Water toys, gear & gadgets steal the spotlight at SCIBS 2018

In 2018, SCIBS will have the best of home-grown and imported watercraft in every category, plus inflatables such as slides and climbing walls.”

Launching at SCIBS 2018 is a new breed of boats for kids, known as Starter Craft. Based on the Gold Coast, Starter Craft specialises in the production of locally made, high quality, fibreglass, electric powered boats designed especially for young boaties.

Around two metres long, each boat weighs 80kgs and suits kids aged five to 12 years old. The boats are designed for use in calm, non-tidal waters in good weather conditions. They are large enough to fit two young children, or even a child and a small adult for those initial training runs.

Top speed of the boats in calm waters is around 8 kmh or 4.5 knots. Speed can be reduced using the five available settings to suit younger boaties, or for those who want to do a spot of fishing.

Each StarterCraft is equipped with a heavy duty 110 AH battery which equates to 2.5 to 5 hours of fun on a single charge. They are also designed and built with a significant air cavity meaning they will always float regardless of the amount of water taken on.

Also new at SCIBS this year is the versatile and powerful Scubajet, represented by GW Marine Sports. The world’s smallest and easy-to-use hand-held underwater jet is ideal for maximising recreational or water sport activities including diving, paddle boarding, canoeing, snorkelling.

Greg Shipton from Scubajet said he was looking forward to exhibiting at SCIBS, the Scubajet’s premiere on home turf, and with plenty of stock at the Show, he anticipates strong sales.

“There’s the SJ200 and SJ400 models which offer the same power, the 400 just has a longer battery life,” he said.

“Thanks to its versatile adapter system, you can attach the Scubajet to a kayak, small dinghy or SUP. It is also lightweight, battery-operated and salt-water resistant and can reach speeds of up to 11 to 14km/h.

“The Scubajet is great for families with all the watertoys. It’s a tool not a toy!”

Specialising in leisure products, inflatables and accessories, Marine Riley will be exhibiting on E Arm, as well as having some of its products located around the Show on various vessels showing their attributes in situ.

Director Mark Riley said the FunAir products always attracted attention for the novelty and extra dimension they bring to boating.

“We will have a FunAir slide on show, an inflatable climbing wall on a Horizon motor yacht, the stinger proof swimming pool developed especially for Australia, the Splash Mat, Jet ski dock and seabob dock,” Mr Riley said.

For people looking to bike on water, for fun, fitness and as a great mode of transport, Mr Riley said they would also have the ultra-cool Schiller bikes on show which can be pedalled on the surface of the water. He said there would also be the Mistral brand of hard and inflatable stand up paddle boards, Seabob water scooters, Nautibuoy inflatable pontoons, Ribjet inflatable, Grande inflatable RIBS as well as a few surprises up their sleeves.

“We are going big this year for the 30^th anniversary event. Our products are all about amping up the family fun on your boat or on water. We can’t wait to share all the new products we have at SCIBS!”

Long time exhibitor Sirocco Marine North will return to its Masthead Way location outside The Marine Village Theatre, this year occupying a larger space to accommodate the largest inflatable display at SCIBS.

On show will be the full range of BRIG RIBS, a selection of Williams Jet tenders and Sirocco tenders, including the Queensland premiere of the BRIG Eagle 10 metre super-tender and the Williams 285 MiniJet.

Bigger, better, faster and representing more value for money, the Eagle 10 is the largest model in the BRIG range, hailed as “the game changer” – ideal for family fun, as an island hopper, luxury boat tender, chase boat, aquatic sport platform, coastal cruising and more.

The go-anywhere Brig Eagle 10, at 10.5m, with twin 300hp engines for loads of oomph, is a true 50 knot boat, specced up with an array of features that make it a fantastic day boat and weekender suited to all kinds of uses including overnight and weekends onboard.

Fellow popular exhibitor JSW Powersports will occupy a bigger space in its usual position on Masthead Way at SCIBS 2018, with a huge range of models on display across its brands.

Jeff McNiven, dealer principal said JSW, who are the world’s number one dealer for the SeaDoo brand, will present the complete line-up of SeaDoo, including the brand new 2018 3-seater model and a total of four models with the new ST3 hull.

“It’s the latest and greatest, offering a more stable, smoother and drier ride than any PWC before it,” he said.

“The ST3 is a version of the race hull modified to suit the recreational market. We are sure people will be impressed!”

Also from JSW, a selection of Malibu wake and ski boats will be on show, alongside the Seafox family-friendly fishing boats.

“SCIBS is great for us and SeaDoo has been popular at nearly every event since the start,” Mr McNiven said.

