2022 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show officially opens

Crowds poured through the gates yesterday once they opened, although clearly not in the record numbers that flooded in last year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that saw the scaling down of the 2020 show.

Organisers talked up the importance of this year’s event – the 30th in its history – saying after the cancellation of the Miami boat show due to the coronavirus, the Sanctuary Cove event was likely to be the largest recreational marine showcase held so far this year.

The big surprise of the show was over at Coomera-based Riviera, which kept an entirely new boat under wraps until the gates opened yesterday.

The new model, the Riviera 465 SUV, sits in a pricing sweet spot in the SUV sedan line, straddling the 445 SUV and 505 SUV.

The Riviera 505 SUV, and the 50 Sports Motor Yacht it shares its hull with, have been two of the best-selling Riviera models, however, the price jump from a 445 SUV to the 505 SUV was too high for some customers – the circa $1.6 million 465 SUV now gives them an option.

Riviera also used the show to introduce its flagship 78 Motor Yacht for the first time. Riviera’s only Australian boat show display this year includes 12 different models on display – equivalent to half the boats it builds.

Over at cross-water rival motor yacht maker Maritimo, it’s a year of consolidation as it works through its aggressive new-model program teased last year.

Maritimo marked the debut of three new models added to its showroom, including one of the most important boats in its line-up, the Maritimo M60 – significant as the boat that launched the Maritimo name to the world.

It was also our first look at the new members of the Offshore series of boats, with the global debut of the Maritimo M600 Offshore flybridge and S600 Offshore sedan.

In simple terms, these are boats designed around a cockpit that’s large enough to be comfortably fitted with a sports fishing chair, and with enclosed transoms so the boats can back up on a fish.

Not so keen on fishing? Add a swim platform and the Offshore boats are equally adept at doubling as a diving platform.

Over at Ocean Alexander, the stunning-looking 28 Explorer was the early centre of attraction for the TV cameras.

Tall, long and impressive in the morning light, the global debut of the Ocean Alexander 28 Explorer even included a yoga session on the foredeck.

One of the other big debuts at this year’s Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show was the launch of an iconic Australian brand that has been missing for a decade – Scimitar.

Much improved, and under new ownership, Brisbane-based Scimitar has launched with its original 1010 flybridge model that includes a fold-out console on the bridge deck, and a low-and-long sedan version.

Scimitar owners will recognise a lot of the old boat in the new, with one of the most polarising features of the old model – external access to the wet head – now moved inside the saloon space. Long may the controversy rage on.

South American boat maker Schaefer Yachts had a good Sancturay Cove debut, selling two of the four boats it had brought to the show on the first day.

Schaefer builds boats ranging from a 10-metre V33 dayboat right up to a 24-metre motor yacht.

The 2021 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show runs until Sunday.