Mulpha Events’ General Manager, Events and Partnerships, Corey Rattray-Wood said the organising team was pleased with the show and exhibitor feedback so far.

Numbers were down slightly, and we expected that with the increase in ticket prices and lack of on-site parking this year, but while volume may have been down, the right customers came.

“We achieved what we aimed to achieve and we have received exceptionally positive feedback from stakeholders,” he stated.

“Mulpha is 100 percent committed to the boat show and the event has never been in a stronger position. We are planning for next year and looking forward to taking on board the constructive criticism from our partners and exhibitors.”

A useful gauge of the industry’s health and intention, Pantaenius Australia occupied two stands at SCIBS 2026, one on the marina and a larger hospitality suite on the walkway above.

Pantaenius reported strong levels of engagement across the Australian marine market, with particularly high activity in the premium and superyacht sectors.

“As a specialist marine insurer, Pantaenius Australia discussed a broad range of insurance requirements with vessel owners, with notable interest in larger vessels, international cruising plans and tailored premium insurance solutions,” said James MacPhail, Managing Director.

“Many conversations centred on future voyages into the Pacific, New Zealand and Southeast Asia, highlighting the growing appetite among Australian boat owners for extended regional cruising. Pantaenius Australia also observed continued interest from Australian and New Zealand owners purchasing vessels in Europe, often with plans to cruise internationally before eventually voyaging back home.

“The show delivered record engagement for Pantaenius Australia and further reinforced Australia’s position as one of the most important boating destinations in the Asia-Pacific region. Strong local ownership, increasing international cruising ambitions and continued investment across the sector all point to a confident and highly active market environment.”

View from the marina

Despite the inclement weather, or the threat of it, most on-water exhibitors reported excellent response to products and pleasing leads.

Maritimo hosted the global launch of the new S50 Sedan Motor Yacht and two new models in the revived Caribbean brand, the 40 Flybridge and 27 Flybridge to industry and public acclaim.

Simon Stewart, Maritimo Marketing Manager said they welcomed “a record number of viewings” of their line-up this year.

“It has been an exceptional Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, with bookings to visit the Maritimo on-water display stand at the highest level ever,” Stewart said.

“This has resulted in a record number of people registering to view our range of Maritimos. The same applies to our Caribbean brand, with a record 1,400 people booking to inspect Maritimo’s offerings across the organisations two iconic brands.”

Riviera celebrated a $40 million showcase of 12 luxury motor yachts, including the global debut of the 6200 Sport Yacht and Show premiere of the 5600 Sport Yacht. Both yachts received high praise and recognition from all those who stepped aboard.

“Riviera proudly waved the flag for Australian manufacturing, training, exporting and the creation of world-class luxury motor yachts right here on the Gold Coast that are sought after worldwide,” commented Rodney Longhurst, company owner, confirming several sales during SCIBS.

At the show, Riviera owners were inspired by over 30 boating education seminars and on water workshops and have enjoyed several exclusive social events from gala dinners to a glamorous ladies’ luncheon. Over the course of the show the Riviera team welcomed new yacht owners to the Riviera family from across Australia and internationally.

Based at Sanctuary Cove, Princess Yachts Australia hosted a “Best of British” morning tea to toast the largest Princess showcase in Southern Hemisphere history: a seven-vessel line-up starring the Australian premiere of the all-new F58 and F65 flybridge models, and the show debut of the next-gen V50 motor yacht.

Princess CEO Will Green and British Consul General Richard Cowin were in attendance, speaking with media and owners over samples of The Macallan premium Scotch with two Bentley Continental GTs on display.

Princess Australia Managing Director, Greg Haines said SCIBS 2026 was another fantastic boat show which they measure in terms of owner feedback.

We put a lot of effort into hospitality for owners and prospective owners, and they really enjoy attending the show. Do boat shows sell boats? Sometimes, but it’s more about branding, sharing the Princess lifestyle and showcasing the new models.

“Overall, we have a lot to work with in terms of leads and enquiries, so we’re happy.”

Will Green confirmed that he was delighted to return to Sanctuary Cove – one of his favourite shows. “Owners were very pleased that the CEO thinks so much of Australian owners and the local market that he’d join us,” Haines said.

