Mandurah Boat Show

Mandurah overboard

Everyone says bigger and better, but it really does apply to the Mandurah Boat Show, which opened its gates for four days earlier this month just south of Perth and attracted throngs of show-goers. This year, a record number of boats vied for attention, with more than 500 craft looking for a new home in The West.

WA's answer to the Gold Coast's thronging Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, the Mandurah marine extravaganza also had many new boats making their Australian debut (stay tuned for tests of the best from The West betwixt these pages in coming months).

Like most boat shows, variety and entertainment were just as important during what is always considered a great day out for the family. As well as showcasing the leisure marine industry, organisers ramped up the experiential side of the boat show.

RECORD BOATS
That said, it was impossible to avoid the record boat show fleet of 175 boats bobbing alongside Mandurah Ocean Marina, plus over 400 additional craft on the hardstand. Curiously, more Quintrexes were on show than at any other Australian boat show. Go figure! Needless to say, we Sandgropers love our tinnies.

Of course, there was a big spread of big-name boats: Riviera, Bertram, Princess, Meridian, and Sea Ray among the flotilla. Barbagallo Marine had Australia's biggest ever display of Sunseekers including the show's biggest boat, a Sunseeker 86. The second biggest vessel was Freedom Marine's Horizon 73, with R-Marine's Princess V70 filling third spot and making its first WA appearance.

Another boat that made waves (or ripples as it docked so expertly about the marina) was the Meridian 58 Pilothouse - in this writer's opinion, one of the most attractive boats to be exported from America in recent times.

The Meridian 58 Pilothouse features Total Control, a computerised joystick manoeuvring system that links main engines with bow and sternthrusters for, well, total control when berthing.

It was interesting comparing the Meridian's Total Control with Mercury's Axius docking control system for sterndrive-powered boats, as they both featured in on-water demonstrations at the show.

But if the thought of docking gets your knees knocking, fear not, berthing aids have come to the rescue. Somewhere or other there were cruisers fitted with the aforesaid Total Control and Axius, but also Cummins Zeus and Volvo Penta's IPS with steerable drives.

Computerised berthing does look like the wave of the future and, who knows, there might even be insurance premium reductions if you have it!

On-water demos and sea trials were also big this year. You could get afloat on a jetski, a kayak, and take a joy ride in the local sea-rescue boat. One lucky show-goer took home a generous giveaway by way of a $65,000 Northshore 580 trailerboat bundled with an E-TEC and a Dolphin trailer.

SAILS UP
It was also heartening to see a good range of sailing craft coveting attention, from inflatable catamarans to serious cruising yachts. There were also an unusual number of larger catamarans this year: a Fusion 40, locally built by the Cat Factory; a Levetzzi 40; and an Oceanic 373.

As far as monohulls are concerned, there were some of Europe's best in the Bavaria, Hanse and Jeanneau marques.

Mandurah also showcased the latest marine engines, electronics, fishing and diving gear. Our top rods and fishing gurus were on the Fishing Stage, letting go all their secrets, and Bart Beek taught visitors how to cook their catch.

Malcolm Douglas, crocodile man and Kimberley adventurer, and I believe our editor's hero (too right), was there yarning and giving photography tips. This Mandurah Boat Show, the third-largest boat show in the country attracting more than 25,000 people, really is a must-see event. Visit <A href="http://www.mandurahboatshow.com.au" target="_blankwww.mandurahboatshow.com.aufor future show information.