Australia’s Boating Industry Capital at Coomera is a hive of activity ahead of the opening of the biggest-ever Gold Coast International Marine Expo on Thursday – where real boating enthusiasts will find everything they need to get out on the water having fun … all in one place.
The Expo’s massive marine showcase features more than 600 boats on display – from luxury yachts to lightweight tenders, jet skis and kayaks to engines, boating accessories and a huge array of equipment.
Event & Marketing Manager Emma Brown said the Expo – named Best Exhibition at the 2015 Australian Event Awards – will be a truly unique experience for visitors.
“If you live and love the boating life, Expo 2016 is definitely the place to be this week from Thursday to Sunday,” she said.
“Expo visitors will discover our largest-ever catalogue of new yacht, boat and nautical product Premieres across over 230 incredibly diverse marine displays, featuring many of the world’s leading boating brands.
“There will also be live interactive demonstrations and family fun attractions every 15 minutes throughout our giant 3km Expo display circuit … on the land, on the water and even in the air.
“You will certainly need a multiple day pass to experience everything there is on offer.”
Luxurious on-water line-up
The largest yachts on display across Expo’s two on-site marinas are the luxurious 100ft super yachts ‘Mermaid Spirit’ and the iconic ‘Emerald Lady’, available for charter.
Expo visitors will be among the first in the Australia and the world to step aboard multiple luxury yacht Premieres ranging in size from 33 to 62 feet and showcasing the latest in on-water luxury and technology from internationally renowned marques Riviera, Clipper, Nordhavn, Belize, Marlow, Voyager Catamarans, Hudson Bay, Pacific Motor Yachts, Sunsail, Fibrafort and Leopard Catamarans.
“Many of our industry’s most respected identities will be here at Coomera for the Expo – it’s where our marine business does business 365 days a year,” said Mrs Brown.
More boating brilliance
Expo visitors will also be able to try before they buy with almost 50 sea trial berths featuring a huge range of brand-new boats and outboard engines.
In fact, Queensland’s largest trailer boat display for 2016 forms part of the massive Expo and features everything from fishing boats and family cruisers to watersports boats, in addition to lightweight tenders, RIBs, jet skis and kayaks.
“If you are looking for a new boat – whether it’s your first, second or even your 10th boat – Expo’s loyal exhibitors will all be here competing for your business,” said Mrs Brown.
The instant on-water tests of late-model boats and engines will involve world-leading brands including Mercury, Bluefin, Baysport, Yamaha, Quintrex, Streaker, Suzuki, Stejcraft, Evolution, Cruise Craft, Revival, Vortex, Misty Harbour Pontoon Boats, Caravelle, Extreme and Evinrude,
On the land, the range of trailer boats spans brands as diverse as Mastercraft, Karnic, Nautique, Anglapro, Tige, Matrix, BRIG, Steffco, Stessco, Stacer, Seajay, Savage, Bayliner, Crestliner, Haines Signature, Haines Hunter, Reflex, FX, Highfield, Shoreline, Chaparral, Clark Alloy, Aquamaster, Mallards, Powercat Marine, Savage, Scout, Godfrey Pontoon Boats, Yamaha Waverunners, Mercruiser, Tournament, Jackaroo, McLay, Oceania and Formosa.
“Right across Expo we will have luxury yachts, boats and an impressive catalogue of nautical products being launched – some will be showcased for the first time in Australia, some for the first time in the world,” said Mrs Brown.
“Stefan Boating World will have over 100 brand-new boats on display as part of a Super Showcase featuring major boating brands from around the world, with a selection available for sea trials at Stefan Island.
“Surf Coast Marine and Broadwater Boating Centre will also be stagingQuintrex Island, while the Mercury Edge on-water display is open to anyone who wants to see how Mercury outboards perform on the water.”
More marine muscle
The Gold Coast International Marine Expo is unique in that it is staged right in the heart of the largest marine precinct in the Southern Hemisphere, with super yacht slipping demonstrations and behind-the-scenes factory tours of world-class luxury motor yacht and alumunium boat-builders.
Visitors will be able to tour the state-of-the-art Riviera facility and be guided through everything from lamination to fit-out and final finish aboard the Riviera Express fully narrated train tour, or walk with experts through the Telwater factory, where Quintrex, Stacer and Yellowfin boats are manufactured.
