The Sea Trial Zone shapes up as one of the most compelling drawcards of the 2026 Auckland Boat Show, with top New Zealand and international brands lined up to deliver live on-water demonstrations across the entire event.
Game fishing will have a strong showing at M56, where Fishing Boats NZ brings the 720 Surtees Game Fisher to the water. Surtees also takes the wraps off its all-new 770 Game Fisher XL at the same berth, and Senator Boats puts its RH770 demo rig through its paces alongside them.
One berth over at M57, Extreme Boats will be putting the 795 Game King through live demonstrations, while M58 is where Fin Chaser Boats brings out the FC700HT Amphibious demonstrator for visitors to experience firsthand.
Family Boats has claimed M53 for a broad showcase featuring Assault Boats, AB Inflatables, Beneteau, Brig, Buccaneer, and Southern. The mix spans RIBs, trailer boats, and larger models, all available to step aboard and experience in genuine on-water conditions. Makaira Boats takes up both M54 and M64, presenting its latest builds across two berths.
At M55, performance takes centre stage when Profile Boats invites visitors out for a ride in the 785H Platinum. Power comes courtesy of a Mercury V10 425, and the berth promises to be a popular stop for those wanting something more than a walk-around inspection.
Stability and propulsion technology gets dedicated representation further along the zone. Twin Disc Pacific and Seakeeper share M59, while Twin Disc New Zealand occupies M65, with both berths covering Seakeeper Gyro and Seakeeper Ride systems as well as a full marine equipment range.
Innovision Boats at M60 arrives with two distinct offerings: the 757 custom hardtop Kotare, powered by a Yamaha 425 XTO with Helm Master EX, and the latest-generation 616 Explorer running a Yamaha 200 XSA. Bailex Marine sets up at M62 with the Bailex Dock on display alongside a new trailer build.
The upper marina belongs to the engine brands. Mercury Marine New Zealand at M66, Gulfward Marine at M67, and Honda Marine at M68 round out the zone with new releases and the latest in outboard technology.
The Sea Trial Zone gives show visitors the genuine experience of seeing, hearing, and feeling these boats and systems performing on the water, something few boating events can match.
