David Lockwood•11 July 2012

NEWS

Melbourne Boat Show 2012 -- It's a wrap!

Growing attendance and stronger sales with $50K+ trailerboats

It’s official! We’ve lifted off the bottom. The organisers of this week’s Melbourne Boat Show, the Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIAVIC), say attendance for the five-day event at the Exhibition Centre surpassed that of last year.

Clyde Batty, General Manager of BIAVIC, told boatpoint.com.au and boatsales.com.au that 34,000 show-goers, up about 10 per cent on the 31,000 who attended last year, made for a great boat show.

“It was really very successful for both the public and exhibitors. This year we took out the whole of the Exhibition Centre and the public went “wow” when they walked in the door.

“There were just so many boats and new models from the exhibitors, so it was a win-win for everyone concerned.

“I think this boat show has instilled a lot of confidence in the industry and validates recreational boating as a great lifestyle,” Batty adds.

BOATS SELL AGAIN

?- Oodles of water tests

Evidently, show-goers put their hands in their pockets, perhaps sparked by low interest rates, as well as the terrific range of new trailerboats on offer.

“We’ve heard of good sales, there was a real positiveness about the whole thing. There is a lot of money out there, some people are doing alright, there are a lot of savings, especially with miners” Batty says.

As ever, crowds were thin on the opening Thursday, then serious buyers flocked on Friday and Saturday. As ever, the busiest day for the general public was Sunday, but Monday saw a return of the serious buyers.

?While there wasn’t the big crush some were expecting, dealers were heard saying they’ll close anywhere from 30 to 50 per cent of leads as opposed to the usual 20 to 25 per cent during follow ups.

MELBOURNE ON THE MOVE

?- New $50-$60K boats selling again

Without putting a spin on things, the Melbourne marine market is on the move.

The strongest segment was represented by $50,000-plus trailerboats such as the Bar Crusher, Stabicraft, and Haines Hunter. A dealer with a great display of Haines Hunters, Port Phillip Boating Centre exceeded its wildest expectations.

“The numbers are pretty strong, in fact, they are much stronger than we expected. We went in hoping we’d sell 12 boats, then we’d be happy, but we just got steamrolled,” John Haber, MD of Haines Hunter, told boatpoint.com.au and boatsales.com.au in an exclusive post-show interview.

“Strong fishing seasons are driving sales. The new 625 Offshore sold really well,” Haber adds.

Michael Mulquiney from New World Marine, one of the biggest and most diversified Melbourne boat dealers, had a very good show.

“Sales were good across the board. Everything did really well,” said Mulquiney. Among his spread of boats, Cruise Craft was headed by the new Explorer 685 Hardtop on debut.

Although it didn’t sell off the floor, the $169,500 X55 wakeboarding flagship from Mastercraft was set to go to new owners following a boat test.

“Mastercraft exceeded all expectations,” Mulquiney said.

“The public is a lot more confident spending money. People came to the show to buy a boat. A lot of that has to do with all the water around Victoria. Thanks to the weather,” Mulquiney said, looking to the heavens.

US BOWRIDERS

?- Chaparral are happy campers

There was a lot of competition in the entry-level low-$30,000 American bowrider market, where the likes of Glastron, Crownline, Bayliner, Sea Ray, Four Winns, Crownline, Larson and more were competing.

Chaparral moved plenty of its well-finished H20 models, says importer Scott O’Hare, following a successful Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show back in May.

“We were very happy, with five boats sold off the floor, and 25 water tests with prospective buyers,” O’Hare says. “Crowds came and went, with the serious buyer getting in early. But Saturday lead to the most prospects,” he said.

PLEASANT SURPRISE

?- Stavs say big rigs sell

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Melbourne boat show without JV Marine. Industry veteran, a young John Stav, had a great spread of Quintrex, Haines Signature, Whittley and Clearwater, and Four Winns boats.

“We had an increase of about 25 per cent compared with last year for new boats sold off the floor and new orders. We were surprised by the volume of boats in the $55,000 to $65,000 area. Last year it was all $30,000-$40,000,” Stav said.

“We sold the same number of boats but turnover was up due to the bigger price tag. Trade-ins were strong, people are prepared to trade their old 16 footers for an 18-20 footer.

“We sold more two strokes than four strokes and overall we had a very, very good show. The American bowriders didn’t go as well as we hoped.” Stav said. “It’s not the competition we just didn’t have the inquiry.”

Other quiet areas include the $10,000 entry level tinnie and the $150,000 non-trailerable sportscruiser.

KIWI TROIKA

?- Stabi, Surtees and Raeline

Theo Rozakis from the Peninsula-based MY Marine in Dromana has the right boats for the territory -- Stabicraft, Surtees and Raeline -- all Kiwi-built and therefore able to handle a bit of weather.

“I have to say, we’re stoked. We went in there like everyone else with reservations, there’s a lot of doom and gloom around, but the Stabicraft and Surtees have a great following.

“Brand awareness is very strong, buyers are very well educated, and that lead to a lot of demand for our boats. The deep-vee and water-ballasted Surtees were exceptionally well received. People want the original.

“Our Surtees 6.7 fully enclosed with every imaginable feature was a hit. It's a $122,000 boat (reduced to $116,990 at the show) and we sold two off the floor and have two others about to go out.

“We sold our big 2570 Stabicraft, a $169,990 boat, on the first day. Deposit straight into the bank account. Thank you,” says a pumped-up Rozakis.

REGIONAL DEALERS

?- City versus country

Not that regional boat dealers are missing out. Shepparton-based Boats and More had Sea Jay, Anglapro, Polycraft and the Larson US bowriders.

Owner Simon Ryan said: “The show was very good, there was good inquiry across the board, the Larson 850 LX all-round watersports sold well, the Anglapro 454 Outlaw went off the floor, and the Sea Jay was popular in 4-5 metre range.”

“Compared with last year, it was tenfold better. The market is a little stronger and we’ve had strong sales all through winter in Shepparton in regional Victoria. The rain has helped, but people are back boating anyway,” Simon says.

TOW SPORTS SOAR

?- Combo ski/wake boats the answer

Peter Kent from Regal Marine, the big Victorian Malibu dealer and accessory house, is a good gauge of the tow-sports market.

His spread included three new Malibu models: the 22 MXZ purpose-built wakeboard rig, the Response TXi centremount tournament ski boat, and Response LXR all-rounder with keen mid-$50K price.

“I thought it was better than last year, the weather helped, but I was very impressed with the BIA’s volume of advertising. The quality of customers was good though,” Kent said.

“We sold a few off the floor but we have a lot of leads. Sales were healthy, but the high quality follow up is even more encouraging. The trend is to combo waterski/wakeboard towboats, which is why the new LXR was well received,” Kent says.

While hailed a success by all accounts, there’s still a lot to come out of the wash or water testing following the 2012 Melbourne Boat Show.

Meanwhile, the 2013 Melbourne Boat Show will open Friday, July 14, and run to Monday April 17. More at www.bia.vic.com.au.

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Melbourne Boat Show 2012 -- It's a wrap!

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