Club Marine Mandurah Boat Show closes with positive vibe

11:15 AM Mon 17 Oct 2011 GMT

'2011 Mandurah Boat Show' Club Marine Click Here to view large photo

The signs of a still flat economy may have been felt at this year's Club Marine Mandurah Boat Show, but nothing could take away the atmosphere that makes this show a winner year after year!

The 2011 Club Marine Mandurah Boat Show was held over the weekend (14-16 October) at the Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club. Perfect spring weather helped give that special air of excitement as people begin to prepare for being on the water this coming summer!

More than 600 boats, including 95 on water, and more than 200 exhibitors made up the 2011 Club Marine Mandurah Boat Show; and an increased level of entertainment, attractions and special guests rounded off the Show.

Show Director Peter Woods said that while numbers attendees was down on previous years, Show visitors still enjoyed a full and exciting show, and feedback and been largely positive.

'Overall this year we had a little over 16,000 attendants; and despite the fact that this was down about 19% from last year, people were still selling products and all exhibitors were extremely positive about the weekend,' Peter said.

Peter said he was extremely pleased with this year's Show, saying that changes and new additions this year meant a fresh and exciting boat show was presented.

'What makes the Mandurah Boat Show so special is that it is more than a 'Boat Show.' It has such a diverse range of exhibitors and products, and there's truly something for everyone, no matter what your passion. The Show has an amazing atmosphere - which is the feedback we have received countless times over the weekend. Because we've designed the Show with so much to see and do it has a fantastic carnival feel to it and is a great place to bring the family for a casual day out,' Peter said.

Greg Fisher, CEO of the Show's major sponsor Club Marine Insurance, was pleased with the result of this year's Show and is happy to be involved with such a successful event.

'Being associated with the Mandurah Boat Show is a sensational opportunity to promote Club Marine Insurance, and is also a way for us to give something back to the boating community,' Greg said.

The 2012 Club Marine Mandurah Boat Show will be held in October next year.

The Club Marine Mandurah Boat Show is the third largest boat show in Australia, following Sydney and Sanctuary Cove. The show has always been well supported by major boat brands, and this year was no exception. On show in 2011 included Sunseeker, Princess Yachts, Ferretti (displayed by JW Marine), Maritimo (from Martin Box Marine), Squadron (Fairline), Riviera, Beneteau, Alaska Motor Yachts and more.

The 2011 Show had more 'big' boats on display than ever before, and they certainly gained massive attention!

Sunseeker Australia displayed five boats including the impressive Predator 84. Princess Yachts made their return to the Mandurah Boat Show with a new release Princess V85-S.

This year's Show also hosted another major new release, the Feretti 881RPH which was admired by all who saw it.

Other new releases gaining attention included the Senses 50 Yacht from Beneteau; and the Fury 282 SC, which was named the BIA's overall Boat of the Year for 2011. Fairline Australia brought new release Squadron 42; and also received a lot of attention for its display of the brand new Bentley Continental GT that they included as part of their on water exhibit.

New to the Show this year was the Zodiac boats display. Previously these products have been displayed by various exhibitors, but this year were there in full force under the Zodiac name.

The hardstand at this year's Show was filled with boats of all sizes, plus jet skis, trailers, accessories - and new this year was the displays of camper trailers and camping accessories.

Brands such as Challenge Marine, Estuary Marine, Chivers Marine, Saltwater Marine and Sports Marine were again displaying at the 2011 Show.

New products around the show were aplenty. Every major brand in electronics were displaying at this year's Show, with highlights including the launch of the 700 Series Marine Entertainment System from FUSION.

Mercury Outboards chose the 2011 Mandurah Boat Show as the venue to launch their new range of four stroke motors. With their on-water display, they were demonstrating the new motors to visitors, and reported great response from visitors.

For the first time in Mandurah, Vinyl Teak Floors were displaying their range of the Lonseal flooring options in premium marine grade vinyl, which are new in Australia.

And gaining loads of attention was a small - but very unique - product launched by local company Swivels Original, who brought to the Show their Fish Measure: a measuring tape with all the relevant fish measurements suitable in WA. A very convenient and clever product which will surely become a popular stocking filler for keen fishermen this Christmas!

Organisers of the Club Marine Mandurah Boat Show pride themselves on presenting an entertaining event that has something for everyone to see and do. Two main stage areas were set up for presentations and shows, and crowds were kept entertained all weekend long.

The Club Marine Lifestyle Stage is set up on the lawn area outside the Fishing Club restaurant. It is an ideal place to sit and watch the entertainment with a meal or a drink - and this is just what so many people did across the weekend. The stage was a continual hive of activity, with fashion parades, cooking demonstrations, new product information and more.

Club Marine chef Bart Beek was on stage every hour cooking up a storm. Bart's recipes all feature in the Club Marine magazine, and he re-created each recipe live on stage at the Show. Bart has been attending the Mandurah Boat Show for the past ten years and says he loves coming back to Mandurah each year!

This year's special guest at the Show, thanks to Club Marine Insurance, was Andrew 'ET' Ettingshausen. ET is well known for his fishing program 'Escape With ET', which also features Bart Beek's cooking demos on the program. ET was in Mandurah for the first time and said he really enjoyed the Show, and everything that Mandurah has to offer.

'I go to a pretty much all the boat shows across Australia and this one is one of the best,' he said. 'It's a terrific show with a great atmosphere, and I feel very at home here! This is my first visit to Mandurah and I think it is an amazing new city, it's really a beautiful place. I look forward to coming back here one day soon and doing some fishing!' he said.

ET was on stage throughout the weekend helping Bart with cooking demos, and talking about his fishing experiences and his TV program. He also took the time to speak to the fishing enthusiasts at the Western Angler fishing stage.

The second entertainment area is located in the main marquee, and includes the Aquatank and fishing stage. A host of presenters took to the stage across the weekend, giving demos on lures and the right methods of fishing using the tank, plus talking about their experiences fishing in WA.

Always a popular segment, the filleting demos drew in the crowds, with people keen to see the
correct methods to fillet a fish.

Speakers included Mike Roennfeldt, Scott Coghlan and Jeni Gates, plus well known adventurer Hodgie the Barefoot Fisherman. Hodgie is always a crowd pleaser, with his larrikin personality and collection of stories; put together with his impressive knowledge of all things fishing - and his amazing accuracy with casting! Hodgie wowed the crowds by showing off his trick casting, and entertained as always with his info and tips on fishing.

This year the Show presented live boating demonstrations thanks to the Department of Transport Marine Safety. Demonstrating the basics of boating, and giving info on skipper's tickets, the boating demonstrations were held regularly for those visitors who are new to boating.

Always a great family day out, the Club Marine Mandurah Boat Show had something for everyone - live music, kids activities and pirate show to entertain the little ones, a huge choice of food and drinks available, and plenty of giveaways around the Show.

The prospectus for the 2012 Club Marine Mandurah Boat Show will be made available early next year. For information or to be included on the mailing list, contact Anne Duncombe, Events Manager on (08) 9386 9666 or info@mandurahboatshow.com.au More info can also be found on www.mandurahboatshow.com.au

the website www.mandurahboatshow.com.au

by Premiere Events