Sydney International Boat Show – the facts and figures

by Bob Wonders on 6 Jul 2010 Unless you have been maintaining an extremely low profile (or not reading Powerboat-World, Sail-World and Marine Business World), you'd be well aware that the 43rd Sydney International Boat Show is rapidly approaching.

In fact, it's now just 23-days (as at July 9) before the doors are thrown open at Darling Harbour for the action-packed extravaganza that is the Sydney International Boat Show.

For five interest-filled days (July 29-August 2), Darling Harbour will present as the Australian boating industry's ‘shop window' as millions of dollars worth of boats and assorted marine equipment goes on display.

Domenic Genua, marketing and event manager for show owner and organiser, the Boating Industry Association of NSW, has revealed some interesting statistics related to the Southern Hemisphere's largest recreational boating exhibition.

Did you know there'll be nearly 1000 boats on display?

Right on, with 213 currently confirmed for the Cockle Bay Marina and another 700-plus within the vast halls of the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre.

The centre itself comprises more than 27,000 square metres (292,800-plus square feet) and to take one circuit of the display areas involves a 2.2 kilometre (nearly one and a half miles) ‘stroll'.

Still feel like stretching the legs?

Well, the marina on the waters of adjoining Cockle Bay demand another dash of exercise; made up from an existing 48-berth structure with additional, specially-built marina arms added, the components of the marina, if locked together, would measure another 2.0-kilometres.

As for the vessels, line them up bow to stern the line would reach from Cockle Bay to the Sydney Opera House!

Needless to say, bringing such a major exhibition to readiness is no simple task; in the loading docks where exhibitors and their staff unload the vehicles bringing product for display, it has been estimated there will be more than 2100 vehicle movements.

That takes many hands; more than 5500 people are involved in setting up and operating the show.

The Sydney International Boat Show has become a major occupant of the harbour's city's annual calendar of events.

Sydney people certainly embrace the exhibition, for since its inaugural year in 1968 3,020,077 people have flocked to the Darling Harbour site.

The Sydney International Boat Show is the only recreational boat show in the Southern Hemisphere ever to approach the ‘magic' 100,000 attendance figure, topping more than 93,000 just a couple of years ago.

This year, organisers are anticipating 80,000-plus to turn up for the show.

Some other statistics of interest, although not specific to the boat show, include;

• The marine industry in Australia is valued at more than $7.8 billion
• It employs full-time more than 28,000 people
• There are 227,585 registered boats across the state of NSW with in excess of 492,385 people holding a boat drivers' licence.

So, ask yourself, can you afford to miss the 2010 Sydney International Boat Show?

Of course not!

It's an entertainment spectacular with a nautical theme and there's something of interest for every member of the family.

For the crews at Powerboat-World, Sail-World and Marine Business-World, it's a chance to cross paths with our industry colleagues and catch up with assorted old mates.

As the old saying goes, don't be square, be there!

For further information and to purchase tickets on-line go to www.sydneyboatshow.com.au