Tunnel to January

TIBS pre-pandemic

Oct 28, 2021

Even as I tarped the boat for the winter ahead, my heart leapt when I saw this week’s news from the Toronto International Boat Show – “full speed ahead!” These are the three words we have been longing to hear and I anticipate that they apply to all the other boat shows this winter from Vancouver to Moncton and in between.

TIBS in the pre-mask days  photo Dave Sanford

Why do we go to the show? Perhaps to buy a boat, perhaps to buy a depth sounder or new GPS, perhaps to reconnect with boating buddies or the broker or insurance agent who has helped you out over the years. All those are valid reasons but I know why I why never miss a boat show; it’s the mid-winter scent of fiberglass with just a hint of beer nuts. It’s in the air like a haunting Versace fragrance and, without my awareness, it injects energy and dreaming back into my metabolism.

There’s something about wandering the show; being in a room with people who want to be among boats. Some folks are there for a reason like chasing down new model information while quite a number are there with the kids for a weekend outing when it’s cold everywhere else. Some boaters just go because when the calendar flips to January their motor reflexes direct them to the boat show.

Last year was miserable in so many ways and missing the show didn’t help. Shows that are already happening in the US have proved the need; Annapolis was packed and Fort Lauderdale this week is rocking. Masks and social distance will be likely be in greater supply at the upcoming Canadian events than were evidenced south of the border but that’s probably a good thing. Boat Shows are back. Yay! Just dab on soupcon of fiberglass cologne and get ready for that light to come on at the end of what has been a very dark tunnel.

John Morris
Online Editor
Canadian Yachting Magazine
CYonboard@kerrwil.com

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