Outboard-engined boats to see at the 2023 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show

Of note, this will be our first close-up look at the new Quintrex Freestyler X, a new style of boat boasting easy ownership and an all-new Rotax S engine that blends all the benefits of a sterndrive with the convenience of an outboard engine.

The unique engine, which sits semi-submerged, allows the Freestyler X to have a flat “Max Deck” transom, greatly increasing the amount of space onboard.

The new Quintrex Freestyler X will come as either a 5.0-metre or 6.0-metre trailerable boat sold as a complete package, including the Rotax S, and sitting on a trailer. 

But Quintrex won’t have the only new outboard engine concept at Sanctuary Cove. Joining it, and likely to draw as much attention, is the Australian debut of the Cox CXO300 diesel outboard engine.

Melbourne-based Moose Marine will host the Australian debut of the turbo-diesel along with a Herley Elite 8, a sharp-looking New Zealand-made plate boat that attempts to redefine trailer boating.

 Also expected to make its debut at Sanctuary Cove is the Sea-Doo Switch, a portmanteau of the steering system and engine from a jet ski and the party atmosphere of a pontoon boat.

The Sea-Doo Switch has taken the North American market by storm after it launched last year, with Queensland-based Sea-Doo distributor JSW Powersports expecting a similar level of interest here.

Queensland Marine Centre will have more than 30 boats on display, but the one we’re interested in seeing is the Boston Whaler 350 Realm luxury express cruiser.

Boston Whaler’s Realm family of high-end dayboats is well suited to the Australian environment, with liveaboard capacity making it an ideal platform for stretching a day trip into a weekend away. 

QMC will also have the Iguana X100 Amphibian, the next-generation adventure boat from Iguana Yachts. This boat features a pair of retracting tracks that allows the boat to drive up onto a beach or boat ramp, allowing everyone to board or step ashore on land rather than off the water.

The new model should also be appealing to property owners with absolute water frontage.

As well, QMC will have the Sea Ray 370 Sundancer, an all-new model fitted with twin 600hp Mercury V12 Verado outboard engines, the Boston Whaler 280 Dauntless express boat, the MasterCraft XT20 surf and wakeboarding boat, and the Crest Caribbean RS 250, a performance pontoon boat.

The Queensland dealership will also have Dorado 27 centre console and dual console models on display via their maker, US-based Sailfish Boats.

Alloy-hulled RIB specialist Highfield Boats Australia is using the Sanctuary Cove boat show to launch the mid-size Highfield 660 on the Australian market.

The new 6.6-metre RIB is a perfect-sized platform for everything from exploration to watersports and long days on the water. The new model includes a 140-litre under-floor fuel tank, EVA teak flooring, cushioned seating, a sundeck, multiple storage options, a swim platform with a ladder, and a fresh water shower kit.

The boat is rated to 175hp and up to 17 passengers.

Also featuring on Highfield’s stand will be the Highfield Classic 340E launched at Boot Dusseldorf in January.

This fully electric RIB uses an ePropulsion Navy 6.0 Evo electric outboard motor that provides the equivalent performance of a 9.9hp conventional outboard engine.

The electric motor is good for speeds up to 10.0 knots, with an optimal range of around 16 nautical miles.

Northside Marine celebrates 30 years at Sanctuary Cove, and will mark the occasion by featuring the first Jeanneau Merry Fisher 1295 Fly in Australia. 

The 12.4-metre, three-cabin cruiser is built around separate living spaces and a drop-down starboard terrace that greatly increases the size of the aft cockpit. Powering it are triple 300hp outboard engines.

Melbourne-based boat maker Whittley says it plans to launch an all-new model at Sanctuary Cove, likely to be a new member of the Sports Cruiser range of “floating caravans”. However, it could also be Whittley's new outboard-engined bowrider model, the Whittley X2000.

Queensland powered catamaran specialist Powercat says it will have four boats on show at Sanctuary Cove including the new Powercat 9000 Pioneer.

The new sports sedan model features a semi-enclosed wheelhouse that makes it more versatile in a mix of conditions.

In terms of outboard engines, keep an eye out for Mercury's recently launched 350hp and 400hp V10 Verado outboard engine, Mercury's Avator 7.5e electric outboard motor, Yamaha's new electric steering for its V6 outboard engines and perhaps a surprise appearance of its new 450hp V8 XTO Offshore, Suzuki's new integrated power steering for its DF300B and DF350A outboard engines, and Honda's redesigned V6 outboard engines.

Also keep an eye out for Tohatsu's new 140hp outboard engine.

The 2023 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show runs from May 25-28.