Big Show Boats Still Making Waves
Sydney Morning Herald
Sunday August 2, 1992
Sun, crowds, music, water and boats, very expensive boats: this is the 25th Sydney International Boat Show. Here, with infectious optimism, exhibitors are beating off the recession blues.
Parked at the end of the wharf built especially for the event is a neat little Offshore 55 Pilot House Cruiser. It is fitted with all the usual things one comes to expect - four televisions, microwave oven, air-conditioning, state-of-the-art communication equipment, radar, depth sounder, global positioning system, luxurious leather couches, walnut steering console and almost everything else in teak.
The little helicopter on top is nice, too. The arch and rails of the cruiser adjust at the flick of a switch to create the landing pad. Just the thing to impress a business client.
And the price? A mere $1.2 million, all inclusive.
Who's buying boats like this at a time like this?
The agent, Mr Keith Hills, a director of Offshore Cruisers, said cruisers such as the Offshore 55 sold to senior middle-management types in America, but in Australia "anyone who has this sort of money in today's climate is very upmarket, shall we say. They expect high quality, and it is our job to give it to them."
The Boat Show was crowded yesterday, and has seen reasonable attendances since it opened on Friday.
The 185 exhibitors fill four halls of the Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre, and cover the full range, from dinghies and kayaks through to the dream machines few can afford. Associated areas - from books and clothing to high-tech electronic equipment - are also on display.
You can even take advantage of the testing facilities provided by the Maritime Services Board and get your boat licence while you're there.
On the lake near the Chinese Gardens are paddle wheelers, yachts, military vessels and ocean liners, the product of many hours of devoted labour by members of the Maritime Model Boat Club. They can be seen again next Sunday, the final day of the show.
While the luxury end of the market has been slow recently, other areas are claimed to be doing well. "Trailerables", fishing boats and small cruisers are doing fine, as are second-hand boats, although all exhibitors say clients are much more cautious in what they buy, and constantly looking for value for money.
Mr Douglas Joyner, a spokesman for the Boating Industry Association of NSW, which organises the event, said the recession had forced many people to pick up their game.
"The arrogance or perceived arrogance that was in the industry is quickly disappearing and the quality of exhibitions has improved," he said.
"Gone are the days when the money was just rolling in. Exhibitors have to work to get customers, and have to provide guarantees and back-up service. We believe that is an improvement."
© 1992 Sydney Morning Herald