Auckland Boat Show to bring a festival on the water to town this summer
by Isla McKechnie/NZ Marine Industry Association 2 Dec 2021 18:15 NZDT
2 December 2021
Princess V65 on display with Sports Marine © NZ Marine Assoc
The 2022 Auckland Boat Show will be a celebration of summer. Running from 17-20 March, it will transform Jellicoe Harbour into a festival on the water that celebrates marine heritage, boating innovation and some of the largest and most-luxurious new releases in the marine industry over the past year.
With more than 130 exhibitors, the former America’s Cup team bases will become the site of sea trials, demonstrations, and a plethora of new vessels, products and services, set to the backdrop of Auckland’s bustling Wynyard Quarter.
Local company Sealegs will have five of its amphibious vessels on display, and available for sea trials, including a new 3.8 metre tender, a 7.5 metre Hydrasol RIB and tough 8.5 metre Alloy Cabin model.
Fellow Kiwi company Extreme Boats will be launching its new Legacy Marine range of high end sport fishing yachts at the show. The aluminium yachts will range in size from 35 to 70 feet, and are built in Whakatane using Extreme’s own aluminium fabricators, upholstery trim-mers, interior joinery team and spray painters.
Sports Marine will thrill luxury-seekers with 10 head-turning boats in the show, including a line up of Princesses led by the powerful, progressive Princess V65, the ultimate cruiser Nimbus 405 Coupe, and Sea Ray’s Sundancer 320.
There’s plenty for those enamoured of a slower pace of life, with Windcraft presenting Hanse and Sealine sailing yachts at the show, including the spacious Hanse 508 with a length of 16 metres and beam of five metres.
“We’re looking forward to showcasing the latest in marine for visitors, with plenty to help them make the most of summer, and get set for coming seasons on the water," says organiser Stacey Cook.
The show has traditionally been run as a spring event across September or October dates, before the decision to shift to March was made this year, back to the original summer timing of the show, which was last run in 2010. The March show is set to be 15 per cent bigger than previously-planned shows and will be held in Jellicoe Harbour; formerly the America’s Cup team bases.