New Zealand's largest boat show brings sea trials to the heart of central Auckland
by Isla McKechnie 14 Dec 2022 14:57 PST
23-26 March 2023
Smuggler Strata 800 MC © Photo supplied
The Auckland Boat Show kicks off in March 2023, bringing sea trials and innovative new releases to the heart of central Auckland.
Tickets to New Zealand’s largest boat show are on sale now, with the show running in Auckland from 23-26 March 2023.
The Auckland Boat Show is the only show in New Zealand where visitors can experience boats via sea trial, with a number available in a sea trial marina that has direct access to the Hauraki Gulf.
The show brings a large marina display and over 450 marine brands to central Auckland, with the array of sea trial boats and numerous on-water stands filling Jellicoe Harbour.
Those in the market for a new vessel will find plenty of innovation which they can experience via sea trial, to get them excited for a new season on the water. Blackdog Cat will bring its ultra-stable twin-hulled aluminium vessels to the sea trial area, with the Whangarei built boats demonstrating the stable platform which has made them a favourite among fishermen, divers and families.
It’ll be joined in the sea trial area by fellow Northland company Makaira Boats with its aluminium vessels designed for stable performance offshore, long-range capabilities and striking hull design. Innovision’s alloy boats feature a longer waterline length for improved ride and performance, finer bow entry to reduce pitching, and extra waterline at the transom for added stability at rest, making them a favourite for fishing, diving and other recreational activities; and the perfect vessel to experience in the sea trial area.
Alongside those companies will be engines on sea trial including Mercury Marine and Yamaha Marine, amphibious vessels like Sealegs International, and a selection of trailer boats including those from Euro City Marine, Stabicraft with Kev & Ian’s Marine, and Profile Boats.
The upcoming show will also be the launching pad for the innovation which has exploded within New Zealand during a thriving few years in the industry.
Rapid growth and record boat sales have seen the country’s boat builders create new models, boundary pushing innovation, and a range of vessels to feed the appetite of the boating public. Those vessels have been shaped by the waters surrounding the country, with the large boating population of Auckland meaning there have been a number of innovations designed to suit conditions surrounding the harbourside city.
Innovation boom
From amphibious vessels crafted around the needs of Auckland’s Waiheke Island, to motor yachts designed as family weekenders for the many islands and bays of the Hauraki Gulf, the latest crop of boats on display at the Auckland Boat Show reflect the enjoyment Kiwis draw from being on local waters.
Like Legacy Marine. The Whakatane-based builder has entered the market with its flagship model, the 25 metre (78ft 9in) Paragon, constructed from aluminium. It’s one of a series in the new Legacy range which also includes L35, L45 and L52 models, and which have come from the boat-building pedigree of Extreme Boats which has been manufacturing smaller aluminium trailer boats for nearly 20 years.
With the evolution to Legacy Marine, the focus has shifted to larger, luxury vessels designed for extended sport fishing and cruising adventures. With a top speed of 36 knots, and cruising comfortably at 26 knots, a gyro stabiliser means a comfortable ride for those onboard. A 9000 litre diesel capacity delivers an impressive range and the Legacy team has taken care to produce a vessel with minimised noise and vibration.
Auckland-based Sealegs has announced the development and release of an electric amphibious tender; its 3.8m electric tender, the 3.8TE.
The new electric amphibious tender was developed after feedback from superyacht owners and crew, and saw the 3.8TE specifically designed to fit within the lazarette of larger vessels. Innovation is being delivered in the 3TE through Programmable Logic Switching (PLS) technology coupled with next generation sensors. To achieve this vision, Sealegs has pioneered amphibious electrification with digital controls and software, which it calls AMTRAX.
This proprietary system controls the craft using sensors from the environment, CAN bus information from the outboard, and intelligent automated control of the amphibious mechanisms and land traction systems, as well as the water propulsion system.
From Hamilton, Tristram Boats has released the brand new diesel-powered Tristram 821 Offshore, featuring an array of apex industry advancements and state-of-the-art technology to provide aspiring Tristram owners with some serious inspiration for new machines.
The Tristram 821 Offshore was born from Tristram Marine’s CAD design program. Internally driven and managed, Tristram’s Research and Development CAD program offers the ultimate synergy of youth and wisdom through design, with offshore trailer boating and blue water performance considered a pivotal focus. The result is a trailer boat which will excel as a long-range blue water game fishing craft, available in sterndrive, single outboard, or twin out-board configurations.
A class-leading beam and excellent stability adds to its fishing credentials, while a range of advanced features, including joystick piloting for Skyhook digital anchoring and unmatched manoeuvrability while docking, provide plenty of options for the advanced angler.
Also in the trailer boat market, Smuggler Marine has reported an upsurge in the popularity of its 800 Mid Cabin Amphibious model, with now over a dozen on order from its West Auckland factory. A number of the proven and capable 800 Mid Cabins Amphibious RIBs have found their way to Waiheke Island for discerning owners wanting more from their boating experience.
“The demand for our Amphibious models, especially the 800 is growing on Waiheke, as well as other coastal communities,” says Smuggler Marine managing director, David Pringle.
Elite Boats has designed 18 metre sport fisher Crazy Diamond, which was built by Weber Marine Boatbuilders and commissioned by an avid fisherman for both coastal and Pacific island fishing. A 6000 litre fuel capacity means Tonga is well within range and moderate vee hull form makes for the ultimate in head sea performance.
Maximum beam across the chines aft delivers a stable fishing platform, while the transom below the waterline has been chamfered forward to assist when backing down. With silent chines incorporated into the topsides just above the loaded waterline and one planing strake per side, the hull provides a dry ride in all sea conditions.
The show takes place across the site of the former America’s Cup team bases, continuing a legacy of on-water enjoyment for Aucklanders in the heart of their city. On-land exhibits will complement the on-water component of the show, taking up a Hamer Street spot in central Auckland’s buzzing Wynyard Quarter.
With the local marine industry reporting record-breaking sales, and a thriving innovation sector within New Zealand, 2023’s show is set to be a record-breaker after its two year hiatus. Tickets are on sale now.
Website: www.auckland-boatshow.com