Mandurah: The Best in the West

'Mandurah hosts a good mix of boats and accessories.' .

The 2008 Club Marine Mandurah Boat Show begins today (9 - 12 October) at the Mandurah Ocean Marina with a record 600 boats, making it Australia's third largest on-water show.

Renowned for its world class displays, including everything from $7m luxury cruisers, to yachts, sports fishing boats, trailerboats and dinghies, as well as boating accessories, fishing, camping and diving gear, the Mandurah show is unique and thriving thanks to the state's passion for the outdoor lifestyle and the commodities boom.

On average, the Club Marine Mandurah Boat Show attracts 25,000 people from Perth, Mandurah and rural Western Australia to the Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club at the picturesque Mandurah Ocean Marina.

This year, the on-water display area will feature the luxurious vessels including one of the largest Sunseeker displays ever shown in Australia, as well as Bertram, Riviera, Princess, Searay, Boston Whaler and Caribbean, plus Grandbanks and Bella Marine for the first time ever at the Mandurah Show.

The hardstand area will feature a larger display of Quintrex boats than any other Australian show along with a great range of new trailerable boats, inflatables, car-toppers and jet skis.

Australia's third largest on-water show. - ..

While fishing enthusiasts can look forward to the new Ultimate Fishing Camp hosted by some of the best fishing personalities around Australia, the whole family can enjoy live music, fashion parades, cooking demonstrations and pirate shows.

Getting there has become even easier and may result in record numbers this year. The new Perth to Mandurah rail-line makes the trip from Perth city faster with shuttle buses running from Mandurah station directly to the show. The new helicopter shuttle service from Fremantle and Perth airport to the show is also likely to be popular with prospective boat buyers.

A regular at the show, Riviera says it's definitely a fixture on the company's calendar. "As one of the three majors in Australia, it's perfectly timed for summer and well spaced after Sanctuary Cove and Sydney," explains Denby Browning, Media & PR Manager.

Riviera has two dealerships in the west, both of which are very active and equally successful.

"It's a great boating market and very strong still because of the mining sector. Mandurah is important for us as many people won't come to the east coast shows, so it's vital we go to them."

Riviera will display a total of 10 boats valued at about $18 million at Mandurah. The company's R Marine retail network will also host the official West Australian launch of the impressive Princess V70 sports yacht.

According to R Marine Perth Dealer Principal, Brendon Grieve West Australian boating enthusiasts now look to the Mandurah Show as the most important in the calendar. "We have pulled out all stops to give them a wide range of options at the show."

Riviera Syndication recently opened its West Australian outlet and has a Riviera 4400 Sport Yacht scheduled for delivery later this year.

The show attracts around 25,000 people. - ..

Damien Weber, Navico Director Sales & Marketing, says Mandurah is essential for promoting the company's brands, particularly high end Simrad and Northstar.

"Mandurah is a very good show for us. We always sell well through our dealers over there. It's a good mix of trailer boat and bigger boats and WA people are traditionally good spenders. It will be interesting to see if they're as willing to spend this year, given the economic climate."

More at www.mandurahboatshow.com.au

by Jeni Bone