Plenty of boat buyers at 2013 Auckland On Water Boat Show

The 2013 edition of the Auckland On Water Boat Show will see millions of dollars’ worth of sail and motor yachts, trailer powerboats, dinghies, rigid inflatable boats (RIBs), marine engines and outboards, sails, electronics and other products and services purchased or ordered over the coming weeks.

One of the key features of the 26 to 29 September event is the array of larger boats on display and easily accessible via a purpose-built marina beside Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour.

Peter Busfield, executive director of the New Zealand Marine Industry Association (NZ Marine) which owns and runs the Auckland On Water Boat Show, says: “These keen on larger vessels have been spoilt for choice at this year’s event with both sail and motor boats over 10 metres in size well represented by models from around the world and close to home on offer.”

Jason Snashall from Orakei Yacht Sales closed the sale of a $1.25 million 15.2-metre Prestige 500S luxury fly-bridge motor yacht on their marina stand, a first time ‘at show’ contract signing.

“We had already been talking with this customer prior to the Auckland On Water Boat Show, but it was still a pleasure to physically sign the deal for one of the big Prestige models at the show,” Snashall says.

Based in Auckland, Orakei Yacht Sales represents the French-made Jeanneau brand in New Zealand, including Jeanneau Sun Odyssey sailboats, Prestige motor yachts and Merry Fisher powerboats, and created their largest-ever on-water display at this year’s show.

“The 2012-13 season was outstanding for us and people have more confidence in the economy improving, we expect this season to be even stronger,” Snashall says. “I think it’s a very good sign that this show was sold-out in terms of marina space for large boats such as ours and we have a number of people to speak with about future order after the show.”

Michael Cole, from Salthouse Next Generation Boats, spent four days talking to show visitors aboard an 18.9-metre New Zealand-built Icon 58 fly-bridge cruiser moored at the show’s purpose-built marina.

“We have had at least four genuine inquiries for further examples of this $2.7 million boat which is very encouraging,” says Cole.

Formerly built by Formula Cruisers in Hobsonville, Auckland, the Icon fly-bridge is now built by Dean Salthouse and his team in Silverdale.

“These are very good ocean-going boats, purpose-built fishers,” says Cole. “There’s a great following for Icons in Australia and we’re looking to continue the brand’s growth on both sides of the Tasman.”

Drawing on three key innovations – a low-drag super-displacement hull, hybrid diesel/solar-electric propulsion system and weight-saving build technology – the two examples of the Greenline hybrid cruisers were attracting plenty of attention. Richard Wardenburg, New Zealand importer of the European-built motor yachts through his business Hybrid Baots, sold five examples at last year’s Auckland On Water Boat Show and expected to double that this year.

“We have contracts on both models – the 33 and the 40 – on show, and several orders with customer’s personal selection of options ready to be placed with Greenline, which has won more than 13 major European awards for the 33 since its launch in 2009.

“New Zealanders do have a lot of choice in the present market,” says Wardenburg. “I think the reason the Greenline models are proving so popular is that we’re changing the way we’re going boating. It’s more of a ‘passage-maker’ style; it’s as much about enjoying the cruise to your destination as it is to enjoy the destination. When you’re on full electric power, these hybrid boats are completely silent; we’re slowing down and enjoying the journey.”

Hybrid Boats has also introduced the Salona range of sail yachts to New Zealand. “Salona Yachts are designed by the same skilled Croatian team that creates the Greenline hybrid motor yachts,” he says. “They’re the strongest production yacht available and make a great performance cruiser – it’s about getting the brand known in New Zealand and that’s where events like this help.”

Peter Hrones of Windcraft Australia Pty Ltd represents the popular German sailing yacht brand Hanses in Australia and New Zealand. He also expresses his confidence in being able to talk with a genuinely passionate crowd of boaties at New Zealand’s biggest on-water boat show and expects a few sales as a result.

Busfield adds: “Our previous shows have resulted in boat and product sales of $25-50 million and we believe this year’s event will also generate direct and follow-up sales within that range.”

Another special feature of this year’s event included thousands of visitors writing messages about how proud they are of Emirates Team New Zealand, despite not achieving their ultimate goal of winning the America’s Cup, in a book being created for the team on the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron site beside the Louis Vuitton Cup. After the show, the book will go to the RNZYS headquarters at 101 Curran Street, Westhaven where members of the public are welcome to visit and add their own messages.

The 2013 Auckland On Water Boat Show featured over 180 exhibitors, over 90 boats on the water and dozens more on the wharf surrounding Auckland’s Viaduct Events Centre. More news can be found on the show’s website, www.auckland-boatshow.com.