For further information on the Recreational Boating industry in Australia, please contact Commercial Specialist Phil Keeling, U.S. Commercial Service Sydney on Tel: (+61-2) 9373-9209, Fax: (+61-2) 9221-0573, Email: phil.keeling@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

Overview

Following a slow period of growth until the early 2000s, retail sales of boats and boating equipment have a more-optimistic outlook. The Australia - U.S. Free Trade Agreement that came into effect in 2005, and the strength of the Australian dollar against the greenback have given a boost in local purchasing power for U.S.-manufactured boats over the past three years. To equip their own exports, Australian manufacturers import equipment, accessories and raw materials, further benefiting U.S. sales.

There are about 640,000 registered boats in Australia, as well as hundreds of thousands not requiring registration. Australia’s shores, bays, and estuaries are dotted with pleasure boats. Queensland is the largest market for boating with 8,000 miles of coastline. The major boat show in Australia takes place annually at Sanctuary Cove on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

About a third of the nation’s 640 marine equipment suppliers are in New South Wales, a quarter in Queensland, and a sixth each in Victoria and Western Australia. The remainder is in Northern Territory and South Australia.

According to the Australian Recreational and Sports Fishing Confederation, about five million people go fishing for sport and recreation each year, making it one of the biggest industries in the country, supporting about 90,000 Australian jobs. Sport fishing is more organized and business oriented than recreational boating.

The most common types of Australian-manufactured boats are fishing boats (25%) followed by cruising (20%), light commercial (18%), sailing (14%), and ski (14%). The most common material used in boat manufacturing in Australia is fiberglass (52% of manufacturers) followed by aluminum (21%), timber (13%), and composites (12%).

According to Ibis Research, the market is segmented into cruisers and powerboats 30%; ski-boats 20%; small runabouts 20%; sail (catamarans and yachts) 20%, and kayaks and canoes 10.0%.

Product distribution is typically through a dealer, distributor, or a sales agent.  There are many accessory distributors that distribute on a nationwide basis to dealers and specialist stores, selling all types of boating accessories and fishing gear.  Boat dealers increasingly stock a wide range of marine accessories with relatively high profit margins.

Best Products/Services

Australians purchase U.S. boats because of superior technology in electronics, and advanced plumbing such as hot and cold running water, and toilets with a sewerage unit.

Imports from the U.S. are very broad-based and range from yachts to motorboats and also include components such as engines, raw materials, motors, fiberglass resins, and motor components using state-of-the-art technology.  U.S. companies are gradually increasing market share. U.S. companies dominating the market include Catalina, Four Winns, Mercury, Sea Ray, and Wellcraft,

The growth of general wealth in Australia has seen increased sales in luxury craft, yachts, and comfortably furnished vessels for family recreation.

Competition

Australia is a world leader in the design, construction, and standard of quality of alloy and fiberglass boats, and is a major exporter of its production, especially large pleasure craft. Riviera Marine is a leading recreational boat producer and exporter of luxury motor yachts, sport-fishing and general sports boats.  Other leading Australian manufacturers include Haines Hunter, Pro Marine, Mustang Pleasure Boats, Blackwatch Boats, Whittley Marine, Perry Catamarans, Seafarer, International Marine and Stebercraft. 

Leading aluminum boat manufacturers include Quintrex, Stacer Alloy Craft and Savage.  Yacht builders include Seawind Catamarans, Northshore Yachts, Buizen Yachts, Bluewater Yachts, and Bashford International.  Internationally successful Australian equipment manufacturers include Ronstan International, Muir Winches & Windlasses, the Australian Winch Company, Coursemaster, and Austral Propellers.

Australian imports include engines, raw materials, motors, and fiberglass resins.  France provides inflatable boats, with Zodiac and Avon dominating the market.   Australia imports sailing clothing from New Zealand, the U.K. and France, and yacht fittings from Norway. French yachts such as Benneteau, Jenneau and Dufour are popular, as well as the German Bavaria and Dehler yachts.

Australian boat owners have developed a taste for English yachts, German cruisers, and Italian sportscruisers.   Despite the high quality of Australian boats, the glamour of purchasing European or American boats still influences the market.

Resources

Government:

iMarine Western Australia:  http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/imarine/703.asp
Infrastructure Planning and Environment Northern Territory:  http://www.nt.gov.au/ipe/dtw/
New South Wales Waterways:  http://www.waterways.nsw.gov.au
Marine Safety Victoria:  http://www.marinesafety.vic.gov.au
Maritime Safety Queensland:  http://www.msq.qld.gov.au
Marine & Safety Tasmania:  http://www.mast.tas.gov.au
Transport South Australia:  http://www.transport.sa.gov.au

Maritime Safety:

Australian Maritime Safety Authority:  http://www.amsa.gov.au/
ANZSBEG:  http://www.safeboating.org.au/
National Marine Safety Committee (NMSC):  http://www.nmsc.gov.au/  

Trade Associations

Marina Association of Australia: http://www.marinas.net.au
Boatpoint Australia Electronic News: http://boatpoint.ninemsn.com.au/

State Boating Industry Associations:

New South Wales:
53 Hume Street,
Crows Nest NSW 2065
Telephone +61 2 9438 2077
Fax +61 2 9439 3983
http://www.bia.org.au/

Northern Territory:
PO Box 4598
Darwin NT 0801
Telephone +61 408 816 927
Fax +61 8 8927 6529
http://www.boatshows.com.au/Darwin.html

Queensland:
PO Box 3305
Tingalpa DC QLD 4173
Telephone +61 7 3899 3333
Fax +61 7 3899 3051
http://www.marineqld.com.au/

Victoria:
Marine House, 162-164 Adderley Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
Tel: +61 3 9328 4855
Fax: +61 3 9328 4898
http://www.biavic.com.au/

South Australia:
PO Box 10262
Adelaide Business Centre SA 5000
Telephone +61 8 8212 6000
Fax +61 8 8410 0688
http://www.boatingsa.com.au/

Tasmania:
19 Conrad Drive
Otago Bay TAS 7017
Telephone + 61 3 6273 8788
Fax +61 3 6273 8423

West Australia:
Suite 2, 799 Beaufort Street
Mt Lawley WA 6050
Telephone +61 8 9271 9688
Fax +61 8 9271 9057
http://www.biawa.asn.au/

Trade Events

Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
May 22-25, 2008 (20th anniversary)
PO Box 204,
Sanctuary Cove QLD 4212
Tel: +61 7 5577 6868
Fax: +61 7 5530 8067
http://www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au/