Auckland International Boat Show 2009

Auckland International Boat Show 2009

A brand new year and a brand new look go hand in hand for the upcoming Auckland International Boat Show which takes place in early March. Show lovers can expect all the usual boating highlights, plus a number of new features and attractions that make for a new look show in 2009.

Once again from March 5th – 8th Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour will be filled to the brim with everything from 100-year-old classic beauties reflecting the highest standards of restoration, to boats that offer the latest developments in technology. Plus the on shore pavilions will showcase ahuge range of equipment for all your serious boating needs.

Auckland International Boat Show Executive Director Peter Busfield is pleased with the developments of the new look show. “We’ve seen some exciting new elements for the upcoming Auckland International Boat Show which is largely due to the over $500,000 investment in promotion and specific show events. On top of which both Tourism New Zealand and Tourism Auckland have joined our Sponsorship portfolio for 2009 which has enabled a further level of event profiling both internationally and domestically,” he says.

Along with a new look for 2009 and due to popular demand, show-goers will also enjoy the brand new Cruising and Safety Hall. Designed to attract people who are planning some serious cruising there will be a continuous running list of seminars with differing topics ranging from long term weather forecasting to technical clothing to passage planning. It’s all about planning the perfect cruise and making sure you have what you need in equipment and information to cruise safely around New Zealand and offshore.

Plus guests can once again go in the draw to win the impressive gate prize

- A luxury sailing cruise in Tonga and flights for two people thanks to the Moorings.

Unique to New Zealand and always a popular attraction is the Earthrace boat showcase. Earthrace’s aggressive, futuristic styling first featured at the Auckland International Boat Show 2005. The 24m (78ft) wavepiercing trimaran, designed and built in New Zealand, has since broken the speed record around the world, fuelled by biodiesel. Attendees of the show will get to see this boat up close and personal and see for themselves the incredible 1080hp engine which is fuelled by 100% renewable biodiesel with a net zero carbon footprint!

Her skipper Pete Bethune says “Earthrace’s success has proved that any form of transport, including marine, can be non-damaging to the environment as well as being high performance”.

A special treat for the show comes from the Classic Yacht Association who will be displaying several boats that have undergone extensive restoration. The classic ‘Waitangi’ will no doubt turn a few heads with a length of 74ft and a waterline length of just 38ft. Waitangi was launched in 1894 to the design and build of Robert Logan Senior. She is the largest surviving early Logan racing yacht and a regular competitor in the Classic Yacht Association of New Zealand racing fleet.

To present the new look event comes experienced and passionate yachting commentator Peter Montgomery. As the new face of the Auckland International Boat Show for 2009 Montgomery brings his extensive boating knowledge and enthusiastic commentary to the air waves.

Another interesting feature for boat enthusiasts will be the Auckland Traditional Boat Building School who demonstrate the true spirit of Kiwi DIY as they work on a boating project live at the show!

The Louis Vuitton Pacific Series / Millenium Cup Series Also held at the Viaduct Harbour Marine Village this summerare two very special boating events! Emirates Team New Zealand has organised the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series. Ten teams will compete in boats on loan from Emirates Team New Zealand and BMW Oracle Racing, featuring some of the best sailors in the world. North Head will provide ringside seats as six daily match races run over three weekends from January 31, until the final on February 13 or 14.

If you’d like to see some of the most impressive boats on the water then check out the Millennium Cup Pacific Series will run from 9 to 11 February. You can expect superyachts, powerboats and sailboats valued up to NZ$50million each.

For more information on the Auckland International Boat Show go to www.aucklandinternationalboatshow.com

ENDS

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