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Auckland's International Boat Show is expected to generate between $50 million and $100 million in sales, but some boat builders say they have been having a tough year in the face of foreign competition.
Dozens of vessels ranging from dinghies to multi-million dollar superyachts have lined the Viaduct Harbour basin for the showcase for the country's $1.8 billion boating industry.
The show opens today and runs until Sunday.
Among the flotilla is a new Roger Hill-designed 14.6m power catamaran, Rascal, which arrived from the Vaudrey Miller boatyard in Henderson on Tuesday.
The price tag on the yacht, which has a teak cockpit, a state-of-the art kitchen, leather furniture, plasma television sets, three bedrooms and the latest in computer and navigation systems, is believed to be about $4 million.
But the executive director of the Marine Industry Association, Peter Busfield, expected many sales of similar boats during the show.
He predicted total business of between $50 and $100 million.
Barry Thompson, of the Pacific Yacht magazine, said he knew of six 18m boats recently bought by New Zealanders.
"New Zealanders," he said, "aren't shy about spending a few million on a good boat."
He said the industry was struggling to compete against foreign companies.
The availability of good quality boats had changed the market tremendously.
"When a boat builder in New Zealand is building six boats a year and has to compete with [Australian company] Riviera which is producing 300 a year you can see why it gets difficult," he said.
The marine association's Mr Busfield said the industry, which employed nearly 10,000 people, could triple its $560 million in exports over the next 15 years.
