Boat sales buoyant at Sanctuary Cove - Australian MarineBusinessWorld.com newsletter
by Peter Rendle 27 May 2021 15:00 PDT
New Arvor 805 left, new 705 background and brilliant 905 to the right. Popular and easy to see why © John Curnow
The marine industry has declared the 2021 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) the best in the event's 32-year history, with an expanded footprint, record crowds, spectacular weather and astronomical sales proving a successful formula.
An incredible 51,832 visitors passed through the gates, up 10 per cent on 2019, to check out hundreds of boats both on water and throughout The Marine Village from a host of international and Australian brands. SCIBS General Manager Johan Hasser said the quality and stature of this year's event was exceptional and will be etched in the record books. "Without a doubt, 2021 is the best show we've ever had. The southern hemisphere's premier marine event has returned in full force," said Mr Hasser. "We've never seen anything like it in terms of commercial success for exhibitors, with more than $250 million in sales across four days. As the show where the marine business does business, it's fantastic to see our exhibitors converting quality leads during what can only be described as a unique time for the industry."
It's that time of the year when industry awards are in full swing and the 2021 Club Marine Marina of the Year Awards were held on Tuesday night at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia which provided a stunning and very appropriate backdrop. A Covid-capped, sell-out crowd of over 120 of the industry's most prominent people enjoyed the event with still more watching the live feed remotely. Finalists who couldn't make the trip from Western Australia, Singapore, New Zealand, Cairns and Airlie Beach all joined from their own satellite events via Zoom, with drinks in hand!
18 finalists were in the running for nine hotly contested awards and the recurring theme throughout the acceptance speeches was that the accolades are the result of teams, not assets or individuals. As Phil McGowen CMM and Marina Manager so eloquently put it when accepting the Marina of the Year Award over 140 berths, for his 5 Gold Anchor Platinum accredited Birkenhead Point Marina, "this is not about the marina, it can't win it, it is about the people who set this facility apart, it is the best marina in the world, we set the benchmark for Platinum Marinas." It was indeed a proud and emotional win for the entire team.
The marine industry night of nights was hosted this week at the Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove with industry professionals from around Australia gathering to celebrate the achievements of the last year at the ASMEX Australian Marine Industry Awards 2021. The gala dinner took place during the 2021 ASMEX conference and both the superyacht and commercial award categories were hotly contested, with Coral Sea Marina Resort being awarded Superyacht Industry Service Provider of the Year. "We are honoured to be recognised with this prestigious award," said CEO Kate Purdie. "At Coral Sea Marina we pride ourselves on impeccable facilities and outstanding service. Visiting Superyachts are an integral part of the Whitsundays' economy, and delivering outstanding service is a true team effort."
New products announced this week
Inmarsat, a leader in global, mobile satellite communications, has launched its Digital Yacht initiative with the release of an exclusive video offering unique insight from the build-up to the next edition of The Ocean Race and its use of digital technology.
The video will be the first in a new series, featuring a combination of online and live event formats and supporting content. The series has been tailored to help the superyacht, yachting, explorer and racing communities capitalise on the latest developments in onboard connectivity and harness the power of the new digital era.
At the other end of the spectrum, the New Mercury Racing 360 APX Outboard is here in Australia and it's ready to rumble. In fact, it sounds so good that the Mercury Racing website has a special audio recording of the new engine under load. The new Mercury Racing 360 APX competition outboard is a potent four-stroke V8 designed specifically to power Formula One tunnel boats on the UIM F1H2O World Championship. It's the first model in a new Mercury Racing Apex Series of outboards designed for closed-course competition. "We are very excited that this fantastic engine is now available in Australia," said Glen Eadie, Sales Manager for Mercury Racing Product.
In the sailing world, the leading sailing electronics brand returns as Official Technical Supplier for The Ocean Race Europe and The Ocean Race 2022/23. B&G® has returned as an Official Technical Supplier to The Ocean Race, including the upcoming inaugural edition of The Ocean Race Europe that begins May 29 in Lorient, France. B&G has a rich and long tradition with The Ocean Race dating back to the original Whitbread Round-The-World Race in 1973 and has been a part of each edition of The Ocean Race since, including on-board every race winner of this epic adventure around the globe.
And electric power continues to make the news. Fischer Panda UK's electric drive system and generators will power the world's first fully automated vessel, the Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS), when it sets sail on its historic maiden voyage across the Atlantic this June. Propelling the 5-ton, 50ft trimaran during the 3,000 mile-crossing from Plymouth, England, to Plymouth, Massachusetts, the Fischer Panda UK equipment will play a key role in the success of the inspirational project to test and advance innovative AI and data-gathering technology which promises to transform ocean-related industries in the future. The robot research vessel, developed by marine research organisation ProMare, with IBM acting as lead technology and scientific partner for the project, was launched on 16th September last year and has undergone several months of sea trials.
Finally, if there is a builder out there who wants to get into the multihull market these moulds may be the answer. RMK Marine are offering their production moulds for the Oceanic 373 to the market. The moulds are in "like new" / excellent condition, having been stored inside their factory all the time. In the last 12 months, they have been stored out in the weather, due to the factory being leased. However, the moulds have a protective "skin" laminated on the surface, being Gelcoat and 450gm of CSM. The moulds were constructed with wide flanges for infusion/vacuum bagging build method to the highest standards, using Vinylester tooling gelcoat, tooling resin with laminate thickness around 15-18mm on the major moulds that make up the shell of the catamaran. This is a full set including furniture, dagger boards etc. The moulds are easily transportable either by truck or loaded into containers (no wide load).
Stay safe,
Peter Rendle peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com