Toronto Boat Show – Lots Of Fun As Usual

TIBS Crowds

 

Jan 25, 2018

After what seemed like a deep freeze eternity, it was a delight to see some boats and summer friends at this year’s Toronto Boat Show. No matter how cranky winter makes us, being among the summer toys seems to cheer everyone up. Friday’s Preview Day was humming. I went back a few times during the week and it was all smiles throughout the building.

Highlights? Wow – pontoon boats were everywhere in a much wider variety of shapes and sizes than I remember from previous years. Ditto wakeboard boats. Silver, bright green – lotsa fun.

Topside Ports

 

 

topside ports are de rigeur

Trends we noticed: the topside windows on the cruisers both on power cruisers and on the few sail cruisers on display. Besides the slick new interior looks, the lights on the hull sides are the dramatic symbol of modern design and a fine addition bringing light and visibility to cabins.

CYS Amelia Morris

 

 

 

 

 

 

CY’s Social Media Director Amelia at our booth

The hanging shiny red balloons marking new products at the show were everywhere. On the outboard stands they pointed to some pretty interesting new rigs. Part of the popularity comes from the trend away from sterndrives towards outboard power. The other aspect is the snazzy shell design on the engines…low and muscular. Colours even.

 

 

 

Cool JazzCool jazz on Preview Day

Beneteau Model

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Beneteau Swift Trawler was adorable; the scale model maybe even more so Boat show time is always welcome and this year’s was a very nice break from the chilly winter. Makes spring seem possible!

– John Morris

Related Articles

Video Gallery

Starcraft SV 16 OB

By Craig Ritchie

Photos by Starcraft Marine

Building great boats has always come down to a mix of art and science, and that’s particularly true when it comes to meeting the biggest challenge of all—creating an appealing yet affordable family runabout. Buyers want a boat that is affordable but not stripped to the bare bones.

Enter Starcraft and its delightful SV 16 OB, an all-new-for-2025 family deck boat that elegantly balances comfort, amenities and affordability.

Read More

Destinations

The Erie Canal – An Extraordinary Waterway

By Mark Stevens

Photos by Sharon Matthews-Stevens

As I shift our chartered canal boat into neutral, I’m soothed by the soundtrack of bird calls, the occasional plaintive horn of a distant train and the hum of our engine.

I reach for the VHF to radio the lockmaster in charge of Erie Canal’s Lock 32 dead ahead. Our boat spins gently in the current like a maple key in a mud puddle.

“This is Onondaga,” I say. “Headed westbound and requesting passage.”

Read More

Lifestyle