THIS year’s Brisbane Boat Show is set to feature a host of new boats, inflatable and pedal powered fishing kayaks, locally built offshore aluminium boats, new engines, electronics and fishing gear.
Stacer will display its Ocean Ranger 679 Hardtop for the first time – it’s part of Stacer’s new plate range – as well as the Assault Pro range of tournament styled boats and a redesigned version of one of the company’s most popular models, the Seaway 429.
The Ocean Ranger Hardtop, also available as a 739, features 5mm plate sheets below the waterline based on the EVO hull design.
A sharp entry and 20 degree deadrise combine with a 750mm freeboard, reverse chines and a chequer-plated floor to make a definitive statement about how serious these new rigs are for offshore work.
Stacer’s new offshore assault weapon also features welded rod holders, live bait tank, cutting board, berley bucket, a 100 litre kill tank and also a 60 litre live bait tank with viewing window in the transom.
The kill tank can be swapped to become a secondary 80 litre fuel tank to the 215 litre one fitted as standard.
The redesigned Stacer Assault Pro 459 is a seriously minded fishing rig with a rear casting platform including a live bait tank, as well as a front casting platform with a dual battery set up designed to accommodate an electric motor.
This new version features sides which are 100mm higher, a sportier console and wind deflector and is rated for outboards up to 75hp. The new Seaway 429 is wider and deeper than its predecessors and like the Assault Pro 459, features greater freeboard this time around.
Hobie Cat Australasia will display the latest addition to the Mirage Pro-Angler range – the Tandem 17 with mirage drive which allows people to power the kayak with their feet.
Adapting the concept of “pedalling”, the system drives two under water flippers which work like a penguin’s fins to propel the kayak while leaving hands free for fishing.
As well as the Pro-Angler 17 Tandem, Hobie will display others in the mirage drive range of kayaks as well as paddle kayaks, stand up paddleboards and accessories.
Compact Fishing Australia will be a first-time exhibitor and will use the Brisbane Boat Show to launch its range of Nifty inflatable boats.
Rated to carry three people or 225kg (whichever comes first), the Nifty can be inflated in a few minutes and comes with a carry bag, foot pump, two alloy oars, two alloy seats and two fishing rod holders. It also is rated for a 3.5 hp.
In catamarans, Fishing and Leisure Boats from Ashmore will have an 18 foot Carolina Catamaran on display for the first time in Brisbane. The company specialises in powered catamarans with franchises for Livingston Boats which is part of the Powercat Group.
The company also builds World Cat and Glacier Bay cats in North Carolina in the U.S. as well as Suntracker pontoon boats.
Fishing and Leisure also are hoping its new Mako 23 will arrive in Australia in time for the show – it currently is scheduled to hit our shores just four days before the Brisbane Boat Show opens.
This year will be a major one for electronics with Navico unveiling the Lowrance Elite-3X for under $150, which includes a dual-frequency 83/200 kHz broadband sounder transducer and features including an LED-backlit display with detailed 240×360 pixel resolution.
Also on display will be the next generation of Lowrance Elite 7 and Elite 5 fish finders and charter plotters featuring CHIRP sonar – that’s an acronym for Compressed High Intensity Radiated Pulsing.
This year the Brisbane Boat Show will have a greater focus on diversity of marine-related experiences including tackle industry display, cooking and fishing equipment demonstrations, free advice on how to get into boating, or for those currently enjoying a boating lifestyle, a “how much is your current trailer boat worth” brokerage advice service.
A display of new engines with new capacities, new technologies and wild new colour schemes are among the other features which will make this the best Brisbane Boat Show ever.
The Brisbane Boat Show runs from Friday, September 12 to Monday, September 15 at the Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills.
Adult entry to the Brisbane Boat Show is $18, concession is $12; there are discounted prices for “after dark” admittance on the Friday and Saturday from 5pm, children under 15 are free; an adult two-day pass is $25 and tickets are available through: www.brisbaneboatshow.com.au
