The luxury boating industry was hit hard by the Global Financial Crisis.

But you wouldn’t know it from this year’s Sanctuary Cove boat show where leaders in the field are back in business.

Ellen-Maree Elliot reports.

TRANSCRIPT

The international boat show opened today with the most impressive boat on offer being the Masteeka 2.

Built in Taiwan on a budget of $20 million, the luxury craft is going to auction for serious boaties with cash to spare.

The captain says it’s worth every cent.

Carl Brandes, Masteeka 2 Captain: “Well, Masteeka 2 is the pinnacle of Australian super-yachts. So yeah, it doesn’t get much better than this.”

Closer to home, local luxury boat builders Riviera is celebrating a recovery from grim times when it went into receivership.

Stephen Milne, Director of Communications, Riviera: “So, a lot of water has passed under the bridge in the last two years. And certainly now we’re well past the worst of the market cycle and now the best is yet to come.”

But if luxury boats aren’t your thing or if they’re out of your price-range, why not try something like this?

It’s only $945 and you can name it yourself.

After you’ve chosen your boat, you’ll be able to keep the birds and the mess they make at bay.

And eco-conscious boaties can look after the planet with an electric, solar-powered, outboard motor.

But the boat show wasn’t just for the wheelers and dealers.

This surf lifesaver is attempting to break a world record on an indoor rowing machine.

He says it’s good training for his next big adventure.

Andrew Abrahams, Surf Lifesaver: “Rowing across the Atlantic at the end of the year, mainly to raise funds for children’s charities.”

The boat show runs until Sunday.

Ellen-Maree Elliot, QUT News.