Record-breaking Sanctuary Cove

The first shot in the boat show season, Sanctuary Cove has become THE boat show at which to launch new boats and brands Down Under. And the 18th running of the show is no exception with more than 20 world releases and approximately 50 local new boat model releases scheduled at this year's event.

Hosted at the residential resort of Sanctuary Cove on the northern end of the Gold Coast in southeast Queensland, the SCIBS has a reputation for setting the tone of the boat show year. And it seems 2006 is off to a flying start...

Key local and overseas brands fought for their share of the limelight at yesterday's opening show sessions.

Australia's biggest boatbuilder Riviera unveiled its stunning 56 Flybridge. The first large craft to benefit from the maker's move to 100 per cent computer-aided design, the 56 heralds a new era of design and quality from the marque, claims the company.

In addition to the big flybridge, Riviera launched its 24-7 emergency assist program at the show. Like the schemes offered by prestige car brands, the 1 800 RIVIERA program offers a fully-feature water-based breakdown and assistance program and is the first of its type to be offered Down Under.

Archrival Maritimo had two new craft at the show - an all-new 48 Flybridge and a revised 52. Headed by Riviera founder, Bill Barry-Cotter, Maritimo has come a long way since its launch in 2004. The cruising boat builder has opened a new purpose-built production facility at the Coomera Marine Precinct and will likely announce a move into another area of the flybridge boat market before the year's out. Watch this space.

The star of the show was bigger than the Riviera and Maritimo's new release put together, however. Built by custom boat specialist Azzura Yachts, the $12m Cambria II is a classically styled 100ft motoryacht. Stunning retro lines and thoroughly modern engineering make this craft one of a kind. It's worth the admission to the show on its own.

Offshore fishing craft are well represented this year with locals such as Deep Vee waving the flag and key imports brands such as Viking, Cabo, Rampage and Bertram all continuing to increase their local profile. Cabo unveiled a brace of stunning express craft at the show while Bertram displayed its new 'baby' the 360 Express. SCIBS is the first showing of this boat outside the USA.

US fishing brand Albemarle also made its local debut at Sanctuary Cove with two craft in the growing 26-34ft range. Look out for more from this brand.

Sunseeker's new 75 Predator was a hit out of the blocks and the sailors weren't forgotten either with Delphia's show debut via its Polish-built value-for-money 37 and 40 footers. Fountain-Pajot is displaying a 60ft super-luxury sailing cat that will wow buyers.

On the trailerboat front US-built boats continued their march on the local market with brands such as Regal and Crownline among those releasing new models at the show. Crownline's 190LS bowrider has been designed with input from Australian consumers and dealers and made its local debut at Sanctuary Cove yesterday.

Of the local crop of sportsboats, the Haines Signature 580BR bowrider was one of the standouts, the new model exhibiting an even higher standard of amenity and finish. Top class stuff.

Trailerboat anglers weren't forgotten though with two Australian builders releasing tricked-up angler-ready craft. The new Cruisecraft 575 Explorer caters to the burgeoning mid-size offshore trailerboat market while the Theodore 720 Sport (powered by Mercury's latest supercharged 250hp four-stroke Verado outboard) is proof positive the local brands can mix it with the overseas maxi-trailerables.

In ski and powersports Tige and relative newcomer Supra added some bling and glamour. Both brands displayed bespoke wakeboarding craft that had almost as much horsepower behind the audio as under the hood! Supra looks likely to make a big splash on the local scene with its tournament-spec craft. Look out for a test in an upcoming issue of Trailer Boat magazine.

Organisers expect the SCIBS will attract in excess of 50,000 visitors before its close on Sunday. In addition to local boaties, the ranks will include delegations from the UK, USA, NZ, China and a host of other nations.

For more information visit www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au

Also look for a full rundown of the show and its new releases and highlights in the upcoming issues of Trade-A-Boat and Trailer Boat magazines. Offshore anglers will be able to read reviews on the latest crop of sportsfishers unveiled at the show in BlueWater Boats and Sportsfishing magazine out next month.