The Holiday and Travel Magazine: Immerse yourself in boating at the last day of Sydney International Boat Show

Monday, 3 August 2015

Immerse yourself in boating at the last day of Sydney International Boat Show - it's where the magic happens!

Sydney International Boat Show

Cockle Bay at Darling Harbour in Sydney has looked slightly different the last few days. Its waters have been cram packed with boats on display for the Sydney International Boat Show. Floating walkways have been built in a temporary marina surrounded by boats of all shapes and sizes.

Cockle Bay is only one half of the Boat Show. The other half is located in the temporary Sydney Exhibition Centre on Glebe Island. (The old Sydney Convention Centre at Darling Harbour has been knocked down and a new one is in the stages of being built.) On display there are hundred of more boats of the smaller variety that can be towed on car trailers, canoes, and boating accessories. There is also a historic boat display and a high adrenaline race boat display. Transport is easy as a free ferry ride from Darling Harbour to Glebe Island is included in the entry fee to the Boat Show.

Horizon E84 engine

It is not that I have expensive tastes, but lots of boats from various companies took my eye. For example, one boat that I particularly enjoyed exploring (after removing my shoes of course...) costs only a cool 6.9 million dollars to buy. For those wanting to know it was the Horizon E84. The twin Caterpillar 1600hp engines were so large and shiny they looked like they should have been in an ocean liner rather than a boat. The petrol tank holds just a bit more than a car - 10,220 litres. You can sleep all your relatives or friends in the 5 staterooms, and cook up gourmet delights in the kitchen... oops, galley with its cook top, oven, plate warmer, microwave, fridge, freezer, ice maker, dishwasher, washer/dryer, and not forgetting the wine fridge and stainless steel BBQ. I have never been in a house that costs that much money let alone a boat. Ah well, I can dream on....

Of course, there are less expensive boats on display including cruisers, catamarans, sail and fishing boats.

Sydney International Boat Show

There are other options for those who do not want to purchase a boat just for themselves. There are several boat sharing schemes on display, where people can purchase a one tenth share in a boat and have a set number of days each year to use it, with the other nine people using it for the rest of the year.

Another way to get on the water is to hire a house boat for several days. I saw one company that has a range of house boats for hire on the Hawksbury River. The house boat with the on-board spa looked particularly inviting. Down the track I must get some friends together and have a few days on one of these house boats. Just the way to spend a relaxing few days on the water.

Sydney International Boat Show

Allow plenty of time to see the Boat Show. Yesterday I only had time to see the boats on the water at the Cockle Bay Marina. Today I intend to go back again for a closer look at these and to see the other half of the Boat Show at Glebe Island.

The Sydney International Boat Show ends today, so if you have an interest in boats, or would just like to step inside one of the boats on display, head down to Darling Harbour today.