Gold Coast: Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show 2021 'best we've ever had'
The Gold Coast's revived Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show has been a massive success by any measure. BY THE NUMBERS
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MORE than 51,800 people attended and $250 million worth of vessels changed hands at a revived bumper Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.
Coomera-based luxury yacht builder Riviera welcomed more than two dozen new owners to the fold and racked up millions of dollars in sales.
It was among exhibitors with the biggest presence at this year’s show during its busiest year since the homegrown manufacturer began more than four decades ago. Fellow Coast builders Horizon and Maritimo also enjoyed a stellar long weekend.
A city resident snapped up Horizon’s RP100 Super Yacht for $12.9 million after a display for mere hours.
The show was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, but vessel sales have skyrocketed during the pandemic.
Riviera’s successful showing this year comes as it prepares to build a huge lamination facility – the biggest building at its 18.8 hectare site.
GALLERY: BOAT SHOW IN PICTURES
Riviera brand and communications director Stephen Milne said the company would be hiring 24 more workers, taking staff on site to more than 800.
“The export side of our business is continuing to grow and the acceptance of our latest models on display here at the show has been overwhelming and beyond our expectations,” he said.
“Life is starting to feel like it’s getting back to normal here in Australia and we’re grateful to come to a boat show.”
Maritimo reported strong sales and interest, with forward orders stretching to mid-2023.
Lead designer Tom Barry-Cotter said the show was a great success and Maritimo had sales across a range of models.
“The M55 has been our most successful model on debut ever and the S55 is fast following in its footsteps,” he said.
“If the response to our new models and others in the range this weekend is any indication, we are going to have a very strong year and the future is looking extremely positive.
“After the cancellation of SCIBS last year because of Covid everyone was excited to be back this weekend and the feeling was very positive.”
The show’s general manager Johan Hasser said this year’s event was exceptional and would be etched in the record books with attendance up about 10 per cent on 2019.
“Without a doubt, the 2021 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is the best we’ve ever had,” he said.
“The southern hemisphere’s premier marine event has returned in full force. We’ve never seen anything like it in terms of commercial success for exhibitors.
“As the show where the marine business does business, it’s fantastic to see our exhibitors converting quality leads during what can only be described as a unique time for the industry.”
Coast-based LNP leader David Crisafulli, who launched the Torrens Luxury Collection event at its transplanted Euro beach club incorporating superyacht Pipeliner on Saturday, said: “I see the post-COVID era being a golden opportunity for cities like ours that are clean and green, and industries like boating as an incredible prospect for long term growth.”
“It is not just about the great carnival atmosphere, to me it (the show) underpins a key part of our emerging economy.”
BY THE NUMBERS
- More than $250 million worth of vessels sold.
- More than 51,800 attendees.
- More than 330 exhibitors.
- Early indications biggest sale was Horizon’s RP100 Super Yacht at $12.9m.
Stefan’s five-year superyacht ‘labour of love’
May 21: Hairdressing mogul Stefan Ackerie’s superyacht – a five-year labour of love – has gone display at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.
But if you want to view it you’ll need an invitation.
Mr Ackerie said in the past he had held open viewings but later decided it was not worth it, especially after someone nicked his golf clubs that had been given to him by Greg Norman from a yacht he was selling.
“When I have put boats in boat shows, you get hundreds of people and by the time they go through them the boat is a mess. So this time I’m going to make it by invitation only,” Mr Ackerie said.
The owner of Stefan Boating World and Bach Living said it had taken five years and 60,000 man hours to complete the yacht, which he purchased from a US stockbroker, and is now based at Gold Coast City Marina.
He then did a major overhaul of the yacht to add an additional deck and redesign the near-100ft boat.
“It reflects my personality and my partner’s personality and the best designers in the world because it’s been a five-year journey and we have the best of everything incorporated,” he said of the yacht built by Warren Yachts.
He said the main feature of the superyacht, which he said will “probably” go on the market, was the spacious internal areas.
“Normally with superyachts they try and overkill (with fixtures), too many lounges, too many stairs. Here instead of the stairs being eight inches (wide), it’s 12 inches. Everything is big.”
SUPERYACHT SELLS FOR EYE-WATERING SUM
May 20, 2021
THE Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show has begun with a bang with the $12.9 million sale of a superyacht to a Gold Coaster.
Horizon Yacht Australia sold its RP100 Super Yacht, priced at $12.5 million, on the first day of the 32nd SCIBS at Sanctuary Cove.
The vessel was on display for just a few hours at the show before the contract was signed by the Gold Coast local.
Horizon Yacht Australia director Mark Western said its RP Series was one of the most popular in its range sold in the past 12 years.
“The traditional timeless design, unrivalled offshore performance and long-range cruising capabilities left the HYA team confident leading into the boat show that the vessel would not last long on the market,” Mr Western said.
“With Horizon Boat Sales dominating the marine industry right now we were not surprised the superyacht was snapped up on the first day of the show.
“Superyachts of this caliber are hard to come by in Australia at the moment so we quietly confident she was going to sell at the show.”
The tri-deck RP100 features four staterooms with a main salon opening from the aft deck and leading into the formal dining area with a country-kitchen-style galley forward.
The raised pilothouse has a large built-in settee, while the open flybridge offers U-shaped seating and a dinette (small room for eating meals), a wet bar and grill, and davit for launching the tender (small powerboat).
The four staterooms are positioned on the lower deck with the full-beam master amidships, a VIP in the bow and two twin cabins to port and starboard.
Quarters for three crew are situated aft.
The RP100 achieves a maximum speed of 21 knots at half load and offers a cruising range of 1,300nm at a 10-knot cruise.
MASSIVE MOMENT IN HISTORY OF FAMOUS BOAT SHOW
May 20, 2021
THE launch of the 32nd Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) on Thursday marks another step in the industry’s return to normality, according to a leading industry figure.
Last year’s show, which followed what was hailed as the best year in the event’s history, was postponed and then cancelled to the coronavirus.
It was a blow to the sector with 47,000 marine fans attending to see new models and old favourites in 2019.
Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst said the 2021 showcase, which runs Thursday to Sunday at the Sanctuary Cove Marina, held a special significance because of the past year’s cancellation.
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“I think it is sort of a reopening for us after all the uncertainty and lockdowns,” Mr Longhurst said.
“It is a return to more normal times again … so it will be significant for that.
“Boating has proven to be one of the industries that has prospered through this situation.”
Riviera’s Coomera operation now boasts 800 workers, including more than 100 apprentices, and 57 boats under construction at its factory.
“That would be the most at one time in the past decade without question and arguably the most ever because of the sheer size of the boats. Most are more than 60 feet,” he said.
Riviera will premiere its 645 SUV model, which has the largest water sports and fishing cockpit of all the models in its SUV collection, as well as an as-yet-unnamed new model.
SCIBS general manager Johan Hasser said this year’s event would feature a wide range of activities catering to many ages and interests.
“SCIBS offers exceptional value for your entry price,” Mr Hasser said.
“Catering to families, couples, boat enthusiasts and those looking to soak up the atmosphere of a world-class event, visitors can experience everything from luxury superyachts and fishing boats to the latest water toys and marine technology.”
The four-day program features live music, street performers, cooking demonstrations, fishing masterclasses, bars and a dedicated kids’ zone.
For the first time, SCIBS is operating free park ’n’ ride services from Movie World and Dreamworld on all four days.
The show will feature more than 300 exhibitors and 600 boats on display. Gates are open 9am-5pm. For more information, go to sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au/show
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