Like tens of thousands of others, Les Baker of Bethany, ON, went to the 2012 Toronto International Boat Show in search of the boat of his dreams and the best deals of the year. The first-time boater knew that with more than 550 exhibitors and over 1,000 boats of every size, make and model filling the one-million square feet of the Direct Energy Centre, Canada’s largest boat show is the best place to see and buy the latest in boats and boating-related accessories. What Baker didn’t know, was how easy it would be to win $10,000 towards the purchase of his boat once he found it!

Anyone who purchased a boat (large or small) at the 2012 show qualified to enter the Buy A Boat & Win Contest sponsored by Skippers’ Plan, Robertson & Robertson Yacht Insurance, and the Toronto International Boat Show. The contest featured nine daily draws during the show for a Blackberry Playbook – and the grand prize draw of $10,000 towards the winner’s boat purchase.

Baker purchased his Smokercraft 172 Pro Angler from Gary Lewis of Port Colborne Marine, and submitted his ballot. When his name was drawn from the 989 entries, he won $10,000. It was that easy!

“When I received a call from the Toronto Boat Show, I was so surprised that I thought someone must be playing a trick on me,” says the ecstatic Baker, who is counting the days until launch. “I am truly happy for everything the Toronto Boat Show and their sponsors have done for me.”

This is what Andrew Robertson, President of Robertson & Robertson Yacht Insurance, loves about his job. “We feel very fortunate to be able to assist people like Les buy their first boat,” says Robertson. “It’s a great experience for us, which is why we continue to be involved in the contest, year after year.” Robertson & Robertson has been a sponsor of Buy a Boat & Win since 2003.

The next Toronto International Boat Show takes place January 12 to 20, 2013, with Special Preview Night on Friday, January 11.

Recreational boating annually represents more than $26 billion in economic impact to Canada, with more than 52 percent of all Canadian boaters living in Ontario. Each year generating more than $354 million in economic impact to the region, during the last five years the Toronto International Boat Show has annually attracted more than 550 exhibitors and an average attendance of 75,000 visitors.

Robertson & Robertson Yacht Insurance Ltd. provides customized insurance coverage to meet the needs of each individual boat owner, Robertson & Robertson Yacht Insurance Ltd. is owned and operated by The GC&B Group Inc.— a full-service insurance brokerage offering all lines of Property and Casualty insurance, as well as Life, Group, Health, and Accident and Sickness insurance.

Photo: From left to right – Cynthia Hare, Toronto Boat Show, Ed Shiers, friend of winner,  Leslie Baker, winner, Andrew Templain, Port Colborne Marine