Eastern Viaduct Entrance to the marina, in front of the Viaduct Harbour watering holes - Auckland On the Water Boat Show - Final day - October 6, 2019 © Richard Gladwell
This year's show was the first held on Te Wero Island and the Eastern Viaduct, after Emirates Team New Zealand took over the Viaduct Events Centre for their base.
Consensus seemed to be that the new venue worked better than the old, with on the water exhibitors commenting that the marina had more of a "boat show" feel to it. There were some more mixed views on the two covered pavilions on Te Wero Island and Eastern Viaduct, again with most feeling that the new venue worked better than the old. No doubt there will be changes for next year.
Talk of the show was the number of superyachts expected in Auckland for the America's Cup. Initial media speculation that there would be only 60, turned into a reality of 70 available berths already taken, with strong expressions of interest from another 70 superyachts.