Top 10 trailer boats of the 2024 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show

It really has been a bumper year for new boat, engine and marine product launches, giving show-goers lots of new boats and gear to gaze at and buy.

Around every corner, down every street, on the hardstand or down on the dock there were cool new fishing trailer boats on display.

Here’s our pick of the 10 best new or interesting show trailer boats on offer.

Launching in the US in 2022 and now available locally through Gold Coast dealer C-Worthy Marine, the Trophy 24CC is the new flagship of the Bayliner Trophy range.

This 7.5-metre-long by 2.59-metre-wide centre console is designed as a fishing/family crossover boat, and can perform both roles equally well.

Up at the pointy end, you’ll find a U-shaped seating area with clip-on cushions that remove to reveal storage compartments beneath a moulded casting deck.

There’s another seat in front of the centre console, a fold-down bench seat at the stern, and a double-wide leaning post/seat at the helm.

Anglers will be impressed with the fishing fit-out that includes wide side decks with flush-fitted rod holders; horizontal gunwale rod racks; a pair of insulated sub-floor kill tanks with gas-strut hatch lids; centre console rod rack; and a 57.0-litre starboard-side transom live well.  

The Trophy 24CC has a dual-width fibreglass helm station with a modern port-side offset driving position beneath a sturdy T-top with radio box and lighting.

Below the waterline, the Trophy has a deep vee fibreglass hull with a wide, bluff-looking bow shape that creates more interior space.

Paired with the maximum power 300hp Mercury outboard engine and a Bayliner trailer, the display package was priced at $224,361.

The new Boston Whaler 250 Dauntless bay/flats fishing boat slots in between the entry 220 Dauntless that we've previously reviewed and the range-topping 280 Dauntless.

Similar to its siblings, the 250 Dauntless has a large, luxuriously upholstered bow sun pad and a two-seater chaise-style lounge seat in front of the centre console.

The bow cushions can be removed to reveal a massive, elevated front casting deck, beneath which there are multiple storage lockers.

At the stern, there is another heightened casting platform, forward of a well that is rated to carry an extra-longshaft outboard engine up to a massive 400hp.

Quarter seats flip up from the aft deck to seat two adults at the stern when the casting deck is not required.

Between the two aft flip-up seats is a massive 132-litre plumbed live well.

Other cool features include eight rod holders; a twin-seat helm seat leaning post with tackle storage drawers; a double-wide helm console with head compartment, overhead T-top, and rod rack; and a port-side offset driving position.

The Sanctuary Cove show boat was paired with a 300hp Mercury V8 Verado outboard engine and priced at $339,000 from Gold Coast dealer Queensland Marine Centre.

Offshore anglers will rejoice in the release of the Edencraft 255 Formula, a beautifully outfitted high-performance sport fishing trailer boat.

Now 7.77 metres long, 2.4 metres wide and rated for single or dual outboard engines of up to 800hp, the Formula 255 is bigger, better and faster than the original Formula 233 model with a heritage dating back to the 1960s.

The Edencraft 225 Formula now has an integrated outboard pod transom, a huge fishing cockpit, and a full-shelter hardtop helm station with a lockable front vee-berth cabin.

The enclosed helm station has a modern design with a large, angled fascia panel stretching the width of the boat to accommodate multiple flat-screen displays.

For the skipper and front passenger there are two deluxe bucket helm chairs mounted on storage boxes with aft facing set squabs.

At the stern, a two-seater bench seat/fish box slides cleverly out from the otherwise perfectly flush transom wall.

Other key features include two transom live bait tanks; starboard side entry/dive door; cockpit side pockets; 600L fuel tank; and heaps more. 

The Edencraft 255 Formula is now available to order from Brisbane dealer Australian Marine Centre with pricing sitting somewhere between $400,000 and $450,000 depending on how the boat is kitted out.

Tucked away on the TR Marine Centre Gold Coast stand was this terrific Horizon alloy bay and estuary fishing side console called the 482 Stryker XPF.   

This 5.1-metre overall length pressed alloy fishing/family boat package was on special for a smidge under $46,000, down from the regular $50,000 price tag.

