SYDNEY BOAT SHOW: What’s hot in yachts

Many yacht importers use the annual Sydney boat show to launch their new models and some keep their powder dry until then to stage their annual new year-model debuts. With the big brands from all around the world, the Sydney boat show is the biggest show afloat for new-yacht releases.

This year, there are some absolute stunning, smart and keenly priced new yachts and multis to whet the appetite of any yachtie and would-be. Whether you favour one hull or two, prefer to cruise or race, or if, like many of us, you just want to see the latest and greatest yachts on the market today, there is sure to be something for everyone. 

Here’s are some of the hot new yachts on show...

The catamaran now features luminous new timber finishes, a lighter and more contemporary colour scheme, and slightly rounded edging on all cabinetry.

Multihull Solutions sold three Helia 44 catamarans at the recent Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, confirming the model’s appeal to the Australasian market.

With its name derived from the Greek term for 'ray of light', the Helia 44 has clerestory windows that bathe the expansive living areas in natural light, while the cabins are also fitted with generous windows to afford great views. The catamaran is available in two layouts: a three-cabin owners version and a standard four-cabin version.

The newly revised Helia 44 will be available to buyers at the Sydney International Boat Show, where Multihull Solutions has only one more Helia 44 available at a special introductory price of $798,000.

Multihull Solutions is also offering a syndicate option that is ideal for those with limited time to spend sailing but who wish to own their own boat.  The syndicate offers 1/12 shares in a fully-equipped 2015 Helia 44 that will be based on Hamilton Island from early 2015.

Multihull Solutions will also be launching the spectacular new Privilege 615 from their Darling Harbour marina stand at the Sydney International Boat Show, plus the popular Fountaine Pajot Lipari 41.

BENETEAU OCEANIS 38
Although the Oceanis 38 was seen at the Melbourne boat show in February, it still ranks as a new release for this year, and it’s a very interesting boat.

Here’s a yacht with a split personality. The owner has the choice of layout to suit his or her lifestyle. And the boat can be upgraded as your needs or lifestyle changes.

Her interior will be the star of the show. With the choice of a basic day-sailer format or more detailed Weekender and Cruising specifications, the interior can be enhanced at a later date with accommodation packs to match your boating bent and budget.

"The Oceanis 38 is a truly unique offering that we’ve never seen before from any manufacturer,” said Sundance Marine Managing Director David Beck.

"The yacht is designed to be modified to suit a variety of yachting requirements, making it a very versatile mid-size yacht, offering the latest state-of-the-art construction, performance and styling, market leading innovation that you would expect from Beneteau.

The Sail Product Development Manager from Jeanneau in France, Erik Stromberg, will be attending the show, along with the Asia Pacific Director, Paul Blanc. They will also be talking about the new models that have just been announced at the sales conference in France.

MOODY 54DS
The Moody 54 Deck Saloon is making its debut at Sydney show and it’s sure get a few visitors aboard — it be one of the stand-out yachts of the show and we reckon a short-priced favourite to wind Yacht of the Show in our books.

Importers Windcraft say the 54 is a fusion of the 45 DS and flagship 62 DS. The design team has bridged the gap of the deck saloons offering luxury living and performance sailing into a stunning 54 footer.

The success of the Judel Vrolijk yachts on the race course and Bill Dixon’s super yacht custom design experience make the 54 DS a comfortable cruiser for sailing around the world, we’re told.

Even if you’re short on crew, the design is for easy sailing. Moody’s trademark twin helm positions, the self-tacking headsail integrated into the deck, electronic engine controls at starboard helm station and two electric winches in cockpit make it all possible. The design of the 54 DS on show is the result of considerable Australian input from the local importer. Must-see.

HANSE 505
At almost 50 feet, the Hanse 505 offers the outstanding sailing and lifestyle features including a clever deck and rigging design and a versatile interior you can customise.

The 505 has already experienced incredible sales success overseas, with pre-launch orders exceeding company expectations.

The Hanse 505’s key features are:
>>Best-in-class generous and easy-access cockpit
>> Clear, stylish bulwark offering safe movement around the deck
>> Sleek Judel/Vrolijk designed hull
>> Hanse quality build with a Vinylester sandwich construction, stainless steel keel bolts, main bulkhead laminated to the deck and hull and T-speed keel
>> Hanse's traditional self-tacking headsail
>> All lines leading under deck to the winches at the twin helm pods
>> Fully battened main sail with the option of a furling main
>> Large easy-access bathing platform with swim ladder
>> One-step-down coach roof that offers fantastic access and visibility
>> Versatile interior with a maximum of five private cabins including a large owner’s cabin
>> Long, well-appointed best-in-class galley
>> New utility room option for a washing machine and workspace (a must-have convenience)

SEAWIND 1160 LITE
Seawind Catamarans is going to give us the first glimpse of the new 1160 Lite. This new 'low-alcohol' version of the popular cruiser features a trimmed layout and new engines.

One of the most noticeable differences on board the Seawind 1160 LITE is the new sleek interior design and fitout. The timber will be replaced with lightweight and stylish timber look laminate surfaces, with a new contemporary neutral colour palette as specified by Seawind's interior stylist. 

Seawind says the upholstery will be modern, angular, yet practical with a range of hard wearing Sunbrella fabrics to choose from.

The Seawind 1160 LITE also changes from the traditional diesel sail drives to lighter 20hp Honda (or 25hp Yamaha) outboard engines with electric tilt.

The layout will remain largely unchanged, though the ensuite on the starboard forward cabin will be replaced with a walk-in wardrobe and wet locker.

The galley will be simplified with an upright fridge/freezer and three-burner stove, but still offered the same amount of storage with ring lockers, a handy shelf and plenty of cupboard space -- more, we're told, than in larger cats with galley-up design.

SLY 43
Beneteau Vicsail has been appointed the Australian and New Zealand agents for Italian brand Sly yachts and will be showing off the first Sly 43 to be imported here.

The Sly 43 is reported to be a 'performance cruiser' with a comfortable interior and a large cockpit.

Established in 2005, SLY Marine is an  Italian shipyard located in Cesena and developed by Studio Lostuzzi Yacht Design & Engineering.

SLY yachts are produced using state-of-the-art solutions and materials. Their research and development is not only geared towards performance, but also to safety and comfort.

Construction uses fibreglass and carbon fibre sandwich with epoxy resins, together with use of the vacuum bagging process. Weight distribution (43 per cent of the overall weight of the craft) is concentrated in the lead fin and bulb. The mast, boom and rudder shaft are carbon fibre for reduced pitch and list.