2016 MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW: Hailed a success

After four days showcasing the boating lifestyle from June 17 to 20, 2016, at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, the 2016 Melbourne Boat Show, has concluded on the note that this as another very successful year.

"We’re extremely pleased with how the show has turned out and have received positive feedback from both our exhibitors and show visitors," said Boating Industry Association of Victoria, CEO, Steven Potts.

"Our goal was to deliver a show that showcased the boating lifestyle and provide a huge opportunity for our exhibitors to reach their markets and I believe we’ve achieved that," said Mr Potts.

Many of the Australia’s popular Victorian brands were represented at the show including Caribbean, Whittley Marine, Streaker Marine, Bar Crusher, Haines Hunter, Evolution Boats and Spy Boats; as well as big name International brands such as Mastercraft, Beneteau, Jeanneau, Nautique, Hobie Cat, Yamaha, and Mercury just to name a few

Over the four days of the show, visitors were able to see and purchase a wide variety of boats and watercraft, as well as accessories/technology, fishing gear/equipment, and services and advice on fishing and destinations to complement a newly purchased boat.

Along with the hundreds of boats on display, visitors were provided with stage shows from Australia’s leading fishing and boating personalities such as Paul Worsteling from IFISH, Lee Rayner star of Fishing Edge, Darren Finklestein, the “Boat Guy”, Con & Charlie from The Australia Seafood show and special guest AFL star Ben Cunnington of North Melbourne Football Club, who is an avid fisherman and boater.  In addition, there were family casting clinics, fishing along the Yarra and activities for the whole family.

Already the BIAV is preparing for next year’s show which will be held from June 16 – 19, 2017 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. Attendance figures weren't yet available, meantime, here are some Victorian boating stats....

Victorian Boating Facts:
>> 95 per cent of the of Victorian recreation vessels are trailered,  less than 8 metres in length.
>> 68 per cent of registered boats are operated on Port Phillip and Western Port Bays.
>> There are 172,000 registered water craft in Victoria in total (hopefully with a few more after the boat show).
>> The most common boat in Victoria is a five to six metre cabin vessel valued from $15,000 to $25,000.
>> A Roy Morgan research poll in 2014 showed 86 per cent of Victorian Boat Owners plan on taking a trip in the next 12 months.
>> The top five destinations for Victorian Boat Owners include:Mornington Peninsula Region, Philip Island Region, The Lakes Region, Geelong, Queenscliff, Barwon Heads Region and the Murray, Mildura, Swan Hill Region.

Further information, news and boat show announcements from the Boating Industry Association of Victoria.