“Every year it’s a great place to meet our customers, share stories and show them new product.”

In the RIB and soft-bottom inflatable tender boat market, RIB Force inflatables will be at SCIBS in ‘force’, with as many as 30 boats on display in The Marine Village close to the Main Pavilion.

Dealer principal Mike Orsmond said the team would be showing a variety of boats from the AB Inflatables brand, as well as hosting the release of the AB Jet boat and Oceanus 21, the Aurora V250 and 280.

Also on show, the new Mercury range of 175 to 225hp engines, and the Australian release of the break-through engine, the Mercury 20hp that is lighter, more powerful, more efficient and ergonomically designed, appealing to the tender market looking for an environmentally friendly and more economical engine.

“The team from RIB Force will be on hand to provide expert advice in the AB and Aurora brands,” Mr Orsmond said.

“We provide full service and support and have a strong background in handling commercial and military requirements. We anticipate a big SCIBS in 2018 and can already tell the Show is back in all its glory.”

On the marina, SACS Marine Queensland are set to present the incredible new Strider 13m RIB supertender with ‘all the bells and whistles’, as well as the SACS Sports 9m and Sports 7m models.

The brand-new Strider 13 is a jaw-dropping day boat that takes RIB watercraft to the next level, with a cabin, WC and joystick control plus twin 370 hp Mercury inboard diesel engines. It’s fully kitted up with generators, air-conditioning, Fusion sound, Raymarine screens and more, making the SACS Strider 13 the ideal day cruiser, entertainment platform, watersports boat for extended family and large groups, and a comfy overnighter for a couple.

All the way from WA, Powerdive is a return exhibitor who has had a presence at SCIBS since 1997.

Director Aaron Hawke said he and his team were looking forward to another successful SCIBS.

PowerDive is a compact surface supply diving system that liberates divers from the limitations of snorkelling or carrying around cumbersome scuba diving gear. Even inexperienced divers can be exploring the depths in 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 which can have drive belts and oil filters. Our light, simple and maintenance-free PowerDive means easy, hassle-free diving.”

Olympic sailor, Melinda Henshaw from Henshaw Yachting will return to SCIBS 2018 with the ingenious Tiwal 3.2 Inflatable Sailing Dinghy and its accessories, many of them new to the market.

“Tiwal is continually improving,” said Ms Henshaw.

“This year, we will present padded racks so you can keep your Tiwal alongside your boat to act like a fender, for towing on longer journeys, plus you can hike (lean out) off them and be more comfortable. In addition, there’s a new reefable sail for the ultimate in versatility and choice.”

Ms Henshaw said the Tiwal inflatable dinghy, developed by French designer, Marion Excoffon is finding popularity with cruising sailors who wish to get into sailing.

“They want a boat they can chuck on the deck, deflate and inflate quickly with no fuss and no cumbersome ropes,” she said.

“It really is the most comfortable boat on your knees so that grandparents can go out with their grandkids, beginners can enjoy it as a starter boat and it’s something fun and fast for seasoned sailors.”

Walker Bay Boats Australia will be exhibiting the Walker Bay Original Series Rigid-injection moulded plastic dinghies, which Ross Brain said are ideal as a tender boat, with option to add a sail or tube kit.

Also on display from Walker Bay will be the in-demand sailing dinghies. From its stand on The Promenade, Mr Brain said the team would exhibit Airis inflatable kayaks and new this year, the Airis inflatable airdock, the ideal platform for watersports, sunbathing, cleaning your boat and much more.

“We will also be selling a range of Feel-free gear, which includes waterproof tote bags, backpacks, travel bags and dry tubes, and a new range of tote bags under the Navig8tor brand which is waterproof and stylish, taking design to the next level.”

Based on the Gold Coast, Mr Brain said SCIBS was the best boat show for his market.

“May is a great time of year as well, with plenty of sunshine – a great reason for interstate visitors and internationals to come to SCIBS!”

SCIBS general manager Johan Hasser said the full spectrum of exhibitors, entertainment and activities at this year’s Boat Show would thrill, inspire and motivate visitors.

“There is a full program of family-friendly demonstrations on stage, roving entertainment, a dedicated Kids’ Zone, and the Sports, Leisure & Fishing Boat precinct is literally a ‘show within a show’, comprising 10,000 square-metres of outdoor and undercover space dedicated to boats up to 8m, including RIBS, day boats, weekenders, aluminium and fiberglass fishing boats, high-performance sports, ski and tow boats and a host of Australian launches,” he said.

“It really is the show catering for everyone.”

Tickets for the 30^th annual Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show are now on sale at www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au.