Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show 2019: Riviera and Maritimo both attend

The Gold Coast’s prestigious annual boat show has welcomed the return of one of the city’s powerhouse boat builders after years of absence.

THE Gold Coast’s prestigious annual boat show has welcomed the return of one of the city’s powerhouse boat builders.

After years of absence from May’s four-day Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS), Riviera has signed up as an exhibitor for 2019.

It marks a unifying of the city marine industry after leading figures at Riviera were involved in creating a rival show at Coomera on the same four days in May as SCIBS for several years.

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Johan Hasser, General Manager of Sanctuary Cove International Boatshow, with Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst. Photo by Richard Gosling / RCG Images

Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst and fellow organisers at the time argued it would benefit the city and create a giant marine long weekend to rival Sydney’s show.

But critics including organisers of the long-running SCIBS and some smaller operators claimed it split the market.

In an announcement at the weekend, Riviera has revealed it will host its popular annual Riviera Festival of Boating at Sanctuary Cove this year.

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Rodney Longhurst with some of the Riviera range of luxury vessels. Photo by Richard Gosling / RCG Images

After several years based at the company’s Coomera headquarters, the eighth annual Riviera and Belize Festival of Boating will be held on-site at the 2019 SCIBS from May 23-26.

It means two of the city’s biggest boating manufacturers, Riviera and Maritimo, will both have a large presence at the show.

Riviera will showcase four world premieres at SCIBS.

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Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in 1989

While details of the new models are a tightly guarded secret, Riviera has confirmed they will form part of a stunning 11-yacht showcase surrounding its prestigious Riviera Motor Yacht Club at the end of the Sanctuary Cove Marina’s Pier F.

Rodney Longhurst said: “Sanctuary Cove offers our guests and Riviera and Belize owners an incredible array of venues to experience the boating inspiration, education and fun that the Festival of Boating has become famous for,” he said.

SCIBS general manager Johan Hasser said Riviera’s decision a huge boost for the event.

“We are thrilled Rodney and his team have chosen SCIBS,” he said.

“The Festival has a proud history and we look forward to working with Riviera to ensure that its future is just as bright at Sanctuary Cove.”