Our best wishes, safe boating and happy holidays

Crunch the numbers and 2016 has been a huge year for editorial articles and traffic at boatsales.com.au and BoatPoint.com.au, the two biggest marine websites in Australia.

We’ve published more than 1150 editorial articles comprising 900-plus news stories and still rolling — our boating news desk is second to none in Australia — and 78 boat reviews in 2016. That will bring to 1735 the number of boat reviews on our sites by January 1, 2017. That's the biggest boat-review repository and resource in the country.

In 2016, our test team reviewed 78 boats that run the gamut from a new 320 Quintrex Wanderer cartopper for $1425 (hull only) to a Horizon E75 superyacht for $5.7m drive away. You can read all our reviews as they were rolled out, driven and rated independently at www.boatsales.com.au/editorial/reviews/.

STRONG LOCAL LAUNCHES
We tested 15 boats from Telwater, parent company of Quintrex, Savage and Stacer boats, and the largest aluminium-boat manufacturer in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere. Aluminium rigs from these brands remain by far the biggest selling boats in Australia.

Australian test drives were also enjoyed aboard Cruise Craft, Haines Hunter, Haines Signature and Whittley trailerboats, plus Aussie-made Maritimo and Riviera luxury cruiser end.

We tested four new Rivieras this year including the first rides on the 4800 Sport Yacht in the world and the 5400 Sport Yacht making its Australian debut. These really are world-class Australian-made boats.

OVERSEAS ASSIGNMENTS
Our travels took us to all corners of the boating globe. The toll of long-haul flying was offset by the excitement of reviewing key new craft, cutting-edge gear, meeting marine VIPs and other enthusiasts, and sampling new boating destinations.

We travelled with the 2015 IFISH Apprentice Jock Crawford and host Paul Worsteling to cover the wonderful winning prize, an eight-day liveaboard dream-fishing trip on the remote Great Barrier Reef with Nomad Sportfishing Adventures. The fishing was nuts and we wrote about it in IFISH Apprentice catches a giant.

The south of France was the venue for the latest world launches from French juggernaut Jeanneau, which offers more boat for your dollar than most and something for just about every bent and budget. The Merry Fisher 795 and now the 895 are excellent value boats, but there's a lot else vying for attention from Jeanneau these days and all the way up to the Prestige.

It's a long way to go, but Sweden was the test site for all the latest 2017 releases and Easy Boating innovations from Volvo Penta. They ranged from new pod drives to common-rail engines and joystick solutions. This engine company has a huge commitment to the marine industry and is driving auto-like boating experiences and dash-device connectivity into the future.

It was in Tampa, Florida, that we rode the 2017 Sea-Doos where value is key and the new Spark Trixx is a hoot. Sea-Doo never fails to excite with a new ride in the wet-and-wild world of watercraft.

We’re just back from Southwest Florida and the 2017 Yacht Expo with the new Sea Ray and Boston Whaler models. There’s a lot of great news to share in the rebounding pleasure boating world and Sea Ray and Boston Whaler are banner brands from the world's biggest boatbuilder Bunswick. They are great barometers of where things are headed.

BOATING FOR PLEASURE AT HOME
We're grateful for the great opportunities in 2016, but above all we’d like to thank our passionate readers and like-minded pleasure boaters. You are the motivation for providing the news, reviews, information and impartial commentary on boats and all things that float.

We have more than 14,000 boats for sale on our sites and terrific editorial audience, voice and synergy. We look forward to bringing you the latest news and reviews in 2017.

Meantime, Merry Christmas, have a fantastic holiday, and may your summer be filled with more great pleasure boating experiences. Tight lines, smooth sailing (Hobart fleet especially), happy days afloat with the family, friends, and fishing rod, mainsheet or tiller in hand.

We are spending our family time with a Hawkesbury Holiday on the boat (of course), so be sure to check our social media pages for updates.

Best wishes,
David Lockwood
Marine Editor, boatsales.com.au and BoatPoint.com.au