Feb 18, 2020

The Halifax International Boat Show 2020 spanned four days of interesting weather and good crowds! Show Manager Scott Sprague summed it up: “Despite bad weather for days one and two, days three and four delivered desired results.”

The show was packed with boats, equipment and docks along with yacht clubs, marinas, schools and opportunities to get out on the water!

This year’s show features included programming for children which brought families out to the show for a colouring contest on Saturday, visits from Mermaids on Saturday and Sunday and a touch tank with marine life. A visit from a falconer with his falcon added greatly to excitement.

The return of Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety to the show meant that Nova Scotians were able to pick up their copy of the Safe Boating Guide. The New Boater Center had well attended workshops providing great hands-on experience for novices on anchoring, knots, leaving and returning to the dock, navigation and safety. The Presentation series and a variety of informative sessions including Nova Scotia history and treasure hunting, search and rescue, whales and seabirds and adapted waterskiing kept people interested.

Dealers had a variety of results:

“It started out icy but the Halifax International Boat Show 2020 quickly turned into a fantastic show. Great to see so many smiling faces and we cannot wait for summer.” Tara Mills, Seamasters Services (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia)

“Best show for unit sales ever!” Zack Green of Mahone Marine (Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia)

“A different crowd this year, but all in all, we had a decent result,” Jason Craig, Quartermaster Marine (PEI)

“A big thumbs-up; Best Show after Saskatoon!” Michelle Maruk, Transport Canada Office of Boating Safety (Ottawa)

“Definitely worth coming to the show,” Gerry Gibson, St Peter’s Marina (Cape Breton Island)