SANCTUARY COVE BOAT SHOW: Trawlers, passagemakers and picnic boats

Fetching trawlers, coastal passagemakers, long-range liveaboards and picnic boats will again feature at this year's Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) from May 24 to 27. Only the passage of time has seen many of these traditional go-slow plodders lift their performance with new engines and engineering, while also modernising their appearance in an attempt to offer the best of old and new.

The SCIBS line-up of new-age motor cruisers includes Clipper Motor Yachts, Grand Banks, Flagstaff Marine with the Beneteau Swift Trawler, Fleming Yachts, Integrity Motor Yachts and Leigh-Smith Yachts with their Alaska brand.

As a popular geographical departure point for many north-bound cruising couples, SE Queensland and SCIBS always has its fair share of family-friendly coastal cruising boats.

Demand has never really waned and cruises in company to places like Fraser Island among like-minded owners and brands helps stoke the fire. Here's a taste of the latest coastal cruisers that will be on offer.

GRAND BANKS
Grand Banks CEO Mark Richards said the new Eastbay 44 (EB44) will be unveiled for the first time in Australia at SCIBS this year.

"The Eastbay 44 fully delivers the best of both worlds, with all the comfort and style you appreciate in a Downeast yacht, but with the legs and cruising speeds to take your adventures farther and faster," HE said.

This latest generation of Eastbay is said to be lighter and more efficient than the previous heavy handlaid generation of GBs.

The new EB44 is described as combining an eye-pleasing blend of contemporary finishes and Downeast lines with an advanced hull design that is capable of safe and comfortable passages in open water.

The modified deep-V hull is said to feature a sharp entry for parting the waters ahead, an advanced planning surface aft, and wide reversed chines for added comfort and stability when manoeuvring.

FLEMING
The new Fleming 58, which we thrilled to test in Sydney waters (full review with video), will make its Queensland debut at SCIBS. This is certainly a special long-range liveaboard boat with all the latest engineering and mod cons.

The 58 was created to fill the gap between the 55 and 65, features a full-beam master cabin below the pilothouse, and an engine room with full headroom for the twin MAN I-6 800HP engines.

The 58 is a recent design, new from the keel up, and was designed by Norman R. Wright & Sons in Brisbane.

The standard specification contains a multitude of items that would be optional with many other builders such as stabilisers, thrusters, twin anchor winches, davit for tender and much more, including digital switching, a full array of the latest Raymarine navigational equipment, and Twin Disc Joystick Control with the popular Position Hold feature, in addition to traditional electronic throttle and gear levers.

Seatorque oil-filled shaft couplings make the Fleming 58 super-smooth and quiet at all rpm and, with the Twin Disc system, even when shifting gears from forward into reverse.

HAMPTON AND ALASKA
Locals Leigh-Smith Yachts will have several long-range motoryachts on show, including the Hampton Endurance 720 and Alaska 44.

Ryan Leigh-Smith said not only do trawler-style motor yachts have the volume to accommodate the extended family, pets and all your gear, they boast classic styling that never dates (Alaska 47 shown above).

"Trawler-style motor yachts aren't faddish, which means better resale value," Mr Leigh-Smith said.

The Endurance 720 is described as a superb long-range cruiser that's ideal for people looking for a bluewater cruising yacht to take to The Kimberley or Tasmania and is even popular with those looking for a floating luxury apartment with the works to cruise the Broadwater, Sydney Harbour or the Whitsundays.

"There's plenty of elbow room for family and friends, as well as incredible fuel capacity - 10,500 litres with a range of 2000 nautical miles," enthuses Leigh-Smith.

Alaska is the Leigh-Smith's own brand, which they design, deliver and manage after-sales service and warranty. Since 2004, they have sold 95 units and their belief is that the new Alaska 44 (under $1m) will be their most popular yet.

BENETEAU SWIFT TRAWLERS
Making its Australian debut at SCIBS are the Beneteau Swift Trawler 35 and 44 models presented by Flagstaff Marine.

The previous 34 model sold more than 400 since 2003, and the new 35 which launched at Southampton Boat Show in 2017, has been warmly received.

Flagstaff Marine dealer principal Graham Raspass said the trawler-style will always be popular with people looking for sturdy, stable and stylish cruisers.
"The 35 Swift Trawler blends traditional lines with modern cues and is great for cruising to the Whitsundays and back, as well as the rivers, canals and islands," Mr Raspass said.

"They are ideal for a couple or a family, easy to handle, lots of living space including spacious saloon, rear cockpit, flybridge and bow area, and thoroughly contemporary interiors."

The 35 boasts large windows and a unique offset saloon so one of the walkways is wider and undercover for clear vision, easy access and safety when docking.

"She will do six to eight knots cruising and 23 knots if you need to get somewhere quickly," he said.

The Swift Trawler 44 is a larger version of the 35 - both offer upper and lower helms and come with bow and stern thrusters.

INTEGRITY
Integrity Motor Yachts will have four newly styled models including the 320 Express, 340 Sedan, 380 Sedan and 440 Sedan.

The classic trawler-style boats have long struck a chord with boaties seeking value for money and hassle-free, low-maintenance, single-engine boats. But this year is special, as it's the first year Integrity will be display alongside Whitehaven Motor Yachts, who purchased the brand in 2017.

Since 2008, Integrity has sold 100 of its long-range cruisers, specifically designed for the Australian and New Zealand markets, among others, to boaties looking for value for money, economical and fuel-efficient boats that are safe, stable and single-engined for ease of use and maintenance.

CLIPPER
Clipper Motor Yachts says it will have 10 boats on-water including the world debut of the flagship Hudson Bay model, the new 540, and Hudson Bay 390.

Clipper Motor Yachts managing director Brett Thurley said the semi-displacement sedan models represent a new direction as designed by Patrizio Facheris Design Studio, based in Florida, USA.

"Our heritage is in traditional, solid, trawler-style long range cruisers, and we have now modernised and taken that style of vessel to a completely new level of design and finish," Mr Thurley said.

Patrizio Facheris has more than 30 years industry experience and is renowned for its luxe design work on vessels ranging from tenders to state-of- the-art superyachts.

"These new models combine an entertaining layout for our Aussie boating lifestyle with proven bluewater passagemaking keeled hulls with diesel shaft drive.

Running May 24 to 27, 2018 the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show attracts more than 40,000 visitors and 300 exhibitors to a spectacular showcase featuring hundreds of boats and thousands of marine products across four days. SCIBS offers FREE park 'n' ride services from Warner Bros. Movie World, along with limited on-site parking, available pre-paid. More at SCIBS2018.