ORGANISERS of this year’s Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show have hailed the 25th anniversary event a resounding success with millions of dollars worth of boats and marine equipment sold over the weekend.
In a sign of a continued improvement for the boating industry, some of the major marine brands among the 327 exhibitors reported significant sales activity while others were confident that sales would continue post-Boat Show.
Gold Coast manufacturer Maritimo achieved more than $3.6 million in sales, including its 58-foot fly bridge cruiser which sold for in excess of $2 million to a Gold Coast buyer and its first-time release S50 which sold to a Sydney buyer.
Maritimo’s Greg Haines said sales and enquiries had exceeded last year’s.
Gold Coast based Riviera reported $21 million of sales across its Boat Show events over the weekend.
While Horizon’s flagship P110 cruiser – the most expensive boat within the 127 boats on water did not sell, the Australian distributor for the company reported its best Boat Show since Horizons were first introduced to the Show in 2006.
“From 2006 this has been our busiest Show in terms of good quality clients, which could be attributable to the new models that we have on display,” said Russell Wright, owner of Horizon Motor Yachts Australia.
“Crowd numbers have been fantastic for us, in particular people viewing our PC 60 catamaran. I knew this would be popular but it has doubled my expectations and people have been coming to the show especially to see it.”
Kim McKee, marketing manager for Multihull Solutions, said sales activity was a clear demonstration that the marine market is recovering.
Multihull Solutions reported $4.65 million in sales over the four-day event.
“Overall the show has been brilliant for us – it feels like the market is back,” said Ms McKee.
“We had a soft year last year, but now it feels like the money is floating back.”
European brand Dutch Sloop reported seven sales of its Super Sloop at a total value in excess of almost $350,000 with 12 other serious leads.
“This is our first show at Sanctuary Cove and it has already exceeded our expectations,” said Rudy Walstyn, the importer and distributor of Dutch Sloop for Australia and New Zealand.
Simon Matthews, director of marine digital company Finscan, said the Boat Show was a great success for the business.
“It is a credit to the organisers how the Boat Show is set up and run and we hope this event is around for another 25 years. We will definitely be coming back for years to come.”
Andrew Bennett, of Queensland Marine Centre, said he had sold six Boston Whalers over the course of the show totalling close to $2 million.
Norman Ambrose, of Ausail Marine, said he would sell in excess of $2 million in sail boats as a result of the company’s involvement in this year’s Show.
Princess Australia dealer principal Alan Paterson said the four days produced some good leads that he believed would lead to healthy sales over the next five or six weeks as a result of the Show.
Sanctuary Cove sales, events and sponsorship manager Johan Hasser said an early count indicated strong numbers of visitors over the weekend.
“Not only have the visitor numbers been strong but we have seen some very good sales achieved by various manufacturers, brands and other marine industry exhibitors,” he said.
“We have worked very hard over the past 12 months to re-set the Boat Show in terms of its value to the community and the marine industry.”
Sanctuary Cove executive general manager Keith Allardice said the Show again demonstrated its value to the Gold Coast and Queensland economy.
“We hope the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show will continue to be the flagship event at Sanctuary Cove for many years to come. This weekend’s event demonstrates we are well and truly alive and well as a leading event in Queensland that attracts people from all over the country and around the world.
“We hope that the Sanctuary Cove experience that is unique to this masterplanned community has only added value to the marine industry’s efforts to showcase its products in such a wonderful environment.”
ENDS
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT MORGAN O’BRIEN, SCIBS MEDIA LIAISON ON 0401 436 469.
