Postcard weather draws crowds for Sanctuary Cove S

by Rob Kothe on 26 May 2007 Wonderful Gold Coast weather for the 2007 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show and today the crowded marina walkways provided an atmosphere just like Sydney’s CYCA on Boxing Day morning.

With a record 456 exhibitors, up from 423 last year, the Show is the largest on-water display of boats in the Asia Pacific region.

Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is not the largest Show in visitor numbers in Asia-Pacific, that mantle belongs to the Sydney International Boat Show in August which attracts close to 100, 000, almost double that of Sanctuary Cove, but the breath of the exhibitors makes it a very important show on the Asia Pacific scene.

The Show attracts international visitors from around the world. Past experience confirms internationals from 20 or more countries. This year, one of the largest delegations is from Taiwan with 19 groups, both buying and selling.

Riviera, the largest boat manufacturer in the Southern hemisphere added more trophies to an already crowded trophy shelf. The Riviera 4700 Sports Yacht took Australian manufactured boat of the year. Last night Tim Sayers, the CEO of R Marine reported 14 sales with a value of more than 17 million Australian dollars.

Just along the walkway, Bill Barry Cotter and his Maritimo team has racked up sales approaching 15 million dollars this morning.

The sailing scene at this 19th annual show has been very buoyant with big crowds looking at large yacht selections, Beneteau, Bavaria, Hanse and Seawind all reported record sales.