The Toronto international boat show closed its doors on Sunday, January 22 after 9 days of favorable weather and apparently increased attendance.
Boating Industry Canada magazine interviewed several of the exhibitors at the show to ask them their impressions. Morten Fogh of Fogh Marine emphasized the importance of not sugarcoating the results. The last few years have not been strong, but he felt that business was indeed picking up this year.
Jamie Small at CO2 Inflatables commented that they were holding their own with results that were on par for the last few years, but he noted that the boat sizes were changing and in his opinion, there’d been a shift from blue-collar to more white-collar buyers.





With an introduction by Howard Shiebler, the new president and CEO of GE Commercial Distribution Finance (CDF), David Spader’s 2-hour session called “Building Bench Strength - How Strong Is Yours?” was hosted by Boating Industry Canada magazine in partnership with GE CDF.
Parkbridge Lifestyle Communities with Eastern Canadian offices in Wasaga Beach, Ontario has announced the acquisition of Wye Heritage Marina located in Midland Ontario. Jay Forrest the General Manager at Wye Heritage assures customers that the new ownership means stability, a renewed commitment to service and an ability to deliver new and improved facilities.
The Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons (CPS) has announced the launch of its online self study version of the Boating Basics course. This comprehensive CPS Boating Safety online study guide is approved by Transport Canada for candidates to the online version of the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) Boating Safety exam.
Lori Mason, president of The Store, Mason's Chandlery, and Morten Fogh, president of Fogh Marine, have announced an agreement in principle for Morten to purchase The Store, Mason's Chandlery. The expected deal should be done by the end of February. It will be business as usual at both locations before and afterwards.
On January 16th 2012 at the Toronto International Boat Show, the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association, NMMA Canada announced the first annual Canadian Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract for 2010 and 2011.
Saturday, January 14 was opening day for the 2012 Toronto International Boat Show and the crowds poured in and stayed till closing with busy aisles and painfully long line ups to go aboard many of the more “aspirational” boats.
The Canadian Wildlife Federation and the Canadian Yachting Association have signed a Memorandum of Understanding recognizing their shared interest in the health of lakes and oceans and the special connection sailors have to habitats and wildlife.