GOLD COAST INTERNATIONAL MARINE EXPO

AUSTRALIA’S GOLD COAST International Marine Expo (May 19-22) in Coomera, Queensland, received over 20,000 visitors from around the world to the showcase of more than 600 luxurious motor yachts and catamarans, as well as over 230 displays from marine engines and equipment to lightweight tenders, jet skis and boating accessories.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

AUSTRALIA’S GOLD COAST International Marine Expo (May 19-22) in Coomera, Queensland, received over 20,000 visitors from around the world to the showcase of more than 600 luxurious motor yachts and catamarans, as well as over 230 displays from marine engines and equipment to lightweight tenders, jet skis and boating accessories.

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Volvo Penta, a supplier of engines and power systems for marine applications, partnered with the Expo.

Clipper Motor Yachts reported sales of four semi-displacement yachts, while Leopard Catamarans completed the sale of the 43 Power Cat at its Australian premiere, and confirmed an order for another one.

The 2016 Australian Marine Exporter of the Year, Riviera, signed forward orders for 11 brand-new luxury motor yachts at the Expo and the newly established family company Mallards Australia sold its first sports boat at the Expo.

Northrop & Johnson showcased its newly launched 35-metre Emerald Lady. The new Karnic SL702 and Patrol 650 RIB from Stefan Boating World also debuted at the Expo.

Event & Marketing Manager Emma Brown forecasts the direct sales activity generated at the Expo will surpass last year’s figure of more than A$50 million.
www.gcmarineexpo.com.au

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RIVIERA FESTIVAL OF BOATING THE 6TH ANNUAL RIVIERA
Festival of Boating in Gold Coast, Australia (May 19-22) witnessed around 1,000 visitors. The event featured over 110 educational workshops by 480 teams from Riviera, covering everything from an anchoring and onboard safety to systems maintenance. The Saturday night marina party and gala – Viva Las Riviera – was attended by over 550 guests.

“The Festival was created to help the Riviera family and aspiring Owners of our world-class motor yachts to build confidence and skills so they can use their yachts to their full potential,” says Riviera Chairman and Owner Rodney Longhurst.

The company showcased the following during the event: world premiere of the 575 SUV, the Australian premiere of 5400 Sport Yacht, and the Queensland premiere of the 57 Enclosed Flybridge. It also announced a new addition to its Sport Yacht collection – the 4800 premiering at the Sydney International Boat Show in July.

The new Riviera Sports Motor Yacht collection will feature two new models – the 68 and 72 designs. The 68 model will premiere in the next Festival of Boating.
www.festivalofboating.com

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HONG KONG GOLD COAST BOAT SHOW
THE 16TH EDITION OF the Hong Kong Gold Coast Boat Show (Apr 29-May 2) showcased more than 90 of the latest cruisers, yachts, superyachts and watersports equipment available on the market, along with family entertainment.

The show welcomed 10,540 visitors, from yachting novices to true connoisseurs. Continuing to inspire dreams for boat lovers, the event enabled enthusiasts an opportunity to explore unique marine pieces such as the Benetti Classic Supreme 132 MY Mingfa, Sanlorenzo SL106, Sunseeker Yacht 86, Lagoon 560, Absolute Navetta 52, and Arcadia 85.

For the second year running, the show also organised the Gold Coast Cardboard Boat Charity Regatta – a build-and-race challenge that helped raise HK$127,081 for the Children’s Cancer Foundation.

Under the theme ‘Affordable Luxury’, the event brought together 80 major exhibitors who presented an impressive collection of 94 vessels, including luxury yachts, sailing boats and related equipment valued at over HK$1 billion. They included stand-up paddleboards retailing from HK$10,000 to inexpensive small boats and superyachts priced at more than HK$90 million.

“There is a significant rise of 26.7% in the number of boats showcased comparing to last year,” says Gold Coast Yacht and Country Club General Manager Robert Blythe. “The market for yachts in the Asia-Pacific region is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world and this edition of the Hong Kong Gold Coast Boat Show is a demonstration of the trend.”

Asia-Pacific Boating hosted its 40th anniversary celebration on the second night of the show (Apr 30). Themed Retro ’70s, the party brought together over 150 industry leaders, friends and partners from Asia and around the world to celebrate the significant milestone for the magazine.

“We are honoured to have played an important role in documenting their efforts to promote boating in the region, and look forward to doing so for many more years to come,” says Editor-in-chief Glen Watson.

Arcadia 85
Arcadia 85
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In addition to the Italian-built Absolute Navetta 52, Absolute Marine’s booth showcased the Absolute 45FLY, 52FLY, and Navetta 58.

Simpson Marine displayed Sanlorenzo SL106, Lagoon 560, Beneteau Oceanis 35 and Oceanis 55, Gran Turismo 38 and Monte Carlo 5. Together with Saint Louis, Qeelin and Chateau Ste Michelle as supporting partners, Simpson organised a cocktail reception for guests and media partners, with a lively swing dance performance on the swim platform of the Sanlorenzo SL 106.

Asia Yachting displayed the MCY 65, MCY 70, MCY 76, MCY 86 and newly launched MCY 105, as well the 2016 Super Air Nautique G25 and Super Air Nautique G23 – two of the boats selected as the official boat of the World Wakeboard Association’s annual World Championships through 2018.

Carlo Nuvolari, designer of the MCY yachts and many others, was on hand to shed some light on the new MCY 80 scheduled to launch in July. Crowds were also attracted to the Asia Yachting booth by the Scarab 165HOI, which was hoisted on the bathing platform of the MCY 70, Scarab 195 HOI and Monterey 224 FSC.

