IF YOU’RE in the market for a new boat and can’t decide between a tinnie or catamaran, fear not – the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is setting sail from 20 to 23 May 2004, and help is at hand. This year’s show will feature more than 360 exhibitors who will showcase the latest in watercraft marine and boating technology.

Sanctuary Cove Events Manager, Barry Jenkins, believes that means only one thing for those looking to buy – an extensive range of product and unparalleled choice.

“We already have 363 exhibitors secured, with additional applications being processed every day. As it stands we have exhibitors from Asia, United Kingdom, United States and New Zealand, and with the Show used as the base to launch both domestic and world product, it’s a great opportunity for people to view and purchase the best the world has to offer.”

This year’s Show will also provide a great day out for the whole family, showcasing magnificent marine machines within close proximity to a range of fine restaurants, fashion outlets and giftware stores – and all located beside Sanctuary Cove’s world-class marina. A new addition to the Show will be a comprehensive food court, designed to provide a quick snack or cool beverage to the 46,000 plus crowd expected over the four-day event.

Take the M1 Motorway and take Exit 66 to Parklands (Gold Coast showgrounds). Once parked, take the Surfside Express direct to the Show and return.

Travel direct to the Show on Surfside Buslines, via the following routes:

Route 1, 1a Tweed Heads to Pacific Fair then change to Route 10 to Sanctuary Cove.

Route 10 – Burleigh Heads to Sanctuary Cove.

For all times visit www.surfside.com.au or call Transinfo 13 12 30.

Tickets will be available from either Parklands (before boarding the Surfside Express), or at the Boat Show entrance. Tickets are $16 for adults and $14 for concessions. Entry is free for children under 15 years of age.

Keep up to date with the latest developments by visiting www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au.

Innovation has set sail in this year’s line-up at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, to be held from May 20-23.

Alongside million-dollar super yachts, the marine industry has stretched the boundaries of convention, showcasing cutting-edge technology and clever innovation to make boating more convenient, fun and environmentally friendly.

Sanctuary Cove CEO Geoff Grady said he was thrilled at the new inventions to be launched at this year’s show.

“It proves the marine industry is booming at the moment. There are so many new innovations which make enjoying the water easier for everybody,” Mr Grady said.

Ezyboat will launch one of the most innovative small boats ever to reach Australian waters, with the 4.2m Snapper. The boat comes with its own fully integrated trailer with retractable wheels, allowing it to be wheeled straight into the water.

But that’s not all that makes it special. Using a patented hinged design, the boat can be folded in half, allowing it to be stored and towed when space is tight. Its design also makes EzyBoat’s Snapper stronger than conventional boats of the same size.

DIY enthusiasts will be in their element at this year’s show. New Zealand’s Kitboat 420 allows boaties to build their dream boat in a day.

Priced at $1890, the Kitboat 420 is made up of a plywood kit set that the manufacturers believe looks factory fit when assembled. The boat requires no planing or cutting and all the components are pre-finished to a high standard. The flat-bottomed Kitboat 420 comes with full instructions and weighs 65kg when assembled.

Catch a glimpse of the underwater world with Clear Blue’s Molokini transparent kayak. Equipped with dual ergonomic adjustable seats, dual flotation devices and dual water bailers, the Molokini gives kayakers a clear view of an ocean paradise.

On the technology front, Genmar has reinvented boat manufacturing to reduce styrene emissions during lamination by more than 90%. Genmar’s new technology uses a computer controlled, automated, closed-mould system to manufacture fibreglass hulls. Stronger and lighter than conventional versions, the hulls are produced inside a self-contained cell, with the end product precise in material portions, bonding and thickness. Genmar’s efforts have recently been honoured by the United States Environmental Protection Agency with the 2002 Clean Air Excellence Award in the category of Air Technology.

The guys from Endless Summer Marine are proud to announce that they will have four of the new Yamaha/Trailcraft packages on display. These factory-rigged packages are turn-key for the customer and can be bought with the aid of Yamaha Finance. A 4.5m runabout, 5.3m Profish, 5.3m Bowrider and 6.4m Sports Cab will show the range of these integrated pagkages that are available.

