Bigger, bolder better boat show

By ROBIN BAILEY

Buyers will be the beneficiaries as a big range of new models is released by the nation's top boat manufacturers at the 51st Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show.

Boat show awards in nine categories have builders from around the country chasing gongs that will help them to make a better impression in the marketplace. For buyers, this means they will be able to assess what is on offer over a wide range of craft and check the boat they fancy against the selection of the independent judging panel.

The show organisers and the Boating Industry Association believe the awards reward both quality and innovation, with the top Boat of the Show title being a particularly valuable sales tool for the winning manufacturer.

Surtees Boats, from Kawerau, winner of the award last year, is again chasing the top prize, this time with a new release that could make it the first aluminium builder to win back-to-back. White Pointer Boats, from Gisborne, another previous winner, will be releasing a new 8m Weekender.

The long-established aluminium builders, Ramco from Hamilton and Auckland company Fyran, are also in the race. Ramco has a new 6m Predator 620 hard-top and Fyran will introduce two new hard-top models and a cabin boat designed as an entry-level model to tempt newcomers on to the water.

Stabi-Craft, the country's southernmost builder in aluminium, is heading north with a sleek-looking family boat it calls the 559XR. Launched at the company's dealer conference in Invercargill in March, the 559XR is featured in the May issue of Propeller magazine powered by a 115hp Johnson outboard. With a 90hp Yamaha on the back, it is a slightly less expensive package at $42,079 including GST.

Manufacturers in GRP will also be unveiling some exciting new models, but no one is saying too much in advance of the event. If past years are any indication, all the intensely competitive glass boatbuilding companies will have at least one new model on their stand.

Amphibians are also making a splash this year, with three versions on display. They are the Sealegs Explorer RIB, the new prototype, locally designed Camperboat and an imported amphibian 4WD boat/car. All are sure to create much comment.

Major engine distributors will also be releasing new outboards and diesel inboards at the show.

Mercury Marine will have the new Optimax 115hp and the fly-by-wire DTS (digital throttle and steer) system on display and Yamaha, Bombardier and Suzuki have some surprises in store.

In the Big Engine Court, Lees Delta Marine will be releasing the new Nanni Z series, an engine/sternleg system that comes in 175hp and 200hp versions. The company also has the new Iveco NEF370 electronic diesel engine.

Transmission diesels will be releasing the new 60hp Lombardini Marine LDW2204M. Rated to 60hp at 3600rpm, this is a compact four-cylinder, freshwater, heat exchanger cooled engine that weighs only 232kg, including the gearbox. Continuing on the engineering path, Marine Direct will be introducing the Glendining EEC-2001 system for electronically controlled engines and transmissions.

All the new electronic communications and navigation equipment will be there, as well as all that's new for show patrons who are into fishing and diving.

Visitors to the show, which runs from Thursday May 29 to Monday June 2 at the Auckland Showgrounds, will also have the chance to win great prizes. The biggest package is a CSB Huntsman Dorado/Yamaha combination that comes with a full set of Raymarine electronics, plus safety gear and water toys from Hutchwilco and a Fusion Marine stereo.