New Boats and Cool Toys for Boating Season
Do you want new boats and cool toys for boating season? We’ve gotta hand it to the boat show organizers this year; they ventured into uncharted waters to host their events virtually for the first time ever, and it worked! Both Vancouver’s and Toronto’s international boat show attracted thousands and thousands of virtual guests eager to explore the newest offerings in pleasure crafts, equipment, accessories and attend virtual seminars covering everything boating. One benefit of the virtual show format is you can still register and browse the shows despite them technically being over (links at the bottom of the page). It’s a wonderful time to be a boating enthusiast in Canada.
However, with the pandemic helping to drive record boat sales over the last year, we still might see some inventory shortages as manufacturers work to meet the demands of consumers and retailers. One giant in the industry, Brunswick Corporation (Boston Whaler) announced in January that they are re-opening their Palm Coast, Florida manufacturing facility and increasing production capacity at all three of their global facilities. Everyone just wants to get out on that water!
Party on the pontoon
If gliding around a lake while lounging in your living room is your idea of a good time, then you’ll love Ontario’s own Legend Boats, Q Series Lounge+ pontoon boat. According to boat show exhibitors, pontoon boats were a top-selling category in 2020 because they have advantages: lower maintenance (hull dents and holes are less costly to repair than regular hulls), a wide deck for up to eleven passengers, and are safe for small children. These flat-bottom boats do give up a little when it comes to handling performance, but they make such a great deck experience for you and your passengers. The Lounge + is outfitted with comfy sun loungers, plenty of storage for gear, Garmin GPS touchscreen, a sound system, mood lighting both on deck and underwater. You’ll feel right at home, soaking up the sun, picnicking, skiing, and fishing with the whole gang on Okanagan lakes or cruising the historic locks and canals of Quebec and Ontario. You get a new boat and a cool toy for the boating season all in one package.
Sporty bowriders
Bowriders were also a top-selling category in 2020, and boaters will find a large selection under $ 20,000 with a size range from 21 feet and under. They are considered to be more fun to drive than a pontoon boat, but still offer plenty of seating and storage for your passengers. The attractive, compact, low-maintenance Bayliner Element M15 will appeal to both first-time boat-buyers and seasoned boaters looking for a 15-foot boat. They will appreciate the effortless storage, trailering, and launching, making the Element M15 the perfect choice for small families and couples looking for affordable, day-tripping fun on the water.
The family that fishes together
Take your family’s past time to another level with a boat that’s focused on fishing. Made in Quebec, the Princecraft Platimum SE 207 20-foot fishing boat offers comfortable seating for up to seven people, bow and aft raised casting platforms, two electric-fitted, aerated live-wells, an icebox, ample rod storage, 12V or 24V bow trolling motor plug & receptacle with wiring harness, SIMRAD Go7 multifunction touch screen, all packaged in a sporty, attractive design. The Mercury outboard engine options are vast, topping out at 350 HP; you just might arrive before the fish do!
Performance meets style
The jet-ski is the motorcycle of the sea. What would be the SUV of the sea? Boston Whaler has answered that question with the introduction of the all-new, 41-foot, 405 Conquest. Boasting great performance, luxury, and comfort, especially for longer cruises and over-night stays in the perfect cove. The 405 Conquest features two sleeping quarters, a roomy sunbed on the bow, and quad 300 Mercury engines. Thrilling adventures await on the open seas.
Made in Gibsons, BC, and kind of adorable
Described as “the biggest 22 ft boat you have ever experienced,” Jasper Marine’s aluminum Defender 22 is shiny, minimalist, and looks fabulous bombing around BC’s coastline. This custom order workhorse of a boat is designed for fishing and other marine work uses in mind. Made in Gibson’s BC, which was also home to Canada’s longest-running television series, The Beachcombers. The Defender is worthy of getting its own series don’t you think?
Make a statement with a stylish E-boat
If a boating company mentions their ultimate goal is relaxation, take note. The Fantail 217 is a fully electric boat perfect for lake cruising, and its classic design will turn some heads, too. Plug it into 110-volt shore power at night, and enjoy eight, blissful hours on the water the next day. This silent, non-polluting electric cruiser can accommodate up to ten passengers making it also an attractive vessel for hotels, rental operations, and marinas. You just might feel inspired to dress in nautical casual attire and serve canapes for your next lake cruise in the Muskokas.
Personal Watercraft
Yet another top-selling category in 2020, personal watercraft (PWC) just keep getting better and better with each year. At the Vancouver show, thirteen new models debuted included an industry first: Sea-Doo’s Fish Pro 170 kitted out with all the right accessories to make fishing on a PWC a fantastic experience. If stunt riding is more your thing, Sea-Doo has also launched Spark Trixx 90, a PWC that “makes pulling off tricks so easy and so much fun, you’ll never want the day to end.”
A new spin on a classic PWC
An electric catamaran that also doubles as an exercise bike? Making its Canadian debut at the Toronto International Boat Show, E-Catamaran’s Ceclo unique and eco-friendly PWC comes in six models and is truly the evolution of the classic pedal boat. The Ceclo offers an electric motor, pedal-assist feature, a powerful rechargeable battery, and a stylish design for a relaxing afternoon ride and dip.
New boats and cool toys for boating season
Not only are the following boat accessories cool, but they all also serve a greater purpose and that’s to keep you, your passengers, and your boat safe and secure.
Security and monitoring
The BRNKL boat security and monitoring system allows you to check on your boat from near and afar simply using your smartphone, tablet, or computer web browser. You can take photos on demand, or automatically when motion is detected or a door opens. BRNKL monitors a variety of critical systems including bilge activity, shore power, the voltage on up to four battery banks, climate conditions, pitch, heel, and impact. BRNKL will alert you whenever something is amiss.
Marine radio that has it all
Icom’s M94D VHF marine transceiver has GPS, DSC (digital selective calling), and is the first marine transceiver to include AIS (Automatic Identification System). Find loads of other features built into a stylish body with Float and Flash tech just in case it goes overboard. The integrated GPS provides location, bearing, and speed. Navigation function from current position to the specified waypoint, plus 50 waypoint memories with alphanumeric name for navigation, and weather channel receive with alert function. Active Noise Canceling digitally removes background noise from both transmit and receive audio.
Put down the tech…and pick up a book
Ports and Passes 2021, Pacific Northwest is the most complete reference guide book for tides and currents along BC’s coastlines. This will be an excellent resource for BC Boaters. Of course, there are ebook versions too, so you can go ahead and pick up the tablet again.
New boaters and potential first-time buyers might find themselves pulled in all kinds of directions after browsing the massive content of Vancouver and Toronto’s virtual boat show websites. If you have questions, and you will, discoverboating.ca is an excellent resource brought to you by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). No boating subject is left uncovered, and you are invited to try out their “explore boat selector” tool to help you figure out what will be the best choice for your first boat purchase.
Resources
Insuring new boats and cool toys
Vancouver International Boat Show
Toronto International Boat Show
Legend Boats Q Series Lounge + pontoon boat
Bayliner Element M15
Boston Whaler 405 Conquest
Jesper Marine Defender 22
Seadoo Spark Trixx
E-Catamaran Ceclo
BRNKL
Icom M94D VHF marine transceiver
Ports and Passes 2021
discoverboating.ca
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