Project 31@50 from Princess Yachts was also showcased during the show after its Asia-Pacific premiere at the Singapore Yacht Show in April and world debut at last year’s Cannes Yachting Festival.

Northrop & Johnson Asia showcased four yachts including the 79ft (24m) Horizon yacht Kasu, the 58ft (17.7m) Tayana Yachts Moonshadow, the Sunseeker 47, and the Privilege 49.

The Accelera Yacht Team displayed the Accelera 98, and hosted a few themed cocktail parties such as Romeo & Juliet.
www.hkgcboatshow.com

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AZIMUT | BENETTI YACHTING GALA
AZIMUT | BENETTI HELD THE YACHTING GALA, an exclusive event for Owners and enthusiasts of the yachts designed by the world’s leading builders, in Capri, Italy (May 21-22).

Sea trials, special events and tours were held for more than 700 clients around the world including China, Singapore and others to discover the excellence of Italian taste, culture and consummate quality.

The Marina Grande featured 22 yachts, representing the Group’s entire range. Guests had the chance to experience the yachts, packed with design, power and technology, at sea in the waters off the Faraglioni, the Arco Naturale, Marina Piccola bay and in many other locations.

Clients were shown the latest yachts, including the Azimut 66 Fly, the new icon in its category; the Azimut 72 Fly, with a superstructure made from carbon fibre; and Azimut Magellano 66, the latest model in the long range Italian style collection. Azimut Grande 95RPH and two Benetti yachts in the Fast Displacement line – the Benetti Vivace 125 (38 metres) and Benetti Veloce 140 (42 metres).

The event partnered with Rolls-Royce and its Azipull Carbon 65 pod propulsion system, which was fitted to the Benetti Vivace 125.
www.azimutyachts.com
www.benettiyachts.it

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PHOTOS CREDIT: AZIMUT
PHOTOS CREDIT: AZIMUT

MONTENAPOLEONE YACHT CLUB
THE SECOND EDITION OF MonteNapoleone Yacht Club 2016 gathered guests to Milan, Italy for a week (May 16-22). Organised by Associazione MonteNapoleone and sponsored by the City of Milan, the event aimed to enhance the bond between these two areas of excellence by presenting them ‘on the runway’ together for a week on Via Montenapoleone.

Festivities kicked off with an elegant gala hosted by Association President Guglielmo Miani at the Palazzo Borromeo d’Adda with guests treated to a beautiful candlelit dinner by Davide Oldani.

It also hosted the presentation of the World Match Racing Tour Sailing Series and the Yachts & Gentlemen exhibition, held at Palazzo Borromeo d’Adda in Via Manzoni 41.

“MonteNapoleone Yacht Club this year was a success,” says Miani. “We are convinced that Milan, which accounts for the largest number of yacht Owners in Italy, full of passion for the sea and the nautical world, deserves this event,”

The event generated sales for almost 60% of the boutiques, more than half of which also stressed the importance of an international public.
www.montenapoleone.luxury
www.ferrettigroup.com

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PHOTOS: MONTENAPOLEONE YACHT CLUB
PHOTOS: MONTENAPOLEONE YACHT CLUB

KOREA INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW
THE 9TH EDITION OF the Korea International Boat Show (KIBS) held May 19-22 in Seoul saw growth in the number of visitors, reaching 40,694 this year.

Organised by the Gyeonggi Provincial Government, KINTEX and the Korean Trade Organisation (KOTRA), the show highlighted the growth in the marine and boating industry in Korea and aimed promote boating as an active lifestyle. It featured an on-water section at Gimpo Ara Marina, situated at the junction of the Han River and the Ara canal, linking the Seoul River to Incheon port.

Exhibitors were positive about the event. “The show is larger than the last one and we have seen good prospects coming to buy mid-sized boats,” says CKIPM Marine Group CEO Kenny Kang. “The show is better than the previous edition for being more realistic and I heard positive comments from other companies in the leisure boating business here.”

It is also reported that rigid hull inflatable boats (RIBs) are gaining market share in Korea, with local firm Bay Industrial having a strong presence with its Lodestar brand.
www.kibs.com

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PHOTO: MIKE DERRETT
PHOTO: MIKE DERRETT

SANCTUARY COVE INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW 
SANCTUARY COVE INTERNATIONAL Boat Show (SCIBS) in Australia (May 19-22) wrapped up with millions of dollars in sales, an increase in visitor volume (41,621) in the 28th edition and exhibitors referring to it as the best show in six years.

It showcased more than A$150 million of the latest boats including power and sailboats, superyachts, catamarans from more than 300 exhibitors, with thousands of marine products, innovation, technology, clothing and accessories.

Horizon Motor Yachts Australia made the first sale of show, with the sale of its A$2.8 million PC52 on May 19. Palm Beach Motor Yachts saw strong interest in the Palm Beach 55.

Sundance Marine also received interest in the new Monte Carlo MC70, while Leigh Smith Yachts sold two boats and was confident of additional sales of the new Alaska 43 and 49. Integrity Motor Yachts reports it sold five boats over the four days.

Sirocco Marine North sold 14 boats across the range, with another 20 solid leads. Multihull Solutions sold the Helia 44 Evolution Fountaine Pajot on the first day of the show and by close of business Sunday, sold a Lucia 40.
www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au

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PHOTOS: SCIBS
PHOTOS: SCIBS