Toronto Boat Show

[blair]

Went today...bought a Quadski...just kidding...those things combine the best of what puts your mechanic's kids through university. So many moving parts that I can't image where to start to look when things go wrong. Pretty neat looking toy though. If I ever give up the airplane (not likely) then this would be a candidate for a replacement.
The Boat Show itself....meh.
Great to go through the week. No huge crowds cluttering up the aisles. Didn't wait in any lines to see all the big ones, and wasn't really impressed with them. All of them are VERY nicely appointed and they look stunning, but when I consider how short our season is, I couldn't justify diverting such a large chunk of cash to the purchase price. One 51 footer was almost 1.5 million. Not to mention how cramped you feel in them, once you go down below. My 35 yr old tricabin may be old, but at least I can stand up in it!

We like having a look at all the little vendors wares. Picked up some lines, some lights, a boat hook, some fender hangers,etc... but considering it costs $20/person x4 plus $15 for parking plus $50 for lunch for 4 plus fuel to get there and back (200 km round trip) I didn't really get a great deal. That said, we did have a fun day and are VERY glad we didn't go on opening day.

[rickalan35]

Well, I'm off to the Toronto Boat Show this coming Thursday. Tickets confirmed on Via Rail out of Smiths Falls at 6:30 AM, taxi from Union Station to the show then dinner at the Royal York afterward, before hopping the 6:35 PM Via back home. Total cost for this TriCabin owner - approx $450. / First trip to the Boat Show - Priceless. ................. or maybe not. But how can I not have fun

Craig, you're right. I didn't see the results of last night's game.

I'm sure that at the very least, I'll be carrying home a few bags of goodies from the show.

[captainmaniac]

but considering it costs $20/person x4 plus $15 for parking plus $50 for lunch for 4 plus fuel to get there and back (200 km round trip) I didn't really get a great deal. That said, we did have a fun day and are VERY glad we didn't go on opening day.

Get your tickets online prior to opening day, and it's $15 per person. Better still, bitch at your marina (or call a broker and tell them you are seriously considering buying something) and they might give you tickets for free!

All in all, its helps with the withdrawl....

[captainmaniac]

Well, I'm off to the Toronto Boat Show this coming Thursday. Tickets confirmed on Via Rail out of Smiths Falls at 6:30 AM, taxi from Union Station to the show then dinner at the Royal York afterward, before hopping the 6:35 PM Via back home. Total cost for this TriCabin owner - approx $450. / First trip to the Boat Show - Priceless. ................. or maybe not. But how can I not have fun

Craig, you're right. I didn't see the results of last night's game.

I'm sure that at the very least, I'll be carrying home a few bags of goodies from the show.

You can shave a few bucks by ignoring the cab... From Union you can take the GO train 1 stop West... $9.70 round trip per grown up (4.85 for Srs or kiddies), and as you probably know the Royal York is pretty much right across the street from Union.

[rickalan35]

You can shave a few bucks by ignoring the cab... From Union you can take the GO train 1 stop West

Much obliged, Captain. The Go train it is.

[ready123]

You can shave a few bucks by ignoring the cab... From Union you can take the GO train 1 stop West

Much obliged, Captain. The Go train it is.

Or more frequent & cheaper the 509 streetcar that goes to the same spot just North of the building....

[rickalan35]

Or more frequent & cheaper the 509 streetcar that goes to the same spot just North of the building....

Michael
Done Dreamin'
1987 President 43' Twin Lehman 225SP Turbo
Highfield 310 Ally/infl'ble 15 HP Yamaha 2cycle
Punta Gorda in FL for Winter
1978 F32 Sedan twin 318 Chry
2005 Rossiter 14'
Moose Deer Point Marina/12 Mile Bay

Thanks, Michael!! Great map, .... or should I say color chart.

I see that you have a boat stowed away in both countries. That '87 President is a nice unit, we have one in our marina with gas engines.


Cheers, Rick

[Paul]

Any other reviews on this show? I'm heading to Toronto Saturday morning and might make it to the show in the evening. Anything interesting that I should keep an eye out for?

[rickalan35]

Hi

- Toronto International Boat Show was a lot of fun.

