Gold Coast Boat Show opens today

by Bob Wonders on 26 Oct 2007 An innovative local design for family boating enthusiasts, the Southbeach Vacationer, offering the performance and sea-keeping of a small cruiser with the space and versatility of a pop-top caravan, will be one of the stars at the Gold Coast Boat Show opening today.

The three-day show at the Carrara Sports Complex has attracted a strong line up of exhibitors displaying all manner of trailer boats, boating accessories, water ski and wakeboard equipment and fishing tackle.

Manufactured on the Gold Coast by Kencraft Marine, the 7.3-metre Southbeach Vacationer is a spacious craft with ample room for fishing and weekend camping.

'We believe it will appeal to active Australian families and retirees wishing to combine short live-aboard holidays with the convenience of an affordable trailerboat,' Ken Blacklock, general manager of Kencraft Marine explained.

About 150 boats will be on display at the show, with exhibitors displaying everything from fashion to finance, engines to electronics, rods and reels to ‘skis and ‘boards.

Organiser Marine Queensland believes show highlights will include Currumbin Marine’s release of the new Polycraft 480 Brumby, together with Seascape boats and Honda outboard engines; Logan Marine with its range of Bluefin, Trailcraft and Galeforce boats, backed up by a display of Evinrude outboard engines and a fishing tackle store and Nitro Marine, displaying an impressive range of Stacer, Tahoe, Nitro and Mako craft with the popular Mercury outboard lineup.

Gold Coast dealer Wyld About Boats will show the superb US Glastron and Mastercraft wakeboarding boats, while Coastal Powerboats will show off the latest from Coxcraft, Formosa, Reef Raider and Clark.

The Leisure Boating Club will be on hand with an exclusive boat show opportunity to take up membership to its Sunrunner 2800 as the club announces new locations at Runaway Bay, Raby Bay and Scarborough.

A major component of the Gold Coast Boat Show will be the comprehensive Fishing Expo, featuring a dozen of Queensland’s angling experts, including well-known media personalities Paul Burt and Dave Downie.

Hosted by Bill Corten, the Fishing Expo will present more than 30 sessions on stage over the three days, covering subjects such as offshore and deepwater angling, beach and surf fishing, how to fish ‘hot spots’ like the Nerang River and the Gold Coast Seaway and how to handle small boats at bar crossings.

Lure fishing techniques will be demonstrated in the giant Reef Science tank.

Teams representing the Australian Bream Tournament and the Australian Fishing Championships will be taking part in the Bream Tournament with live weigh-ins each day prior to the catch being released back into the Nerang River.

The river will also play host to some of Australia’s best ‘boarders and ‘skiers as they show their skills in daily sessions in full view of show visitors in riverbank grandstand seating.

With its riverside location, grassy, tree-shaded areas and ample food and drink outlets, the show promises an enjoyable family day outing.

The show will open daily, 10am to 6pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (October 26, 27, 28).

Admission prices are $10 (single adult), $8 (Pensioners, concession and students).
Children under 12-years admitted free.
Ample on site parking is available for a gold coin donation.

The Carrara Sports Complex is on the Nerang-Broadbeach Road, about 5-kilometres west of Broadbeach.

For further information log on to www.gcboatshow.com.au