Compiled by Li Zhou

The less than buoyant economic outlook did not dampen the enthusiasm of serious boat buyers and boating enthusiasts who turned up in droves at Boat Asia 2008, held for the first time at the newly-opened world class Marina at Keppel Bay from April 24-27, 2008.

This year’s event was attended by more than 12,000 visitors, a 22% increase as compared to last year, and saw sales and interest amounting to approximately S$57 million. Visitors were treated to 43 on-water displays as well as 16 on-land boat displays, which included a wide selection of sporty motor boats, cosy house boats and indulgent luxury yachts. This year’s event also saw an increase in the number of exhibitors to 143, from 120 last year. Highlights of this year’s event included the sophisticated Riviera SY4700, the contemporary Princess 58 Flybridge, the sleek Horizon 62, the stylish Azimut 55 as well as the lavish Ocean Yachts N95, estimated to cost USD$7million, which featured eight cabins with ensuite bathrooms, an expansive country kitchen, a flybridge with Jacuzzi and a fully-equipped entertainment centre.

“Lifestyle” was the main theme of this year’s event. Specially invited high net worth individuals (HNWIs) enjoyed exclusive access to the VVIP Island Suite, while a first-ever on water fashion show by the Island Shop wowed the crowds with its finesse and special Polynesian choreography. Visitors were also treated to complimentary 30-40 minute boat rides around the Southern Islands courtesy of Sunsail and Pamarine.

Glamour was also high on the agenda during the Charity Gala Dinner held at the St Regis Hotel, which was attended by dignitaries as well as other special guests. SGD$70,000 was raised for the Mainly I Love Kids (MILK) Fund through the auction of art pieces, Orient-Express “Road to Mandalay” Luxury Packages, high-end Philips electronic products and a unique Audi Type C replica.

Boat Asia’s position as Asia’s leading boat show was further reinforced with the support garnered from exhibitors this year. Many were delighted at the excellent response despite the change in producer and new venue. Over a span of four days, many exhibitors and boat dealers managed to generate strong sales leads and some even managed to close deals on the spot.

“Boat Asia 2008 was a great success with a significant increase in people interested in the boating lifestyle, which is truly taking off in the region. Not only were more people aware of the different brands of boats available, they also seemed to have done their research and knew more about the individual vessels,” said Mr. William Schick, Senior Yacht Broker, Simpson Marine Singapore Pte Ltd.

Said Mr. Herman Ho, Managing Director of TMX Show Productions Pte Ltd, “As a first time producer of the show, I am heartened to see the overwhelming response and support we have received from both the exhibitors and the public. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our exhibitors, partners and sponsors who have given the event their utmost support and thus greatly contributed to the success of Boat Asia 2008. We are definitely looking forward to staging another unforgettable show in 2009.”

About Marina at Keppel Bay

Nestled on the historic Keppel Island, Marina at Keppel Bay is the centrepiece of Keppel Bay’s premier waterfront precinct – the only residential development in Singapore to have its own world-class marina on its very own private island.

Marina at Keppel Bay features world-class berthing facilities, gourmet restaurants as well as beautiful architecture and landscaping on a 5-hectare private island linked to the mainland via the 245-metre Keppel Bay Bridge. Built by international marina experts Bellingham Marine, the state-of-the-art concrete pontoons, when fully completed, will have capacity for 170 yachts including mega-yachts of up to 250 feet.

Officially launched in January 2008 by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Marina at Keppel Bay has played host to the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race for 05/06 and 07/08 featuring 10 competing international yachts.

For more information on Marina at Keppel Bay, please visit
www.marinakeppelbay.com
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Compiled by Rachel Williams

VOLVO OCEAN RACE COMES TO SINGAPORE

The Volvo Ocean Race, known as ‘the formula one of yacht racing’ will stop over at the One°15 Marina in Singapore from December 2008 to January 2009. The world’s premier offshore yachting event, which takes international boaters on a race route around the world to ports in South Africa, USA and Western Europe, is coming to Southeast Asian waters for the very first time in its history.

Chairman of One°15 Marina, Arthur Tay, is responsible for bringing the dynamic event to Singapore and is hoping to promote South East Asia as a world class boating and lifestyle venue.

For more information see www.volvooceanrace.org and www.one15marina.com
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Interview by James Goyder

Bigger and Better than ever!

The 2008 Koh Samui Regatta will be being taking place from June 1 to June 7. For the first time this years’ event is being organized by Moby Elite. Callum Laing is the Managing Director of the Bangkok based company.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming regatta?

I’m really looking forward to it because it looks like it’s going to be the biggest Koh Samui Regatta yet. We’ve got a lot of international boats coming and also a lot of boats coming from Pattaya.

Why do you think the response has been
so good?

I think it is because the Regatta has established itself on the Racing Calendar now it is in its seventh year and generally yachting in Asia is becoming more popular. This year we are expecting around 35 boats coming from Honk Kong, Singapore, Dubai and Australia as well as Thailand. About half the fleet will be from Thailand.

Are there any boats in particular to look out for?

There are different classes of racing. The big one is the IRC 1 class with boats like Jelik owned by Frank Pong which won last year and is also expected to do well this year. The Koh Samui Regatta is actually part of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix which comprises ten races throughout the year. Sometimes it goes right to the wire but this year Ray Roberts has already won it on Quantum Racing. They will still be battling for bragging rights though, it’s very competitive.

Are there any boats to look out for outside of the IRC 1 class?

We’ve got Sonic which is a multihull catamaran which just won the Top of The Gulf Regatta in Pattaya, which I happened to be sailing on. Unfortunately though I won’t be able to sail myself during the Koh Samui Regatta as I will be too busy on shore!

Will there be much going on away from
the water?

The tagline of the regatta is five days racing and seven nights partying and it’s widely regarded as one of the biggest parties on the racing calendar.

What does the future hold for the
Koh Samui Regatta?

We’ve already got a lot of interest in 2009 and are looking for additional partners who would like to be involved to make the event even bigger and better. Anyone who is interested should visit the website which will also have a live webcam of the event during the regatta: www.samuiregatta.com.

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Crownline a success in Thailand

Since becoming an authorized distributor for Crownline Boats in late 2007. Yacht brokers Lee Marine have confirmed orders for several models across the range, with three boats already delivered to customers in Phuket and Pattaya. The Crownline range has been well received by the market so far and also come with the option of a warranty.

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Ocean Marina Pattaya, plans expansion

The Ocean Marina in Pattaya has announced investment plans worth THB 100 million in marina and hotel renovations. The budget includes the construction of an additional marina slip for yachts up to 40ft. This would increase dock capacity by 130 yachts, from the previous capacity of 200 yachts. More over, the project would increase dry dock capacity by 200 more yachts, to accommodate the increasing number of customers each year.

This is good news for Lee Marine’s Pattaya team who opened an office at Ocean Marina in April 2007. Australian, Mark Heath who heads the Lee Marine team said “We have been listing boats to expand the Lee Marine brokerage selection, receiving and dealing with enquiries and commissioning new vessel deliveries. And with new investment announced at Ocean Marina, we are pleased to be in place and ready to welcome new customers.”