Sanctuary Cove Boat Show survey winner - family thrilled with prizes!

by Jeni Bone on 8 Nov 2011 It was a picture-perfect boating day yesterday as the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show team handed over the superb prize package to grateful winner, Geoffrey Folliott, the Brisbane dad and former-superyacht Captain who is an avid boat show visitor.

Geoffrey and his kids, Harrison and Amelia, came to Sanctuary Cove to receive their prizes, which totals over $14,000 and includes a Zodiac Cadet RIB, a sturdy, sleek and spacious 7.3’ tender, complete with Honda 5hp engine, as well as 6 x RFD Cyclone 150N jackets and 1 Kannad 406 EPIRB. Roger and his wife, Michelle will also enjoy the $500 voucher from Australian-made nautical leisure wear Shock & Oar, 6 x Liquid Image Goggles, the world’s only swim mask with an integrated waterproof digital camera, from Active Out There, 6 pairs of polarised sunglasses from BarzOptics and 4 pairs of Sperry boat shoes.

They are also looking forward to their grown ups only trip for two to Hayman Great Barrier Reef, along with Airfares and transfers to Hayman Island. The package includes 3 nights accommodation for 2 people in a fabulous Pool Deluxe Room overlooking the famous Hayman Pool and tropical gardens, daily buffet breakfast in Azure, fronting the Hayman Beach and access to plenty of activities and experiences on this superlative island resort.

Harrison, 4, was quite taken with the Liquid Image Goggles, which he promised to use on the family's upcoming trip to Cotton Tree, where the Zodiac RIB will get plenty of use. 'I love boats. This is my first,' he said overwhelmed with the thought of owning his own boat after a few seasons of messing about with the boats of friends.

Geoffrey is a Captain by profession and also teaches yachting, sail training and is an RYA Yacht Master Examiner. He frequently undertakes private skippering, so there is no doubt about his boating credentials to handle the light-weight yet robust new boat.

'This is great. It will be ideal for summer and our family trip in January. We are planning to spend three weeks at Cotton Tree, with a lot of that time out on the water. Harrison already loves it.'

Roger Braun from Captain Nemo's at Helensvale, the world's first Zodiac concept store, was delighted to handover the boxed boat, which fit neatly on Geoffrey's trailer. 'It's a great boat, with a five year warranty - not that you'll need it. They are built for our climate, conditions and UV exposure, and to stand up to heaps of use.'

True 'go anywhere boats', Zodiac has 75 years of heritage and is renowned for inventing the original inflatable. Zodiac inflatables allow for easy inflation and quick launch, enabling the user to enjoy their time on the water even more. With the strength of the PVC based fabric and the advanced design of the inflated keel, you will enjoy smoother planing as well as greater manoeuvrability. After use, you can easily deflate the tubes of the boat, compacting down for easy transport in the back of the car or to be stored away in the closet or garage.

Phil Shaw, Events and Operations Manager at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show said the prizes were a great incentive for visitors to the boat show to have their say. 'This was a initiative to encourage people, visitors, exhibitors and the general public, to provide us with feedback on how we can make improvements to our event. It's vital that boat shows evolve to meet the needs of exhibitors and visitors.'

That survey data will be available this week and will indicate consumer trends, intention to buy, reasons for attending, as well as suggestions for 2012 and beyond.

More at www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au