The 24th edition of the Montreal International Boat Show was held at the Palais des congrès in February. The festive atmosphere and the fascinating display of new boats with the latest technologies amused throngs of boating enthusiasts. Eastern Canada’s largest nautical boat show featured over 80 exhibitors and showcased around 225 boats and boating accessories, including personal watercraft.
Princecraft, Lund, and Lowe, all subsidiaries of the Brunswick Corporation, had a presence at this year’s show. In the fishing boat category, they displayed a range of boats at various prices. The most affordable family-class boats were in the Holiday 162 series. For instance, five-person aluminum boat with engine power ranging from 60hp to 75hp and a price starting at $31,199.
In fishing boats, the Lund 1975 Tyee looks premium and comfortable with its IPS2 hull design and a larger aluminum hull body to maximize a smooth ride. It is 19ft 10 in and comes with comfortable jump seats, a foldable ladder, underground storage, high-capacity rod storage and can hold 40 gallons of fuel. This is versatile 225hp fishing boat with decent space and storage can fit nine people and has a price tag starting at $64,793.
In the top-end fishing category, the Platinum 220 starts at $113,770 and comes with a range of hull and deck functions and other fishing features. This 22ft boat can be fitted with Mercury V6 to V10 engines and has a capacity of 11 people.
In the Rigid Inflatable Boat category, the 19ft 3in Highfield Sport 560 offers more space, functionality and capability. The bow sundeck provides enough room to lie down and relax while on the water. The swim platforms with a swim ladder at the stern offer easy reboarding after a good drip in the water. The 105-litre fuel tank gives you enough range to cruise long distances, and its small size makes it easily towable for a road trip.
The Starcraft SVX 191 has an interior layout that resembles a typical pontoon and claims to deliver the performance of a V-bottom. The L- and U-shaped seats and enormous storage space provide the needed comfort for passengers. The decently designed captain seat with the essential instrumentation provides all comfort for the navigators. The SVX 191 includes features such as a four-speaker stereo, a bimini top for sun protection, and EVA soft-touch traction mat flooring in the bow.
The Ventura series is a perfect hybrid offering the comfort of a pontoon and the qualities of a fishing boat. The base model Ventura 192 starts at $66,575; this 19-ft aluminum deck boat has the capacity to seat eight people and can be powered by an engine ranging from 115hp to 150hp. This beautiful craft provides enough space and lounge seats for passengers and is good for both fishing and cruising.
In the pontoon class, the Princecraft Brio caught the visitors’ attention. The Brio 21-2S is a 21.07ft battery-powered boat with a five-person capacity. It can be fitted with a Mercury electric engine with a horsepower range of 5hp to 25hp to navigate through pristine lakes with its quiet electric-powered engines. The portable battery claims to deliver three hours of cruise range in ideal conditions.
Excalibur Pontoon, Avalon’s flagship model, displayed its exquisite design, sophistication and quality. It is equipped with solid welded aluminum custom-painted walls and comes with a 27in high-performance triple pontoon system and the latest technology. Avalon claims to have tested these crafts in the world’s most challenging waters. These sophisticated pontoons start at a whopping $142,780.
Wired Electric Pontoons, a Quebec-based company, also showcased their electric pontoons. The 20ft base model starts at $71,000 and can travel at a speed of 5mph. The top-end 23ft tritoon can cruise at 30mph with its 180hp Mercury engines, can carry 12 passengers, and is priced at $214,000. You can extend the range depending on the cruising speed. Gently navigating at 5mph, you can push the range up to 265km. These boats come with inboard chargers, which don’t require any special charging infrastructure or equipment. The regular 110v or 220v can charge the batteries overnight.
The all-new Malibu M242 embodies all the luxuries, elegance and craftsmanship of the Malibu line. The quality touches are everywhere inside and outside the craft. This new M242 has Max-Relax Sundeck Loungers, an E-Z Stash Board Locker, and Raise-and-Laze Armrest to give a sophisticated feel along with power performance. This 24ft, 607hp engine has a capacity of 17 people and starts at $377,475. For performance and premium experience, this is a boat to check out.
The Ranger Tugs from the US have exceptional versatility and quality and offer models ranging from 23ft to 43ft. The R-23 stands out for its unique styling with a curved front window and an overhead glass atrium that provides excellent visibility from the helm and salon area. The cockpit seating arrangement includes a reversible seat, port and starboard jump seats, and a teak table for outside dining. If you are heading to retirement and enjoy long-range cruising with luxury, check it out. The displayed R-27 Luxury Edition had a price tag of $368,000.
The Galeon 325 GTO Yacht showcased this year offers the ultimate luxury and power in a yacht, and the company boasts of having designed this beast based on cues developed from high-performance sports cars. Powered by two Mercury Verado 400-horsepower engines, it can be easily maneuvered with a joystick. It has the latest navigation system, assisted by radar and other electronics integrated with two 16in screens. The cabin can accommodate four people and is equipped with a complete bathroom. This 32.9ft yacht has an onboard generator and is priced at $875,000.
A unique product this year was the Red Shark Fitness Bike Surf model, a $5699 platform for on-water cycling. This can ride on the water like riding a road bike, which is integrated with stable-rudder technology and a maintenance-free gearbox to give stability and durability. It is built on an inner-core fibre-reinforced inflatable board with hydro technology that reduces drag over varying water conditions for the most efficient ride using aluminum and stainless-steel hardware. A fitness freak could transport a Bike Surf on their roof rack.
Prominent boat engine manufacturers like Mercury and Yamaha are advancing electric innovations. Companies such as Wired Electric Pontoon and Princecraft already offer electric watercraft and continue to invest more in this direction. Electric boating in Canada is still moving at a snail’s pace and will require innovation and helpful government policies to advance their development and manufacturing on a global scale.