Boat Show updates from three AUS states plus NZ - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 20 Aug 22:00 BST
Sail Expo 2026 set for October © Sail Expo
Sail Expo, Australia's largest dedicated sailing show, will take place at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Newport NSW, on 17-18 October, following a highly positive response from showgoers and exhibitors at last year's event.
It is a free weekend celebrating sailing in all its forms. More than 30 yachts will be on display in the waterfront setting of the club, offering visitors the chance to step aboard and see a diverse range of yachts up close. The fleet will span different types and styles of sailing, from cruising and family yachts to performance boats and catamarans.
With the Melbourne Boat Show now just two months away, there are encouraging signs for the industry following the Sydney Boat Show. Attendance increased on the previous year, with exhibitors reporting quality enquiries, genuine buyer interest and positive sales activity. Cameron Bow of Sportsman Boats was quoted as saying, "The constant flow of people Thursday to Sunday was excellent, and the quality of people was amazing as they were genuinely interested in buying a new boat. I feel like the slump is over."
Exhibitor applications have opened earlier than ever for the 2027 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS). The 38th edition of Australia's premier marine lifestyle event will return to Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast from 20-23 May, bringing together the biggest names across four days of launches, displays, demonstrations and industry activity.
XPO Exhibitions is proud to announce Stabicraft, one of New Zealand's most iconic aluminium boat manufacturers, as the Official Grand Prize Boat Partner for The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show for 2027 and 2028.The two-year deal reunites two of the country's best-known boating names and comes as Stabicraft celebrates 40 years of manufacturing in 2027. This will be the perfect backdrop for what organisers promise will be a landmark year at New Zealand's largest boating event.
The sixth Australia Fiji Rendezvous took place from 12-14 August, bringing together Australian, Asia-Pacific and South Pacific marine representatives with captains and crew cruising the region. The three-day event provided an opportunity for the marine industry to connect, build relationships and strengthen links between Australia and Fiji's growing superyacht sector.
This year's Intermediate Marina Management (IMM) course drew a record 30 delegates to Fremantle Sailing Club, the largest cohort in the course's history. Over four days, delegates covered everything from leadership and emergency management to finance foundations and marina law, toured three local sites, and pitched facilities enhancement projects to a review panel.
Thirty students stepped into Victoria's boating industry for the latest Boating Careers Campbellfield Immersion Day on 11th August, visiting Honda Marine and Diptech Performance. The students toured both facilities, met people working in the trade and took part in a hands-on session that brought marine career opportunities to life.
A 127-metre superyacht currently berthed in Cairns is expected to contribute close to $1.95 million to the local economy during its stay, highlighting the significant economic opportunity that large superyachts can deliver to the region, confirmed by Superyacht Australia and Superyacht Group Great Barrier Reef. Based on visitation modelling, the estimated economic contribution includes approximately $1.23 million in vessel expenditure with local marine businesses and contractors engaged to service, provision and maintain.
More industry news at www.marinebusinessworld.com/Oceania updated daily.
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@worldmarine.media