The Toronto International Boat Show

This weekend I checked out the boat show in Toronto (pictures below). This was my first time at the boat show since I was a kid, so I really wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew there would be some boats to check out, but the sheer number of boats blew me away. This show is massive and there is a lot to do. We only gave ourselves 3 and a half hours, but you could easily spend more time. There are no sailboats on display, probably due to their keels I assume (Apparently there are sailboats there and the show is just so huge I missed them. I may check back this week again), but the big motor boats were still cool to check out, and I kept imagining the interior to be how my future sailboat might look.

The show is huge!

If you didn’t attend the show this weekend, there is still lots of time to see it. It runs from January 9 to 17th, so you have all week or next weekend to see the show. I think it’s really worth seeing, even if you are not really into the boating, it’s a fun day, and it’s only 15 dollars to get in. There’s also some sports cars and racing boats there with massive engines on display. A huge indoor lake with over 1 million gallons of water, apparently the world’s largest indoor lake according to the boat show is also open for water activities.

The Lake will host a variety of on-the-water activities showcasing The Winch Jam,  fishing, personal watercraft, kayaking, canoeing, boat handling demonstrations and more. Activities on the Lake will entertain, educate and invite you to get active and get boating!

The show also has everything from canoes and kayaks to specialty hot sauces and dips. There’s a ton of boat gear to be found, but also things like waterproof cameras. Lots of information booths, clubs and magazines to be found also.  I thoroughly enjoyed the show, but the highlight was definitely taking ones shoes off and checking out some of the gorgeous boats. It’s a nice break from the snow and ice that now covers the Toronto Harbour; time to think of the summer, and for me another step of anticipation while I await February for my week of Caribbean sailing in Guadeloupe followed by a second week long getaway in St. Lucia.

We managed to snap a few pictures

The main boat room

Toronto International Boat Show

Toronto International Boat Show

Toronto International Boat Show

One of the larger boats on display

Large boat interior

Me relaxing on my dream boat

Large boat interior

Claudia and I relaxing in some very comfy chairs

Comfy chairs

Claudia takes the helm

Claudia at the helm

3 comments

  1. That’s really funny! I went to the same show and spent about four hours being disappointed there were no sailboats on display — until stumbling upon them in the far corner of the exhibition. There were some really beautiful little wooden ones, and then a lot of the prefab larger boats. It was a lot of fun to climb all over them. :)

  2. The 2011 show was huge and here’s a short video of some of the displays. Enjoy
    http://www.vimeo.com/19315731

  3. Thanks for the link. I was there this year too and actually got to see the sail boats this time. Great show again.