4:19 PM Tue 28 Apr 2009 GMT
 | | 'Boat Asia 2009, Marina at Keppel Bay, Singapore. Basking in tropical sunshine.'
Guy Nowell © |
Boat Asia 2009 wrapped up at Singapore's Marina at Keppel Bay yesterday after four days of visitor-melting heat and a tropical rainstorm of epic proportions. We don't have the official numbers yet, but the 'quick-look-down-the-dock' measuring system suggests that visitor numbers might have been down a little on 2008.
It was undoubtedly a good idea to combine Boat Asia with ADEX (the annual Asia Dive Expo), with the latter taking up a large part of the air-conditioned pavilion that proved an irresistible attraction for many visitors. There was something for everyone in there - from sign-on sheets for the next Clipper Round-the-World Race to special-offer memberships at the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club.
 | Boat Asia 2009, Marina at Keppel Bay, Singapore. please walk on the red carpet - it’s less hot than the pontoon! - Guy Nowell © |
Many exhibitors expressed themselves happy with the show, and not everyone is reporting being clobbered by the current economic situation. Sunseeker have not seen any slow-down in sales this year - attributable in part to the weakening of sterling, and the fact that big powerboats at present depreciate less quickly than share portfolios! Local manufacturer Grand Banks have sold no less than 23 boats this year, 9 of them in Asia, and describe their business as 'very healthy'. 'We have a good order book' reported Regional Sales Manager Hank Compton, 'and are in the process of moving all our production capacity across to Johore Bahru - it is a busy time for us.'
Audi's 'iceberg' down on the dock was an undoubted attraction - and not only because it was full of blissfully cool air. Inside, a Q5 was on display, and Audi were giving prospective customers a full 'Audi Experience' complete with test drives. The 'iceberg' will remain at Marina at Keppel Bay until 3 May, so if you are in Singapore catch it before it melts! (And just in case you wanted to know: Audi's Joyce Dwyer told us that the pontoon is 20m x 20m, and constructed from military-grade dock modules. A full third of the pontoon is occupied by air-conditioning equipment, and the whole shemozzle weighs in at 20 tons - and is rated for 200 tons.)
 | Boat Asia 2009, Marina at Keppel Bay, Singapore. The Audi Iceberg, outside... - Guy Nowell © |
 | Boat Asia 2009, Marina at Keppel Bay, Singapore. The Audi Iceberg, inside... - Guy Nowell © |
Along with a few other boat shows in the region, Boat Asia would benefit a great deal from getting the word out a bit earlier. As one exhibitor remarked - 'a couple of posters and hiring a PR company for a week doesn't really constitute an advertising campaign'. (We had to direct the local taxi drivers to the show, which says something).
Given that the boating population of Singapore is very small (don't get taken in by the pr blurb) probably wrapping ADEX and maybe a few more 'lifestyle' exhibitors together is a very good idea. Audi have shown the way. Some artistic belly dancing, a La Perla swimsuit show, and Grey Goose vodka cocktails available at all hours didn't do any harm either.
 | Boat Asia 2009, Marina at Keppel Bay, Singapore. La Perla swimsuit fashions. - Guy Nowell © |
 | Boat Asia 2009, Marina at Keppel Bay, Singapore. Kevin Quilty (Sunsail) and Bob Mott (Noonsite) sampling all the flavours. - Guy Nowell © |
 | Boat Asia 2009, Marina at Keppel Bay, Singapore. Not just boats. - Guy Nowell © |
Compared to Shanghai last week, this was more of a boat show and less of a marine trade fair - having 40+ boats in the water undoubtedly contributed to that, and Marina at Keppel Bay definitely has the edge over the Shanghai Yacht Club.
by Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia
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Macquarie Island, TAS
