The best of the 2020 Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival

Given COVID-19 attendance and travel restrictions, the Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival was never going to upstage the annual event held each year in May, but there was plenty of things for visitors to see and do, the marine precinct buzzing with new boats, engines, gear and products from more than 100 exhibitors.

The new event also saw Australian and global reveals from several big-name boat manufacturers, including Australia's own Riviera and Maritimo.

Riviera has celebrated its 40th anniversary this year with the launch of several new models. The latest, the Riviera 50 Sports Motor Yacht, was on display for show-goers to view and inspect.

The 50 SMY was rafted up alongside the equally new Riviera 64 Sports Motor Yacht and the updated flagship flybridge model, the Riviera 72 Sports Motor Yacht.

Several of Riviera's sedan cruisers were also featured, including the Riviera 5400 and 6000 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition models, along with the versatile 575 SUV.

Read full reviews on most of the above Riviera models right here on boatsales.com.au.

Rival Aussie cruiser builder Maritimo had an equally impressive display, headlined by the race-bred Maritimo X50R Performance Edition, a stunning new sedan cruiser that achieves a top speed of 36 knots from dual 800hp D13 shaft-drive Scania turbo-diesel engines.

The larger Maritimo X60 Maritimo Sports Yacht was also on display, alongside two of Maritimo's flybridge cruiser bestsellers, the M51 and M64.

Maritimo also announced the release of a gorgeous new S-series sedan called the Maritimo S55. The S55 will make its physical world premiere in May next year, but was unveiled to the world online on the eve of the Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival.

Boutique Australian cruiser brand Whitehaven Motor Yachts also exhibited several finely crafted models - including its largest-ever vessel, the custom-built Whitehaven 8000 SY.

This svelte looking, three-stateroom sedan cruiser is based on the existing 7500 series model but lengthened for more internal space and to accommodate a larger tender garage.

From overseas cruiser and superyacht builders we saw a number of new releases and Australian premieres.

Australian catamaran specialist dealer The Multihull Group unveiled the mighty Lagoon Seventy 8.

Taking centre-stage, dwarfing most other boats in the vicinity, the Beneteau Group-owned Lagoon Seventy 8 is a stunning long-range bluewater cruising catamaran.

It features multiple living and sleeping spaces, combined with exceptional performance and economy for a remarkable 4000 plus nautical mile cruising range.

The Aquila 36 Cruiser was another new powered catamaran to debut at the Sanctuary Cove Boating festival. The standard Sport version from dealer Multihull Central has been popular for a number of years, but the latest Cruiser model has an enclosed airconditioned saloon with sliding door for additional privacy and security.

A pair of Mercury 300hp outboards power the 36 Aquila Cruiser to a speed of 36 knots.

Sticking with the powered catamaran theme, the Gold Coast's Deep Blue Boats debuted the Worldcat 280DC-X.

This wide-beam dual console, borderline trailerable powered cat will suit both family boaters and fishermen thanks to the generous-sized rear fishing cockpit, combined with an expansive bow seating area.

Other key features include a port side console head compartment, fold-away rear lounge seats, live well, high cockpit sides with coaming bolster padding, sub-floor storage, and 40-knot performance via a pair of 200hp Yamaha outboard engines.

Moving from powered catamarans to trawler-style custom cruisers, Sanctuary Cove's own Leigh-Smith Cruiser sales presented the impressive Hampton Endurance 750.

This new-to-Australia model boasts three staterooms with ensuites, crew quarters, opulent lounge and dining areas, along with a "sky lounge" bridge helm station with large, open aft deck.

Powered by dual 930hp shaft-drive Caterpillar turbo diesel engines, the Hampton Endurance 750 has a maximum speed of 21 knots and cruises economically between 9 and 17 knots.

World-leading superyacht and motor cruiser marque Horizon Motor Yachts were also on display at the Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival, courtesy of Horizon Motor Yachts Australia.

The sleek, modern styling of the RP100 and RP122 superyachts earned plenty of oohs and aahs from passersby, but the attention grabber on the Horizon Motor Yachts stand was unquestionably the boldly styled Horizon FD80 Skyline. With its extra-wide 6.9-metre beam and abrupt looking, wave-piercing bow hull shape, the FD80 is one of the most contemporary-looking luxury motor cruisers on the market.

The FD80 Skyline is one of the latest additions to the Horizon FD (Fast Displacement) range, bringing the total collection to six models.

Similar to its siblings, the FD80 has a polarising appearance, but its design is unquestionably very functional, the shape of the hull providing excellent handling and performance, but also allowing for very large internal living areas and multiple staterooms spread over several levels.

If high-speed sports cruisers are your thing, the amazing Boston Whaler 380 Realm will certainly have commanded your attention.

Armed with quad Mercury 300hp four-stroke V8 outboard engines, this near 40-foot deep-vee sports boat achieves a top speed just shy of 50 knots.

At this pace, it won't take long to run to your favourite cruising hideaway, or offshore to your secret fishing spot.

Exhibited by Queensland Marine Centre, the Boston Whaler 380 Realm is the second to largest Boston Whaler model.

Key features include a bowrider seating compartment, stacks of fishing features and accessories, and a large, offset helm station with access to the cabin with convertible V-berth, enclosed head, galley, entertainment centre and more.

Other top-tier boat brands displayed on the water at Sanctuary Cove included Princess Yachts (headlined by the latest V65), Clipper, Integrity, Grady-White, Regal, Brig and Highfield RIBs, Jeanneau Sail, Parker, Sailfish Catamarans, Fleming, Hurricane, Island Gypsy, Fairlane, Seawind and Fountaine Pajot Catamarans and more.

In trailer boat land, Quintrex kicked off its upcoming 75th-anniversary celebrations with a broad range of models displayed by dealer Surf Coast Marine.

Key models included the Apex hull-equipped Quintrex 590 Frontier fishing rig, the Quintrex Cruiseabout 520 family bowrider, and the versatile Quintrex 610 Trident cuddy cabin with its soft riding Blade hull bottom.

Melbourne-based Whittley Boats displayed several of its award-winning family boats and cruisers, as well as debuting an outboard-powered version of its Whittley CR2380.

Elsewhere, visitors could check out plenty of other popular trailerboats, including the latest releases from brands including Signature, Bar Crusher, Sea Jay, Makocraft, Jeanneau, Stejcraft, Searay, Surtees, Stabicraft, Cobalt, Nautique, Mastercraft, Sun Tracker, AB Inflatables, and more.