2016 Sydney International Boat Show attracts almost 50,000

Bathed in superb weather in a city beating to the drum of frenetic construction, the 2016 Sydney International Boat Show closed its doors at 6pm on Monday August 1 having played host to just under 50,000 visitors over the five previous days.

In accord with a Sydney boat show tradition, just over 190 boats on the marina created a chorus of horns ringing out over Darling Harbour to celebrate the last split Sydney boat show between the marina and the indoor display @ Glebe Island exhibition centre.

Planning is now underway for the 2017 Sydney International Boat Show, which is scheduled for August 3-7 at Darling Harbour as one big nautical extravaganza.

The Boating Industry Association said at its breakfast that it was at once excited, thrilled by the interest from overseas marine companies, and a little overwhelmed by the sudden response.

Meantime, from our observations over the five days we attended this great boat show, it looks like the families have returned to recreational boating. Not just to imagine, but to buy grassroots trailerboats in the $20-$35k category during a time when money has never been cheaper.

The trailerboats on display were at the interim boat-show facility of the Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island, a venue utilised while construction of the new International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) in Darling Harbour takes place.

"The show delivered all that we had planned. Excellent exhibits and a happy and vibrant audience," Howard Glenn, National Chief Executive Officer of the Boating Industry Association, said.

"This is the largest gathering of the recreational marine industry in Australia. Our objective was to bring industry together with the boating public, both old and new. We achieved this and everyone benefited greatly from the experience.

"The show has a number of objectives. Apart from educating and entertaining our visitors, we also provide the exhibitors an opportunity to sell their products and services to the boating public. 

"Preliminary reports are that many visitors took advantage of the show’s excellent product line up and it appears that many will be on the waterways this summer with new purchases, many for the first time,"

Planning has already commenced for 2017 when the show will celebrate its 50th anniversary.  The 2017 Sydney International Boat Show is scheduled for August 3-7 at Darling Harbour. More at www.sydneyboatshow.com.au.