Talk to the experts at the Auckland On Water Boat Show

by Sail-World on 27 Sep 2012
When the doors to the 2012 Auckland On Water Boat Show open on Thursday 27 September, thousands of boating enthusiasts will be making the most of the opportunity to speak with experts representing many of New Zealand’s most popular marine products and services.

The event’s manager Michelle Khan from the New Zealand Marine Industry Association, which owns and runs the show, says: 'This expert knowledge is one of the great things about an event like the Auckland On Water Boat Show – the ease of accessing a vast array of facts and information to make your on-water activities safer, more fun and more successful.

'You can go aboard and explore a range of boats – check out how big the cabin is on that day-cruiser you’ve been looking at online or take a test-ride on the Viaduct Harbour with one of several boat-builders like Sealegs International, Seahull work boats and McLay Boats. Enjoy the time to talk with professionals from retailers like Rogers Boatshop and Family Boats or the designers from Hamilton Jet, Tristram Marine, Haines Hunter, Sportcraft Boats and Rayglass,' says Khan.

Show visitors can talk with the people who make and/or import the products and find out which models suits their needs. Find out about fish finders, navigation or communication systems – key brands such as Furuno, Lowrance, Raymarine, Simrad and GME are all at the show. Understand which model outboard motor or inboard diesel offers the best features, performance and price from the guys who know their cylinders from their coils.

2012 Auckland On Water Boat Show also features a range of sail boats and sailing-related components, as well as larger motor boats.

'Discuss sails with Doyle Sails, blocks, winches and furlers with Harken, and rigging, masts and booms with New Zealand Rigging. Check out the elegant yachts from Dufour Yachts, the Farr-designed Bavaria Cruiser or the great range from Archambault Yachts,' suggests Khan.

For those who prefer larger motor yachts, the four-day show offers opportunities to go aboard the latest models from Grand Banks and Back Cove New Zealand, Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders, Beneteau Boats and Riviera.

Into water sports? Khan recommends talking with the team from MasterCraft Boats for their extensive range of water-ski and wakeboard boats.

There’s also a vast array of safety equipment from Hutchwilco, marine-grade stainless steel accessories from Marine Xpress and lighting from Hella Marine and Lighthouse Marine.

The Auckland On Water Boat Show also features a free series of seminars, sponsored by Boating New Zealand magazine.

'Our free seminars take place between 11 am and 3 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday on level two of the Viaduct Events Centre,' notes Khan. 'Questions are very welcome, again offering the chance to ask the experts what you want to know.'

The seminar schedule repeats on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as follows:

11 am – Learning to love your diesel engine (Whiting Power)

12 pm – An update on the latest Lowrance Electronics (Electronic Navigation Ltd)

12:30 pm – Find out about the new Furuno TZ Touch (Electronic Navigation Ltd)

2 pm – New to yacht charters? (The Moorings)

3 pm – The Boating Map from www.discoveringboating.co.nz and the weather (with weather guru Bob McDavitt)

The Auckland On Water Boat Show features over 200 exhibitors and runs from 27 to 30 September. Stars of this year’s show are two of Sir Peter Blake's most famous yachts, Steinlager II and Lion New Zealand which are now owned by the New Zealand Sailing Trust and will be open for show visitors to go aboard throughout the four-day show.

The Auckland On Water Boat Show is open from 10 am to 6 pm Thursday through Saturday, and 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Tickets are available at the gate; an adult day pass is $20, buy a four day pass for $30, or enjoy an online discount with purchases from iTicket. See www.auckland-boatshow.com for further details or find Auckland On Water Boat Show on Facebook (www.facebook.com/OnWaterBoatShow).