Cleverly, the interior layout has been designed to appeal equally to family boaters and anglers.

At the bow, for example, there is a U-shaped bowrider seating area that converts to a sun pad or an elevated fishing deck with the infill added and the vinyl cushions removed.

Extra seating includes pedestal helm chairs for the skipper and front passenger, along with three pedestal floor sockets so that one of the chairs can move aft.

The side console layout in this boat works well for anglers as the port side of the boat is open for fishing and to easily move about.

The display boat was paired with a 75hp Mercury outboard engine and a Dunbier trailer.

Other key features include a plumbed live bait tank; carpeted floor; welded side decks; anchor well; side pockets; transom door; trolling motor plate; boarding ladder; and more.

Kingfisher single- and dual-engined alloy powered catamarans are made in New Zealand.

Local distributor, Wynnum Marine, had two of these innovative powered cats on display, the 670 Powercat and the brand new flagship, the 730 Powercat.

For wide offshore fishing, the new 730 Powercat is the pick of the two boats.

The larger boat is understandably more capable at sea, yet has a road-legal 2.5-metre beam and can be towed quite easily behind larger-sized SUVs and dual-cab utes.

The Kingfisher 730 has a full-shelter, semi-enclosed hardtop with a single-piece front windscreen and opening side windows.

This big, practical powered cat also has a massive transverse berth forward of the open-plan saloon/wheelhouse, along with an equally large rear cockpit.

Cool fishing features and accessories include a pair of slide-out helm ice boxes; tackle trays and drawers; transom bait tank and freshwater sink; boarding platform with casting cage; EVA foam rubber flooring and more.

The Kingfisher 730 has a high-sided plate alloy power catamaran hull with symmetric sponsons that are very fine at the bow to cleave through chop.

Similar to most good cats, the Kingfisher is very stable at rest, quick to plane and smooth riding underway.

The Wynnum Marine display boat was rigged with twin 3oohp Yamaha extra-long shaft V6 outboard engines and was priced at $369,813 with a custom GFAB alloy trailer.

We anticipated the release of a new flagship 731 Island Cab walkaround at Makocraft's 2024 Sanctuary Cove boat show stand but were also surprised by the launch of a 6.0-metre alloy centre console with a US centre console-styled bowrider compartment.

This brand new model is the Makocraft 631 CCX, or Canyon Console X-over.

To appeal to both fishers and family boaters, the back half of the boat is set up for fishing with a full-height transom wall; wide side decks; sub-floor kill tank; bait board; welded rod holders; and EVA foam rubber flooring.

Up at the bow, however, the new CCX has a U-shaped bowrider seating/storage area that can convert into a large sun pad, or a level casting deck with the inclusion of an infill board.

Elsewhere the CCX has an extra-wide centre console helm station; overhead T-top; optional pedestal cocktail table; and a pair of pedestal helm chairs mounted on a welded alloy frame, beneath which you can fit an optional ice box.

As noted, Makocraft also displayed the range-topping 731 Island Cab, a terrific new offshore fishing walkaround rated for a single outboard engine up to 300hp.

Pricing for the Makocraft 631 CCX starts at $112,000, while base pricing for the larger 731 Island Cab kicks off at $144,000.

Down at the marina, surrounded by high-end luxury cruisers, I came across a trio of powered catamaran tenders made by Aussie power cruising cat specialist Scimitar.

The boats displayed were “mini-me” Scimitars called Minitars, produced as tenders for owners of Scimitar’s renowned 1010 and 1770 series cruising catamarans. 

The trio of Minitars included 3.75-metre tiller-steer and centre console fibreglass catamaran dories, as well as a larger alloy catamaran tender called the Minitar 450 Dory.

This larger 450 series Minitar caught my eye as it looks to be a pretty cool bay fishing boat in its own right.

Unusually, the 450 Minitar displayed was fitted with a 60hp electric-start tiller-steer Mercury outboard engine but also had a centre console storage/electronics display station amidships fitted with marine radios and a Furuno multifunction display.

Unlike the smaller fibreglass 375 Minitars the 450 Minitar has a 2.15-metre-wide aluminium catamaran hull topped with a vacuum-infused fibreglass deck.

