Every January, my brother‑in‑law and I make our annual trip to the Toronto Boat Show. He and I go way back—we were friends before I met his sister (now my wife). We’ve always shared interests: me with technology and boating, him with contests and games. It’s a good match, and this show has become our tradition.
This year marked six months since I bought Our Time, so I was especially excited. Not just to see the shiny new boats, but to check out the vendors, take in a few seminars, and maybe even pick up some wisdom for my growing checklist.
Meeting Familiar Faces
One highlight was catching up with Steve Bull, the former owner of Our Time and a familiar face from TV. He was giving a talk on renting boats as a way to get on the water. We swapped a few stories, and he told me about the time he was in New York Harbour, right in the ferry crossing lanes, when the fan belt broke. Not much detail, but I noticed extra belts on board later and silently thanked him for the foresight.
As a bit of a celebrity, Steve had managed to get Our Time featured in videos at various stalls, showing off the swim platform and the Toronto‑to‑NYC series. At one point, Neil deGrasse Tyson even chimed in with some physics‑flavoured boating commentary. (Side note: I still don’t agree with him on Pluto not being a planet—just because one family member is a little different doesn’t mean they’re out.)
Boats, Vendors, and Discoveries
This year, the show didn’t have the massive centre console with six 500‑horsepower outboards. Probably not many buyers for what I call “carbon tax boats.” Fun to dream about, but I wouldn’t want to see that fuel bill at the marina.
What I did find, though, was a wealth of vendors that could help me with my checklist. Some I expected—electronics, safety gear, and accessories. Others were surprises:
- OEM parts for older boats (a goldmine for a 30‑year‑old vessel like mine).
- Toronto marinas selling supplies at good rates.
- Marine toilet upgrades—including a unit with a built‑in macerator and electric flush. (Currently, I’m pumping 25 times just to get things moving. Enough said.)
The Value of the Show
That’s the beauty of a big boat show: the knowledge, the contacts, and the chance to see what’s out there. I even noticed the same faces at smaller shows—new boaters, first‑time owners, all of us comparing notes. Vendors can spot us a mile away, but that’s part of the fun.
For me, the Toronto Boat Show isn’t just about shopping or seminars. It’s about tradition, community, and seeing how each year adds another layer to the story of Our Time.
Digital Boat Lesson: Not Everything’s on the Internet
We live in a world where you can order almost anything with a click. Need a fuse box? Amazon. Need a dog life-jacket? Costco. Need a part for a 30‑year‑old boat? Maybe AliExpress if you’re willing to wait.
But here’s the truth I’ve learned: not all the information you need is online.
That hit home at the Toronto Boat Show. Walking the aisles with my brother‑in‑law, I found vendors I didn’t even know existed—OEM parts for older boats, marinas that sell supplies at fair prices, and specialists who could answer questions in plain English. I could ask about my specific boat, my specific problem, and get an answer right there. No search engine required.
The same goes for fishing shows and sportsman shows. You meet people who’ve been there, done that, and are willing to share what worked (and what didn’t). You see gear in person, touch it, ask questions, and sometimes even hear the backstory from the folks who designed it. That kind of knowledge doesn’t always make it into a product description online.
Why It Matters
When you’re building a checklist for your boat—or just trying to avoid the next breakdown—there’s no substitute for face‑to‑face conversations. The internet is great for price comparisons and overnight delivery, but the wisdom of the boating community lives in places where people gather.
Digital Boat Lesson
“Not all answers are online. Sometimes the best upgrade comes from a handshake at a boat show.”