2009 Melbourne Boat Show opens today
A dazzling selection of boats, accessories and electronics are just some of the many highlights at this year’s Melbourne Boat Show which opens today at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.
More than 100 exhibitors will showcase everything from the latest fishing boats and PWCs to navigational aides and training programs.
Now in its 49th year, Melbourne Boat Show organisers said they have gone to great lengths to ensure that visitors get the very most out of the event.
“We’ve made some decisions to help people come to the show and make it easier for them to make purchasing decisions,” said Robert Coco, general manager of BIA Victoria (Boating Industry Association of Victoria) in an exclusive interview with TrailerBoat (visit www.trailerboat.com.au to watch the full story).
One change that is sure to make a difference is the physical layout of the show. Fishing boats will be grouped together in the centre of the hall, allowing visitors to make comparisons in the one location, while another area will be dedicated entirely to ski and wakeboarding.
“It’s a great time to buy a boat,” adds Coco. “Interest rates are really low. Petrol prices have come down. Particularly this year, our manufacturers and dealers are looking to sell boats. It’s a quiet time in winter and it’s a fantastic time for the public to come down, have a look at everything in the one location and drive a good deal,” he said.
Naturally, the show will coincide with several launches including the Whittley Marine Group’s new all-Volvo Penta sterndrive and PFD Australia’s new ladies’ Storm Rider Pro inflatable PFDs. The multiple-award winning Sea-Doo GTX Limited iS is also expected to be a major attraction.
As well as being a place for selling boats, a multitude of other activities are sure to keep visitors occupied for days. The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association will train and test would-be boaties with Recreational Boat Operator Training sessions for a $70 nominal fee ($90 for additional PWC training), while every boat sold on the day gets you a free half-day boat-handling course with expert Alan Rice.
A heap of prizes like inflatables, kayaks and wakeboards will also be available, with the major prize being a new Whittley Inflatable Fibreglass RIB Floor 270 powered by a Yamaha 5 CMHS outboard.
Other attractions include numerous presentations about fishing, boat handling and marine safety on the Superstage as well as loads of children’s activities to keep the little ones entertained.
Oh, and did we mention that TrailerBoat andTrade-A-Boat will both have a stand? It’s a great chance to grab a subscription if you haven’t done so already.
The Melbourne Boat Show will be held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from July 2 to 6. Session times are: 10am to 9pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 10am to 7pm Sunday; and, 10am to 8pm Monday. Brand new this year and available only online is a two-day pass for just $25, as well as discounted tickets of $15 for adults and $10 for concession — a $2 saving over normal prices. Ticket prices are the same levels as they were in 2008 and children can attend for free.
For more information, visit www.melbourneboatshow.com.au