FLEMING

The Whitehaven Group had a lot to celebrate as a result of their huge presence this year, showcasing 13 vessels spanning the brands Aquila, Integrity, Whitehaven and its offspring, Harbour Classic, represented by an original HC40 and the new HC52.

“It was a great show – but now the real work begins,” said Tony Ross, referring to enquiries and sea trials. “We sold three Aquilas and fielded plenty of excellent response to the new Aquila 50 Sail. We’ve had lots of owners and charter companies tell us it’s the right product for Australia, so that’s fantastic.”

Returning to the boat show circuit for the first time in three years, Whitehaven motor yachts generated their share of buzz, and the customised 6500 Coupe on show was very well received.

“We also have several quotes on the Harbour Classic in various sizes, which is everything we could have wished for,” Ross summed up.

The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show 2026 was a highly successful platform for DCH Marine, reinforcing the strong positioning of both Sunseeker and Saxdor in the Australian market.

Samantha Chan, Head of Marine Business at DCH Marine commented, “As the exclusive Asia-Pacific distributor, we were particularly pleased to achieve three boat sales during the show, including the Saxdor 400 GTS, which made its Australian debut at the show.

More broadly, we saw consistent demand for our Sunseeker range, with enquiries coming across multiple states, highlighting the continued growth and maturity of the premium yacht segment in Australia.”

Celebrating the brand’s 70th anniversary, Grand Banks invited owners and supporters to an exclusive dock-side event Friday night, to toast seven decades of craftsmanship and intrepid voyaging. The centrepiece of the Grand Banks’ display showing the brand’s history and evolution was the iconic GB60, a blend of classic trawler design and high-tech performance, making it the most efficient cruiser in its class.

Speaking at the event, Hank Compton, Managing Director said, “SCIBS is a pillar of our boat show calendar, and it’s always exciting to catch up with owners and devotees of Grand Banks. We have a large presence in Queensland, supported by our factory-direct team and facilities at The Boat Works.”

Adjacent, Palm Beach Motor Yachts presented the most popular model in its esteemed range, the PB70, a highly efficient, customisable motor yacht designed by Mark Richards and featuring proprietary V-Warp® hull technology.

At the upper end of the spectrum, Horizon Yachts Australia showcased motor yachts worth $100 million, including two FD80 Skyline, two E75 Skylounge, one E73 Skylounge, and the sporty E56XO.

Horizon hosted the much-anticipated debut of the all-new ES88, which was met with resounding approval, adding impetus to its addition to the model range.

Oliver Bennett, Marketing Manager said “It turned out to be one of our strongest shows to date. Interest in the ES88 was overwhelming, and we were pleased with foot traffic on the Thursday and Friday, traditionally the days that attract the serious buyers.”

Short Marine made major impact on E Pier representing six brands with 15 boats and four premieres, including the Australian debut of the Azimut Magellano 25M.

It was great show, despite the weather, said Dave Sullivan. “The conditions likely affected foot traffic, but the quality of enquiry was very strong and the Azimut display was extremely well received.

“The Magellano 25M attracted a lot of attention, with strong engagement from both existing owners and new prospects. We also saw excellent interest in the Azimut 53 Fly from buyers looking for late-model turnkey boats available locally. From a sales perspective, the show delivered a positive result for us, with strong momentum and several ongoing negotiations continuing post-show. It was great to see strong energy across the marina over the four days and continued confidence in the premium motor yacht market.”

The team at The Yacht Sales Co. said they enjoyed one of their most successful Sanctuary Cove International Boat Shows in recent years, with strong enquiry levels and multiple sales secured across all of the brands on display.

The company hosted the Asia-Pacific premieres of the Fountaine Pajot FP44, Dufour 54 and Dufour 41, alongside the Fountaine Pajot FP41, Iliad53F, Tesoro T40 and a selection of premium brokerage boats.

During the show, The Yacht Sales Co. secured orders for a Fountaine Pajot FP44, Fountaine Pajot FP41 and Fountaine Pajot FP48 sailing catamaran, two Iliad 53F power catamarans, a Tesoro T40 and a Dufour 41, with additional orders expected to be finalised post-show.

“We were extremely pleased with both the quality of enquiries and the level of activity across the four days,” said The Yacht Sales Co. CEO Mark Elkington.

“Sanctuary Cove continues to be a key event on our calendar and this year’s show was particularly significant given the strength of the line-up we had on display, including major Asia Pacific premieres.”

