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</TD></TR><TR><TD id=container-6-0-layout-web-article-containers-articlecontainer_1-index.xml class=wide2 rowSpan=3 colSpan=2>Marine industry riding in a trailer boat
This year's Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show has the lot, from displays worth $35 million to just a few thousand dollars.
And while the super yachts undoubtedly create the biggest drool factor, the vast bulk of the industry rides in a trailer boat under 26 feet (eight metres).
Niche products have also carved out a hefty slice of the business - for instance, fishing kayaks are one of the fastest growing sectors of the marine industry worldwide.
One of the industry's leading world authorities is Thom Dammrich, the president of America's National Marine Manufacturers Association and the International Council of Marine Industry Associations.
He was the guest speaker at an industry breakfast on Friday at the annual boat show on the Gold Coast.
The NMMA represents more than 1600 members that produce 80 per cent of recreational boating products sold in the USA.
Mr Dammrich said it's not the multi-millionaires who keep the industry afloat, but ordinary enthusiasts.
'We have the figures in the US but I'm sure it applies in Australia and Europe and other parts of the world - 95 per cent of all new boats bought and in use each year in the United States are less than 26 feet in length, and 75 per cent of all boat owners have a household income of less than $100,000.
'Boating is primarily a middle-class activity - yes there are the wealthy yachtsmen and the big boats and that represents a lot of dollars. But in terms of the bulk of the boaters, it's solidly middle-class.'
And, he says, many niche sectors of the industry are enjoying strong growth.
'For instance, kayak fishing is one of the fastest growing sectors of the industry and of activities across all forms of outdoor recreation.
'It's really amazing to look at some of the kayaks in Australia and see them set up with rod holders and electronic fish finders. It's pretty wild. It's really more man against nature when you're out there fishing in a kayak.
'When we look at boating we look at all the different ways people use their boats, because they identify more with the activity they use their boat for than they actually do with boating'. They're fisherman, they're cruisers, they're waterskiers and wakeboarders or sailors.
'So, the activities are as important as boating.'
Mal Gray, from Sunstate Hobie, says his pedal-powered kayaks are as easy to propel as riding a pushbike around a car park.
'The Mirage propulsion system doesn't require a lot of exertion and to propel it at a good walking speed takes a similar amount of energy as walking. It's certainly not as hard as paddling,' he says.
'The kayaks all have paddles. But you'll very rarely, if ever, use them. The Mirage system is just so easy.
'They can be fitted out with electronic combination fish finders and GPS units, tackle boxes and even aerated tanks to keep fish alive.
'And there's electric motors available if you want to be able to cover even more distance in a day.
'The battery has a GPS incorporated in it and it talks to the control box so it can tell you how fast you're going, what your power draw is and how far you have remaining before you run out of power.'
The basic Hobie Mirage Outback costs around $2500.
Another niche product at this year's Boat Show is the Uli inflatable paddleboard.
Fabio Ferraro, from Uli Boards Australia in Melbourne, says he's been surprised at the level of interest from boating enthusiasts.
'The boards are all made from military-grade materials which are the same used in military and commercial watercraft, and they run a kevlar stringer through the centre of the board for extra strength,' he said.
'They take three or four minutes to inflate and about a minute to deflate, roll up and put into a carry bag.
'The whole concept behind the Uli boards was to have something portable and practical and you can roll them up, put them in the boot of a car or even carry-on luggage in a plane, and for boaties they're another alternative craft to carry on the boat that takes up minimal room and can be used to explore waterways or paddle into shore.
'And, because they're just about indestructible, a lot of people are using them in freshwater rapids, as well as in the surf.'
Brett Golding, from Queensland's Sunshine Coast, developed and built the Boatahome because he wanted a fast houseboat that would double up as a caravan.
'If the weather's too bad you can always go into a caravan park, or if it's nice you can live on the water,' he said.
'It's for travelling and exploring. You can use it on calm saltwater or take it up inland rivers and it's perfect for the grey nomads who've finished work and just want to enjoy life.
'You can cruise along at a leisurely pace, or get it up to 25 knots. It will float in a foot of water and because it's a multi-hull vessel, it's very stable at rest or when it's being driven along at speed.
'It has all the comforts of a caravan, even a hot water shower and a ceramic loo.'
The show ends on Sunday.
