This summer, 800,000 Quebecers chose boating, and BCI Marine tells us why
Aug 31, 2021
Boating season is in full swing, and with more than 500,000 lakes to explore in Quebec, boaters have their choice! And Canada is known to have 20% of the world’s freshwater reserves and 7% of the world’s renewable fresh water, according to Statistics Canada.
BCI Marine has seen its pleasure boat sales explode since the pandemic began and confirms that many of its customers have chosen to spend their vacation on the water this summer.
“‘I’ve never seen so many boats on the lake!’ is something we’ve been hearing a lot this summer,” says Patrick Hardy, the founder of BCI Marine, as Quebecers, stuck in their province since the border with the United States closed, enjoy their lakes and rivers after purchasing a boat. In fact, marina owners are saying sales have jumped 50%!
“People are rediscovering our waterways, and that’s great news, because our lakes and rivers are some of our greatest assets!” exclaims Patrick Hardy, the founder of BCI Marine, which sells unique, innovative nautical products. “In Quebec, we have about 800,000 boaters* including a lot of newcomers, because people are realizing that this lifestyle has so many advantages. What’s more, people generally think that you have to be wealthy to own a boat, which is not true. A lot of Quebecers have opted out of owning a vacation home so that they can
invest in a boat and enjoy their summer all over our province.”
Find happiness wherever you go!
Taking off any time, whenever you feel the urge; choosing a body of water right near your home, or several hours’ drive away; getting away as a couple, as a family, or with friends; setting up camp on a remote island; fishing for trout at the break of dawn; learning how to water ski or light a beach fire in a bay that’s far removed from the crowds… with a boat, you can find happiness wherever you go! Every time you’re out on the water, it’s an adventure — a search for the beauty in nature and all the benefits it offers.
Whether you’re fishing or pleasure boating, a getaway boat lets you create the life you dream of — just the way you imagine it! It’s your chance to treat your family and friends to something special, with a day (or night) on board — a reward for all your hard work!
You’ll create lasting memories — any time, and within reach. All you have to do is find a dock.
Water is freedom — a thousand leagues away from traffic jams, schedules, and stress, it holds a whole world of possibilities. Gas up, leave your cares on the dock, and get back to what really matters in life…
About BCI Marine
BCI Marine’s story is deeply rooted in the life experiences of its founder, Patrick Hardy. In fact, it stems from Hardy’s lifelong passion for pleasure boating and his 20 years of sales and marketing experience in the telecommunications and technology sectors. Through his entrepreneurial spirit, Patrick founded his own technological marketing solutions business. Alongside his professional undertakings, Patrick is a die-hard boating fan. In fact, his passion for pleasure cruising grew so much that he decided to sell his company in order to refocus his career on the boating industry. An opportunity arose when BCI Distribution, a player in the nautical sector, was up for sale. This led to the creation of BCI Marine, a company that takes a preferred market position by distributing unique, innovative products. Focusing on emerging trends in the nautical world, BCI Marine aims for high-demand market segments in North
America, in tune with today’s consumer demand: electric outboards, carefully designed semi-rigid craft, cruisers and much more.
* The Economic Impact of Recreational Boating in Canada, cited in the 2018 annual report of the Quebec Marine Association.