Uniting local dealers in one Beneteau-branded stand this year, the French behemoth celebrated 40 years of Beneteau Oceanis and promoted its other brands in power and sail.

Charlotte Piochon, Asia-Pacific Marketing Manager stated, “SCIBS remains a key pillar in our Asia-Pacific marketing strategy, as well as a cornerstone event for the Australian market.

“Beyond direct sales, it provides invaluable brand exposure and a unique opportunity to connect face-to-face with customers, partners, and media, playing a critical role in reinforcing brand positioning, launching new models, and building long-term relationships.

“This year’s edition was particularly significant for us, marked by several key premieres: the Australian launch of the Excess 13, alongside the Asia-Pacific debuts of the Oceanis 52 and the Lagoon 38, all of which generated excellent interest throughout the show. It also marked an important milestone for Beneteau, with a strong and expanded presence featuring an impressive display of eight models and a significant on-site brand activation.”

Lagoon dealer, TMG Yachts reported strong interest surrounding the Southern Hemisphere premiere of the all-new Lagoon 38 and growing momentum across the wider Lagoon catamaran range. The recent release of the all-new Lagoon 47 sparked a wave of fresh enquiries, particularly around European delivery opportunities and long-range cruising plans.

Sydney-based dealer for Italian brand Cantiere Mimì, Boatology displayed two Libeccio models, the flagship 13.5 Cabin making its Australian debut and the 11 Cabin. They were also proud to welcome naval architect, Valerio Rivellini and shipyard Director, Domenico Senese – who made their second visit to our shores in six months to support the brand.

“Several prospective buyers made multiple visits throughout the four-day event and we have a new boat on order,” said Boatology founder, Zain Moloobhoy. “To accommodate sea trials, we have decided to keep both Mimì vessels on the Gold Coast for the next month.”

He continued, “The boat show provided an excellent networking opportunity to secure interstate partners that will now represent our service division in Queensland as well as some local sales agents.

There is no denying that participation in an event like this requires a massive investment but the marketing value of getting pre-qualified buyers onboard, the increased brand awareness, the peripheral benefits of preparing the vessels and training staff as well as the relationship building that comes from participation in an event like SCIBS is extremely valuable.”

The team at Eyachts, representing Axopar, Greenline and Sirena motor yachts, reported interest across the board as well as “a major shift in what Australian boaters are now looking for”.

Eyachts hosted the Australian premiere of the new Axopar 38, which became one of the major talking points of the show. “Visitors travelled from across the Asia Pacific region specifically to experience the next generation of Axopar first-hand, with the new model drawing consistent crowds throughout the four days of the show,” said Peter Hrones.

Interest in hybrid technology was evident, according to Hrones. “The Greenline Yachts 40 Hybrid attracted its fair share of attention, with many visitors wanting to better understand how hybrid boating could reduce fuel consumption, noise, and long-term operating costs. As fuel prices continue to influence buying decisions, Greenline’s practical hybrid system and solar-supported cruising approach resonated strongly with both experienced owners and first-time buyers alike.”

Sirena Yachts debuted the Sirena 58 – a long-range cruiser that appealed to buyers seeking serious passagemaking capability combined with luxury and value.

“With multiple sea trials already lined up following the show, interest around the model suggests it will not remain available for long,” Hrones added.

The 12-vessel display of Flagship International attracted strong visitor interest with its range of new and brokerage options.

“We sold a boat at the show and are working with multiple offers on other vessels,” stated Marley Cutbush, Flagship International Managing Director.

“We were really impressed with the market sentiment and genuine buyer attendance, and we have contract out on a handful of new orders which is really exciting to see.”

Covering the new and brokerage segment, and brands including Sanlorenzo, Maritimo, Palm Beach Motor Yachts, Ocean Alexander, Horizon, Riviera, Norman Wright, and Lloyd’s Ships, alongside in-house brands, Alaska Motor Yachts, Hampton, and Vicem Yachts, Leigh-Smith Yachts occupied an entire “avenue” on D Pier. Over the four days, this exceptional line-up worth more than $50 million generated strong interest across both premium brokerage vessels and new-build projects.

According to Ryan Leigh-Smith, “There was a real sense of confidence and enthusiasm at the show, with strong interest from experienced owners and those entering the market for the first time.

