The 2010 Sydney International Boat Show – it's closer than you think

by Bob Wonders on 8 Apr 2010 To the average boater late July, 2010 may seem too far into the future to yet be concerned about.

Nevertheless, we all know how quickly time can pass us by; hey, it's only 111 days to the 2010 Sydney International Boat Show show's opening day, Thursday, July 29.

For the hard-working staff in the Sydney headquarters of the Boating Industry Association (BIA) of NSW, owner and organiser of the largest recreational boating exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere, it's already ‘countdown mode.'

In fact, initial planning for the 2010 show began almost with the closing of the doors at the 2009 exhibition.

BIA general manager Roy Privett and marketing and event manager Domenic Genua are seldom far removed from the intricate planning of future shows.

'Bringing together an exhibition as large as the Sydney International Boat Show has become is a very complex affair', Genua explained. 'It takes a lot of hard work by a team of very dedicated people and here at the BIA we are indeed fortunate that most of our key staff have been with us for some considerable time and can call on hard-core experience with show organisation,' he added.

The Sydney International Boat Show is a member of the prestigious International Federation of Boat Show organisers (IFBSO), an organisation which recognises the first rate management, promotion and presentation of the exhibition.

As usual, the 2010 Sydney International Boat Show, staged at its now traditional ‘home', Darling Harbour, will attract nearly 100,000 boating enthusiasts to inspect the goods and services of more than 300 exhibitors.

Again, as usual, one of its highlights will be the spectacular marina on the waters of the adjoining Cockle Bay, only a few minutes stroll from the five massive halls of the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre, the show's administrative HQ.

The BIA has been arranging a score of attractions within the show to tempt visitors, ranging from fashion parades to fishing clinics, a ‘Marine Precinct', where visitors can obtain all manner of boating information to the popular Better Boating Lounge with its array of guest presenters.

Rest assured, the BIA is not the only sector of the industry working towards another successful boat show; Australia's boat manufacturers, importers and distributors of marine engines, electronics and every type of boating accessory imaginable are also concentrating on their boat show commitments.

There will be millions of dollars worth of boats and marine equipment on display, many never previously seen in public, for the Sydney International Boat Show is recognised within Australia's boating industry as ‘the special place' to unveil new products.

Boat building legend Bill Barry-Cotter, now the driving force behind the award-winning marque Maritimo, will release his latest creation, the Maritimo 440 IPS Offshore Convertible on the Darling Harbour marina.

This is a true convertible, easily adaptable from hard-core game fishing boat to family cruiser and powered by dual Volvo Penta IPS (Inboard Propulsion System) 600hp diesel engines.

Another new boat sure to attract interest is the Maine, USA-built Back Cove 30, a brilliant design using a single, 315hp diesel/bow thruster combination that delivers superior fuel efficiency and a 22 knot cruise speed.

Outboard engine fans are certainly not forgotten at the Sydney International Boat Show, with Honda, Mercury and Yamaha all introducing new engines.

Honda will be unveiling its all-new BF 115hp engine which has been developed directly from the engine used in the company's popular Honda Accord motor vehicle.

This DOHC (Double Over Head Camshaft) engine is a four-cylinder in-line, 2.4-litre unit delivering superb power and fuel economy.

Only introduced to the world at the famous Miami International Boat Show earlier this year, the BF 115 will be one of many highlights to be seen on the Honda Marine display.








Yamaha will release its all-new F70A four-stroke outboard at the show.

This new engine is available in both long and extra long shaft configurations and can be specified with either tiller handle or forward controls.

It boasts precise throttle control, is claimed to be the lightest engine in its class and offers superior power and cleaner emissions, according to Yamaha.

A unique, advanced sensor allows maximum safe ignition timing and a gear case with a high 2.33:1 ratio gives the engine outstanding hole shot and acceleration.

Needless to say, with the 21st century upon us, boaters are increasingly looking to the latest in high-tech electronics and that means digital cartography to drive the new systems.

Jeppesen Marine (formerly C-MAP) will display the world's finest digital cartography at the Sydney International Boat Show, leading with the popular C-MAP 4D.

This quite incredible cartography offers such functions as detailed ports and roads information, depth contours, Real-Time updates, photos and diagrams, tides and currents, satellite overlay and, of course, as the name, 4D implies, 4-dimensional charting technology.

According to industry identity Wayne Hunter, managing director of Jeppesen Marine, C-MAP 4D has taken the market by storm since its release last year.

'This is the way to experience the fourth dimension,' Hunter said.

'It offers users the opportunity to access revolutionary cartography that will change the way a boater sees the world,' he declared.