Sydney Show to host key sailing premieres

Yachties will have an extra reason to visit this year's Sydney International Boat Show at Darling Harbour. A bumper crop of new production yachts will make a visit to the newly dedicated David Lockwood Marina in Cockle Bay marina well worth the effort.

Sydney’s first-time releases will even include one world premier! The latter is the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 and confirms the importance of the Aussie sailing market that the world's biggest yacht-builder lifts the sheets on this high-profile world-release in Sydney.

Since the demise of our local yacht-building industry Australian sailors have taken to the top European yacht brands. Europe is now the powerhouse of production keel yachts and that's very evident in the brace of new yachts on show at SIBS 2018!

Following is a snap-shot of what's on offer but possibly not all, with a chance of some late arrivals sneaking in.

The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 will be officially unveiled to the world press by Sydney Beneteau agent, Flagstaff Marine. It's a major event for Beneteau as this new model is the successor to one of the French brand’s most successful models in recent times, the Oceanis 45 (with 600 built!).

The new Oceanis 46.1 expands on the same, successful theme with a bigger, more powerful hull with wide chines. The Oceanis 46.1 also goes further down the path of the latest single-handed globe racers with a very powerful rig set well back from the bows to allow the use of a still effective self-tacking headsail.

The new craft also sports twin rudders as well as twin steering wheels and an angled-up boom for easy sail control.

Then once sheets are eased for off-wind sailing, the Oceanis 46.1 can set a Gennaker or Code O from her fixed bowsprit for extra speed and excitement.

A huge cockpit leads to the spacious cabin area below, which has large hull portholes to draw in lots of natural light into the heart of the boat. This creates depth and elegance in the interior plus a breathtaking view of the horizon.

A range of other Beneteau Oceanis will be on show including the newly arrived Oceanis 41.1P performance version with more sail and extra racing options.

Another familiar Euro name, the German brand has a super exciting release with the new Bavaria C 45 Style.

This is the first time we have seen any of a new C-line in Australia and, frankly, they're very different from earlier Bavaria offerings.

The C45 made its world premiere earlier this year at the 2018 Dusseldorf Boat Show. This 45-footer impressed the boating media because of its amazing liveaboard space and innovative features.

The C45 is the first yacht of this size to sport a transom garage for a dinghy. The transom garage can comfortably take 3.2m RIB.

The fact the C45 also offers three and five-cabin options places it in superyacht territory -- but at a more affordable price and easier berthing.

The C45 is offered in three versions starting with the basic Holiday for charter and the Ambition for or racing.

On show in Sydney will be the Style aimed at private ownership with deluxe trim and wet bar plus BBQ grill over the tender garage.

Twin steering wheels and twin cockpit tables make for easy movement through the cockpit. A self-tacker headsail is another great feature of the new Bavaria C45.

Also on display with Bavaria's agents, Ensign Ship Brokers, is the first of the Italia 12.98 Venice-built yachts to come to Australia.

This racer/cruiser comes standard with a high-performance race package that should stand you in good stead if you want to contest a Sydney Hobart or Hamilton Island Race Week.

The other German yacht brand making a big splash this year at Sydney is Hanse. The popular brand is debuting its new '8 Series' of fibreglass production yachts. To this end, agent Windcraft Yacht is displaying the Hanse 348, Hanse 388, 418 and luxury-size Hanse 548.

All these new Hanse models feature smart new styling, plus the latest large hull windows that are now very much in vogue.

Apart from the lighter/brighter interior below, there's a roomy cockpit with twin steering helms and fold-up skipper seats for easy access through the cockpit. The Hanse 8s also provide extra performance sparkle with a tall sailing rig plus self-tacking headsail for easy cruising. Under-deck led lines leading aft to the cockpit also ensure they are easy for a couple to sail.

Windcraft ia also displaying the exciting new Dehler 42, which is the more 'racy' cousin of the Hanse yet also equipped with a comfortable, luxury interior.

The other Windcraft offering is the stylish Italian Solaris 47, making its Australian debut. This is a yacht that takes the word luxury to a new level though naturally, this reflects in the price. However, as the saying goes you always appreciate the quality long after the price is forgotten!

Windcraft will also display the Moody 45, another boat in the Hanse production stable.

These modern motor-sailers offer the best of both worlds. You get to enjoy the view with a comfortable deck saloon plus exceptional performance, and range under power.

The Moody also sails nicely as well. To prove the point a Moody 54 Deck saloon model is on show after completing the Melbourne Osaka Ocean race. Its 35,000km round trip confirms the bluewater credentials of this famous English/German design.

Dufour, a French brand that has always been a benchmark for strong, solid offshore cruising yachts will have two new models on show in Sydney.

The Dufour Grand Large 360 is a welcome addition to the smaller but popular cruiser/racer end of the market.

Spacious accommodation plus good sailing qualities are sure to make it a winner. Pricing is also very keen with packages starting off at just $280,000 sail-away.

Joining its small sibling is the Grand Large 520 which is the latest version of the very impressive Grand Large 512. Improvements include raised bulwarks around the deck, more spacious cockpit and plenty of interior layout options including galley aft or forward of the saloon. Interiors are very stylish with a blend of both Italian and French influences.

The Grand Large 520 is a recent winner of the US Cruising World Yacht-of-the-Year award.

Also on the same dock will be the new Elan E-5 also being sold here by Performance Cruising Yachts. The Elan is a 40-foot racer/cruiser that doesn't forget about its crew's comforts after the club race is over.

Jeanneau is launching some exciting new yachts at Sydney, putting its best foot forward with two very tastefully appointed yachts - the new Sun Odyssey 490 and 440.

These Jeanneau cruising models have a classy luxury finish that always impresses. Both combine that special French style and solid build quality that has made Jeanneau one of the top-selling brands.

Features on the Odyssey 440 include a full-length chine, twin helms, twin rudders, retractable bow-thruster, latest L-shape keel and integrated bowsprit.

Also on display is the sporty Sunfast 3600. The yacht on show is just back from successfully contesting the 2018 two-handed Melbourne to Osaka ocean race with a third in its class.

This is a production racer that suites either two-handed long distance, or the normal around-the-buoys racing with friends. It also features a comfy interior for cruising.

And if you are looking for some inspiration to sail off to new horizons don't miss Sydney International Boat Show’s lecturers.

One special guest-speaker is Lisa Blair, the young Aussie who made history by becoming the first woman to sail solo around Antarctica. Blair now plans to become the first woman to solo sail around Australia non-stop and will be talking about the latest equipment and electronics yachties can now use when sailing offshore.

The 2018 Sydney International Boat Show opens on August 2 at the International Convention Centre Sydney and Cockle Bay Darling Harbour.