Cursor C90 engines.

'Lees Group has represented FPT Iveco in the Pacific region for more than 30 years and we are thrilled that long-standing customers have been quick to recognise the outstanding features of this high performance Cursor C90 engine,' says Sue Lees. 'One notable example powered by the C90 is the fabulous new ferry built for Leeward Island Services, owned by and servicing Fiji’s Musket Cove and Plantation Islands. Leeward Island Services have been buying FPT engines from Lees Group to power their ferry fleet for many years. When the decision came to power their new flag ship vessel, the 22 ton, 22.5-metre twin hull, Malolo Cat lV, they didn’t hesitate. Launched two months ago, the Malolo Cat IV is powered by twin Cursor C90 620hp FPT Iveco marine diesel engines, driving twin ZF 305-2 gearboxes at 2.5:1 using Ultraflex electronic speed and gearbox controls. These are the latest common rail, electronic controlled marine diesel engines and are 15% more fuel efficient than similar models.'

Lees Group general manager David Cockell also notes that Doosan Marine now offers all 26 models in their marine propulsion and marine auxiliary engine range configured for keel cooling, in addition to standard heat exchanger configurations previously available.

Cockell says: 'Many customers choose the Doosan engine because they are operating in remote locations and these simple mechanical engines avoid the problem associated with back-up of electronic engines which often can only be worked on if the attending engineer has a diagnostic computer. Many vessel owners we deal with have their own engineers and want to know they will be able to carry out their own repairs if necessary.'

Other exhibitors at this year’s show with marine engines include Allpower Marine with the Hyundai SeasAll range, Cummins, John Deere, Gough Power Systems with the Caterpillar line-up, the waterjet propulsion experts from HamiltonJet, Hurricane Products with Parsun outboards, Mercury with the new TDI diesel 350hp V8, Scania, Suzuki, Lombardini and Perkins from Transdiesel, Volpower with Volva Penta, Yamaha, Yanmar and a range from Whiting Power Systems.

Also in the marine technology line, Pacific Tech has been appointed the Australasian distributor for the range of range of anti-rolling gyro (ARG) stabilisers from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).

Pacific Tech’s Bob Charleston says: 'MHI has been manufacturing its gyros for over ten years and there are over 2,800 units in service around the world in recreational and commercial applications. The Mitsubishi ARG significantly reduces roll at anchor and underway to provide greater comfort levels for crew and guests. There are no hull protrusions to get damaged by underwater objects or haul out operations, and with no hydraulic system, water cooling or computer controls installation is straightforward. The MHI stabilisers’ robust construction to provide longevity and low service requirements.'

Other products in the refit and refurbish line include specialised laminating systems, adhesives, interior and exterior fittings and paints, lighting, anchors, winches, water makers, toilets and other marine hardware, as well as a host of fishing rods and lures, paddles, sails, rigging and more – if it’s a product or service related to an on-water activity, you’ll find it at the show.

Filling all three floors of the Viaduct Events Centre and pavilions on the surrounding wharf as well as more than 150 boats on the wharf and alongside the specially-constructed marina in the Viaduct Harbour, the Auckland On Water Boat Show is a ‘must do’ event for keen boaties of all persuasions.

Simple online tools enhance show experience
•A quick visit to the show’s website, Event Website, reveals easily-searchable exhibitor listings. From anchors and winches, fish finders to sailing boats, every exhibitor is tagged for the range of boats, products and services they’ll have on offer at this year’s Auckland On Water Boat Show.
•After 1st August visit Ticket Website to take advantage of the discounted ticket prices for online purchases. An adult day pass is $18 online, or $20 at the gate. All children aged 15 years and under are free this year!
•Download our boat show app from BOXTcode using the four digit code, BOAT. This connects users with the most up-to-date show news and is designed for use on smart phones, iPads or computers.
•Like the show’s Facebook Page for the latest news, competitions and giveaways.