This year’s efforts by Club Marina Cove’s organising team netted a particularly strong boat and yacht display across styles, in a size spectrum that pushed its upper limits to close to 90ft in length, with some generous beams that stretched to over 32ft. As well as the 50 boats, vendors specialising in water sports, engines well as other related hardware, software, accessories and yachting-related service providers – including financing, insurance and marine communications attracted about 5,000 visitors.

The mostly recent boat models displayed were produced by many of the best-known shipyards and brands in China, Europe, the UK and the US. In-water and on-land exhibitors included some of the most established companies and dealerships based in Hong Kong and beyond.

“In a quarter of a century, the Hong Kong International Boat Show has evolved from a local event into a highly popular global show for both the boating community and the trade in the Asia-Pacific Region. This is made possible with the long-time support of the boating industry and buyers and visitors from around the world,” said Club Marina Cove General Manager, Winnie Ng of the 2024 event. “We hope the government could recognise the increasing demand for pleasure-boat moorings and berths. An increase could benefit the industry which in turn contributes to more employment and business for shipyards, marine equipment, services and supplies and marine tourism.”

Yacht Style asked a number of exhibitors, how HKIBS 2024 went for them.

On the last day of the show, Adam Waters, DCH Marine Managing Director said, “The confidence in the market has seemed positive, and people are supportive of us showing [UK yacht brand] Sunseeker – even some of our previous Princess clients. Our dedication to clients and aftersales service in the past draws them back. 

“The Saxdor 400 GTO we are showing has had a nice interest – some from bigger boat owners; the show always has a high quality of owners visiting.”

Aboard the flybridge deck of one of three Beneteau Antares models displayed by dealership Nextwave

“The reception of the Galeon 440 Fly at the Hong Kong International Boat Show was exceptional. Many people stopped to marvel at how spacious the boat becomes when the balconies are dropped down,” said Eric Noyel, CEO of Asiamarine, which also launched a new Hong Kong boat club membership at the show. “I was pleasantly surprised by the number of sailing enthusiasts who came to see our Beneteau sailboats – highlighting the great potential of the sailing market in Hong Kong.

“Our Lagoon Sixty 7 was one of the largest yachts on display, and another new model that got attention was the Lagoon 51, designed for Hong Kong Grade 2 license holders.”

Asiamarine receiving interest in displayed Lagoon models

Distributor Asia Yachting hosted the other largest catamaran on show: The Prestige M8. “We were delighted to bring the Prestige M-Line range of multihull motoryachts to the Hong Kong International Boat Show this year and to display it to the public for the very first time,” said Tanguy Tertrais, Asia-Pacific Sales Director of Prestige Yachts.

“The Prestige M8 received a lot of attention from visitors, especially from yacht owners looking at her unique architecture and unrivalled volume of space.”

Other stands to show large-format motoryachts alongside their other models were Ferretti Group Asia-Pacific, where the 88ft 8in Wally WHY200 was striking with its minimalist exterior; and Simpson Marine’s expansive Sanlorenzo SL86 and SX88 were also very imposing.

Simpson Marine’s Sanlorenzo SL86 and SX88, pictured from left of photo, were head-turners

Meme Poon, founder and General Manager at Grandtech International Engineering – displaying two types of filters at the show: one for fuel, the other for drinking water – said, “We had good responses for our two newly launched products. We had interest in Go Filter, which cleans the fuel, set to the owners’ preferences.

“And our French Eaux water purifiers had captains and ‘boat boys’ saying the system would save time and space rather than having bottled water brought on board. Brokers said they’d consider offering to clients, and a Chinese shipyard showed interest.”

A large-format Cox Marine CXO 300 outboard motor at Marine Service Asia’s stand

Liam Hailstone, Commercial Operations Manager at Marine Service Asia, showcasing yacht after-care and maintenance services said feedback to the company’s displayed large-format Cox Marine outboard motors had engaged visitors. “The CXO300 and 350 were a talking point with a lot of people we’ve met,” he said on the last day of the show. “Especially when they hear about the demonstration boat we are building that has two of these mounted at the stern. It’s been a good show for us.” 

Lawrence Chow, Project Manager at China Pacific Marine distributor and brokerage, and Chair of both the Hong Kong Boating Industry Association (HKBIA) and the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (Icomia) Asia Working Group said, “This year is the most successful boat show ever – with about 50 boats – it’s one of the most impressive boat shows in Asia. And a number of owners brought friends in who were thinking about buying their first boat, which was good to see.

Lawrence Chow at one of two presentations for the Hong Kong Boating Industry Association, which he chairs

“As an exhibitor, it’s very well organised – we had a delivery on the afternoon of the first day and the marina was so helpful getting it in place. And one of our boats, the Jeanneau 55 [an Asia premiere], had to be moved from the show before it ended, for delivery to Hainan, due to weather conditions.

“As a member of the Asia Icomia Group: as we had a few shows happening at the same time or close to each other this year, it would be nice to have a little more coordination on this aspect.”

On Day Two of the event, the HKBIA held three events. In one, a conference on recent marine events in Hong Kong, Chow mentioned that the group’s Economic Impact Survey sent to members some months ago had received only two replies, so the Committee will examine how else to get more input across the industry on this.

Chow noted that the government in Hong Kong has recently made announcements regarding marine tourism being a good avenue to explore. He hoped an HKBIA letter recently sent to the government on this matter, containing proposals, a number of which date back a few years, may have helped officials notice the opportunities and needs in the marine industry and by leisure users. Hong Kong berths and breakwater sites were at the top of the wish list – followed by needs for more infrastructure for boating/marine activities, waterfront restaurants, watersports facilities and holding major racing/rowing events to make use of the government mega-events funding.

Other conference points included a report on the HKBIA’s solidification of better relations with the Hainan Boating Association, and the Icomia Asia Group looking for more in the industry to get involved

The largest parties and networking events of note at the boat show comprised of the annual HKBIA Cocktail, Simpson Marine’s 40th Anniversary Party, Fraser Asia’s Superyacht VIP Night, DCH Marine’s by-invitation cocktail held over two late afternoons/evening, and the Jeanneau 55 launch party, held jointly by parent-company office Beneteau Asia-Pacific and the brand’s dealership China Pacific Marine.

This year’s HKBIA Cocktail party

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