Toronto International Boat Show 2012

[ADMPRTR]

Wondering if anyone is going to the Toronto International Boat Show that starts this weekend (2012-01-14)? Every year we go, and every year it is pretty much the same but every year we still go. It is the first sign of spring...

[Dave the Canuck]

Yup. Going Saturday. Looking forward to seeing if the crowds continue to decline.

[Mike OReilly]

We're headed down on Thursday, shopping list in hand

[ADMPRTR]

Originally Posted by Dave the Canuck

Yup. Going Saturday. Looking forward to seeing if the crowds continue to decline.

I will be there Saturday as well. Last year it seemed pretty busy - was attendance down?

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

We're headed down on Thursday, shopping list in hand

Yep, with the coming of spring comes new projects and expenses. Actually, I am still trying to finish off projects from last year...

[Matt Johnson]

If you go past the Simrad display, could you see if they are discounting the NSS7 with radar package? I was planning on going to the Chicago boat show if I could get a discount on the system directly from them. After calling Simrad Navico, I was told there will be one there on display, but they didn't know if I could purchase (order) one at the show.

If they are just at the show to demo systems and not sell, I probably wont make the trip to the Chicago show.

[Factor]

Where is it on? (I used to live in Toronto)

[Navicula]

just bought a boat........so I am sure we will be making a few donations there............

[red_sky]

No way. Every time I go to that I end up solving problem$ I didn't know I had! Nuh uh, not this time!! ...Ah, who am I kidding. Probably end up down there at some point.

[ADMPRTR]

Originally Posted by red_sky

No way. Every time I go to that I end up solving problem$ I didn't know I had! Nuh uh, not this time!! ...Ah, who am I kidding. Probably end up down there at some point.

I had that feeling in previous years. Then one year I actually acted on it and immediately regretted not going the day after the show ended... There is something about expensive shiny boats and loads of equipment that keeps drawing me back...

[ADMPRTR]

Originally Posted by Factor

Where is it on? (I used to live in Toronto)

Down at the CNE grounds in downtown Toronto. It is a pretty big space.

Official site of the Toronto International Boat Show | Toronto, Ontario

[ADMPRTR]

Originally Posted by funjohnson

If you go past the Simrad display, could you see if they are discounting the NSS7 with radar package?

Will try.

[Matt Johnson]

Originally Posted by ADMPRTR

Will try.

Thank you very much. It's a three hour drive for me, and I'm 50/50 on going... this would just push me over the edge.

Thanks again,

Matt

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by red_sky

No way. Every time I go to that I end up solving problem$ I didn't know I had! Nuh uh, not this time!! ...Ah, who am I kidding. Probably end up down there at some point.

If you bought your boat from a steel fabrication place in north-east Toronto, I think I looked at it in 2005. How does she sail?

[ADMPRTR]

Originally Posted by funjohnson

If you go past the Simrad display, could you see if they are discounting the NSS7 with radar package?

Hi FunJohnson:

The Simrad booth was not selling any products but they indicated that Radio World was selling so I paid a visit to their booth. They have the NSS7 display for CA$1525 (normal price is $1650) but they didn't have a price on the Simrad radar. However, they indicated that the Lowrance radar was fully compatible and they are selling that for $1290 (I believe it is the LRA-1800 HD which has a normal price of $1400 according to their web site). They had the display in stock but I don't think they had the radar at the show (although if you called them I am sure they could make arrangements.). Prices are good until next week when the show ends. They said the Simrad radar would be about $300 more.

Hope that helps,

Andrew

[ADMPRTR]

The boat show was pretty busy, or at least that seemed to be consensus among the vendors. We generally enjoyed ourselves and looked at a variety of products and services including Surrette batteries and SunWare photovoltaik.

It is funny the things one can get excited about when you are a sailor. Not sure if the surrette batteries are worth the Boatshow price of $1200 (normal $1500) for 375Ah but the solar panels look like a good solution to address our electricity needs.

Does anyone have experience with either of these products?

We also a attended a seminar by Derek Hatfield on his three round the world alone races which included an account when he pitchpooled in Cape Horn. An interesting thing is he is fund raising for his next race by offering trips from Lunenburg NS to various locales including the Azores, Bermuda and St. Piere et Miquelon, ranging from 3 days $1800 up to 10 days for $5000. It would be an interesting and unique opportunity to sail in an Open 60 for those who want to feel the thrill of going really fast (20Kt) in a sailboat. I am not sure that is my thing, however. Anyone who is interested can contact him at "training_at_spiritofcanada_dot_net".

As I am feeling a bit more philanthropic as my years advance I was also interested in BroadReach which offers sailing for at risk youth and another organization called Blind Sail which offers sailing for the visually impaired. Might offer an opportunity to give something back while participating in my favorite sport...

We ended the day by outfitting our crew with a new set of wets for next season. Not great quality but better than what we currently have at a price that couldn't be beat.

It actually turns out that seeing the boats was the least interesting part of the day although I liked the Catalina 385.