2023 Sydney International Boat Show closes on a high

Almost 47,000 people attended this year’s event, surpassing the numbers passing through the Darling Harbour display and the halls of the nearby International Convention Centre at last year's event – the first since the COVID-19 pandemic.

All up, 233 exhibitors filled the indoor and outdoor spaces, with 82 of them showing 220 vessels on the water – the last time there was this many craft on the water was 2018. 

Chapman Marine Group had the largest on-water display at the show, with 25 boats from its stable of brands including Sea Ray, Beneteau, Flipper and the latest addition to its showroom, US saltwater fishing boat specialist Scout.

Short Marine’s on-water display featured a Valhalla V37 centre console powered by triple 400hp Mercury outboard engines, but the highlight was from Valhalla’s sister brand, featuring the Viking 46 Billfish bluewater game fisher. Rumour has it that Short Marine aims to have an even larger Viking on display at next year’s show.

Inside, 151 exhibitors – filling only a single hall this year – showed 424 boats. The event included a couple of surprise appearances, including several pressed and plate alloy trailer boats from NSW-based start-up Oceanworx, and a pair of tri-hull boats from US alloy pontoon brand Manitou – here to test the waters for a local introduction later this year.

Hunts Marine had the all-new Cruise Craft E695HT on display in Sydney for the first time with Sales and Marketing Manager Danny Jordin saying buyers were quick to place deposits. 

“We’ve sold multiple units,” he said. “The foot traffic has been great this year, and as well as the sales at the show, we have plenty of leads to follow-up in the days and weeks ahead.”

The message was the same at newcomer Oceanworx, which was sitting on a stack of orders from buyers keen to grab one of the new models, particularly from the pressed alloy range.

This year’s event included a Discover Sailing display that featured some of the nation’s most talented competitors including Nic Douglass, and a potential upcoming sailing star, Addison Newland, who spent her 15th birthday at the show’s opening day.

Andrew Fielding, the president of NSW-based show organisers the Boating Industry Association, said the show demonstrated that boating was a standout leisure option.

“We’re delighted with the diversity of the offering, quality of the displays and the enthusiasm of the public attending our show,” Fielding said.