Gates open on 2023 Sydney International Boat Show

This year the show had a distinctly international flavour, with the global reveal of the Iliad 53F, the first of the flybridge models built off the Iliad 53S sedan.

The show was also the platform for the launch of three new Highfield RIB models, with the Australian manufacturer launching the Sport 560, Sport 660 and Sport 760 models featuring high-end interiors for those who use their boats for more than shuttling to and from shore.

But there were also a couple of surprises, with late additions to the show floor inside the International Convention Centre Sydney halls – Manitou pontoon boats and a new Sydney-based brand, Oceanworx, both had boats on display.

The Manitou pontoon boats arrived on the Gold Coast from the US about a fortnight ago where they will be assessed for the Australian market, potentially in time for summer.

Interestingly, the Manitou pontoons are also being considered for Australian manufacturing – Manitou is part of the wider BRP group that owns Telwater, the owner of brands including Quintrex, Stacer, Savage and Yellowfin.

The Manitou also shares the unique Rotax S engine that will roll out on selected Quintrex Freestyler X models from late this year.

Across the other side of the hall, Sydney-based brand Oceanworx had several of its new models on display, including one that was completed the day before the show opened.

The brand has a range of pressed alloy and plate alloy side and centre console models, as well as a tiller steer boat, with plans to introduce cuddy versions.

The boats feature unique designs that include reversed chines with spray deflectors and a 44-degree deadrise so the boats can run fast in a mix of conditions.

Also launching in Sydney was a brand called Saronic Boats, a New Zealand-based manufacturer specialising in wakesports and ski boats.

Similar to last year there were a couple of absences due to late arrivals, the most notable being the Dufour 37 which had not landed in Australia in time for the opening day. The Yacht Sales Co. will host a separate event for potential buyers after the show.

There was also plenty of action for anyone wanting to accessorise their boats, with everything from Raymarine’s newest long-range thermal imaging camera that was able to pick up crane operators sitting behind the controls more than a kilometre away to a new watermaker from SWS Pacific.

Twin Disc Pacific had a test boat on the water featuring its new Seakeeper Ride system, a set of next-generation trim tabs that move in real time to smooth out pitch, roll and yaw.

Outboard engines were also out in force, with Yamaha hosting a display of its new F150, F175 and F200 models and Mercury showing its new 400R V8 as well as the new Avator 20e and 35e electric outboard motors still fresh after their Miami boat show debut.

Annual industry figures released by the Boating Industry Association yesterday reveal that rousing interest rates are having an effect, with the industry turnover remaining relatively flat at around an estimated $9.64 billion compared with around $9.55 billion the previous year.

According to the 2023 industry data, the size of the boats we own is growing, with the only segment to post a decline being those below 4.0 metres in length, which fell by 11.0 per cent compared with the previous period.

Most of the growth in the segment is in boats between 6.0 to 8.0 metres in length – good news for Australian brands such as Revival, and New Zealand brands such as Stabicraft and Extreme, which all revealed new trailerable models that stretch into this waterline.

Jet skis have also continued to rise in popularity, with sales increasing by 36.4 per cent year-on-year.

The marine industry data shows we are still a nation of boaters, with more than 1.2 million Queenslanders now holding marine licences – growth of around 30 per cent compared with the 2022 figures. NSW continues to hold second place with a small bump in licence holders to around 549,000, while third-placed Victoria grew at double the rate of NSW to register 447,000 licence holders.

The figures show around 2000 boats were added to both the Queensland and NSW fleet over the last year, while Victoria and Western Australia each added around 1000 new boats.

The numbers also show a change in the way that owners are using their boats, with the number of people making short trips of less than two hours jumping by almost 40 per cent. 

At the other end of the scale, the number of boaters who pushed their trip beyond 12 hours jumped by more than 15 per cent, showing we are starting to use boats more as a platform for an overnight escape than a fishing platform.

The 2023 Sydney International Boat Show runs from August 3-6.