2004 Sanctuary Cove Boat Show

A record of over 50,000 would-be boatbuyers lurched about gangways and stood should-to-shoulder in the halls at this year's Sanctuary Cove event. But it wasn't the madding crowds that mattered; it was new launchings and luxury pickings of five-star craft that besieged the first of the annual nautical extravaganzas.

The show's biggest boat, the Don Shead-designed 106ft Patriot superyacht, boasts a spa bath, 24-carat gold-plated sinks and crew quarters for six; for only $14 million.

Yet it's in the world of production boats that the trend to bigger, faster and more glamorous boats was most evident. While the 60-footers took over from the 40-50ft craft two years ago, now 80-100ft palazzos are making waves Down Under.

There's also a shift to hard-topped sportscruisers from our local boatbuilders, and an increase in trawler-type cruisers. They appeal to ex-yachties tired of tugging on the lines and looking for fuel-efficient craft. And thanks to the strong Aussie dollar there was an amazing array of imported US boats.

Naturally, the marina hosted the lion's share of big boats gathered, and we spent a more than a full day just trying to get around. A lot of what follows here will also be on display at the upcoming state boat shows, where many buyers will consumate their choice made at Sanctuary Cove.

PICKS OF THE BUNCH
Australian boatbuilder Mustang paved the way with a line-up of hardtop or so-called sport-top sportscruisers. The 4600ST and 4200ST were joined by a new 3800ST (twin Volvo 280hp Duoprops) and new 3500ST (twin Volvo 5.7s with Duoprops) penned by an industrial designer. Soft-top sportscruisers included the 2800, 3200, 3800 and 4200.

A Queensland yard has some hand-built day and weekend cruisers called the 2100, 2600 and 2800 Sea Spirits. Locals Capricorn had a 38 Classic flybridge cruiser. Kay Cottee's Bayview 23 quaint river cruiser was on show beside the drop-dead-gorgeous Garry Lidgard-designed Huon pine and celery-top 8m class yacht destined for its Sydney owner.

AMERICAN KNOW-HOW
It wasn't long before the Americans were waving their banners. Regal made a strong showing. Its new 4260 Commodore sportscruiser (twin 8.1lt MerCruisers with vee drives) is an interesting design with, in this case, a black hull with giant chines and steps in the bow to visually reduce volume and a stainless steel walk-through windscreen with a hip in the line. The cherrywood interior was handcrafted in Italy.

The fleet of more affordable Regal cruisers included the new 2000 and 2200 bowriders, the 2465 pocket cruiser and the accessible 2665 Cruiser for about $120,000 with single 350hp MerCruiser and dealer-mounted aft rails with barbecue.

Marine giant Genmar wasn't going to miss out on the action, proudly displaying three brands of craft after a no-show at the 2003 event. The company has reported "phenomenal growth" in the last 12 months, and the Australian market appears to be a high priority.

The Larson range was on the dry and ran the gamut from entry-level VEC-built (closed mould boatbuilding process) bowriders to 28ft sportscruisers. Fellow Boat of the Year judge, ergonomist Paul Cockburn, was impressed by the convertible saloon lounges and sleeping arrangements in the 26ft Larson.

Meantime, those Four Winns heaving rhythmically behind included the company's bigger cruisers, the Vistas. This was, in fact, the first-ever boat show for the Vistas 248, 268, 288, 298 and 328 models.

Genmar also makes the Sea Swirl boats debuting at the Sydney International Boat Show and the Carvers, also about to release something new in Australia shortly. There was also a twin-outboard-powered American-made Sea Dan 360F centre console for long-range fast fishing.

CIAO BELLA
The Italians had a strong presence at Sanctuary Cove. Stealing much of the limelight and promising la dolce vita was the dazzling Ferretti 620 (twin 1050hp MANs). The only options were an upgraded desalinator, invertor and leather trim. She's a very complete $3.3 million ship.

The French Beneteau brand bobbed alongside with a couple of Oceanis cruising yachts and a handy Lagoon Powercat 43. A new 40ft Beneteau-built sailing cat will be at the Sydney Show. But it was the Beneteau Swift Trawler 42 that paved the way for the plethora of passage-makers, trawlers and semi-displacement boats making a splash.

