Engines at full throttle at the 2018 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show

Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show aerial view © Sanctuary Cove Media

Power, propulsion, and stability will be on display in full force at the 2018 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, giving boaties and manufacturers a range of brands and applications to explore, with the experts on hand to explain the benefits of each for recreational and commercial customers.

Dominic O'Brien, Sales & Exhibition Manager, said SCIBS 2018 will see a return of the outboard manufacturers and big engines, along with a number of launches for large and small boats.

"We will have an enormous range of trailerable boats in all their diversity, plus 180 boats on water – which is up 45 boats on last year – and engines are an integral part of boating.

"All the engine brands are eager to get onboard for this year's milestone boat show, with exciting launches for big boats and small alike," Mr O'Brien said.

Scania Australia will showcase its brand new 925 hp 6-cylinder pleasure craft engine at SCIBS, the first time this specification has been available in Australia. The engine is also available in 700 hp and 825 hp for pleasure craft, and up to 875 hp for workboat applications.

The new engine offers an unbeatable combination of fuel-efficiency, low maintenance, and high availability, giving operators plenty of reasons to specify Scania for their new or repowered vessels.

This is the second Scania marine engine platform to use common rail XPI fuel injection technology to reach higher power levels as well as lower fuel consumption, making Scania the leader in power-to-weight performance. Benefits of the technology include quieter running, faster engine response and a quicker torque build-up.

From Seamech, the next generation Volvo Penta gasoline engine, the V8 300hp will be on display, one of the brand's compact diesel engines suited to sailing boats. Also on show, the IPS 2 pod drive which will interest larger powerboat owners, and brand new at this year's Show, the glass cockpit simulator which recreates the experience of helming a large power boat with the IPS drive installed, featuring the new EasyConnect app.

On Quay Street, Suzuki Street will be dedicated to the brand's engines, complemented by a brilliant display of boats from Australian Marine Centre, including Haines Signature. The Suzuki engines will range from 2.5hp to 350hp, including the light-weight 100hp which will appeal to a broad cross-section of boaties, including those seeking to repower their trailer boat.

Along the Promenade, Penske Power Systems, the Australian distributor for MTU engines to suit commercial and superyachts will have their latest engines on show, and a line-up of Kohler marine generators.

Marine Diesel will be returning to SCIBS 2018 to premiere a brand-new product line. Headed by owner and operator Steven Shale, the Queensland-based company specialises in marine diesel and industrial engine maintenance, installations and sales and is the largest selling John Deere marine dealer in Australia.

The company was recently appointed the Australian distributor for the range of Nanni Diesel marine engines and generators, which have been based on tried and trusted John Deere based engines. Marine Diesel is now able to supply, and install John Deere or John Deere-based engines for various marine applications within Australia.

From Power Equipment, the leading distributor of industrial and marine diesel engines in Australia, NZ, and the South Pacific, come the brands Yanmar, John Deere, Torqeedo, PSS, MAZE, Gori and more. Yanmar will present its recently launched 4LV common rail engine, in 230 and 250 mhp versions which was launched in Europe in late 2017.

The new Yanmar 4LV higher power engines have been designed for power recreational boating and small commercial craft applications. Power Equipment will proudly present the new John Deere marine 4045 (4.5L), 315 hp, 4-cylinder inboard diesel engine.

This new model offers high power to weight ratio for repowering and new boat construction and is ideal for planning and semi-displacement hulls. Also on show, popular products from the Torqeedo, Gori Propeller, MASE Generator and PSS Shaft Seal.

Along Masthead Way, Surf Coast Marine will have a line-up of boats from 4.5m to 7.5m, powered by Suzuki and Evinrude outboards from 50hp to 350hp.

New to Mercury is the V6 4-stroke motor available in 175, 200 and 225hp, some of which will be on display.

Long-time exhibitor, Steyr Motors will have the range of Steyr Marine Diesel engines on display, covering the range of horsepower from 120 to 292hp suitable for applications such as trailer boats to stern drive sports cruisers, high-efficiency displacement cats, large monohull sailing yachts and specialist racing yachts.

Steyr is known predominantly in Australia for its application within the Australian navy, protecting our borders, powering the Zodiac Hurricane seaboats aboard the Armidale Class patrol boats.

In the Main Pavilion, Stella Marine Systems will display a diverse array of products, from Kohler diesel electric propulsion and marine power generators, and Craftsman Bow and Stern Thrusters to Stella Watermakers and Stella Marine Air Conditioners.

General Manager David Tanner said Stella Marine Systems has just taken on distribution of an Austrian brand Aquamot, manufacturers of electric outboard motors and pod style electric propulsion systems.

"Alternative energy is the way of the future, and we think people will be very excited about our new products this year," Mr Tanner said.

"We will also be showing the Rutland brand of wind generators, which, like solar panels, convert wind energy into DC power – an ideal additional form of power."

Brisbane Marine will have a selection of boats under the brands Extreme, Profile and Harris Pontoon on hardstand and on water, equipped with Mercury engines which will conduct sea trials during the Show, as well as standalone new release motors.

As part of their SCIBS display, Wynnum Marine will showcase their current demo boat, the Cruise Craft Explorer 685 Hardtop with Twin F150HP. Regarded as the ultimate when it comes to trailerable premium offshore fishing boats, the flagship vessel is said to be one of the largest boats in the country that can be legally towed sitting comfortably under 3,500kg and 2.5m wide.

With twin Yamaha F150DEC engines, it's just one of the many Cruise Craft fibreglass fishing and family vessels, powered by Yamaha Outboards on display as part of the Wynnum Marine showcase.

Also exhibiting at the 30th-anniversary showcase of SCIBS is marine specialist VETUS-Maxwell, showcasing a range of innovative new products from its brands VETUS, Maxwell, V-Quipment and Marex, including the BOW PRO thruster, new Maxwell Tasman Drum Winch and HPW Waterlock. Catering to all boating lifestyles, VETUS-Maxwell has an array of products suitable for use in trailer boats, cruisers, yachts, catamarans, superyachts and commercial vessels.

For more information on exhibitors attending, or to purchase tickets to SCIBS 2018, visit www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au

Running May 24 to 27, 2018 the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show attracts more than 40,000 visitors and 300 exhibitors to a spectacular showcase featuring hundreds of boats and thousands of marine products across four days.

SCIBS offers FREE park 'n' ride services from Warner Bros. Movie World, along with limited on-site parking, available pre-paid.