Boats oust the hayburners

The Rosehill Gardens racetrack near Parramatta in Sydney gets a major makeover this weekend when the thoroughbreds give way to some iron horsepower for the annual Rosehill Trailer Boat Show.

Once run as the Silverwater Boat Show on the banks of the nearby Parramatta River, the switch to the recently renovated Rosehill Gardens racecourse has given the show a new lease of life and attracted the cream of NSW's marine dealerships.

Featuring free admission and ample free parking, the two day show now attracts tens of thousands of would-be, first time boaters and the usual crowds of veteran boaties looking for a new rig or to update their boating gear.

The show will be open from 9am to 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday and will feature displays from more than 50 exhibitors including local manufacturers Quintrex, Haines Signature, Websters Twinfishers, Horizon, Stacer, Sea-Al, Seafarer, Whittley, Cruise Craft and Savage.

Among the overseas produced boats on display will be Sea Ray, Cobalt, Bayliner, Boston Whaler, Sea Doo, Four Winns and Glastron.

While boats and trailers will be the main attraction there is also be a full range of marine engines, fishing tackle, jet skis and personal watercraft, marine electronics and a range of family boating products.

Domenic Genua, the marketing and event manager of the Boating Industry Association of NSW (the show organiser), says the show represents an ideal opportunity for boat buyers.

"We are particularly appreciative of the support from our members and many of them use the Rosehill show to prepare for the slower winter sales period and clear excess stock," Genua says, "A big plus for show visitors this year is that marine dealers will be displaying boats to suit every application demanded on the waterways, from water skiing to blue water angling, family cruising to canoeing and kayaking."

Intending visitors can get more information by the official website.