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Rendez-Vous

After seeing boat shows succumb to the COVID pandemic, Beneteau took it on themselves to launch their 2020 range.

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, events and boat-shows, including the Sydney International Boat Show.

The current social and economic environment brought about by the coronavirus pandemic make has me thinking of the opening lines of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”

On the one hand we cannot travel overseas, on the other we have more leisure time at our disposal. Our concerns of whether we have a future are tempered with a desire to enjoy the here and now. Our money is not earning much interest in financial institutions, and what is the point of saving for a rainy day if that rainy day is already upon us? If the glass is half empty, why not drink the rest of it anyway, and if it is half full, then let’s make the most of it? Seemingly never has there been a better time to get that puppy or kitten, to invest in a classic car, to move away from the city to a more relaxed environment, or to purchase that boat we have always dreamed of.

And as long as we have not got to worry about a new puppy, then increasingly it appears that a life on the ocean wave, and for some, even a home on the rolling deep, is the way to go. But with no boat shows, how do we work out which boat is the right one for us, especially if it is fresh out of the box and yet to be seen or reviewed? Never fear, the avant-garde French have the perfect solution in the form of Beneteau and its local brokers in this part of the world, Chapman Marine Group, Flagstaff Marine and The Multihull Group. 

Coming together, with the support of the Groupe Beneteau, these three brokers staged the first edition of Boating Rendezvous — their own, invitation only, mini boat show at Darling Harbour, with a line up of 11 boats with five APac premieres and one Australian premiere. From Flagstaff Marine there was the Swift Trawler 47, First 

Yacht 53, First 27, Oceanis 40.1, Oceanis 30.1 and Excess 12; Chapman Marine Group showcased the Gran Turismo 32 OB, Antares 11, Flyer 10 and Flyer 8; and The Multihull Group displayed their Lagoon 42.

Despite the fact the weather over the three days started out mirroring a COVID-19 mood of despondency, the three brokers, each of whom works in non-competing segments of the market, banded together and displayed their boats to more than 120 invited customers. Brokers and potential buyers exhibited enthusiasm and excitement for no less than five brand new Asia-Pacific launches. 

On board one of these, the Gran Turismo 32, I caught up with Mark Chapman, MD of Chapman Marine, NSW distributors for Beneteau Outboard Powerboats up to 36 feet. 

“There is a global trend for outboard power being led by Beneteau with boats such as this GT32 which provide more space on board, longer engine warranty, easier maintenance, speed and economy, and ease of use,” he said. 

“One of the interesting points is that with this trend for bigger outboard power, Beneteau has designed specific hulls to suit. The Antares 11 is another first look outboard for this region and is a hugely anticipated boat and the entire production year is already sold out. The market is amazingly strong and all our Beneteaus are sold until September 2021 when I can get some more boats, and it is the same with our other brands. 

“Families that might normally spend $100,000 going to Europe or skiing in the US, even down to our very cheapest boats down to $80,000 and right through up to half a million, people are not able to travel so are upgrading or buying their first boat and are rethinking about what to do as a family in lockdown,” he added.

Graham Raspass, Director at Flagstaff Marine, is quick to concur when I step aboard another brand spanking new Beneteau, from Excess its newly launched brand just prior to la pandémie. 

“This new catamaran brand has been developed to put the emphasis back onto the enjoyment of sailing. No flybridge, means a much lower boom and larger sail area. The ‘Pulse’ version we are on has a metre taller mast and performance sails. Our twin helm system immediately above the rudder provides a much greater feel for the boat and the water, and one can see the sails much better. It is also, through clever design, much lighter than other boats without sacrificing stability and safety. It’s a joy to sail and will take off in six knots,” he said. 

“The new boat market paused momentarily due to the factories suspending production but we are getting huge response and we think the next few months will be pretty good to us, whilst second hand brokerage has been phenomenally strong. People are saying what are we going to do for the next 18 months, why don’t we get that boat we promised ourselves?

“The brand new Oceanis 40.1 is a fantastic boat and we are really excited to have that to show customers who have been waiting for an appointment to see it. Below the water line it is still narrow and therefore slippery but the new shaped hull gives you lots of volume down below.”

And his answer to the future of boat shows?

“This kind of presentation when we are fortunate enough to have such a huge range of boats across the Beneteau Group is certainly something that I would envisage us doing quite a bit of over the next 12–18 months. Where the future of the traditional show lies is perhaps unknown in this current environment…Interesting times to see.”

On balance after my rendez-vous, I decided it is still the best of times. 


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