Buyers Flock to Auckland On Water Boat Show

Boats, big and small, and all the relevant accompaniments – engines or sails, anchors and winches, dinghies and navigation equipment – have been selling at a rate of knots at this year’s Auckland On Water Boat Show.

The four day event – New Zealand’s largest on-water boat show – wrapped up today (Sunday, 27 September) with orders signed for multi-million dollar luxury motor yachts, an array of sailing yachts and many more trailer powerboats, tenders and dinghies, small sailing yachts, kayaks, paddleboards and jetskis. In addition, companies selling marine chandlery, electronics, engines, associated services and other water sports equipment have reported strong sales and much interest from show visitors. 

One of Australia’s premier motor yacht builders, Maritimo, returned as a show exhibitor this year for the first time in six years. Company founder Bill Barry-Cotter has been impressed with the show overall. 

“It’s gone really well and we’ve had a good response for the three Maritimo models we have on show,” says Mr Barry-Cotter. “We signed an order for a new M65 here at the show and have at least three more customers interested in our 65ft luxury, long distance cruising motor yacht.” 

Ormonde Britton, from Maritimo Gold Coast, says he’s been impressed with the level of genuine inquiry at the Auckland show. “From recent Australian boat shows, five new Maritimos will soon be on their way to across the Tasman to New Zealand owners, so this is an important market for us,” says Mr Britton. 

Dominic Lowe, from yacht distributor Windcraft, sees great value in the Auckland On Water Boat Show for his business. 

“Windcraft has been in New Zealand for 11 years and our continued presence at this show has helped build trust in our brand and the brands we represent – German-made Hanse, Moody and Dehler yachts,” Mr Lowe says. “This year we’ve appreciated the permission from new owners to be able to put on display three yachts that we sold here last year.” 

The latest Hanse 515, priced at a touch under $500,000, was one of six yachts displayed by Windcraft. “We’ve seen huge interest in the Hanse models – people like the structural integrity of their design, their ease of use for short-handed sailing and the volume of accommodation on-board. Orders taken now will see the yachts delivered towards the end of summer.” 

R Marine New Zealand’s Liam Power says he’s delighted with the very positive feedback about the Riviera models he had on show. 

“There’s been very genuine interest all four days of the show with people coming back on another day for a second or third look,” says Mr Power. “We’re confident we’ll get positive results from this show and have some good leads to follow-up. Overall, I give this year’s Auckland On Water Boat Show ten out of ten – we couldn’t have asked for better weather, there have been some great displays with a lot of new model boats and marine equipment, and the show visitors have shown great confidence.” 

The 24-27 September running of the Auckland On Water Boat Show represented the 17th annual edition of this show, formerly called the Auckland International Boat Show. Show CEO Michelle Khan pays tribute to the 200-plus exhibitors for helping create a really successful show in 2015. 

“It’s wonderful to see so many enthusiastic boaties and keen fishers at the show,” says Ms Khan. “Feedback from show visitors includes comments about how much they value being able to go aboard boats in the marina, and the range of boats and marine equipment that you can see and buy all in one place. Someone even said to me a day at the boat show is a day in paradise. We totally agree!” 

Peter Busfield, executive director of the New Zealand Marine Industry Association (NZ Marine) which owns and runs the show, adds: “The Auckland On Water Boat Show has solidified its position as a one-stop-shop for marine, safety and electronic equipment, diesel and petrol inboard and outboard engines, and trailer powerboats. 

“It’s also interesting to get feedback on the number of people who have travelled to Auckland just for the show; many are here from the South Island, Australia and the Pacific Islands. This demonstrates how Auckland is seen by many as the hub of marine services and equipment supply in the South Pacific.”