Less on offer at annual boat show

Decrease in exhibitors at boatica

SOUTH AFRICA: The annual event aimed at showcasing South Africa’s boatbuilding prowess closed yesterday after a full programme of events that sought to attract local marine enthusiasts and promote increased interaction with ocean activities.

Bursts of heavy rain on Sunday, however, did not do much to improve the mood of exhibitors in the marquee who noted the decrease in stands as well as the foot traffic over the weekend compared to previous years.

The new exhibition layout was rather disjointed and, with the advent of the rain, made it uncomfortable for visitors to move between exhibitors whose stands opened to the elements outside of a single row of exhibitors in the main marquee.

The variety of products, services and activities included also seemed less exciting than usual with some stalwart exhibitors electing to go smaller than previous years – and many products simply absent.

The mainstay of the event, however, is the showcase of boats that line the quayside as well as the power supply companies that support the local boatbuilding industry. With the dominant outboard engines on display and knowledgeable staff to answer questions, boat owners were able to seek out new technology for any planned vessel repowers.

Perhaps, however, consolidating the engines into a single section would create an interesting dynamic. Suzuki’s stand almost seemed like an afterthought, positioned as it was in a small tent near the entrance and only obvious to visitors as they were already heading out of the show.

As one of the few exhibitors at all boatica and its predecessor shows, Seascape Marine Services elected to choose one of the outside stands and invested in a large unit as they celebrated their 75-year service history and over 40 years of representing Yanmar in South Africa.

“We have been at every single boat show since it started at Green Point Stadium,” says James de Jong of Seascape. “Much of our own growth can be attributed to the boat building industry and those that continue to put South Africa on the international map,” he says noting the importance of the sector. 

For companies like Seascape, the importance of the show comes down to providing support to the boatbuilders who may need to show potential clients the engine options for their boats.

Another stalwart of the show, Viking Lifesaving Equipment, used the opportunity to demonstrate some of their equipment. Nominating one of the team to jump into the harbour water, they demonstrated their easy-to-deploy liferaft that comes in a tog bag-sized carrier.

Other lifesaving equipment suppliers that were at previous shows were notably absent this year.

The almost complete lack of marine electronics was also significant with the show usually attracting a number of brands and agents. This year it was left to MDM Raymarine to provide boating enthusiasts with a review of potential wheelhouse electronics and instrumentation.

Cutting into the market, however, was the newly launched StingBlade device for treating jellyfish stings. Launched in the United Kingdom just three months ago, the team from StingBlade chose to use boatica to market the innovative solution to the South African market.

Olivia Becks dispelled the myth of trying to soothe a sting with urine and explained that the handy device, which can be strapped to the body while diving or fishing, mitigates the sting by literally scraping the barbs out of the skin to diminish the damage.

StingBlade’s small contribution to show may just have been this year’s highlight.

The line-up at previous years has always had several exciting and inspiring products and, if South Africa wants to promote ocean activities, we will need to deliver a better showcase to potential new enthusiasts at future events.

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