Australian Marine Awards in count down mode

by Bob Wonders on 12 Apr 2007 The Australian Marine Industries Federation (AMIF) 2007 Australian Marine Awards, incorporating the Boats of the Year, is scheduled for announcement on May 24 at a gala function staged at the plush Marriott Resort and Spa on the Queensland Gold Coast.

It would be fair to say there’s a few 'nervous nellies' out there among Australia’s boat manufacturers and importers.

This year, more than 150 vessels were presented for evaluation, the field now reduced to 68 finalists.

The judging panel comprises two groups of four, one group each evaluating sail and powered vessels.

They are Antony Krokowski, Kevan Wolfe, Andy Cooper and Kevin Green (sail) and
John Henry, Ian Macrae, Chris Beattie and Mark Robinson ( power).

Judging has been carried out at two locations, Sydney’s Cruising Yacht Club, in Rushcutters Bay and the Hollywell Yacht Club on the Gold Coast.

Twenty-one categories have been evaluated, not all boats, with awards made for Exporter of the Year and Innovative Product of the Year included.

Boat categories included trailerable and non-trailerable boats, power and sail, specialist fishing boats, imported craft, power and sail, and trailerable and non-trailerable aluminium boats.

Legendary industry identity John Haines, CEO of the Haines Group, manufacturer of the Signature range, tops the finalists with six entries in various categories.

Other prominent brand names going into battle for the honours include Quintrex and Horizon in the alloy categories, Whittley, Sunrunner, Mustang, Steber, Riviera and Maritimo.

The non-trailerable cruiser category is sure to be hotly contested, with arch-rivals The Riviera Group, which has two finalists, the Riviera 4700 Sport Yacht and the Riviera 56 Enclosed Flybridge up against Maritmo Marine with its Maritimo 48.

In the Sailing category its shaping as a tough battle with the US-built Hunter and the European heavyweights Beneteau, Bavaria, Elan and Hanse. Australia's own Azzura Marine does have an excellent showing in the non trailable over 10 metre class with the Marten 49, the Sydney 36CR and the Warwick 67.

Sherry Donaldson, CEO of the AMIF, said the event, now seen as a vital component within the boating industry, could not take place without the valuable support of sponsors.

'All of our sponsors deserve the highest commendation,' she said, 'without them the awards simply could not take place.

'They include Club Marine, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, Alcoa, Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, Saint-Gobain, Yaffa Publishing, the Gold Coast Bulletin and Modern Boating.

'I’m sure everyone associated with the Australian marine industry is appreciative of their on-going support,' she added.

Final judging of the finalists will be completed on April 19.

