Ships Ahoy! at the Sydney International Boat Show

As I was in Sydney today I thought I would drop into the 45th Sydney International Boat Show for a quick visit. Being the land-lubber that I am, I thought I would be in and out within the half hour. My only experience of boating to date is riding on the Manly Ferry and some years ago hiring a tinnie for two hours at Tuross Lakes for a spot of fishing – with no fish being caught.

To my surprise I was still viewing exhibits at the Sydney International Boat Show four hours after I went in at 10m when the doors opened. There was so much to see that I could have stayed all day, however I had a train to catch to return to my home in country NSW.

The Boat Show is conveniently located in the heart of Sydney at Darling Harbour. I hoped off the train at Town Hall Station and walked the short distance down Bathurst Street Darling Harbour, though I could have gone there by light rail, monorail, bus or ferry.

First off I explored all the boats moored at the huge temporary marine in Cockle Bay. Many boats of all shapes and sizes were on display by various Australian and international companies. Most were brand new, though there were a few heritage boats as well. They ranged in price from less expensive to very expensive to very, very expensive.

Princess 72Y/045

The most expensive boat I boarded was the new Princess 72Y/045 motor yacht with the price tag of $5,122,741. And what an amazing boat it was! The hull was gleaming white and the fully air-conditioned interiors featured leather, marble, and walnut gloss wood finish. The top level, called the fly-bridge (…. I’m starting to get a hang of all these nautical terms…) had a large seating and dining area, space to store a jet-ski, a wetbar and BBQ. The middle level has the fully equipped galley (…kitchen…) dining and entertaining areas. The lower level has five cabins (…bedrooms…) and four bathrooms.  Other little touches were the Bose premium sound system and  the hydraulic swim platform. I can just imagine us living in this boat, even if it stayed moored at the one spot on the water – it is more luxurious than our home!

I missed out on seeing the most expensive boat on sale - the Horizon 107 motor yacht. It has six bedrooms and sleeps 14 people and is on sale for a modest $10 million.

          

There were too many boats to go on board and explore every single one, so I just picked a few as I walked around the marina. There were boats of all sizes and types including fishing, sailing, waterskiing, and family cruising. A hint for other first time Boat Show goers – wear shoes that are easy to take on and off. Most of the boats ask you to remove your shoes before boarding, which is fair enough, considering the quality of the boats and the thousands of people inspecting them.

“Hurrica V”

In contrast to the gleaming new boats, some older heritage boats were on display. I boarded all these, and marvelled at their character of yester-year. “Boomerang”, a Gentlemen’s Schooner was built in 1903 and made of hardwood frames and kauri decks & deck beams. “Lady Hopetoun” a Classic Edwardian steam launch, was built in 1902 and launched in Berry’s Bay. This boat was named after the wife of the first Governor- General of Australia.  “Hurrica V”, a classic ketch, was built in 1922, and appears in the new Baz Luhmann movie “The Great Gatsby”. It is made from spotted gum, kauri, teak and Browns pine timbers.

After walking around the Marina I then ventured into the six halls of the Sydney Exhibition Centre which were jam packed with boats, boating gear and associated boating services. Motor boats, yachts, run-about tinnies, jet skis, water skis and wakeboards were all displayed on the various stands. Fishing rods, life jackets, clothing and other boating essential were on display and for sale

The exhibition halls house the education and entertainment activities that are held throughout the Boat Show. Make sure you pick up a guide to the days activities when you enter the Boat Show and spend a few minutes reading it. That way you will not miss out on those activities that interest you. Don’t be like me and read it on the train on the way home from the Boat Show!

Musto Fashion Extravaganza

Each day fishing and boating experts give inspiring talks on stage in Hall 3. For example James Castrission and Justin Jones will share stories at 2pm each day of their 89 day and 2,275km journey to the South Pole, by foot. Hear about their astounding experience at 2pm each day. Other speakers will talk on fishing tips and techniques, bait and lure fishing, in-shore sport fishing, catching your dream fish, and sustainable and responsible fishing.

I managed to see what I thought was a dance crew showing their latest moves in Hall 3, but it turned out to be the Musto Fashion Extravaganza. This is the new way of doing the old fashioned catwalk fashion parade, and will be presented three times each day.

As I went to the Boat Show today, I missed out on seeing the  

annual Boat Building Competition. This will take place at 10am tomorrow (Saturday) at the Harbourside Amphitheatre in Cockle Bay. Teams of shipwrights from Australia and New Zealand will have a 2 hour time limit to build a boat which they will attempt to sail in Cockle Bay at 2pm.

The Deckhouse Theatrette in Hall 6 each day features short presentations, including boat show exhibitors showcasing their latest products and services, talks on the latest in boating safety, and talks on how to obtain an International Certificate of Competence,

Row, Row, Row Your Boat...

The Berkley Evinrude Teams Series (BETS) Fishing Competition Grand Final will be held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. This is when the boats return and the fish are placed and weighed in the BETS Bream Tank. This will be located at Harbourside Amphitheatre overlooking Cockle Bay

With all the cooking shows rating well on TV in recent years, it is no surprise that the Sydney International Boat Show includes cooking demonstrations. Bart Beek, Club Marine’s resident chef, will cooks some of the scrumptious recipes from the August/September issue of Club Marine magazine in Hall 5 each day.

The Sydney International Boat Show opened on Thursday, with 7,285 people in attendance. I’m not sure how many people attended today, but I am sure that the numbers are building up each day as more and more people come to se all that is on display. I suggest that you arrive as early as you can to beat the crowds. Remember your sunscreen and hat!

Boats and More Boats!

If you are a boating enthusiast make sure you attend this years Sydney International Boat Show. If you are like me and know nothing about boating make sure you attend – it is interesting to see the range of what is available in the boating world in 2012. Make sure you bring along your family, friends and workmates Saturday (tomorrow), Sunday or Monday. I suggest that you allow plenty of time to see all that is on display, as there is too much to see. Allow a half day or even full day viewing - you will be amazed at what you will see at the Boat Show, both in the Exhibition Halls and on the Marina..To see all the Boat Show at a leisurely pace, there are enough days left for a three day admission pass. If you do have limited time available to attend, I suggest that you take advantage of the after 5pm reduced admission price. And remember, Ships Ahoy!

DETAILS: The 45th Sydney International Boat Show

LOCATION: The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre & Cockle Bay Marina, Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia

DATES: 2 - 6 August, 2012 (Thursday – Monday)

HOURS: 10am - 8pm Halls, 10am - 6pm Marina

TICKET PRICES:

Hook. Line and Sinker

Adult $20.00, Child $12.00 6 to 17 years, 5 and under free, Pensioner $14.50 - Card required, Senior $18.00 - Card required,

Family $47.00 2 adults and 3 children

3-Day VIP Guest Pass $44.00
After 5pm Admission $5

For more detailed information about the 45th Sydney International Boat Show, and to see live web cams, go to the web site at sydneyboatshow.com.au