Sailfish raises anchor for show

SAILFISH Marine, based at Alstonville, is not going to miss one of the biggest boat shows in the country - the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

Sailfish Marine factory manager Craig Soward (left) and sales manager Ian Drew prepare the $140,000 2400 Gamefisher for the trip to the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show that starts tomorrow. . Picture: jay cronan

SAILFISH Marine, based at Alstonville, has long been regarded as one of the best builders of aluminium power catamarans.

So there’s no way that owner Darren Foster would miss out on one of the biggest boat shows in the country – the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, which officially opens tomorrow.

He is taking three boats up to Sanctuary Cove, including a newly-released 9-metre boat.

“It’s a cruising, weekender type of boat,” Mr Foster said.

“It sleeps four people, has hot and cold water and a barbecue. It’s a pretty nice boat costing around $280,000.”

Another Sailfish boat that will be on display at Sanctuary Cove will be the popular 2400 Gamefisher, which has been described as a ‘serious fishing machine’.

It is worth about $140,000.

“We’ve been going to Sanctuary Cove on and off for 15 years, but we haven’t missed any of the last five shows,” Mr Foster said.

“This is the second-largest show in Australia. You’ve really got to be there.

“We normally sell two to three boats at the show.

“We also get follow-ups during the year, so it’s well worth our time to go to it.

“We’re a 16-year-old company now and we’ve developed a really good reputation for building high-quality boats.

“People come to Sanctuary Cove expecting to see our boats and to see what’s new.”

And despite the global financial crisis, Mr Foster said Sailfish Marine had fared well.

“We’ve had no slowdown whatsoever, and we haven’t had to put any staff off,” he said.

“It’s been really great.”

The 22nd Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show starts tomorrow and finishes on Sunday.

It is open from 9am until 5pm each day.

This year’s event has drawn 421 exhibitors, including on-water displays at the marina.

General manager of the show, Barry Jenkins, said if placed bow to stern, on-water displays would stretch close to 3km.

“Visitors can wander past close to 200 boats on water, ranging from super yachts through to glamorous luxury cruisers, sail boats andmulti-hulls,” he said.

For information visit www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au.

Originally published as Sailfish raises anchor for show