Apr 3, 2017

By Andy Adams

Arriving an hour after the doors first opened on Friday, March 31^st at the 2017 Spring Cottage Life Show at the International Centre in Toronto, meant I was parked at the back wall in one of the few remaining spaces. The aisles were packed.

Jared Chartrand of Northstar Insurance always has a good feel for the way the business is going.

The boating industry was well represented and displays by boat builders and dealers were spread throughout the show. Jared Chartrand of Northstar Insurance is a bell weather for the industry. We spoke to him first.

“Interest is up, the dealers are selling and they are telling me that inventories are moving,” Jared said “We are above target for 2017 so far this year. Looks like there is high demand for new boats and I could see some dealers selling out. We attend all the shows – Toronto was up in attendance this year, the Ottawa show, the Fishing Show…they were all up. I’d say the Sportsman’s Show was up – things look good.”

Several Cottage Life shops in the show sold clothing and fun cottage items.

Scott Hanson at Rossiter Boats was busy and told us he had added new dealers, one in B.C., Paris Marine in Ontario and also a dealer in Kenora plus three new dealers in the United States.

We stopped by to see the displays at Executive Yacht, Swift Canoe, Gordon Bay, The Boat Warehouse and several other dealers. All were engaged with customers just an hour after the show opened.

The sales season for 2017 seems to be off to a strong start.

Executive Yacht was there with several boats including the handsome and classic Vanquish 24 Runabout.

Fogh Marine had an impressive display of great cottage boats and small sailing craft.