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THE GAMUT of leading performance and recreational watersports brands will be in full force at this year’s Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS), with major exhibitors already gearing up for the fast-approaching premier marine industry event.
From wake and ski boats, personal water craft (PWCs) to leisure day boats, tenders and RIBS – the country’s latest makes and models in watersports will be among the featured highlights at SCIBS. Headlining the high profile brands exhibiting will be Northside Marine, Gold Coast (GC) WaveRunners, JSW Powersports, Queensland Marine Centre and Jet Ski World.
Recreational watersports gear and products will also be on show, including the latest stand up paddleboards (SUPs), kayaks and dive gear, from leading brands including Active Water Sports and PowerDive, along with an exciting range of Kymera electric jetboards (think body board, with a jet engine on the back!) from first time exhibitor Wavez.
A fast-growing segment, watersports makes up a large portion of the marine industry’s volume. SCIBS general manager Johan Hasser said the increased presence of recreational and performance brands at this year’s Show will be well-received – appealing to the likes of entry level through to adventure-seeking performance craft enthusiasts.
“Whether you’re in the market for a wake boat, jetski, stand up paddle board, are looking at chartering a boat for corporate event or family holiday or considering buying a yacht, SCIBS is the ideal place to experience every facet of the boating lifestyle,” Mr Hasser said.
“We have noted a growing interest in watersports brands at past Show’s. In the wake of this, we can only expect that ski boats, PWCs, SUPs, kayaks and ingenious diving devices will be as big a drawcard at SCIBS as luxury boats.
“SCIBS is all about promoting every facet of the aquatic lifestyle – in, on, under and by the water. Some of our longest-running exhibitors specialise in watersports products, all made to next-generation designs using high-tech materials.”
Dealer principal Greg Nickerson said they will have both models on water, which will be available for testing by appointment.
“Malibu boats are recognised as some of the the world’s top wakeboarding and ski boats, made in Australia to the exact specifications as the US,” said Mr Nickerson.
“We will have representatives from Malibu and our senior team on hand to guide visitors through the attributes of both crafts.”
From GC WaveRunners – Australia’s Number 1 Yamaha WaveRunner dealer – director Shaun Hale said he will have around six new Yamaha WaveRunners on display at SCIBS, in their usual prominent position on Masthead Way, with each model featuring the brand’s flagship purpose-built marine engine. “There will be some WaveRunners from the entry level VX Series, featuring the TR1 engine, which is a lighter, more compact and fuel efficient engine,” Mr Hale said.
“There will also be the latest from the FX and FZ Series, including the top supercharged models.”
Awarded the biggest selling Sea-Doo retailer in the world in 2015, JSW Powersports is set to be another familiar brand within The Marine Village. Director Jeff McNiven said SCIBS was a great show for the brand, as it assisted with boosting sales in the off-season. “Sanctuary Cove Boat International Show is a highlight on the calendar for us at JSW Powersports and we always have a productive and successful outcome from this show,” Mr McNiven said.
“This year, we will have all new Sea-Doo models including Spark, recreational PWCs and performance PWCs, and some of the Seafox sportfishing boats on display.”
Mr McNiven said the latest Sea-Doo model has a 300hp engine and is positioned as one of the fastest recreational PWCs on the market – attaining speeds over 120km/h. “The Sea-Doo intelligent brake and reverse mean the new 300hp model can stop 33m shorter at 80kmph than a PWC without brakes,” he said. One of the premier Kawasaki dealerships in Australia, and the longest-standing dealership on the Gold Coast, Jet Ski World has been at SCIBS since its inception – exhibiting 26 years, missing only one year.
Jet Ski World director John Moyle said they will be exhibiting select items from the 2016 Kawasaki jetski range, including Stx15F, UltraLx, Ultra310x, Ultra310r, Ultra310lx, ranging from 160 to 310hp – available in three-seater makes. “We will also be releasing the new Ultra340RE and Ultra340Slx models – 340hp, an upgraded performance version – which will be the first time it is on show in Australia,” Mr Moyle said.
This year’s Show will see the premiere release outside America, of Queensland Marine Centre’s new Boston Whaler and Sea Ray models including the Boston Whaler 270 Vantage, Boston Whaler 240 Dauntless, Sea Ray 230SLX, Sea Ray 250SLX and Sea Ray 280SLX. QMC’s Andrew Bennett said the Sea Ray range was ideal for entertaining. “The Sea Ray range is sleek, powerful and cutting-edge – you and your guests will love settling into the perfectly accommodating models, ideal for day cruising out on the water.
“With capacity for 13, the 230SLX is a host’s perfect party platform.”
Occupying the full side of The Promenade opposite The Marina, Active Water Sports will showcase its range of Walker Bay tenders, Airis inflatable kayaks and stand up paddleboards, along with its Feelfree Kayaks ideal for leisure fishing excursions. Sales manager Ross Brain said he will have the full range of up to eight Walker Bay Boats on display, with the largest coming in at 3.4mt – the Genesis centre console – a multipurpose tender that doubles as a day boat for diving, exploring, fishing and more. Also returning to its high traffic location on The Promenade, the team from PowerDive is looking forward to another great year at SCIBS.
A nifty surface supply diving system, PowerDive liberates divers from the limitations of snorkelling, or carrying around cumbersome scuba diving gear.
Director Aaron Hawke said the PowerDive systems even allows inexperienced divers to explore the depths in a matter of minutes. “The Deck Snorkel, Double Deck Snorkel and Power Snorkel models are the market leaders in 12 Volt diving, perfect for family fun or commercial applications,” Mr Hawke said.
“PowerDive offers its users substantial benefits over traditional style hookahs. Typically, a hookah will have fan belts and oil filters which are prone to failure, but with our light, simple and maintenance-free PowerDives, you will never have to worry again.
“PowerDive has exhibited at SCIBS since 1997 and has always had great results. We consider the show to be an invaluable part of our yearly marketing and we expect this year to be no different.”
Running May 19 to 22, 2016 the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show attracts close to 40,000 visitors and 300 exhibitors to a spectacular showcase featuring hundreds of boats and thousands of marine products across four days.
SCIBS 2016 offers FREE park ‘n’ ride services from Warner Bros. Movie World, along with limited on-site parking, available pre-paid.
Tickets to SCIBS 2016 are now on sale. For more information, visit www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com