Local legend Harvey Halvorsen was aboard his gorgeous 38 Gourmet Cruiser; Grand Banks had a wonderful new SX43 Saloon Express with style and substance, a Europe 46 saloon-type cruiser and a Motoryacht 42 with aft cab; Clipper had a 40 Sedan; and there was a luxury long-range steel boat called the Passage Maker 15.

Then came the big Johnson 58 Motoryacht; the Formula Icon 52 enclosed flybridge boat from New Zealand; the Dyna 48 and 68; the local Integrity 37 concept cruiser; and a sweetly-styled Alaska 45 and 42 sedan and 45 flybridge cruisers. None of which could hold a candle to the custom-built Norman R, Wright and Sons 47 Passagemaker Odern - complete with pilothouse, Portuguese bridge and wave-breaker bulb. Certain colleagues considered it among their boats of the show.

Back to the production boats, the good life could be had on the Italian Azimut 50, 55 and 62-footers from $1.6 to $3.2 million. Azimuts are the biggest selling motorboats in Europe; no 'Med marina is without one.

UK LUXURY
English motoryacht maker Sunseeker was a force to be reckoned with - $30 million worth of big boats in just eight vessels furnished with crystal, fine china and embossed Egyptian cotton towels. Even its fishing boat, the 37 Sportfish ($700,000) with triple, yes triple, 250hp Yamaha outboards, boasts a stately interior.

The company's new mid-range motoryachts included the new Manhattan 50 (about $1.5 million), with three staterooms and a full-width consular cabin flanked by deep picture windows.

The show-stopping news from Sunseeker was that four 82 Yachts (about $8 million each) have been sold to Australian boaters in the past year. I'm reliably informed that negotiations are now underway on a 105 Yacht, 120 Yacht and, get this, a 140 Yacht (about UK£5 million).

Sunseeker's Predator sportscruisers - long, lithe boats with electric roofs, barbecues, drinks fridges and teak dance floors - are the pick of the private party boats. A Predator 75 (about $5 million) was unveiled. Buyers were reputedly sniffing around the latest Predator, a 108-footer, which has the option of triple 2000hp surface piercing drives. The Gold Coast in 10 hours from Sydney. If you can afford a boat like that, who cares about petrol bills!

UK compatriots Princess debuted a P57 motoryacht for about $2.2 million and a new V46 that recently motored from its Sydney home. The $1.1 million V46 has a sunroof that opens in concertina fashion just like a cabriolet. I can vouch for its wow factor.

Not to be outdone, English Fairline Boats has a spiffing $2.1 million Squadron 58 with walk-in laundry and a Phantom 50 flybridge cruiser debuting. There was also a Targa 34, which is just a nice compact sportscruiser. The dashing jet-powered dayboat, the Divine 29 from Divinecraft, sat alongside.

Back on the American front, Cobalt had 220, 240 and 262 bowriders, and 263 and 293 cabin boats. The Cobalts identify themselves through their finish and performance. If you prefer something with loads of room for its length then try the Sea Rays - designed for girth-challenged Americans - on for size.

In the realms of sportscruisers, Sea Ray had its 240, 275, 355, 425 and 455 Sundancers. There were 180, 185, 200, 220, 240 and 270 bowriders and Sundecks. And a Baja dayboat-to-go-real-fast was bobbing nearby. The die-hard Aussie-made Fairway 36 cruiser looked on from the sidelines. It's a boat that just keeps on keeping on.

Also from the Aussies, I found a Thomascraft 50 flybridge cruiser; Kingfisher 50 and 56 motoryachts; a Precision 58 with a great big tower; Caribbean 26; Palm Beach 38; and quaint electric and inboard powered putt-putts called the Greenwich 17 and Woolwich 20.

FRANCE MEETS THE KIWIS
Better known for its yachts, French foreign legion Jeanneau debuted a new line of powerboats including the 46 Motor Yacht and 34 Sports Cruiser with electric roof. Nearby were a couple of Fountaine Pajot 48 and 60ft sailing cats. Cats, of course, are a Queensland speciality.

