A major showcase event of the recreational boating industry returns to Sidney when the BC Yacht Brokers Association (BCYBA) hosts the BC Boat Show May 12-15 at Port Sidney Marina.
The largest in-the-water boat show on the West Coast will feature watercraft of every kind, from paddle boards, kayaks and inflatables to power and sailing vessels of every size with visitors welcome to tour the boats of their dreams.
The upcoming show not only signals the return of a familiar event, but also builds on an historic first.
B次元官网网址淲e had our first boat show in almost three years last fall in September and it was hugely successful,B次元官网网址� said Steven Threadkell, boat show manager. B次元官网网址淲e never had a fall show before. So it was wonderful. We had great attendance, great exhibits.B次元官网网址�
The event confirmed the growing popularity of recreational boating, he said.
B次元官网网址淎 lot of brokers are saying, B次元官网网址榳e are having trouble finding boats to sell.B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 hugely popular. Nonetheless, the fall show had a huge variety of boats, which is very nice, something to appeal to every budget.B次元官网网址�
With limited, if any public health limits in place and recreational boating growing in popularity, Threadkell expects a larger crowd.
B次元官网网址淭ypically, here in Sidney, the show draws between 4,000 and 5,000 people. That said, our social media campaign has just gone crazy. There is a lot of public interest out there and itB次元官网网址檚 looking very good for us that way.B次元官网网址�
The show draws primarily from Vancouver Island and mainland B.C., as well as Alberta and Washington State. Last fallB次元官网网址檚 show drew people from all over the world, Threadkell added, with vaccine passports required and other public health measures taken. B次元官网网址淣ot that they came here for that, but they were here. We had people from various countries in Europe, many parts from the United States and from every province in Canada.B次元官网网址�
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The show also speaks to the significant role recreational boating plays in the local and provincial economy. Recreational boating in B.C. leads to at least 17,000 direct, full-time jobs, B次元官网网址渂ecause buying a boat is just one part of the equation,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淧eople are constantly maintaining it, accessorizing it, looking after it, so there are many, many industries associated with recreational boating.B次元官网网址�
Many local businesses also theme their window displays around the boat show. B次元官网网址淲e (also) get tremendous support from the Town of Sidney, from Sidney council. It has been very gratifying. ItB次元官网网址檚 hard not to be happy we you get good support,B次元官网网址� Threadkell said.
Looking at specific trends, the industry is moving toward greater fuel efficiency, he added.
B次元官网网址淭here is a very strong shift toward the development of hybrid-electric and fully electric boats. We are going to have our first full electric boat in the show B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 29 feet long and it will cruise all day at six knots. It has a combination of solar-feed to the batteries, plus you plug in at the dock overnight to re-charge.B次元官网网址�
Fans of boats powered by more traditional forms of renewable energy B次元官网网址� i.e. wind B次元官网网址� can also get their fill at the show.
Mill Bay Marine Group, which own Port Sidney Marina, will present its historic 100-year-old tall ship The Providence. Visitors can also enjoy various food and drink offerings on site.
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