World-firsts, 60+ launches at 2012 Sanctuary Cove Boat Show

by Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show on 21 Feb 2012 The 2012 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show will be the venue for international and Australian launches, as well as activities, displays and showcases that will ignite the imaginations of a new generation of visitors.

The 24th Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, May 24-27, is less than 100 days away, and this year, the program is packed with world-firsts, international and national launches and an array of activities for all ages and appetites.

With the theme 'Boating and Beyond', this year’s event aims to stake its position as the venue for showcasing international innovation.

From kayak, tinnie, RIB and jet-ski to day boat, trailerboat, ski boat, catamaran, cruiser or charter, the new generation of cleaner, greener engines, high-tech flotation, safety and navigation equipment, books, charts, maps and accessories – an entire world of marine lifestyle will be showcased this year.

In the motor yacht segment, there are launches from Horizon, Prestige, Maritimo, Mustang, Pelorus Marine, Palm Beach Motor Yachts, MJM Yachts, Integrity, Clipper, Outer Reef Yachts, Fleming, Grand Banks, Alaska, Hampton, Riviera and more.

The largest vessel on show, 'Norseman' is an Italian built Falcon 90 constructed for luxury Mediterranean charter and will treat visitors to a glimpse of the multi-million dollar, megayacht lifestyle. She has spent two seasons in the Mediterranean and two seasons in Australia and will be seeking expressions of interest, for sale at $5.8m.

Horizon Motor Yachts Australia is looking forward to showing off two brand new models, never before seen in Australia.

Along with the sensational E54 making its debut in Australia, the sublime superyacht, the first hull of the stunning AquaCat 80 will be on show – for only the second time since its world debut in Fort Lauderdale.

The Horizon AquaCat 80 catamaran design was created to meet the demand for greater onboard comfort at sea. Compared to monohull designs, twin-round bilge slender hull provides superior stability, faster acceleration and higher top speeds, more efficiency, and greater suitability for long-range cruising, especially for those people who live aboard for extended periods.

Maritimo is planning an impressive on-water display of seven luxury vessels worth more than $8 million, including the new M58 and M45 Motoryachts and the new Mustang 43 sports cruiser.

Palm Beach Motor Yachts will present its new PB 55 and PB 45 for the very first time in Australia. These stylish and superbly crafted vessels are built similar to the high-tech racing yachts used in the Americas Cup races. The latest materials and production methods are used to produce a super strong, but light weight vessels that are as classically chic as they are high-tech.

For the connoisseur, the VanDutch power boat, described as 'the pinnacle of European sophistication meets naval architecture' and normally thoroughly at home in St Tropez, will be on show for the first time in Australia.

The VanDutch was designed by acclaimed and highly awarded Dutch naval designer, Frank Mulder. Fitted with hydraulic motor hatch and two Yanmar 480 horsepower engines, it will reach a top speed of 45 knots.

Clipper Motor Yachts’ new Hudson Bay 50 will be on show. Not simply a new model but a completely new line for the renowned builder of classic motor yachts. The Hudson Bay 50 is designed around a single-level family and entertaining area stretching from the aft cockpit protected by a generous overhang of the hard top through the galley and saloon and dinette. It includes three cabins and two bathrooms in the accommodation suite.

The superb Prestige 500, recently crowned 'Powerboat of the Year' in the 45’category at the European Powerboat of the Year Awards in Düsseldorf, will be seen for the first time in Australia at Sanctuary Cove.

The Prestige 500 also won the trophy for 'Best Interior Design' in September 2011 at the World Yacht Trophies Awards in Cannes, France, as well as 'Best Motor Yacht' at the Nautical Design Awards in Milan, the 'Best of the Best' 2011 in Hainan by the magazine the Robb Report, and was also honoured with the prestigious title of 'Motor Yacht of the Year 2012' in London in the category of yachts up to 55 feet in length.

This year, Integrity Motor Yachts will have four boats at the marina – a 330 sedan, 360 sedan, 360 Flybridge and 400 Flybridge, as well as the 330 sedan bobbing serenely in the lake at the entrance to the Sanctuary Cove precinct.

