2018 Auckland On Water boat show kicks off today

New Zealand boat builders will feature heavily at the Auckland On Water Boat Show, which opens today.

Headlining the event will be the Semifly 45, a flagship aluminium boat from local bilder Dickey Boats. Described as a proven blue-water fisher, the boat is built to handle “difficult conditions”, according to its maker. A highlight of the show is that the boat on display is being kitted out for a longhaul delivery to its new Australian owner.

Kiwi RIB maker Smuggler Marine will show one of its Strata 900, a 9.0-metre fibreglass-hulled craft that’s already been around the traps for a few years. However, this one will stand out, featuring bright orange accents across the stainless steel, engine, and hull, offset with grey upholstery. It’s not all just show, with twin Evinrude E-TEC G2 250 engines powering the good-looking RIB to 55 knots.

Custom launch maker Scott Lane Boatbuilders will display Kooringal, the sixth 12.8-metre Elite sedan to come out of the yard. This project is a close collaboration with expat Australian clients to ensure their ideas, requirements and dreams became a reality.

Family Boats is releasing the Kiwi-built Seaboss 700HT combining a fibreglass hard top with a 7.0-metre alloy hull providing the ultimate in strength, durability and comfort. It’s decked out with all the fittings including a live bait tank, hydraulic steering, sleeping infill, and provision for electric windlass.

The 9.5-metre 950 Sou’Wester is a new boat from Kiwi custom boat maker Marco Boats. It features a pillarless electric dropdown window in the wheelhouse, a self-raising electric swim ladder, and plenty of storage options including twin freezer boxes. The 950 has already won a major NZ boating industry award.

New Zealand-based Sealegs will display its latest release featuring an 8.5-metre alloy cabin that combines the comfort of an enclosed cabin, the internal space provided by the all-alloy hull and the latest in Sealegs technology. A new electronic power steering system ensures ideal steering performance on water and land, while an upgraded 35hp inboard engine helps in difficult terrain. The new craft is equipped with a 250hp outboard that will cruise at 26 knots, and hit a top speed of 39 knots.

Aussie boat maker Riviera will have a strong showing, transporting seven of its luxury yachts to Auckland, including the 6000, 5400 and 4800 Sport Yachts, the blue-water 52 Enclosed and 43 Open Flybridge models and the 525 and 445 SUVs.

This year is Auckland On Water’s 20th anniversary, and the last it will stay at its current venue as it moves to make way for current America’s Cup title-holder Team New Zealand, which will use the site as its Cup challenge headquarters.