2007 Australian Marine Awards Finalists
Sailing Trailerable	Model
Sydney Yachting Centre	Sports 8
Northshore Yachting Services	Melges 24
Cruiser Trailerable (Fibreglass/GRP under 6m)	Model
The Haines Group	Signature 580 C
Cruiser Trailerable (Fibreglass/GRP over 6m)	Model
The Haines Group	Signature 600 C
Cruiser Trailerable (Aluminium Under 6m)	Model
Telwater	549 Seascape (Stacer)
Telwater	540 Freedom Cruiser (Quintrex)
Ski	Model
Viper HPS Boats	Viper Cielle
Matrix Marine	Matrix Expression
Matrix Marine	Matrix Sorrento
Imported Boats (Imported Trailerable Power)	Model
Glacier Bay Catamarans	Glacier Bay Catamaran 2270 Isle Runner
Penrith Powerboat Centre	Stingray 230sx
Penrith Powerboat Centre	Sanger V215
Wholesale Marine – Going Boating	21’ Proline Walkaround
Wholesale Marine – Going Boating	195 CC Triumph
Vail Imports	Crownline 210LS
Vail Imports	Crownline 190LS
Cobalt Boats Australia	Cobalt 272
The Haines Group	Air Nautique 226
Fibrafort Boats	Fisherman 238
Sportsfishing Boats Australia	Scout SF 205 Centre Console
Chapman Marine Sales	Regal 2200
Chapman Marine Sales	Chris Craft Woody
Chapman Marine Sales	Regal 2700
MaCarthur Marine	Formula 240BR
Imported Boats (Imported Non-Trailerable Power)	Model
Gold Coast City Marina	45’ Alaska Sedan
Gold Coast City Marina	48’ Alaska F/B Euro
Nimbus Boats	Nimbus 320 Coupe
Nimbus Boats	Nimbus 340 Commander
Atlantic Motor Yachts	Grand Banks 47 East Bay FB
5 Star Motor Cruisers	Sealine F34
5 Star Motor Cruisers	Sealine F42/5
Sunseeker East Coast	Manhattan 60
Sunseeker East Coast	Predator 62
Cobalt Boats Australia	Cobalt 323
Chapman Marine Sales	Chris Craft 28 Launch
Chapman Marine Sales	Regal 4060
Chapman Marine Sales	Chris Craft 33 Corsair
Imported Boats (Imported Trailerable Sail)	Model
Daysailer Australia	Precision 185
Imported Boats (Imported Non-Trailerable Sail)	Model
US Yachts	Hunter 45CC
North South Yachting	Bavaria 33 Cruiser
North South Yachting	X-35
Windcraft Australia	Hanse 370e
Navsail	Elan 37
Vicsail	Beneteau Oceanis 50
Sailing Non-Trailerable (Over 10m)	Model
Azzura Marine	Marten Yachts – Marten 49
Azzura Marine	Sydney Yachts - Sydney 36 CR
Azzura Marine	Azzura Yachts – Warwick 67’ Sailing Yacht
Tasman Catamarans	Ocean 35 Series
Fishing Non-Trailerable (Up to 10m)	Model
Deep Vee Marine	DVM 310 Express Gold Coast
Fishing Non-Trailerable (Over 10m)	Model
Azzura Marine	Azzura Yachts – Warwick 76’ Sportfisherman
Mustang Marine	Mustang M43
Steber International	Steber 3800 Sport Fisher
Cruiser Non-Trailerable(Up to 10m)	Model
Sunrunner Cruiser	Sunrunner 3100
Powercat Marine	Powercat 3100 Sports Cruiser
Mustang Marine	Mustang M.P.V 3000
Cruiser Non-Trailerable (Over 10m)	Model
Maritimo Offshore	Maritimo 48
King Catamaran	King Cat 38
Riviera	Riviera 4700 Sport Yacht
Riviera	Riviera 56 Enclosed
Cruiser Non-Trailerable (Day Boat)	Model
Kencraft Marine	South Beach 240
Telwater	580 Freedom Cruiser (Quintrex)
Fishing Trailerable (Fibreglass/GRP Under 6m)	Model
Whittley Cruisers	Clearwater 1900
The Haines Group	Signature 580F
Fishing Trailerable (Fibreglass/GRP Over 6m)	Model
Haines Hunter	600 Classic
Powercat Marine	Powercat 2500 Sports Fisherman
Theodore Marine	Theodore 720 ‘Pro-fish’
The Haines Group	Signature 632F
PM Marine Manufacturing	Predator 650
Fishing Trailerable (Aluminium Under 6m)	Model
Horizon Aluminium Boats	485 Northerner
Telwater	580 Top Ender (Quintrex)
Telwater	580 Coast Runner (Quintrex)
Fishing Trailerable (Aluminium Over 6m)	Model
Plate Master Aluminium Boats	Plate Master Sports Bridge 8000
Cougarcraft	Ocean Pro 640III
Exporter of the Year
Ronstan
Innovative	Model
Southern Stainless	The Cookout BBQ
Sea Pen	Sea Pen
EVRsafe Marine Technologies	ISS1040
The Haines Group	Suzuki DF150/DF175
Marine Sanitations	Dockside Discharge Unit