More than 100 exhibitors have been confirmed for the show, with most exhibitors from the Gold Coast.

A precursor to the 2021 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS), the Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival is a free, three-day event that aims to whet the appetite of marine enthusiasts after SCIBS 2020 was cancelled due to COVID-19. The event is set to take place in the marine village from November 13 to 15.

"The level of industry support has been very gratifying. Exhibitors have secured sites on both land and water, which reflects industry desire to showcase the best the marine sector has to offer," SCIBS sales and partnerships manager Dominic O'Brien says.

"After a challenging year, it is important that we support the local marine industry with a smaller, yet meaningful and safe event.

"The festival will feature every segment of the boating lifestyle, with a range of impressive displays from sailing boats, motor yachts, mono and multihulls, to fishing and trailer boats, leisure crafts, and new gear and gadgets."

A variety of day, sport, fishing and leisure boats, as well as sail and power catamarans are expected to line up for the Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival, with many exhibitors hoping this is the start of the boating industry in Australia ramping up. Many boatbuilders are reporting strong sales, but have had to resort to online inspections and tightly controlled customer interaction.

Popular brands and manufacturers confirmed in the 20 to 40-foot category on water include Axopar, Whitehaven Motor Yachts, Nautique, Newport Island Gypsy Boats, Game and Leisure Boats, Grady White, Regal, Caribbean, Integrity, BRIG, Cobalt Boats of Australia, Clipper Motor Yachts and Magbay Yachts Australia.

In the catamaran sector, Multihull Central, Multihull Solutions and Lagoon have secured positions on water in the Sanctuary Cove Marina.

O'Brien said visitors will get the chance to look at new models across every boating segment.

"The event will feature an impressive range of Australian and international brands that service all ends of the market, with a highly sought after segment of vessels on water ranging from those that are slightly bigger than a trailerable boat, but smaller than a 60-footer," O'Brien says.

"Whether mono or multihull, sailing or power, sport or day cruising, fishing or skiing, there will be something for everyone, and we're looking forward to showcasing our spectacular marina to both visitors and exhibitors.

"The Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival is significant as the only boat show on the Australian calendar this year, and we are proud to be able to support the wider marine industry with a smaller, yet meaningful and safe event."

Among the many launches will be the Australian premiere of the Lagoon Seventy 8 from The Multihull Group.

The catamaran has more than 25 metres of boat and features a spacious galley, cinema, boardroom, meeting area, workshop and separate crew quarters.

"The Seventy 8 from Lagoon has a unique broad-scale offering when you consider volume, range, speed and comfort," The Multihull Group's managing director, John Cowpe, says.

"It's certainly a boat well suited to the Australian seascape. She follows in the enormous success in Australia of the Lagoon 630MY and takes it to the next level."

Making its debut at Sanctuary Cove will be the Iliad 50 from Multihull Solutions, a new power cat. This new model is priced at $US1.185 million.

Other launches include the Seawind 1160 and Aquila 36 power cat from Multihull Central.

The Commercial Fishermen's Co-Operatives at Tuggerah Lake and Nelson Bay have safer facilities with wharf upgrades complete. The $300,000 works, which started in June, were funded under the Coastal Infrastructure Program that maintains government-owned regional maritime infrastructure in NSW. The work at Port Stephens involved re-coating the structural steel beams under the concrete deck of the wharf, which is used by commercial vessels needing ice and fuel. The government has spent more than $100 million on regional maritime infrastructure projects since 2011.

Australian boatbuilder Riviera has launched a recruitment drive to fill key specialist trades ahead of the company's 2021 apprentice intake. The company is hoping to attract apprentices in the composite and boatbuilding trades, all of which require a unique skillset in an area of the industry being transformed by emerging technologies. Riviera offers four-year apprenticeships across many trades, including electrical, cabinetmaking, timber, upholstery and boat boatbuilding, and three-year apprenticeships in composites. The award-winning apprenticeship program has been running for more than 20 years.