Trade-A-Boat

SCIBS is back baby! Well, no. It should be clear to most that the show happening this month, and also celebrated in these pages, will not have the full SCIBS experience. Dubbed a Boating Festival, the event is free, has a COVID-safe plan and, in a fi

Before Ernest Shackleton and Robert Falcon Scott etched their names into the heroic age of Antarctic exploration, Henrick Johan Bull led the first expedition to ever land men on Antarctica. Or so it’s believed. Bull was born in Norway in 1844 and liv

For popular aluminium boat brand Makocraft, 2020 marks their 15th anniversary, and a celebration of growth and opportunity. Owner Tim Stessl returned to the helm taking control of the business in November 2018, relocating the operation back to its bi

Volvo Penta’s Inboard Performance System (IPS) has carved out a significant place for itself within the marine industry since it was released in 2005. IPS systems have since become standard for many of the world’s premier yacht manufacturers. When Vo

Leading navigation instrument brand B&G have announced their new generation intelligent sailing data display, Nemesis. The system features complete customisation, plus easy to use preset multi-function templates and automatic dashboards based on the

By now it’s no surprise that the majority of Aussies have put their overseas travel on hold in favour of homeland holidays. According to marine transport and customs brokerage, Aurora Global Logistics, a COVIDled boating boom is underway, manifesting

A $20-million boost is on the cards for Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard (GCCM) under a Deb Frecklington LNP Queensland Government. This would contribute to the second stage of development at GCCM, which comprises plans to increase the Gold Coast’s

Held in the same iconic destination as the International Boat Show, the Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival feels like it has a lot in common with May's showpiece. The organisers have done a good job of trying to keep the lid on expectation but that migh

Spontaneity, adventure and exploration require a foundation of comfort, self-sufficiency and reliability. The Maritimo M70 delivers dependability and comfort with a familiar generosity and applies principles found in nature and business that define s

James got his start in sailing young, learning the ropes on a P Class at just six years of age. Since then he has captained catamarans, ranging from 56–82 feet, and monohulls up to 92 feet, out of Europe and the Caribbean. He’s also worked as a chef

Boston Whaler describe the Vantage 240 as ‘the Swiss Army knife of boating’ — that's a metaphor we can get behind. Remember your first pocket knife? The incredible versatility of that pint-sized unit, which could cut, screw, poke and saw — not to men

Coincidences are surprising. Only a day before this test, I got a trivia question about which country has the most islands wrong. As it turns out, the answer and the destination of this new Belize 66 are the same. If you guessed Indonesia, you are in

Steve Campbell's been in the boating game for more than 30 years. He raced in the America's Cup, helped build some of Australia's successful racing yachts and since starting his own company, Composites Constructions, he's been responsible for some of

All of us are experiencing differing emotions and situations brought about by the unexpected and surprising curveball pitched by 2020. These fluctuations have certainly been seen in the marine industry worldwide with the cancellation of many regattas

Built in Poland and recently imported by the Alexander Marine Australia, Galeon isn’t such a well-known brand in Australia. Established in 1982, the company produces around 100 motoryachts annually from 30 to 78 feet from their modern facility in Gda

Australian industries have had a tough time in 2020. The pandemic forced lockdowns, severe limits on travel and economic uncertainty with widespread job losses. In the boating industry, consumer demand has fluctuated wildly, dealerships have closed,

Often overshadowed by its larger neighbour, Port Phillip, Western Port’s size, ecological diversity and marine facilities should command our attention as a worthy boating destination in its own right. This large, irregularly shaped coastal inlet, 75k

Have you ever noticed how boat brands are always on about how they blend ‘traditional’ with ‘contemporary’, blur the lines between ‘classic nautical styling’ and ‘modern aesthetic sensibilities’, and combine a ‘heritage mindset’ with ‘cutting-edge te

Way back in 1989 while working as a motoring writer, I borrowed a manual Audi 90 for extended evaluation. It was a lovely vehicle to drive, but what really stood out was the 2.3L five-cylinder engine. It was way smoother than a four-cylinder unit (su

Changed circumstances across the world are opening interest in local leisure pursuits and, with a coastline primed for water sport, boating leads the charge. Even our most populated cities are backdrops to spectacular waterways and getting out there

RiverCity Ferries, a subsidiary of Adelaide-based SeaLink Travel Group will takeover from Transdev as the operator of Brisbane City Council’s iconic CityCat, CityHopper and Cross River Ferry networks. The contract for the operation of the Brisbane

In another step forward in the development of ‘home-grown’ unmanned surveillance vessels (USVs) the Bluebottle now has approval to operate autonomously in Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The Bluebottle USV was borne out of the initial coll

Svitzer Australia is continuing to provide service delivery on behalf of Smit-Lamnalco in four ports in Australia for another four years as part of an extension to an existing agreement. The two companies entered into an agreement in August 2015 that

Bass Island Line (BIL)’s freight vessel John Duigan has suffered ongoing issues leading to extended periods out of the King Island freight service it operates. On 23 June BIL announced that the vessel was heading to drydock in Sydney to repair a dama

Bajamar Express, the first of two 118m trimaran passenger-vehicle ferries designed and built by Austal has entered service in the Canary Islands. The ferry was built at Austal’s shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia as part of a €126 million (A$19

A vessel with a difference is turning heads in the Hauraki Gulf in New Zealand’s North Island. Named Midnight Oil, the newest boat in the fleet of charter boat operator Hauraki Express is not for its existing fishing charter or water taxi services, b

Western Australian marine services provider Jetwave Marine has taken delivery of a new lines boat/utility vessel which it describes as “absolutely sensational”. Operating in Port Hedland, Jetwave Nelson Point is the latest addition to the company’s f

Launched in 2000 to support an America’s Cup team, MV Oracle has been repowered with Yanmar 6CXBM-GTs to facilitate broader expeditions and an adventurous retirement for its private owners. Lynn and Peter Mouchemore, who spent 57 years fishing commer

Kongsberg Maritime (KM) has secured a milestone order which will see the company making its first delivery of large-size waterjets to Tasmnian shipbuilder Incat. In addition to four Kongsberg Kamewa S90-4 waterjets, the scope of supply includes a tou

We look back at the 33 vessels tested in 2020, boil down their essence and point out what made them stand out to us. Expect everything, from Highfield’s playful and robust RIBs to Invictus day-boats, Whitehaven cruisers and even a sprinkling of Super