Expo visitors can also learn more about the many rewarding careers in the marine industry and tour the Gold Coast TAFE Marine Training Centre that is nurturing the next generation of boat-builders.
Everything you need – ALL in one place
With more marine engines, accessories and equipment than anywhere else this May, Expo will have incredibly diverse displays featuring the very latest in electronic navigation and technology spanning fish-finders, depth-sounders, night-vision cameras, underwater lighting, chart-plotters, gyroscopic stabilisers, anchoring systems and water-makers.
“This is in addition to displays from both established and emerging marine businesses that can provide equipment replacements and upgrades, repowering solutions, highly specialised repairs as well as fully customised refits,” said Mrs Brown.
Among the major marine brands that will be represented at the Expo are Raymarine, Garmin, Volvo Penta, Cummins, CAT, MTU, GME, Lowrance, and Doosan, Kohler, Minn Kota, Onan, Blue Water, Seakeeper, Naiad Dynamics, Muir, HES, International Paint, Humminbird, Sea-Doo, Lumitec, Geneico, Sunbrella, SeAirLand, Headhunter, Webasto, iMarine, Pioneer, Snugger, AL-KO and Honda … to name just a few.
Expo will also host the launch of the new BLA Boating Hub retail chandlery as part of the Super Showcase at Stefan Boating World, while right throughout the 3km Expo circuit will be everything from the quality outdoor coverings to the latest water toys.
Fisherman’s Feast
Avid anglers and serious fishermen will all find all they need at Expo, with a Fishing Masterclass series of workshops three times daily on the Expo Main Stage.
Frogley’s Fishing Simulator will be operating – where fishing enthusiasts can put their skills to the test – and the Yamaha Super Tank fishing demonstrations will provide a fish-eye view of life beneath the water with a giant see-through fishing tank.
There will even be a special display from fishing fanatics/fashionistas and global sensations, The Mad Hueys, who will attend their hometown Expo to sign autographs and for photographic opportunities with fans, as well as wholesale selections of offshore and estuary angling equipment and tackle from distributors including Frogley’s Offshore and Noeby Fishing Tackle.
Battle of the Boat Builders
The masters take on the apprentices in the Battle of the Boat Builders at Expo. Last staged on the Gold Coast more than 10 years ago, the competition will be keenly contested on Saturday (Day 3) of the fun-filled, four-day program, commencing from 9am.
Mrs Brown said each team of three people will build a 2-person boat from supplied materials – two sheets of ply measuring 2.4m x 12m, a limited amount of timber for the internal frames and oars, a set number of screws and some adhesive.
“The design is totally up to the competitors,” she said. “The challenge is to build a boat that can be safely rowed out on to the Coomera River, around a buoy and return, with independent judges also taking into account a degree of finesse.”
Family fun on water, on the land … and even in the air
Every 15 minutes right across Expo’s giant 3km display circuit, there will be live demonstrations and interactive family attractions, headlined by the Top Gun pilots from the RAAF Roulettes – the flying instructors who train Australia’s air force flying instructors.
“The Roulettes will perform on Saturday (1pm) and Sunday (11.30am) performing aerial acrobatics including cork screws, loops, ripple rolls and rollbacks. Visitors can also meet the pilots on Saturday (2.30pm),” said Mrs Brown.
“On the water there will be free sailing lessons for adults and children, free waterski instructor lessons from Mallards Marine, jet-powered surfboard flyboard and hoverboard demonstrations, while on the land visitors can ride up and around an obstacle course at the Land Rover Experience Terrapod, and also see the Extreme 40 racing catamaran that inspired the Gold Coast bid to host a preliminary round of the America’s Cup racing.
“That’s in addition to the free kids activities that includes jumping castles, bumper boats, face-painting … and much more.
“The biggest-ever Expo from Thursday to Sunday will be a fantastic experience for everyone who loves the boating life.”
If you love boating, you’ll love the Expo this weekend!
ENDS
- WIN the ultimate boating package from Surf Coast Marine worth over $40,000 – everything you need to get out on the water making memories. To enter, simply purchase your tickets to the biggest Expo ever online >> Click here