There will be another half-dozen Yamaha powered Trailcraft that these guys have put together themselves – fitted with quality Furuno/GME electronics.

For more information on Endless Summer’s Trailcraft packages, call Christy on (07) 5536 5312 or just see them at the show.

Word has it that the new Mercury Verados – supercharged, high-end four-strokes – will be on display at Sanctuary Cove. The 250hp and 275hp models will be of particular interest for larger trailerboat owners.

Additionally, the 525hp EFI MerCruiser will be there, rigged with a Bravo 1XR Sportsmaster gearbox, and, if possible, there may even be a 75hp OptiMax outboard for you to see.

Also integrating environmental protection into their products, Mercury will exhibit its Mercury Fourstroke. Offering a combination of smooth, smoke-free operation, the Fourstroke uses proven technology to give winning speedboat power.

With its ultra-efficient fuel management, the EFI Fourstroke surpasses the California Air Resources Board’s 3-star rating, having reduced emissions by more than 91% compared with traditional two-stroke outboards.

Gold Coast Boatarama’s Scott Williams says that this year’s display at Sanctuary Cove will be their biggest yet.

“We’ve got extensive ranges of Haines Hunter, Allycraft, FourWinns and Zodiac this year and will have displays on the water, on the land and in the pavilions!” he said.

Indeed, Haines’ new 650 Classic and Prowlers will be launched at the show as part of the 10 models that will be on display. It’s also the first public showing of the V17 for the Gold Coast public; this boat was launched after the show last year.

Allycraft purchasers will be rewarded with value-adding vouchers for optional extras on their new craft, and these substantial deals will be available only at the show.

Senior management from FourWinns will be there at the show and will provide a unique opportunity for customers to talk with the designers and managers from this luxury craft company.

Boatarama’s Zodiacs will be on display both in the pavilions and on the hardstand at the show and they’ll also be displaying a range of Yamaha engines, including their new 300hp, and power generators. Call Boatarama on (07) 5537 5955 for enquiries.

Hinterland’s David White reckons that their expansive stand at the Show will hold between 30 and 40 boats. Primarily Quintrex and Mustang dealers, you can expect to see a range of both these brands on display – possibly including the new Quintrex 650 Centre Cab if it’s finished on time, and their punchy build of the 475 Hornet with a 75ph Evinrude E-Tec.

“It’s a shame that our new range of quality Doral Sport Cruisers from Canada won’t have landed in time, but buyers interested in 28- to 47-foot long craft with superlative finish might want to call in and grab some information that we’ll have on hand,” David said.

You can call Hinterland Miami Marine on (07) 5572 8166 for more information at any time.

GME has a history of producing effective and innovative technology for boaties, and will be releasing its new MT400 406Mhz EPIRB at the show.

Motivated by the announcement that the low cost, 121.5Mhz EBIRBs were being phased out, GME’s challenge was to develop this fully compliant 406Mhz EBIRB at an affordable price.

“The new EBIRB is a product that has improved on the performance of many existing 406Mhz beacons and that is around half the cost of anything else on the market anywhere in the world today,” said Ian Campbell, GME’s Marine Product Manager.

The units have a RRP of $655 and you can see them at the show or online at [url=http://www.gme.net.au/].

Boasting that they have marine lighting solutions for anything from tinnies to warships, AquaSignal will be displaying a comprehensive range of marine lights and fittings at the show.

“Being the biggest marine lighting business in Australia, we’ll be able to offer ideas and products for any new boat or refitting project that you want to take on,” said AquaSignal’s Mark Lawson.

You can get more information on AquaSignal’s products by calling (07) 5502 9065.

The Gold Coast’s Nitro Marine will be unveiling their newest imports, the Chapparel Boats from America. These _______________

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So whatever you do, make sure you visit the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show on May 20-23 to see some of the most exciting boating displays for the year. There really is something for everyone and something for every budget. – SCIBS