"The Boating Industry Association is pleased to announce that planning is well advanced to deliver two key boat shows in 2021, including a new-format COVID-safe Sydney show from July 29 at the International Convention Centre and Cockle Bay in Darling Harbour and the Brisbane Boat Show at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from August 20," the president of the BIA, Darren Vaux, says.

In past years, the Sydney International Boat Show has attracted more than 60,000 visitors to Darling Harbour and the ICC, displaying hundreds of boats and associated gear inside the halls and out on the marina.

"The aim with both Sydney and Brisbane events is to celebrate the boating lifestyle, to build upon, and continue to stimulate, Australia's booming interest in boating," Vaux says.

"We will do this by creating a festival atmosphere around boating through exhibitions, presentations, demonstrations and entertainment to engage the entire family."

The BIA is confident that measures taken throughout 2020 has put the organisation in a strong position as the boating industry emerges from the effects COVID-19 restrictions.

NSW Maritime reported a 40 per cent increase in registration transfers for secondhand boats and a 26 per cent jump in new boat registrations for May to December 2020 compared with the same period in 2019.

The number of licences for boats and personal watercraft over the eight months has also jumped.

NSW has issued more than 21,300 boat licences, representing a 52 per cent rise on the previous year.

Anecdotally, boat brokers have had more inquiries about boat ownership due to travel restrictions.

"Retail activity across the boating industry has been very strong over the past eight months as the public have opted to get outdoors for recreation and leisure, and what better way to do that than on the waterways in a boat with family and friends," Vaux says.

"Boating is an activity that supports being COVID Safe."

After extended periods of lockdown and number of major boat shows around the country cancelled, boatbuilders and dealers have resorted to hosting their own events, and the demand is there for a large boat show.

"Like many organisations we had to make hard decisions relating to budget and resources through 2020, and that has put us in good stead to rebound," Vaux says.

The BIA is making continual improvements under COVID safe plans, including contact-tracing.

While boat shows are scheduled for Sydney and Brisbane, the BIA will not run the Rosehill Trailer Boat Show and Adelaide Boat Show this year, opting to reschedule until 2022.

In the coming weeks and months, the BIA will make further announcements about the new shows.

Yamaha has introduced fly-by-wire steering to its V6 four-stroke outboard engine range. The new F250 and F300 V6 Offshore digital electronic xontrol (DEC) models have built-in digital electric steering (DES), joining the flagship 425hp Yamaha V8 XTO 425 launched in mid-2018. There's also a bolt-on version of DES for conventional DEC models of the new V6 Offshore. DES is designed to offer smoother and faster steering than hydraulic systems, removing the need for steering pumps and hydraulic lines running from the helm. The new outboards will be completely integrated into the boat's power, steering and control systems.

Finnish yard Nautor's Swan has introduced its first motor yacht, conceived to be a day boat and support vessel for owner's larger sailing yacht. The Swan Shadow has a blistering top speed, with new boat expected to reach up to 55 knots. Shadow incorporates features that customers might generally expect to see in larger full-custom or semi-custom yachts, including a movable aft platform that allows better access to the water when enjoying watersports, or easier access to the dock when the vessel is used as a tender. Another design feature are optional telescopic roof pillars and moving glass panels to create a convertible cabin.

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