2014 TAIWAN INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

Once upon a time the phrase “Made in Taiwan” was equated with mass-produced disposable goods

Once upon a time the phrase “Made in Taiwan” was equated with mass-produced disposable goods. Suitable for the short-term perhaps, but hardly guaranteed to last the distance. Ideed, “Boats made in Taiwan” would hardly seem like a moniker for luxury boats.

And yet, the small island of Taiwan is a nation of seafarers – fishermen, merchant sailors and shipwrights – who have been quietly plying their trade for decades. And in recent years, the rest of the world began to take note of Taiwan’s shipbuilding prowess.

TAIWAN'S BOATS

As knowledge and skills were traded between Taiwan’s long-standing shipbuilders and the new wave of foreign investors, shipbuiling standards improved, contracts were signed and the island began developing a new reputation. One for reasonably-priced quality boats.

Fast-forward to today and Taiwan is considered the leader among Asian shipbuilders. This country produces yachts and small craft that rival the European and American yards, but at fraction of the cost.

Yacht manufacturers such as Horizon Yachts, Belize Yachts, Monte Fino and Hunt have known this for years – they all manufacture in Taiwan.

But the powers that be decided it was time their country’s profile was raised internationally.

Enter the 2014 Taiwan International Boat Show…

2014 TAIWAN INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

The 2014 Taiwan International Boat Show was hosted in the recently completed Kaohsiung Exhibition Centre (KEC), an impressive twin-hall structure linking the city to the harbourside.

Clearly designed with events like the boat show in mind, the International Taiwan boat show featured doors wide enough to drive a truck through, in fact, a truck fully-loaded with an over 100ft superyacht. Yep, the Taiwan show displayed many of its showcase yachts indoors, more than 30 vessels of various sizes, right up to the monstrous Horizon RP110. And if you thought a 100ft-plus superyacht looked big on the water, try standing under its bows at ground level.

Just outside the exhibition centre, another 20-odd yachts were moored at a custom pontoon, and in the middle of the harbour, Jade Yachts created its own “VIP island” complete with palm trees, DJs and a display of Ferraris, plus the company’s first 52m yacht on debut.

Our intrepid field reporter, Ben Keys, was there to witness the action. Here's what some of Taiwan's top boatbuilders had on display.

Need more information? Visit the official website.