Cruising under sail evokes the emotion and romance of harnessing the elements to voyage and truly savour time at sea.
Contemporary sailing craft, mono and multihull (and their power kin) are versatile, high-tech and, in many cases, compete as well as they cruise.
This year’s Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) promises to tantalise and tempt yachties and newcomers to boating with a diverse array of sailing yachts and catamarans on display, as well as all the hardware, gear and gadgets you’ll need for safe and satisfying cruising.
SCIBS exhibition manager Dominic O’Brien said visitors to the Show’s milestone 30th edition, from May 24 to 27, can expect to see a notable cross-section of international brands and new models across the sail and catamaran segments.
“The Gold Coast is considered the gateway to the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef with their pristine cruising grounds, so it makes sense for people to gravitate to SCIBS to see the world’s most popular catamarans and sailing yachts, so they can fulfil their cruising dreams,” Mr O’Brien said.
“There will also be vessels that offer crossover performance potential for owners who wish to cruise, as well as compete in regattas.”
Along with an array of major international brands such as Seawind, Bavaria, Fountaine Pajot, Jeanneau, Lagoon and Leopard, completing the picture will be the latest navigation equipment from Navico, Raymarine, Coursemaster, Garmin and Furuno, plus hardware and winches from Ronstan and Muir, and boat accessories from Dometic, AMI Group, Adventure Safety and Gineico.
Marinas and coastal destinations will be among the exhibitors at SCIBS, promoting their locations and amenities for the cruising fraternity and calendar of sailing events for the racing fleet, while for sailing clothing, Musto will have the latest selection of high performance offshore gear and general apparel.
On water, Multihull Central will display six models in total – their biggest display in 19 years of boat shows.
Director Brent Vaughan said he is proud to present the innovative new Seawind 1190 Sport hot off the ship and making its Australian debut.
“The Seawind 1190 Sport is unique in that it has daggerboards, retractable rudders, a taller rig than normal, aramid-fibre, high-tech sails, a big carbon bow sprit and spinnaker, plus loads of enhancements,” Mr Vaughan said.
“The reason being, there are many more sailors coming to multihulls and wanting to compete in the Hamilton Island Race Week and social regattas. They want performance out of their cruising cats.”
The brand-new Corsair 760 Trimaran, the “pocket racer-cruiser”, will also make its Australian debut at SCIBS.
“It’s the sort of boat you can race with your mates, then take your kids out and teach them how to sail and stay out overnight,” he said.
“It has a sink, stove, freshwater and basic bedding. Priced at $125,000, it is within the reach of families and first-time sailors.”
Then there’s the Seawind 1260, a charter vessel going to Whitsundays with Charter Yachts Australia, and in the power range, the Aquila 48, displayed for the first time in Australia, the Aquila 44, which is being offered as a syndication boat with Yachtshare, and the Aquila 36 in a family fishing version.
Multihull Solutions will present two of the most popular Fontaine Pajot cats: the Lucia 40 sailing cat and making its Australian debut, the MY 44 – a power cat launched in 2017 that is already setting records.
Leopard will have two power cats on display including the Leopard 43 and 51, both making their SCIBS debuts.
Dealer Wayne Richards said: “The Leopard 43 PC offers great value for the quality, performance, and durability. With great fuel range at cruising speed, a lot of outdoor space including an enormous flybridge which can be fully enclosed, she is economical, easy to handle, and spacious with 27% more interior volume than her predecessor.”
Ensign Ship Brokers plans to display the sensational Bavaria Nautitech 40 Open, which offers unrivalled space and free-flowing format with deck, cockpit and saloon on the same level. She is very light and extremely agile, which her designers state results in “a more direct sailing feeling”.
“The Open 40 is definitely a vessel for those that enjoy and appreciate the passionate art of sailing. Unlike most cruising cats, the Open 40 is equally at home enjoying a fun day sail as she is logging serious off shore miles passage making in an extended cruising role.”
Mooloolaba Yacht Brokers will present the popular Jeanneau 349 Sun Odyssey. In 2018, it will be the three-cabin, performance version of this superb yacht, with the lifting keel, suitable for competitive and cruising sailors. “There are more than 500 of this model sailing around the world, and 45 of them in Australia,” said Ian Douglas, dealer principal at Mooloolaba Yacht Brokers. “We are sure visitors to SCIBS this year will be impressed with its versatility and quality.”
Representing Bali catamarans, Dream Yacht Charters is proud to display the superbly designed Bali 4.0, a popular charter yacht in the Whitsundays.
Dealer Christophe Vanek said the Bali 4.0 is an example of the “new concept with loft at the back of the boat, which opens up and is ideal for the tropics”.
The Bali 4.0 has accommodation for up to 10 guests, a large flybridge and bow entertaining area, plus a massive aft deck for meals and socialising.
The Multihull Group will be showcasing the sensational 450 Lagoon at SCIBS this year, alongside its European power brands Axopar, Fjord, Greeline and Sealine, and an owners’ and VIP lounge on a floating pontoon.
TMG director John Cowpe said the 450 Lagoon is one of the most popular current models, with 1,000 boats released.
“It’s a great all-rounder and will appeal to families and couple looking for a luxurious cruising cat that is equally at home for weekend sailing as it is for long range cruising,” Mr Cowpe said.
In all, there will be something for everybody at SCIBS, whether mono or multihull, sailing or power, and an unparalleled selection of electronics, accessories and destinations to whet your appetite.
To see the full list of exhibitors, visit www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au.
