MAKING WAVES
The 2013 Sydney International Boat Show (August 1-5) is the 25th and final exhibition at Darling Harbour prior to its billion-dollar redevelopment over the next three years. The indoor component of the show will be staged at the Sydney Exhibition Centre on Glebe Island, but the floating marina on Cockle Bay will remain the "home port" for the bigger boats. The show is open August 1-5, 10am to 8pm in the halls and 10am to 6pm on the marina. See sydneyboatshow.com.au.
Amazing Las Balsas
Sydney boat show speaker Elyse Guevara-Rattray, from Ecuador, is the daughter of Luis Anibal Guevara, who was one of 12 men on three rafts that crossed from Ecuador to Australia in 1973. The three rafts, each measuring 46 feet (14 metres) long and 18 feet wide, were made of massive balsa logs secured together with wooden pegs and handmade sisal ropes. The daring 14,000-kilometre voyage across the Pacific Ocean set out to prove that the Pacific Islands may have been populated by migrations from South America. The raft adventure ended 179 days later at Ballina on the NSW north coast. Hear all about it at the boat show. See lasbalsas.com.au.
Middle Harbour show
This weekend's Middle Harbour Boat Show at The Spit offers a preview of some of the standouts destined for the Sydney boat show. SBM Maritimo has the new Maritimo M50 Cruising Motoryacht with the first-ever Euro transom on a flybridge Maritimo model; the stylish S50 Motoryacht with upgraded interior and Miele appliance package; and a rebadged Mustang 43 with shaft drives now dubbed the Maritimo S43. The exclusive SBM display includes Maritimo and Mustang models, quality used boats and trades from 30-75 feet. Across the road at d'Albora Marinas, e-Marine will have Back Cove and Sabre boats from Maine, while MW Marine has Jeanneau power and Prestige cruisers from France.
Sydney - Gold Coast
A high-quality fleet of 50 yachts will contest the annual 384-nautical-mile Sydney to Gold Coast Yacht Race starting on July 27 at 1pm off Nielsen Park. Bob Oatley's super maxi Wild Oats XI, which smashed Brindabella's 13-year-old race record with an elapsed time of 22 hours, three minutes, 46 seconds last year, is line honours favourite and is set to go even faster following extensive modifications. See goldcoast.cyca.com.au.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
The 2013 Sydney International Boat Show runs August 1–5. The indoor halls are at the Sydney Exhibition Centre on Glebe Island (open 10am–8pm) and the floating marina on Cockle Bay — the "home port" for the bigger boats — is open 10am–6pm. For full details visit sydneyboatshow.com.au.
Elyse Guevara-Rattray is a speaker at the show and the daughter of Luis Anibal Guevara, one of 12 men who sailed three large balsa rafts from Ecuador to Australia in 1973. The 14,000‑kilometre voyage took 179 days and landed at Ballina; the story is featured for its historical and adventurous interest. More about the expedition is at lasbalsas.com.au.
The Middle Harbour Boat Show at The Spit previews models headed for the Sydney show, including SBM Maritimo’s new M50 Cruising Motoryacht (the first flybridge Maritimo with a Euro transom), the upgraded S50 Motoryacht with a Miele appliance package, and a rebadged Mustang 43 now called the Maritimo S43. Displays also include quality used boats and trade stands.
The Maritimo M50 stands out as the first flybridge Maritimo to feature a Euro transom, a notable design change for that model line. The Maritimo S43 is a rebadged Mustang 43 equipped with shaft drives, offering a familiar hull under the Maritimo name—details that may matter for buyers focused on layout and propulsion.
SBM Maritimo will display Maritimo and Mustang models. d'Albora Marinas’ e‑Marine will bring Back Cove and Sabre boats from Maine, and MW Marine will show French marques Jeanneau powerboats and Prestige cruisers.
Yes. While the indoor component is on Glebe Island, the larger boats are showcased on the floating marina in Cockle Bay, which remains the show’s "home port" for bigger vessels. Marina viewing hours are 10am–6pm during the show.
The annual Sydney to Gold Coast Yacht Race starts July 27 at 1pm off Nielsen Park and covers 384 nautical miles with a fleet of about 50 yachts. Bob Oatley’s super maxi Wild Oats XI — which broke the previous race record last year with an elapsed time of 22 hours, 3 minutes, 46 seconds — is the line honours favourite and has had modifications aimed at improving speed. See goldcoast.cyca.com.au for race details.
Official information is available from the event and project sites referenced in the article: sydneyboatshow.com.au for the Sydney International Boat Show, lasbalsas.com.au for the Las Balsas expedition, and goldcoast.cyca.com.au for the Sydney–Gold Coast Yacht Race.
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