Other key features included an elevated front casting platform with storage; horizontal gunwale rod racks beneath very wide side decks; a pair of pedestal transom seats; hefty tie-off bollards on all corners; boarding platforms; and a pair of 24-litre portable fuel tanks.

Paired with the 60hp Mercury, the Minitar 450 display boat was priced at $50,000.

Complimenting the Sea Fox Commander offshore centre console boat range are new bay and flats fishing boats called the 231 and 251 Bay Fox.

Aussie Sea Fox distributor, JSW Powersports, had the smaller of the two boats on display.

The Bay Fox models are designed expressly for coastal bay and harbour boating with low-sided, 15-degree deadrise hulls to provide maximum stability at rest, along with a comfortable, wave-chopping ride.

The interior layout also suits sheltered-water fishing, with massive bow and stern casting decks that are virtually flush with the topsides so that anglers can stand up high to easily spot fish in shallow water.

A double-wide centre console helm station takes pride of place amidships, fronted by an equally broad alloy framed two-seater leaning post with a backrest and aft-facing rod rack.

Elsewhere the Sea Fox 231 Bay Fox has multiple storage and safety gear lockers with gas-strut hatch lids; three flip-up padded seats across the transom; multiple cup and rod holders; horizontal rod lockers; two plumbed live wells; raw water washdown; trolling motor mount; console storage, removable icebox; boarding platforms and heaps more.

Paired with a 250hp Yamaha V6 outboard engine and a dual-axle trailer, the Sea Fox 231 Bay Fox is priced from $201,900.

A new single-engined powered cat called the Tomahawk 620 was launched at this year’s Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

Designed by multiple 18ft skiff world sailing champion Scott Ramsden, in collaboration with marine engineer Austin Kell, the Tomahawk 620 has a unique asymmetric catamaran hull paired with a single, centre-mounted outboard engine.

Running a single outboard engine (instead of twins) was made possible by fitting a water/wave deflector in the centre of the tunnel so that clean, undisturbed water could flow through to the single outboard engine and eliminate any propeller ventilation issues.

We’ve now tested the new Tomahawk and can vouch for the effectiveness of the tunnel water deflector; the boat runs and turns sharply without any ventilation problems.

Inside, the Tomahawk has a practical, effective centre console layout ideally suited to fishing and diving.

Huge dive doors on each side make it easy to enter and exit the boat, and/or to swim aboard a large game fish.

Other key features include a high freeboard at the bow; optional EVA foam rubber flooring; a transom towing arch; multiple storage lockers; an alloy T-top with rocket launcher; dual sub-floor kill tanks; and transom boarding platforms.

The new Tomahawk is available from 4.0 to 7.5 metres in length and has various deck layouts.

Blue Diamond Marine has the 620 series Tomahawk priced from $130,000 with an alloy trailer and a 130hp Yamaha outboard engine.

Yellowfin has overhauled its Southerner extended cabin plate alloy boat range with the launch of several new models, headlined by a new flagship called the YF-76.

Two of the new range-topping Yellowfins were on display at SCIBs, along with a similarly new smaller boat called the YF-70.

The new Yellowfins have revised, optimised hull bottom shapes, along with more user-friendly interiors with lots of good standard gear.

Amongst a range of upgrades, Yellowfin says the new boats have enlarged cabins with up to 45 percent more usable space, along with redesigned dash/fascia panels to accept large multifunction displays.

The new Yellowfins are available as standard boats with a long list of individual options and as fully-kitted Fishing Edition models.

The latter comes with dark grey EVA rubber flooring with yellow accents; suspension helm seats; deck wash; underwater lights; a deluxe bait board; a 75-litre icebox; and more.

With regard to layout, the new Yellowfin boats have a semi-enclosed hardtop helm station amidships with a vee-berth up forward and a large, high freeboard cockpit aft.

For a limited time, Brisbane Yamaha has a heavily optioned Yellowfin YF-76 Fishing Edition priced at $197,913 when paired with a 300hp Yamaha outboard engine, a Garmin electronics suite, and a Yellowfin dual-axle alloy trailer.