Melbourne International Boat Show - Very disappointing from a multihull viewpoint.

[ozskipper]

I remember "back in the day" when the Sydney boat shows used to have areas set aside for class associations. Smaller "homebrand" classes like VJs, NS14s and the like were represented. But I assume that costs now blow these classes out of the water.

I certainly get the "international" part of the naming. Most of the boats at Sydney last time were imports- Jenneau, Bene, Hunter, Catalina, Bav's, Lagoon, FP, and so forth. With very little representation from local makers. (not that there are too many of them these days).

Its not always New boats on the Marinas as local dealers don't usually carry much in the way of "stock". More often, they use a boat recently sold to a client and rent it back for the show. But that is quite understandable.

[dirkdig]

Melb boat show a complete joke on all fronts.
No electronics stands or displays.
No maritimos
No jetskis,not 1 which is a shame as my mate who came was there to buy on the day.
No sailing boats exept for 30 ft plus so nothing for the kids.
No fishing tackle or related stands exept for 1 little tent.
Actually not much there at all.

[Factor]

Originally Posted by dirkdig

No sailing boats exept for 30 ft plus .......

Ahem - corsair?

[sctpc]

Originally Posted by dirkdig

Melb boat show a complete joke on all fronts.
No electronics stands or displays.
No maritimos
No jetskis,not 1 which is a shame as my mate who came was there to buy on the day.
No sailing boats exept for 30 ft plus so nothing for the kids.
No fishing tackle or related stands exept for 1 little tent.
Actually not much there at all.

Heeps of ski fishing stink boats, several electronic stands, wait till the june one at jeffs shed for jetski heeps off trailer sailers a sailing dingys for the kids to playon

over all a good couple of hours. 6/10

[peterp]

I would like to know more about "Smartboat" missed it at the show, contact details please.
Re the Melbourne show I had a enjoyable afternoon there yesterday, yes it is small but still worth a visit, I had my Lagoon 400 on display last year, new then part of the purchase deal. With respect to how many multi hulls on display I'd hate to be a dealer in the current climate investing around 500k then arranging the transport with associated costs, wear and tear etc. on a new craft hoping for a sale on a commercial basis. Interestingly at my Marina, Martha Cove we have two Seawind 1250's and a FP. as well as my Lagoon400 in residence, one of the 1250's is owned by the local Seawind dealer, I'm sure Terry would be pleased to talk to any one interested in a new Seawind, check the Seawind website for his contact details. I feel cruising multi hulls are slowly gaining popularity down our way, us southern cold water folk may be able to hold our heads up with pride if the numbers build, I tend to deny any knowledge of owning a cat when having a beer with the local mono types. Regards Peter

Originally Posted by smartboat

Hi Mick,

I'm glad you liked our product!

I actually agree with you, a unit without ongoing costs would be the ultimate, but given that it needs to use someone elses network to communicate (we don't own any cell towers ) there is always going to be an ongoing cost.

We've worked hard to keep it too a minimum and handle all the data charges, contracts etc. But alas it cannot be zero.

If you'd preferr I'm happy to supply the unit configured for the network of your choice and you can supply your own sim. This would reduce the ongoing costs that we charge but would incur costs from your chosen provider.

Cheers!

[peterp]

Further to the Melbourne Boat Show, forgot to mention after the show, Terry the local Seawind dealer kindly invited us to join the best part of the show being a talk in the evening given by a couple with two young kids and one crew, they gave a very professional presentation of their round Australia trip thus far in a Sea wind 1160 ‘Scarlett’ they have a good blog going, worth a look. On another subject had a look over the new Beneteau couldn’t help but think these latest designs are incorporating the wide open features found in our cats, looked very attractive, not that I am thinking of changing camps any time soon. We finished the night at dinner with felow multi types at docklands, all in all a most enjoyable day. The best boat shows as far as seeing 'stuff' goes are Sydney, and the Sanctuary Cove boat show in my view. Regards Peter

[dirkdig]

Best display was smart boat,good system and well worth it i think.
Corsair looks like a real fun machine and good package price too i thought.
But there was no raymarine or garmin there.
No outboards companies there.
No watermakers
No sailmakers
No yanmar.
No genset suppliers.
No trawler type boats.
No ais systems anywhere.
The fairline boat i thought was a good setup for a stinkboat.
And the new benetaus are doing thier best to try to be a roomy boat.

Off to Sanctuary cove in May.

Hopefully more there than last year,but it may not be the case.

[Factor]

Of course the worst thing about the Melbourne show was that the indigenous/nrl all stars game wasn't televised till after midnight, apparently "Big mummas house" was of more interest to the fine folk of Melbourne.

[ozskipper]

Originally Posted by Factor

Of course the worst thing about the Melbourne show was that the indigenous/nrl all stars game wasn't televised till after midnight, apparently "Big mummas house" was of more interest to the fine folk of Melbourne.

Arrg.. I go sailing to get away from football . Cant stand it! I feel like I lose an IQ point just listening to the Football journos on the news.

[dirkdig]

Nrl or big mommas house, no necks on either

[Mick C]

Originally Posted by dirkdig

Nrl or big mommas house, no necks on either

Be nice boys...they could snap most of us in half!!

[Mr B]

Over the last few years once I really got revved up about having a Catamaran to do what I wanted to do with a boat.

I have found that boaties in Melbourne and Victoria, Really have a look down their noses attitude towards the bigger Catamarans,

It is allright to have a hobby cat or similar up to about 20 feet, But over that, they really have this bad attitude towards them,

It may be me, But once I start talking to any one about big cats, they really dont want to know,

Even my daughter who races big Mono's has this same attitude.

Have any of you Victorians found this attitude amongst boaties the same,

Cheers Brian,

[dirkdig]

The attitude is rampant in Vic because these people have no idea.
I have heard it all from so called experts about why cats are no good in Vic.
Wrong weather?
Will tip over in the bay, even though its not deep enough?
Cats make you seasick?
Cats can not come social racing because we dont know how to work out your handicap,so no wed night sailing for you.
Dont be put off though as more and more cats are arriving in Vic and once people come aboard they love them,until then they have no clue.

[dirkdig]

Forgot to add,we even had the general manager of our yacht club slag off on cats and that they have no place in the yacht club in a room packed full of people, did not know it was my boat out the front and i was standing right next to him.
Again no idea but then you should hear them talk about stinkboats.

[Factor]

Ask your GM what the fastest boat at Geelong was, that should upset him.