Locals Powercat had their Party Cat 7.6, 2600 Sports Cabriolet, which won the Boat of the Year Award 2004, and new 30ft version (both on the dry), and a 3800 twin-hulled flybridge cruiser. Locals Dean Catamarans had a 50-footer, Voyager had a 930 and 1040 cats, there was a Prowler 900 cat, Scimitar 1010 and impressive Enterprise 50 houseboat on a cat hull.

Still on cats, I found an Oceancat 34 alloy flybridge cruiser, Noosacat 4400 charterboat, Lightwave 40 powercat, Venturer V38 and Perry power. Smaller cats included a Sailfish model. Also flying the alloy flag was the Noble Super Vee 6.8CC walkaround.

The clever Kiwis weren't to be outdone. The Salthouse family had their new 65. It's way wider, deeper, higher and, well, just a far bigger boat than the old stretched 65. The enclosed bridge is accessed via a moulded stairwell, and signature outdoor bathroom and al fresco dining area is still there. There was also a 57 with a new window line.

Countrymen Genesis had a 360 Targa, 400 Targa and new 400 Targa Saloon with sliding glass doors. in competition was Aussie Sunrunner, whose sportscruisers include the new 4800, a 3700 with enclosed bulkhead and new 3300 Classic with bow vee berth for under $200,000.

Bluewater fishing boats could be found in the US-built Gulfcraft 31 walkaround boat and our own Blackwatch brand represented by the 40, 36, 340, 310, 280 runabout for fishing and family work and 260 flybridge boat with level cockpit sole.

But in terms of nautical style the handcrafted Pegiva Super Squalo dayboats with retro styling were 'it'. There were two 7m runabouts to choose from: the mahogany version for $500,000 or the moulded GRP boat with two-pack silver painted hull and carbon dash for $180,000 and no less wow factor.

American's Maxum had a sleek 41 Sport Yacht; 2900SE sportscruiser, 2000SR and 1800 bowriders. From the same parent company, Bayliner proudly displayed a big line-up of 18-22ft bowriders and cuddy cabins; a great 249 deckboat for summer; 245, 265, 285 and 305 cruisers; and Trophy 20 and 23ft walkround inboard-powered fishing boats. US Mainship had a 30ft lobster-style boat.

Australia's biggest boatbuilder, the Riviera Group, had a full spread of models from 30ft to 58ft. There were especially long queues to climb aboard its new entry-level flybridge cruiser, the 33, priced from about $350,000 with twin Volvo 310hp inboard diesel motors. It also announced a new company concept: all its Mariner boats will now be branded Rivieras. The boats will come under a Riviera Sport brand name and dealer network.

TOTALLY WILD!
A boat show isn't complete without the weird, the wacky and the wonderfully imaginative. This year's Sanctuary Cove Show was no exception, there was a totally-transparent sea canoe that allows you ogle the fish while paddling, or for them to ogle you; a folding 4.2m boat with fully-integrated trailer that you can stow in a courtyard, and even a pre-cut plywood kitboat for $1890 that you can assemble over just one wintry weekend in the garage, assured its Kiwi inventor.

And so it was for another year. Next, the round of respective state shows...

MORE SAIL
Although the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is primarily about motor boats both big and small, there is an increasing number of sailing vessels on display each year.

Queensland is the home base for catamarans and was no shortage of these. The popular Seawind brand got plenty of attention with its 1000 and 1200. Perry was showing its sturdy and voluminous 43 Passage Maker and Tasman and Lightwave were also on display.

However, the beautiful Fountaine Pajots, including the giant 60-footer seen for the first time in this country, were the highlights for the multi-hull enthusiasts.

In the growing monohull section, Jeanneau held pride of place with a four-yacht line-up including the new 49-footer.

Bavaria was there with both cruising and race boats including the successful new 38 Match. Catalina was represented by the 387, and the 'unsinkable' Etap also got some interest.

South African-built Fast Yachts had a 42 which was up for sale at the show - and nearly didn't come home.

Hopefully, the Sanctuary Cove Show's proximity to the beautiful cruising grounds of North Queensland will lend it in the future to more sailing boats, but certainly for the moment it seems that interest was high.