Melbourne Boat Show success

Sales at the recent 50th annual BIA Melbourne Boat Show exceed the expectations of both exhibitors and the show's organisers as more than 40,000 people, up by 6000 from last year, streamed through the doors.

BIA Victoria general manager Clyde Batty says everything that could be measured or counted was up on 2009, which he hailed as a sign that recovery in the marine industry was well underway.

"Every day had its highlights, from the first afternoon when St Kilda Boat Sales signed up its first customer for the new Caribbean 35 Flybridge Mk III (first image) to late on Monday evening when Rolco Boats sold its fifth, and most expensive, boat for the show," Batty says.

"They also remind us of the show's broad spectrum with ski and wake boats, luxury cruisers and specialist marine equipment, to a huge number of fishing boats of all types and a vast array of fishing tackle and accessories."

Batty says more than 20 boats were sold by Inverloch Marine, the innovative Boatcatch coupling devices reported its best ever show and big dealers such as JV Marine World, New World Honda Marine, Streaker Boats and Regal Marine all reported strong results.

He says Haines Hunter dealers took deposits on 34 boats and marine electronics dealers reported instant sales to walk-up customers.