Almost 100 launches set for Australia’s Sanctuary Cove boat show

Organisers of the upcoming 2024 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) have confirmed almost 100 launches from some of the premier marine lifestyle brands in Australia and abroad.

The annual show, running this year from 23-26 May, has confirmed a host of marine businesses launching their latest products at SCIBS, including Airbeth Boat Lifts, Australian Marine Centre, Blue Diamond Marine, BRP, ePropulsion Australia, E-Yachts, Honda, Horizon Yachts, JSW Powersports, Leigh Smith Yachts, Multihull Central, MW Marine, Nautical Marine Network, Northside Marine, Riviera, Short Marine, Sports Marine, Steber International, Surf Coast Marine, Sydney Marine Brokerage, Outdoor Connection Partners, TMG, The Yacht Sales Co, and Yacht Domain.

It’s the second SCIBS event post-Covid to welcome overseas visitors, after disruptions to the 2020, 2021 and 2022 editions. In January, space was 85 per cent full, with allocations now nearing completion.

“There’s no doubt SCIBS is an unrivalled showcase for those in the marine industry, with an economic impact of over A$400m and manufacturers and distributors from around the world keen to secure space,” says Johan Hasser, Mulpha Events general manager.

“From superyachts and luxury motor yachts, to trailer boats and personal watercrafts (PWC), to marine gear and gadgets, SCIBS 2024 is the place to see everything the marine industry has to offer.”

Among the exhibitors for Sanctuary Cove Boat Show 2024 are The Yacht Sales Co, with the Cora Cat 48 Power Catamaran being seen for the first time globally, Absolute Yachts’ Navetta 48 on its Australian release, and the Dufour 41 Sailing Yacht making its southern hemisphere debut.

“This is our 28th SCIBS Show and we have always enjoyed high-quality attendance in our customer base,” says Mark Elkington, director for The Yacht Sales Co. “Our return on investment has always been excellent and SCIBS is one of our most consistent for performance. People fly from all over the Asia Pacific to see our boats at a wonderful time of year with attendees enjoying the entire lifestyle experience in the surrounds of Sanctuary Cove.”

Another world premiere comes from homegrown luxury motor yacht builder Riviera, with its ‘Festival of Boating’ owners’ event – part of a record 12-model display.

“This will be a magnificent showcase for Riviera and will be our only boat show display in Australia in 2024,” says Riviera Australia owner Rodney Longhurst. “Excitingly it will include the world premiere of a yet-to-be-announced, exceptional new luxury motor yacht.”

Showgoers will also be able to inspect Riviera’s fleet, including the Sports Motor Yacht, Sport Yacht, adventurous SUV, the flagship Motor Yacht and the Belize collections.

Riviera’s 900-strong workforce now builds approximately 150 yachts each year, with entry-level yachts starting at around A$1m and top-of-the-range models over A$6m.

Another Australian-first at SCIBS will be an eLite electric outboard motor. The eLite created for the tender and smaller boating market, is said to represent a new era in clean, quiet and eco-friendly marine propulsion.

“SCIBS is an important event as we select Sanctuary Cove to be our annual brand ‘hero’ event,” says Said David Kentish of ePropulsion. “We will be launching new products across a larger footprint, as well as the eLite, and looking forward to connecting with our industry partners over the show days.”

Simon Wyatt, of Surf Coast Marine, adds: “People love to spend days at SCIBS diving into the boating lifestyle, touring the Marina and heading to one of the great restaurants or bars at Sanctuary Cove. Commercially, we also get to exhibit to people from Cairns to Melbourne, along with local Gold Coasters, driving sales for the event and the remainder of the year.”

Launching at this year’s show will be the Freestyler X, the latest addition to the Quintex lineup, adds Wyatt.

The 35th edition of the annual event has seen a record number of applications from exhibitors, according to Mulpha, and will see significantly increased space within the Sports Leisure Fishing precinct for trailer boats. This comes after the footprint of the show was expanded to include the Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove Resort grounds, including the new Marina Boulevard Hall overlooking the superyacht arm of the marina.

“The show is an incredible opportunity for exhibitors to get in front of an affluent domestic audience and significant international visitation,” says Hasser. “SCIBS is recognised as one of the industry’s most significant business generators, yielding millions of dollars in sales each year.”