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Whether you’re in the market to buy a luxury speedboat, getting ready for your next outdoor adventure or planning your year-end holiday, you’ll find what you’re looking for at the National Boat Show 2005, running from 26-28 August at the Coca-Cola Dome, Randburg.
With zones covering boating, caravans and outdoors, fishing and diving, the show will display the latest offerings for watersport, adventure and outdoor enthusiasts.
You’ll want to take a look at Coastal Kayak’s new Kaskazi Skua 3-piece. This is a single sea kayak that splits into three manageable pieces for easy storage and transport. Once on the water, the kayak is identical to the lightweight Kaskazi Skua, the only difference being a faint line where the pieces neatly interlock. This could be the ultimate expedition kayak for remote and difficult to access destinations.
If spending around R4 000 a throw to battle the elements in a kayak isn’t for you, you can turn your attention to the boating line-up where craft valued at up to R4,5 million are waiting to charm you.
You can design your own boat with Aqua Mall, who will be launching its new Ski Craft 6.25 Leisure Cat. That’s right. Designer Chris Teer wants ideas and suggestions from prospective boat owners so his design team can produce “your ultimate Cat". Using the latest computer-aided design technology, the result is a craft with a symmetry tolerance along the axis of no more than 1.5 mm – accuracy that cannot be matched with using conventional plug-making methods.
Two Oceans Marine Manufacturing will be introducing two new boats to the scene in the shape of a Magnum 25 Walkaround as well as a Magnum 32 Sportfisher Catamaran. Both are easily customised to individual needs and provide outstanding performance in all sea conditions.
If that sounds too much like hard work, step up to the Cutwater Marine classic mahogany speedboats on show. Taking you back in time, these elegant craft are designed to offer the perfect balance between innovative new technologies and old world craftsmanship.
Magson Marine is introducing two new boats this year, the Avante 180 and Filante 202. The Avante 180 is the first boat in South Africa to handle crayfishing and wake-boarding simultaneously, while the Filante 202 is a practical two-sleeper cabin boat.
Your boating expedition won’t be complete without marine electronics, fuel computers and navigation systems from Pertec and global positioning system (GPS) units from Avnic Trading.
If you are still unsure of where to go for your year-end vacation, bear in mind that Barra Lodge have three lodges in Mozambique. The four-star Flamingo Bay Water Lodge features chalets on stilts in the crystal waters of Flamingo Bay. The three-star Barra Lodge is situated on secluded, unspoilt beaches, bordered by the Inhambane estuary and is equipped with a PADI dive centre. Pomene Lodge is a rustic fishing and diving retreat with land enclosed by ocean and a pristine mangrove estuary.
And for the more adventurous, visit the National Boat Show 2005 and check out River Rafters’ canoeing adventures. The first river rafting tour company in South Africa, River Rafters run trips on the Doring, Breede and Cunene Rivers, as well as their original favourite, the Orange River. They promise anything from tranquil lazy drifts to pumping, raging rapids with options varying from one-day getaways to four-day adventures.
The National Boat Show supports the National Sea Rescue Institute’s (NSRI) efforts in raising public awareness around water safety, and the NSRI will be present at the show to offer expert tips and advice on how to ensure safety at sea and on inland waters.
Competition opportunities are legion with the organisers giving away R350 000 in prizes, including a Viking Velocity speedboat powered by a Mariner motor, complete with trailer and accessories, sponsored by Waterworld, part of the Forza Marine Group, in conjunction with SABC 3 Car Torque and Car Magazine.
Heidi Warricker, MD of event organiser, Biz Events, says that nowhere else will visitors find such a comprehensive display of boating and watersports products. “With more than 150 exhibitors, visitors to the 2005 National Boat Show will be exposed not only to the newest boats and equipment available on the continent, but will also have opportunity of comparing different products, and selecting those most suited to their lifestyle and budget.”
FACT FILE: NATIONAL BOAT SHOW 2005
The third National Boat Show, Africa’s biggest boat show and the premier boating event on the continent, is being held from 26-28 August at the Coca-Cola Dome, Northriding, Randburg.
Watersport, adventure and outdoor enthusiasts will find the latest in sailing and power boats, water sports and other equipment displayed under one roof in this huge virtual shopping mall.
Times and dates:
11:00-20:00 Friday 26 August 2005 (trade and consumer)
09:00-18:00 Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 August 2005 (consumer)
Venue:
Coca-Cola Dome
Corner Olievenhout and Northumberland Roads
Northgate, Randburg
Key exhibits:
Speed, racing and ski boats
Cruisers, fishing boats, deck boats
Yachts
Jet skis, inflatables
Canoes and kayaks
Ski and wakeboard equipment
Kitesurfers, windsurfers
Water toys, paddle boats
Fishing equipment and tackle
Scuba diving gear and training schools
4x4 and outdoor accessories and equipment
Clubs and conservation centres
Outdoor travel destinations
Entrance fee:
Adults - R50 per person
Children under 12 and pensioners - R20.00 per person
Website:
www.nationalboatshow.co.za
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