Sailing too is well represented, with a series of 'firsts' from some of the major international players.
In the ever-popular catamaran arena, Seawind is set to impress with its latest Seawind 100 XL2 and a revolutionary new concept, still under wraps – a 'category first' that will have global appeal.

Multihull Solutions will have on show for the first time in the southern hemisphere, the new Catana 47 high performance catamaran. Timed at almost 25 knots during trials, the Catana 47 is fast, light, robust and exceptionally easy to handle, giving both helmsman and passengers a remarkable sensation of speed and acceleration.

Jeanneau Australia and the Queensland importer, Mooloolaba Yacht Brokers, will host the Australian show debut of the first of the stunning new deck saloon range, the Sun Odyssey 44DS.

The model was only launched at the Paris Boat show in December so it is hot off the press. Paying particular attention to feedback from Australian customers, the interior of the new 44DS has no fewer than 16 opening ports to give superb ventilation throughout. The owner’s cabin is especially catered for with a large opening port out to the transom offering a wide view.

In the trailerable category, there is a swag of launches catering to the fishing, tender, sport and family markets.

Arvor will unveil its Weekender, a derivative of the much-loved Avor fishing boat range with additional features like a large vee berth, convertible dinette, workable galley with 12-volt fridge, a gas stove, private head compartment and two sinks with pressurised water for family-friendly weekends away.

It sports a single Cummins CMD 150hp diesel, mid-mounted for superior balance and driving a shaft for ultimate reliability. Top speed is 22 knots and fuel economy is something petrol outboards and stern drives can only dream about.

Sealegs will have its latest amphibious craft on show, a 7.7m cabin RIB, and there are scores of tinnies, RIBS and ski boats for all skill levels and applications.

Zodiac will present its new 'Mona Lisa' range of Cadet compacts and Cadet RIBs, constructed to be sturdy and stylish in high-tech Strongan (PVC) and Neo (Hypalon).

The PWC on show will excite young and the young at heart, with the official launch of the 2012 range of Yamaha’s redesigned FX series, including the Yamaha SuperJet – the ideal craft for riders who crave a challenging and exciting 'stand up' ride.

And that’s the beauty of the 2012 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. No matter what your interest or inclination, there’s something to suit – or in the case of this year’s event, there is a myriad of things you have never even dreamt of.

For 2012, the entertainment has been boosted to overdrive, with awesome launches in the form of Seabreacher X – the latest and most advanced shark-shaped submersible watercraft that propels itself clear out of the water. Boasting a 260hp supercharged engine, the Seabreacher X can hit a top speed of 43 Knots (80km/h) on the surface and 22 Knots (40 km/h) below.

For the first time in Australia, visitors will be able to marvel at the gravity-defying JetLev R200, the coolest way to hit the waves! Drawing inspiration from the James Bond flick 'Thunderball', the JetLev is winning devotees around the world since its US launch last year. Shooting 30ft (9m) in the air with just a hose linking it to the water, the JetLev will be on display throughout the show.

For those who want to admire the views, above and below the water, there’s the Ego, 'compact semi-submarine' from Korea, heralded as the most environmentally-friendly and commercially viable concept of its kind. The developers are looking for international distributors, so Sanctuary Cove could be the place for tourism operators or researchers to get on board!

There are fashion parades with a difference, featuring lively performances by TV dance stars modelling the new season’s performance and casual wear from Gill, Musto and Sperry, as well as cooking segments and live music on stage in the new entertainment piazza.

Once again this year, the ladies have the chance to don their finest and take to the water, with the glamorous 'High Tea on the High Seas' cruises as part of the Women on Water program.

Also for the 'best mates', there will be cooking onboard your boat hosted by Channel Seven’s ‘My Kitchen Rules’, plus interiors seminars and hands-on practical experiences such as Skipper Training.

Don Jones, CEO of Marine Queensland says Sanctuary Cove is unique and a huge boon to the marine industry. 'Sanctuary Cove is the ideal location to showcase to the local, national and international community, customers and potential customers of what the recreational marine lifestyle has to offer and the many options to access that lifestyle in a fantastic village atmosphere.'

Visitors can buy tickets online now and go in the running to win 3 nights’ accommodation at Sea World Resort which can be used during boat show, or another occasion.

Exhibitor details, ticket information, accommodation packages and updated news about the 2012 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show are available at www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au