Strong Demand at SCIBS

An array of interstate exhibitors will grace the marina and pavilion space at SCIBS in May, including Victorian based Sundance, who will be bringing the coveted Monte Carlo to SCIBS, along with Yanmar, Energy Power Systems (Cat Marine) and the City of Melbourne Marina among others.

Sydney based exhibitors will have a strong presence at SCIBS, with Fleming Yachts, SACS Marine, Multihull Central, Wichard Pacific, Windcraft Group, Palm Beach, Collins Marine and new exhibitor Caraboat on show, to name a few.

SCIBS general manager Johan Hasser said feedback from exhibitors indicated the Show’s new precincts, additions to the program and reworked layout had been received extremely well, and interstate exhibitors were seeing the journey to Queensland a must for SCIBS in May.

“Exhibitors have been telling us that SCIBS is the first regional show of the year and the only show that delivers genuine buyers from all over Australia and New Zealand, and the trade visitors that are so vital to their businesses,” Mr Hasser said.
“We are well ahead of last year’s bookings, both in number and size, and we are seeing new brands signing on, as well as the return of previous exhibitors.”

The sentiment is echoed by Fleming Yachts sales manager Sam Nicholas, who said it was imperative the company had an ongoing presence at SCIBS.

“It’s a great show to start off the year. It’s one of the three major shows we attend in Australia, along with Sydney and Mandurah. SCIBS certainly produces great, if not the best quality leads,” Mr Nicholas said.

“There are people we catch up with [at SCIBS] every year who are long-term prospects. We are intent on sowing new seeds as well. Buying a boat is a major lifestyle decision, so it’s important for us to generate leads. SCIBS is up there for the best quality of visitors, with people travelling to the Show from interstate and New Zealand.”

Fleming Yachts will be back in 2016 with the impressive Fleming 55, delivered in August 2015 to its new owner.

“It’s a great model for SCIBS because it’s a proven passage-maker, designed in 1985 and still relevant and appealing. 239 boats have been built since then. The 55 boasts timeless design and can be customised to suit people’s needs, which appeals across all demographics,” he said.

According to Sydney based SACS Marine Australia, SCIBS is the ‘must-do’ boat show to reach top-tier clientele.

 

SACS sales manager Colin Wilcox said the company was looking to bring two new models from the seriously stylish Italian RIB range including the fully-customized Strider 10 and the Sports 900 – a recently released model that is sure to turn heads after being launched in Cannes last September.

“SACS RIBs are day boats as well as tenders to larger yachts. They represent top quality materials, hand-built in Milan, fully-customizable, with distinctive Italian styling. People looking for something different won’t be able to resist SACS,” Mr Wilcox said.

Mr Wilcox said the company was hopeful of sales and orders at SCIBS, as well as promoting the brand to the qualified and savvy visitors who attend.

“It’s a branding exercise for us as well. We are seeking dealership opportunities for Queensland. We’re proud to bring something fresh and new to the market and put a smile on people’s faces.”

As SCIBS exhibitors for 17 consecutive years, fellow Sydney based company Multihull Central’s Brent Vaughan said he was eagerly anticipating the 2016 edition.

“SCIBS is possibly the most important boat show all year for us. In our marketing for the year, boat shows are vital to enable us to come in contact with our customers and showcase new models,” Mr Vaughan said.

“After a busy summer period, moving into the winter months which are traditionally quieter, SCIBS turns it around for us and gives a real boost to boat sales.

“We get heaps of good leads for the rest of the year. SCIBS starts the sales process again, we meet new customers and prepare for the season ahead.”

This year, Multihull Central will have the popular Seawind 1160 on show, along with the Corsair Pulse 600, plus two Australian firsts – the Aquila 44’ power catamaran and the much-anticipated Outremer 45’ from France.

Mr Vaughan said multihulls are continuing to enjoy a rise in popularity due to their space, stability, versatility and ability to access shallow waters.

“I think we’re entering a period where work life balance is more important than ever before. With generational change, more people are realising that catamarans open up boating and long range cruising to a diverse range of people – from couples to extended families,” he said.

“Cruising cats are ideal for people seeking boating as a way of connecting with kids and grandkids. And buying a catamaran in Australia makes sense: we have nine world heritage sites accessible by sea, a massive coastline and so many safe, beautiful places to enjoy.”

NSW based marine hardware and furling distributor Wichard Pacific will be making its 13th consecutive appearance at SCIBS this year and director Gaelle Marks said the company was taking bigger space than previous years due to the quality of the crowd that attends SCIBS.

“We will have many new products from France, Germany and the United States,” Ms Marks said.

 

“SCIBS visitors know what they’re looking for. They go to SCIBS to compare product features, prices and to touch and feel products. Very often at SCIBS, people make a final decision on which systems they are going to buy.”
As wholesalers, Wichard Pacific does not sell direct to the public, but the SCIBS trade visitation is crucial to promoting their new lines to riggers, sail makers and chandleries.

“We meet a lot of the trade industry at SCIBS. Although we don’t sell direct, we obtain quite a few leads and follow them up with information and details of their local sailmakers. Post SCIBS we do notice a spike in sales around June.”

The Windcraft Group’s general manager Allen Bridge said his company was bringing six boats to SCIBS 2016, which was up compared to previous years.

“As our portfolio has expanded, and as the market has improved, we have upped our display. We have expanded our offering from monohull sailing yachts, so we have increased our range of yachts on show. SCIBS is a crucial start to the year,” Mr Bridge said.

The power vessel arm of Windcraft eyachts will have on show the Sealine S330 (sport) and C330 (cabin), as well as the Axopar 37 and 28 – for the first time at SCIBS. The TMG multihull group will be exhibiting the Lagoon 450, on display in Australia for the first time, and the Lagoon 40 motoryacht.

“The Axopar motoryachts are trendy, European, cutting-edge style, while the Sealine are Bill Dixon designed coastal cruising boats.”

With just over two months to go until SCIBS 2016, marine and boating lifestyle brands are urged to get on board and book now to secure space.

Tickets to SCIBS 2016, onsite parking options and VIP packages are now available online. To purchase, visit www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au.

The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, heading into its 28th year, is endorsed by Tourism & Events Queensland as an iconic Queensland annual fixture. It is also a member of the International Federation of Boat Show Organizers (IFBSO) and considered one of the world’s premier trade and consumer boat shows.

Running May 19 to 22, 2016 the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show attracts close to 40,000 visitors and 300 exhibitors to a spectacular showcase featuring hundreds of boats and thousands of marine products across four days.
SCIBS 2016 offers FREE park ‘n’ ride services from Warner Bros. Movie World, along with limited on-site parking, available pre-paid.

Exhibitor spaces are now open.