Auckland On Water Boat Show starts October 2
by Isla McKechnie 28 Sep 2019 09:39 NZST
3-6 October 2019
Orakei Sun Odyssey SO440 © Auckland On the Water Boat Show
Come October, this year’s Auckland On Water Boat Show, now in its 21st year, is scheduled for October 3-6. This slightly later date brings the show into line with the school holidays, as well as daylight savings time, which organisers expect will further boost visitor numbers.
The show’s location has also altered slightly for 2019, moving further into the heart of the Viaduct, which was the show’s home during its early years. “On land exhibitors will stretch out from Eastern Viaduct to Karanga Plaza, and as always there will be plenty of on-water vessels available for viewing, which makes this show unique in its market,” says organiser Stacey Cook.
Among the many on-water highlights will be a pair of Elite motor launches; Virago from Scott Lane Boatbuilders and Antiquity from Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders. Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders has started work on an interesting new build, a 24m ketch-rigged bluewater cruiser, they are keen to tell showgoers about.
Staying with locally built bespoke motor yachts, Dickey Boats will have a Dickey SemiFly 45 at the show, superbly crafted in Napier from aluminium.
The big Aussie motor yacht manufacturers will be well represented this year. Maritimo plans to have new and updated models on display, including the new X50 and popular X60 sedan cruisers and M51 and M59 flybridge launches, updated for 2019.
Riviera, represented by Flagship Marine, will be showing off new models, including new boats in the SUV range, along with examples of existing flybridge and sedan launches.
Still on the water, Orakei Marine intends to show an extensive range of motor yachts and launches on the marina. Popular brands will include launches from Jeanneau, Prestige and Leader, with sail boats from Sun Odyssey and Lagoon. Orakei hopes to have three models of the popular Merry Fisher range tab the show, as well as several Zodiac RIB models.
36 Degrees Yacht Brokers is back and displaying launches and yachts, with the new Beneteau GT50 motor yacht for as well as a GT40 and a Swift Trawler 35. For sail enthusiasts, there’s the new Beneteau Oceanis 46 to experience.
Another exhibitor with launches and yachts on the water in October is Busfield Marine Brokers. New Zealand agent for Bavaria, it will show off the Bavaria S36 coupe sports motor yacht and the brand-new Bavaria C50 yacht, the first in New Zealand.
Various charter and boat share companies will have a strong presence this year, including Dream Charters and Ownaship, which has expanded its fleet with another Maritimo M51 motor yacht, an Iliad 50 power cat and sailing catamarans by Lucia and Astrea.
As usual, Sealegs will have a wide selection of amphibious models on display, from 6.1m to 9m. The company will be offering demonstrations and sea trials throughout the three-day event.
A noteworthy exhibitor is Grady White, which will have a 330 Express powered by a pair of Yamaha XTO V8 outboards at the show. This multi-award winning sportfishing boat is a must-see for the angling fraternity.
As in previous years, New Zealand’s trailer boat and RIB manufacturers will have a strong presence at the 2019 show. All the leading trailer boat brands, both fibreglass and aluminium will be represented by the manufacturers themselves or their dealers.
Seacraft Miller Moyes will have a 14-model lineup of Haines Hunter boats on Te Wero Island. Smuggler Marine will exhibit a range of its high quality Strata RIBs, boutique RIB manufacturer JP RIBS will debut its very impressive K Series 12m RIB and King Watercraft will display bespoke jet and outboard RIB tenders and runabouts.
Other interesting vessels include two amphibious options utilising the Tectrax amphibious propulsion system, a Raptor from McLay Boats with a fully enclosed bow wheel and a new Senator providing live, on-the-water demos.
With better access to the harbour, this year’s event will see more boats available for sea trial, meaning interested buyers will be able to get onboard and head out to the Hauraki Gulf to experience vessels underway.
The Auckland On Water Boat Show is not just about launches, yachts and trailer boats – it encompasses everything marine.
Big engine manufacturers, designers, antifoul and paint suppliers and others will be back to assist showgoers planning their next repaint, repair or re-power, while the businesses themselves network with other marine companies.
If its roll dampening stabilisers you’re after, check out Vessel Management Services has DMS MagnusMaster rotor stabiliser systems, or take a look at the Humphree systems on the Volpower stand.
Innovative marina solutions? See the dry berth options from MarineScapes.
Thinking about an engine for your new or current vessel? There’s petrol, diesel, outboard and electric and power options from all the leading suppliers. For the first time in New Zealand, Volvo Penta’s new D4 and D6 engines for inboard, sterndrive and IPS can be seen at Volpower’s interactive display, along with the latest Volvo accessories and Humphree trim tabs and stabilisers.
Electric propulsion? See Oceanvolt’s electric Saildrive (with Hydrogenerator) and the compact but powerful ePropulsion range of electric outboards at the Beacon Marine’s stand.
With last year’s event showing a twelve per cent increase in visitor numbers, organisers are looking forward to seeing another strong boat show this year. Tickets were released for online sale June 1 and are being promoted alongside a large prize pool for online purchasers, part of a wider marketing campaign spanning TV, radio, digital, print, adshels, billboards, domestic and international magazines and media, fishing and sailing personalities and social media.
The Auckland On Water Boat Show is the country’s biggest on-water boat show, each year showcasing more than 200 domestic and international marine businesses, including dozens of vessel manufacturers and boat brokers. 2019’s show promises to be better than ever.
Click here for tickets and information on the 2019 Auckland On The Water Boat Show