Big brands flock to 2020 Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival

Brands that have already signed up for the November 13-15 event at the newly refurbished Sanctuary Cove Marina include Riviera, Maritimo, Princess Yachts Australia, Horizon Yachts Australia, Integrity Motor Yachts, Whitehaven Motor Yachts, Beneteau, Clipper Motor Yachts, Fleming Motor Yachts, Hampton Motor Yachts, Fairline Motor Yachts, Alaska Motor Yachts, and Lagoon Catamarans

Luxury motor yacht broker eyachts, which represents brands including Axopar, Prado Yachts, Sirena Yachts, Brabus Marine, electric and hybrid boat maker Greenline, and Vanquish Yachts, will also attend.

Organisers said a number of “big” names in fishing and trailer boats would also have boats on display, including Australian Marine Centre, Game and Leisure Boats, Nautique Central, Surf Coast Marine, Cobalt Boats, Hurricane, Sailfish Catamarans, Nitro Marine, Whittley Marine Group, Mag Bay Yachts and Northside Marine.

The event is being held as a precursor to the 2021 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show after this year’s event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The three-day event will be free to visit, although everyone attending will be required to pre-register their attendance as the event’s organisers work with health officials to comply with COVIDSafe practices.

Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst said the festival would be an opportunity for enthusiasts to step aboard a number of new yacht premieres for the first time this year.

“The two newest additions to our growing fleet are the Riviera 50 and 64 SMY models, extending our popular Sports Motor Yacht collection to four models,” Longhurst said.

“These new yachts, along with the larger 68 and 72 foot yachts, have the attributes of a passage maker, pilothouse, motor yacht, and convertible sports fisher, all in one.

“We believe they are truly in a league of their own and in November we will showcase the 50, 64 and 72 for the first time at Sanctuary Cove.”

Meanwhile, rival Gold Coast luxury motor yacht brand Maritimo will use the Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival to showcase its latest models.

“We hope the boating festival will give people the opportunity to see first-hand the latest models in the water and innovations we have in development,” maritimo designer Tom Barry-Cotter said.

“We’re looking forward to an action-packed three days.”

The festival should also be a boon for marine dealerships keen to show the latest and greatest in smaller, more affordable recreational boats.

“With the cancelling of all other boat shows this year, an opportunity to display our great range of boats to a wider audience is welcomed,” Northside Marine managing director Greg Nickerson said.

“Whilst the boating festival will be on a smaller scale compared to a traditional SCIBS format, I believe it will bring out fantastic crowds to this world-class Sanctuary Cove facility and we are very much looking forward to participating.”

SCIBS sales and partnerships manager Dominic O’Brien said exhibitor interest in, and bookings for the boating festival were extremely strong.

“The level of industry support has been very gratifying,” O’Brien said. “Exhibitors have secured sites on both land and water, which reflects industry desire to showcase the best the marine sector has to offer.

“After a challenging year, it is important that we support the local marine industry with a smaller, yet meaningful and safe event.

“The festival will feature every segment of the boating lifestyle, with a range of impressive displays from sailing boats, motor yachts, mono and multihulls, to fishing and trailer boats, leisure crafts, and new gear and gadgets.”

Organisers say limited exhibitor spaces for the 2020 Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival are still available.