Another winner at Rosehill

Sydney's Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, home of the Golden Slipper for two-year-old thoroughbreds, switches to nautical mode on March 5 and 6 for the eighth Rosehill Trailer Boat Show.

Formerly labelled the Great Silverwater Boat Show and staged at Silverwater Park a kilometre or two away, the show has emerged as a genuine winner for marine retailers and the boating industry in general.

Consumers, too, have been winners with the show cementing a reputation as a bargain hunter's paradise.

Organised by the Boating Industry Association (BIA) of NSW, the show has gone from strength to strength since moving to the Rosehill Gardens facility.

A decision by the BIA three years ago to offer free admission (along with ample free parking) has led to excellent attendance figures, with last year's show attracting more than 11,000 over the two days.

More than 50 exhibitors, including the leading marine dealerships from Sydney, the Central Coast and the Illawarra region, will be on hand and, as show visitors have come to realise, all are ready to talk serious boating deals.

BIA marketing and event manager Domenic Genua said the show had originally been planned to give dealerships an opportunity to 'clear their decks' of Summer stock in preparation for new models to be introduced over the Winter-Spring capital city boat show season.

"That has remained the primary aim for many of the exhibitors and for that reason boating enthusiasts know Rosehill is the place to really achieve value for money, whether it's a boat, a new engine, trailer or whatever happens to be on the shopping list," Mr Genua said.

"Specialist fishing boats, water ski craft, recreational boats, canoes, kayaks, inflatables, boat trailers, they'll all be on show, along with the top of the line engines, marine electronics, fishing tackle and all manner of boating accessories."

Two exhibitors always manage to attract strong interest: NSW Maritime will be there giving show visitors the opportunity to renew licences and registration or to gather all the relevant boating information one might require.

Club Marine is also a show regular and boaters will be able to discuss all types of insurance needs with experts in the field.

The show has certainly proven an attraction for keen anglers. Fishing tackle dealers always seem to do a roaring trade while the unique Supertank with Brett Thompson and his 'performing fish' generally play to standing room-only audiences.

While it may well be seen as a Sydney event, research undertaken by the BIA reveals many visitors are happy to hit the road in search of a bargain.

The research has shown that visitors from as far away as the Blue Mountains, Nowra and even Port Macquarie are often among the crowd.

Marine rescue organisations will also be on show with the BIA assisting them to provide information on membership and but also raise much needed funds.

No doubt the free admission and the free parking help, but the excellent facilities and the numerous bars, restaurants and outdoor dining opportunities add to the show's distinctive family feel.

"For the boating family, the Rosehill Trailer Boat Show is a pleasant day's outing - lunch on the lawns beneath the trees and the opportunity to negotiate a good deal or simply keep up with what's happening on the boating scene," Mr Genua said.

The show will be open 9am to 5pm on both days and for those unfamiliar with the area, no venue could be more easily accessed. The major ring roads offer direct routes from all parts of the metropolitan area.

For further information contact the Boating Industry Association of NSW, phone 02 9438 2077 or visit www.bia.org.au