2024 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show: Mid-size boats

We’re still counting down the days to the start of the 2024 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show and already boat brands are lining up to try and steal the show.

This year’s event is already almost fully booked out by exhibitors that include some of the nation’s, and the world’s, biggest and best brands.

Some of the boats to go on show will be from brands that have not yet been seen in Australia.

As always, there is likely to be a host of new electronics and a few innovations that also make the show stands.

We’ll keep adding to this story as we learn more about what surprises are around the corner.

In the meantime, here is what we know will be there.

Fresh on the heels of last year’s Viking sportsfisher that took pride of place on the Short Marine display at Sanctuary Cove is news that this year it will feature a Viking 54 Convertible.

The 16.6-metre tower-clad 54C features an open flybridge deck and a huge 14.3-square-metre cockpit that’s optimised for fishing. The saloon is based on the highly successful design of the 58, while below decks the Viking 54C features a three-stateroom, two-head layout.

Power comes from a pair of 1400hp MAN V12s, or for those who need a bit more performance an upgrade to 1550hp units is available.

Sports Marine will have the Nimbus W11 as the main attraction on its display of boats from the Finnish dayboat brand.

The “W” stands for “Weekender”, so this is a boat with an emphasis on fast, confident seakeeping and more than enough comforts to keep a big group of people in the right mood. 

Eyachts always puts on a good display, and this year it will have new models including the Axopar 29 and RAND Supreme 27.

The Axopar 29 is the replacement for the 28, a boat that launched the Axopar brand to the world. This new model learns from all the running improvements made to the other boats developed by Axopar to create a fast, user-friendly and extremely versatile dayboat.

Meanwhile, the RAND Supreme 27 is a high-end luxury boat that stands as the flagship of the Danish brand's water sports line.

It's a runabout available with the choice of either electric, petrol or diesel inboard, or petrol outboard power, and despite its 8.4-metre length is surprisingly light and nimble.

Carbon Yachts will mark its first outing at the Sanctuary Cove show with the Virtue V10 T-Top on its stand.

This Euro-styled 9.9-metre walkaround dayboat is filled with luxuries including a gourmet-friendly galley, space for up to eight people, cutting-edge electronics and a cabin with a double bed and bathroom.

You can have this boat delivered with up to 600hp of outboard power, with the option of fitting one or two electric motors for emissions-free running.

Carbon Yachts also hosts brands including Saffier, YYachts, electric foiling boat specialist Candeal and the ASTender line of carbonfibre tenders.