This year’s Auckland Boat Show will feature homegrown innovation and world-leading products when it kicks off in October.
Zero emissions jet propulsion, crew clothing made from recycled plastic bottles, and auto-pilot, auto-learning technology are just some of the innovations which will be on display at this year’s Auckland Boat Show.
Since the show’s first edition in 1998, it has become a focal point for new, innovative and industry-leading products from its position on Auckland’s waterfront. This year’s show, which will run from a new position in Jellicoe Harbour, previously the America’s Cup team bases, will have a bumper range of exciting new products when it lands on 7 October.
Recreation
On display with Ray White Marine NZ, the Riva Ribelle 66 has set a new standard in its class, packing superyacht features into a sleek 20 metre open cruiser. Incorporating timeless elements which speak to the Riva pedigree like mahogany and polished stainless steel, the technical ability of the 66 Ribelle brings with it a wealth of features including a garage with room for tender and Seabob, and three spacious cabins; a midships master, VIP cabin and double.
High performance crew wear provider VMG Clothing will bring its Repreve® recycled plastic clothing to the show, which transforms plastic bottles into a reliable, durable fabric. The process embeds properties like wicking, adaptive warming and cooling and water repellence into a fabric made from plastic bottles collected within 50 kilometres of coastlines lacking formal recycling systems. Headed by Brad Butterworth, VMG’s company ethos is to protect the oceans yachties draw so much enjoyment from.
“Our new VMG range is an acknowledgement of the pure, raw elements of New Zealand. It is our attempt to design a range of crew wear that is ingrained with the magnificence, the mystery, and the natural beauty of Aotearoa. Most importantly, it is our way to show the world that producing technical, durable, and stylish crew wear can go hand-in-hand with looking after the planet we live on.”
On show for the first time in New Zealand, Orakei Marine will display the striking Lagoon 50. Set to appeal to owners looking for a large, seaworthy vessel with generous volume, new generation rigging means her operation is just as appealing as her aesthetics. Available in three, four, or six cabin configurations, there’s scope to craft your own vessel and a flybridge with two secure accesses, large cockpit, modular dining and second foredeck cockpit give plenty of room to make the most of your time onboard. Joining it for the first time on show with Orakei is the Prestige 420S. Refined at 42’, with an intelligent layout, large opening sunroof, and single-level flooring.
A new all-carbon fibre power catamaran currently in-build at Scott Lane Boatbuilders will have enough horsepower to reach around 45 knots, giving it the ability to reach Fiji in approximately 40 hours. The 20m foiling asymmetrical cat is being built for offshore powerboat championship winner Wayne Valder, and will be powered by a pair of 1300HP MAN V8s with fuel capacity of 9200 litres.
Commercial
New Zealand company Zerojet will bring its world-leading electric jet system to the show. The Auckland-based team has produced an electric propulsion system with all the benefits of a jet, with no exposed propeller, precise steering controls, easily-manoeuvrable across shallow reef ecosystems and beaches, and simple to lift on and off deck; as well as delivering an electric solution that serves up high-performance, is fun to drive and easily gets the tender onto the plane.
Though high-performance, the system is low voltage to ensure safety for the user and employs the safest type of cell chemistry available – LiFePO4 – which won’t catch fire even if punctured. Zerojet is available in conjunction with Offshore Cruising Tender models, which can be viewed at the show , as well as in fully-customisable turnkey solution for other tenders.
On display with Waypoint, ComNav’s P Series utilises auto-learning technology to steer a course through rough sea conditions while saving fuel and enhancing situational awareness in the process. Optimised for professional, commercial and leisure applications, the adaptive software system fine tunes essential steering parameters for speed, trim, drift, currents, roll, pitch, weather and wind effects.
The Engine Room will have the Kubota Beta 45T engine on display. Turbocharged and based on the technically-advanced, high-quality Kubota Super 5 family of diesel engines, it delivers smooth, quiet power, immediate torque at low RPM and maximum power available at mid RPM.
Standard specification includes heater plugs for cold starting below 5°C, fuel filter, mechanical fuel lift pump, mechanical fuel injection pump and mechanical engine governing to ensure steadfast performance regardless of ambient conditions. It’s also equipped with a gear-driven camshaft which is quiet and offers maximum engine reliability and reduced servicing, as no timing chains or toothed belts have to be replaced.
Running from 7-10 October, 2021, in Jellicoe Harbour, previously the America’s Cup team bases, the Auckland Boat Show has become the home of new boat launches and innovative products in New Zealand. Tickets are on sale now and available from iTicket and all online ticket purchases go into the draw to win from a large prize pool.