Hong Kong Gold Coast showcases HK$500 million of boats

by Gold Coast Boat Show on 8 May 2010 The Hong Kong Gold Coast Boat Show, will take place from 7 to 9 May at Sino Group’s Gold Coast Yacht and Country Club. Stepping into its thirteenth consecutive year, the show is larger than ever with 55 exhibitors and over 70 luxurious boat brands from worldwide manufacturers including Sunseeker, Azimut, Lagoon, Princess, Ferretti, Horizon, Beneteau, Sea Ray, Fairline, Pershing, Riva, Jade Yachts and more. With a total value of HK$500 million, the 70-plus boats range in value from HK$200,000 to HK$77 million apiece.

In the yacht show spotlight this year will be the four-deck Jade 95 Explorer, a 95-foot model worth HK$77 million. It is the biggest and most expensive yacht in the show to make its debut in Hong Kong. Presented by Jong Shyn Shipbuilding, a premier Taiwanese yacht manufacturer, the yacht is constructed from stainless steel and aluminium. A spectacular ‘5-star hotel on the sea’, Jade 95 Explorer provides luxurious space for dining, a kitchen as well as six spacious cabins.

Another highlight will be the $25 million luxury motor yacht SportRiva 56, honoured as the ‘Rolls Royce among the luxury yachts’. Produced by top century-old Italian brand Riva, SportRiva 56 features a ‘Roman bronze’ finish and sporty lines, more associated with open designs. Riva is known for its innovation and intricate craftsmanship, and has long been popular among celebrities, tycoons and royalty. International movie-star Sean Connery is among the privileged who own a Riva.

Equally stunning is the British luxury yacht brand Sunseeker that has been well-received among the tycoons in town. Two latest models will make their first appearance at the show, including the Predator 84 and Yacht 88, worth HK$47 million and HK$44 million respectively. The only one available in Hong Kong, Predator 84 boasts a sleek silver black hull and achieves a cruising speed of 42 knots per hour, making it the fastest yacht in the show. The Yacht 88, also dubbed the ‘Floating Residence’, boasts a stylish and elegant design that offers four ultra-spacious cabins and an ingenious layout. Only four Yacht 88s are now available in Hong Kong.

Details of the Hong Kong Gold Coast Boat Show 2010 are as follows:
Public Admission Date: 8-9 May 2010 (Sat-Sun)
Time: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Venue: The Gold Coast Yacht and Country Club (1 Castle Peak Road, Castle Peak Bay)
Admission Fee: HK$20
Highlights: 8 May 2:45pm Opening Ceremony
3:00pm Chloé Spring/Summer Fashion Show
3:20pm Live music by Michael Wong Big Band & Friends
Website: www.hongkongboatshow.com
Enquiry: 2404-3257

The number of Taiwan and mainland exhibitors has increased drastically this year. Taiwan has Asia's largest mega yacht manufacturing capacity and is currently the fifth largest yacht-making place in the world. Luxury yachts built by Taiwanese manufacturers such as Horizon, Novo Marine and Ruby have a competitive price edge over other imported yachts. Mainland China’s yacht builders also aim to achieve a bigger share of the global luxury yacht market in recent years by continuously improving their yacht building expertise and technology.

The organizer has invited a number of respected marine industry players to share their views of Hong Kong and mainland China market trends. These include Mr Albert Wu, General Manager of Gold Coast Yacht and Country Club; Mr Gordon Hui, Managing Director of Sunseeker Asia Ltd; Mr Memphis Han, Vice President of Jade Yachts and Mr Lars Petersen, General Manager of Jebsen Marine.