“We continue to see growing demand across brokerage and new-build projects alike. The brokerage market is doing well – some strong interest on our boats displayed over the show with offers and discussions underway now. There seemed to be more genuine buyers out there as opposed to last year.”

Yachtsmen International, specialising in luxury brokerage, charter and crewing, felt that although visitor numbers were down, “the quality of conversations and enquiries across the four days was incredibly strong”.

“This year’s line-up attracted an incredible mix of people to the display, from long-standing clients and familiar faces through to many new connections,” observed Marketing Manager, Deborah Rendle.

“Outside of brokerage, both charter and crew saw strong engagement throughout the show, while SCIBS once again proved to be one of the best opportunities of the year to strengthen relationships, build new connections and continue growing the Yachtsmen International brand.”

The new luxury development opening in July on the Broadwater, The Mantaray Marina & Residences, was a first-time exhibitor at SCIBS.

Marina Manager, Hugo Littlejohn said “The show exceeded expectations for us – the level of attendance, engagement and genuine interest in The Mantaray Marina & Residences was incredibly positive and reinforced the strong market appetite for a premium, concierge-led marina offering on the Gold Coast.

“A number of strong leads emerged from the event, many of which are now progressing through formal contract discussions, with berth availability becoming increasingly limited in several size categories. Beyond the direct enquiry and sales activity, the show was invaluable from a relationship and networking perspective, allowing us to spend quality time with luxury yacht brands, marine businesses and commercial partners who align strongly with the Mantaray vision.”

Tenders, toys and equipment

Marine electronics manufacturer, Raymarine had a prominent position at the entrance to the Marina and as Mark Leech pointed out, “it was quality over quantity this year in terms of foot traffic”.

“SCIBS is a good opportunity to meet customers and present our products to our OEM clients all in one place.”

Despite the uncertainty in the market, exacerbated by global unrest, rising price of fuel and cost of living pressures, the response to Raymarine’s new product, Axiom 2 Chartplotter was very pleasing, according to Leech.

Also situated above the Marina, Grand Boats enjoyed a steady flow of visitors over the four days, many of whom knew of the brand through social media channels.

“We had a really successful show this year,” asserted Carly Jennings, Marketing Manager at Grand Boats.

“As a relatively new brand in Australia, one of the most promising signs was just how many people know who we were. That was a real step up from last year and a strong indicator of how our brand presence has grown.”

Jennings added that while foot traffic felt a little quieter than last year, “the quality of visitors was even better. These were genuine buyers who had already done a lot of research.”

Located near the Pavilion within the trailer boat precinct, Highfield teamed up to exhibit with Northside Marine. “While numbers seemed down on prior years, the quality of those attending our stand was great,” said Peter Pembroke, Highfield Australia.

“The new ADV 7 proved to be a major highlight, with plenty of interest around its crossover design and usability. It’s a great step forward for Highfield, combining the practicality and safety of a RIB with a more refined, family-friendly layout.”

Bill Hull from Northside Marine added, “From a sales perspective, the show delivered excellent results, with strong unit sales and, importantly, a high volume of quality follow-up leads. We’ve already locked in a solid number of sea trials, which is always a great indicator of genuine buying intent.”

Sirocco Marine returned to their prominent position on Masthead Way with a display of 25 RIBs from BRIG, Zodiac and Sirocco.

Neil Webster, Managing Director at Sirocco Marine observed that market conditions were noticeably tougher this year.

“Foot traffic was down and there was a clear trend away from boats catering to the mums and dads’ market, which is a reversal from last year. Buyers are being more cautious, and wary of discretionary spend on big-ticket items.”

From a sales, branding and engagement perspective, he continued, “SCIBS remains a valuable event, particularly for connecting with the national boating audience and showcasing our range to serious buyers.”

Also located along the main avenue, Masthead Way, Jobe Sports Australia had a diverse range of watertoys and inflatables for sale.

Commenting on their experience, Laura Garcia said, “Overall, we had a really positive show, both in terms of engagement and sales, with plenty of quality conversations across the event with existing and new customers alike.

“There was strong interest around our newer categories, particularly the Flux Kickboard and Infinity Docks, which generated great feedback and highlighted the market appetite for innovative lifestyle products in the boating space.”

The 38th Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is scheduled for 20 to 23 May 2027.

sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au