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</TD></TR><TR><TD id=container-6-0-layout-web-article-containers-articlecontainer_1-index.xml class=wide2 rowSpan=3 colSpan=2>Marine industry riding in a trailer boat
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This year's Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show has the lot, from displays worth $35 million to just a few thousand dollars.
And while the super yachts undoubtedly create the biggest drool factor, the vast bulk of the industry rides in a trailer boat under 26 feet (eight metres).
Niche products have also carved out a hefty slice of the business - for instance, fishing kayaks are one of the fastest growing sectors of the marine industry worldwide.
One of the industry's leading world authorities is Thom Dammrich, the president of America's National Marine Manufacturers Association and the International Council of Marine Industry Associations.
He was the guest speaker at an industry breakfast on Friday at the annual boat show on the Gold Coast.
The NMMA represents more than 1600 members that produce 80 per cent of recreational boating products sold in the USA.
Mr Dammrich said it's not the multi-millionaires who keep the industry afloat, but ordinary enthusiasts.
'We have the figures in the US but I'm sure it applies in Australia and Europe and other parts of the world - 95 per cent of all new boats bought and in use each year in the United States are less than 26 feet in length, and 75 per cent of all boat owners have a household income of less than $100,000.
'Boating is primarily a middle-class activity - yes there are the wealthy yachtsmen and the big boats and that represents a lot of dollars. But in terms of the bulk of the boaters, it's solidly middle-class.'
And, he says, many niche sectors of the industry are enjoying strong growth.
'For instance, kayak fishing is one of the fastest growing sectors of the industry and of activities across all forms of outdoor recreation.
'It's really amazing to look at some of the kayaks in Australia and see them set up with rod holders and electronic fish finders. It's pretty wild. It's really more man against nature when you're out there fishing in a kayak.
'When we look at boating we look at all the different ways people use their boats, because they identify more with the activity they use their boat for than they actually do with boating'. They're fisherman, they're cruisers, they're waterskiers and wakeboarders or sailors.
'So, the activities are as important as boating.'
Mal Gray, from Sunstate Hobie, says his pedal-powered kayaks are as easy to propel as riding a pushbike around a car park.
'The Mirage propulsion system doesn't require a lot of exertion and to propel it at a good walking speed takes a similar amount of energy as walking. It's certainly not as hard as paddling,' he says.
'The kayaks all have paddles. But you'll very rarely, if ever, use them. The Mirage system is just so easy.
'They can be fitted out with electronic combination fish finders and GPS units, tackle boxes and even aerated tanks to keep fish alive.
'And there's electric motors available if you want to be able to cover even more distance in a day.
'The battery has a GPS incorporated in it and it talks to the control box so it can tell you how fast you're going, what your power draw is and how far you have remaining before you run out of power.'
The basic Hobie Mirage Outback costs around $2500.
Another niche product at this year's Boat Show is the Uli inflatable paddleboard.
Fabio Ferraro, from Uli Boards Australia in Melbourne, says he's been surprised at the level of interest from boating enthusiasts.
'The boards are all made from military-grade materials which are the same used in military and commercial watercraft, and they run a kevlar stringer through the centre of the board for extra strength,' he said.
'They take three or four minutes to inflate and about a minute to deflate, roll up and put into a carry bag.
'The whole concept behind the Uli boards was to have something portable and practical and you can roll them up, put them in the boot of a car or even carry-on luggage in a plane, and for boaties they're another alternative craft to carry on the boat that takes up minimal room and can be used to explore waterways or paddle into shore.
'And, because they're just about indestructible, a lot of people are using them in freshwater rapids, as well as in the surf.'
Brett Golding, from Queensland's Sunshine Coast, developed and built the Boatahome because he wanted a fast houseboat that would double up as a caravan.
'If the weather's too bad you can always go into a caravan park, or if it's nice you can live on the water,' he said.
'It's for travelling and exploring. You can use it on calm saltwater or take it up inland rivers and it's perfect for the grey nomads who've finished work and just want to enjoy life.
'You can cruise along at a leisurely pace, or get it up to 25 knots. It will float in a foot of water and because it's a multi-hull vessel, it's very stable at rest or when it's being driven along at speed.
'It has all the comforts of a caravan, even a hot water shower and a ceramic loo.'
The show ends on Sunday.
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