You Don't Have To Be Rich
Sun Herald
Saturday June 3, 1989
"GET afloat-get a boat". That's the catchcry of the Sydney Boat Show organisers, and there will be plenty of boats bobbing up and down or in "dry dock" at Darling Harbour this weekend-most of them looking for an owner.
People try boating for various reasons-some like the solitude and getting away from it all, some like battling the elements, some like the challenge and excitement of racing, some like the social aspect.
No doubt many also like the status attached to owning an expensive boat. Alan Bond's Southern Cross will be on display, as will the "cheaper" Lloyds Meditteranean-style cruisers, valued at around $4 million.
But the organisers stress that you don't have to be rich to get out on the water. They say that money-wise, buying a family half-cabin outboard boat compares favourably with the costs of financing a second car, a caravan, or an overseas holiday.
A windsurfer or a dinghy doesn't cost nearly that much. "There will be a boat for everybody at the show," say organisers.
Boat ownership in Australia has jumped by more than 60 per cent in the past decade, with over one million people involved in some form of boating-whether it be sailboarding, canoeing, game fishing, or racing in the America's Cup.
Nevertheless, Mike Gaffikin, of Mike Gaffikin Marine-and chairman of the Boat Show Committee-believes there is even greater scope for ownership in Australia. "Compared with other western countries, boat ownership here is not high," he said.
Mr Gaffikin's company specialises in the middle-to-top of the power boat range. One of the leading power retailers in Australia, it will have 12 craft on display at the show.
A new 33ft Riviera will be shown for the first time, along with the 27, 35, 38, 46, and 52ft models. The 27ft model costs from $70,000, while the 52-footer-the queen of the fleet and one of the largest production boats in Australia-is worth around $650,000.
Mr Gaffikin predicted there would be a "flood" of sports boats (mostly used for a day out) coming in to Australia. "There is a gap in the marketplace," he said. "Next year we will see a wider Australian range."
That will please the Treasurer, Mr Keating, who is battling a balance of payments deficit. He will be happy to hear that Riviera, one of the most popular cruisers in Australia, with the biggest range, is built and designed here.
Mr Peter Hunt, of Hunts Marine, estimated that in the 16ft and over range, about 70 per cent of boats were Australian-made.
His specialty is in trailerable boats up to 23ft, and he has plenty of competition in NSW.
He said $20,000 would buy a larger runabout or half-cabin with a 100 horsepower outboard motor. It could be towed by a three-litre car.
One of the Hunts Marine attractions is a $46,000 Australian-made Whittley Cruisemaster, which can sleep a family of four. It has hot water, shower and toilet.
"Boating is total family entertainment," Mr Hunt said.
"People tend to be attracted to the dearest and flashiest, but the volume market is in the 14-18ft range."
Mr Hunt agreed with Mr Gaffikin that apart from their enjoyment value, boats were a good investment.
"They are fairly resistant to the vagaries of the economy," he said.
Mr David Bray, of the Sydney Sailboat Centre, said the "fun weekender on the water" used to be the domain of the "turn the key and go" power boat, but the advent of the furling headsail and mainsail had given the yacht owner a better choice between power or sail.
"Until recently, any yacht over 30ft was only for the experienced yachtie,"he said. "But now larger yachts can be handled easily without a huge crew."Sailing will be well represented at the show, with new products from both local and overseas manufacturers. Mr Bray said the "unashamedly upmarket"Australian-made Wayworld 45 would attract attention. Imported yachts to be seen for the first time will include the Jeneau from France, Farr from New Zealand, Bavarian from Germany, and Hunter from the US. In the trailerable field both the new Spider 24 and 28 will be on display.
Mr Bray said sailing had gained a higher profile through publicity surrounding the America's Cup, and was not the "elitist" sport of 20 years ago.
He said there had also been an increase in the number of professional sales brokers (in new and used yachts), sailing schools and yacht charter companies
Mr Rob Hielscher, of yachting marketing analysts Rhumbline Pty Ltd, said yachting was "probably not the greatest spectator sport", but was fabulous to participate in. "Every time you go out you learn something new," he said.
© 1989 Sun Herald