Thursday apparently ended up meaning smaller crowds as I didn't have to wait in line-ups and quickly got aboard all of the bigger boats (Meridian line is prob best fit for an old guy like me), but I have to admit that I wasn't regretting the fact that I drive a forty year old boat ('74 TriCabin) with the genuine teak, solid fibreglass hull, that hull configuration and etc. etc. - No envy for the new stuff emanating from here.

That $$$$$$$$ 51 foot SeaRay Sundancer has the controls positioned so far back alongside the pilot's right hip, that I think I would struggle with that arrangement. What th'??

Purchases:

Well, I bought four maroon, double thickness fender covers from the The Binnacle, these people had come all the way west from Halifax to exhibit at the show.

Next, I bought a bunch of Stayput fasteners (Stayput® Fastening Systems) from JTS Top Shop (http://www.jtstopshop.com). They have just about anything you might need for a canvas top. My buddy has these same elastic loop fasteners on his SeaRay and I really like them. The best part of this conversion is that I can just leave my tired, dome snaps in place. The Stayput fasteners are mounted 4 inches above each current dome snap. No more broken fingernails. The elastic loop is stretched over the Stayput® Shock Cord Knob easy as can be. The knob simply replaces your current snap but with a longer screw. I imagine it'll be a full day and a few beers, making the changeover, but looking forward to it.

I then bought a Navionics chip for $150. This was for a new Lowrance Chartplotter that I bought last summer but hadn't installed. (some of you will recall that I was busy all freaking summer with some major re-fits.) By the way, am I the only guy here who thinks that after paying two grand for a chartplotter, I shouldn't be required to go out and buy a chip?

I stopped at the Lowrance booth and got some ho hum interest from the guys there. I was trying to figure what chip to buy and of course, I couldn't remember exactly what model chart plotter I'd actually purchased. I guess when the guys realized I wasn't buying from them, I dropped a level on the food chain. They told me to try RadioWorld. Radio World subsequently informed me that the Great Lakes chip would fit ANY and ALL new Lowrance units.

Oh yeah, I was still spending money. Bought a Toss N' Save throwable buoyancy aid. These guys are http://www.windabout.com - no idea if this thing is any good.

Went to the Close-In Handling and Docking seminar. Craig did a good job in a tight timeline. The sailors were disappointed though because he concentrated on power boats.

Finally, I picked up a couple of goose neck, adjustable brass lamps from Victory (a division of Rekord Marine). I have a place for them.

Dinner first, then jumped on the train. So tired out that I slept over half the way home.

[Big D]

Was there yesterday and today. There's no question that attendance is way down this year. The best new product winner in my books that I had not seen before is a real slate product that comes in large FLEXIBLE sheets. These can be used for anything from flooring to wall coverings, couter tops, backsplashes, etc. It's flexible so it can be installed on curved surfaces and is easy to install as it is simply glued on. It's also very light and can be installed right over many existing materials. They also have a few translucent choices for backlighting options. Look for the NuTeak distributor. Already have a few ideas for the boat and home!
http://stuningstone.ca/

OH, and pack a lunch. Only those that can afford to buy those big boats can afford the food

[blair]

Ricklan35...glad to hear you had a good time! Love the links you sent, for all your goodies. We looked at some lighting, b ut wee not going to pay $200/fixture. When I got home I got online and bought a bunch of almost identical LED stuff on Ebay for alot less.
Regarding your 40 year old boat...ours is only 35 years old, but we felt the same way! These new boats, while very spendy, don't seem to offer the interior space of our our cruisers. At first I thought we were just being protective of our purchse, but the more boats we went on, the more I realized that I wouldn't "move up" to anything we saw. Now, the engines and electronics may be nicer, but the layout of a tricabin seems to be irreplaceable.

[P-Dogg]

but the layout of a tricabin seems to be irreplaceable

Amen. I window shopped for boats a few times a few years apart. After we sold the plane and got serious about a boat, I came back to same model that I homed in on each of the other times, the venerable tricabin. Wide, flat, one-level decks, no ladder, good visibility from the helm -- there is plenty to like. The only amenity that I wish it had (and may eventually have) is a dinette -- I like the idea of a genuine table at which to eat. In the mean time, I am also considering fold-away trays like you find in first-class airline seats, that tuck neatly into the arm rest of the sofa.

For waaaay less than the price of a new boat, you can have their fancy electronics. The same is true even of engines (although I do like the Volvo IPS system, which is not exactly a DIY refit).