www.iFourWinns.com

Well I found this years show was a snoozer. There were less exibitors this year than ever. I even think the Montreal show didn't happen as there were a ton of french fries there being arrogant as usual. Lots of deals on new boats but I'm not in the market. I was after deals on accessories but they didn't exist. I could have saved one dollar on a SP cable but I want to lug around 20 pounds to save a buck. I have to say the quality and fit on the Bayliner cruisers stole the show. The FW were really lacking in the fit and finish department. It was like they were slapped together the night before and the layout was trash. The coffee maker and nuke booth on the 355 were way beyond my wifes reach,,,,duh!

I always get comp tickets but if I have to pay next year,,,I aint going It sucked!

John

_________________
07 Azure AZ200,
Previous boat,
95 278 Vista,
And a lot of others.

Ontario, Canada

I was silly enough to purchase a 50 foot shore power cord that was on sale from the West Marine booth at the Toronto Boat Show about 5 years ago and I carried that thing around for the duration of time we were at the show. I think my right arm is still an inch longer as compared to my left arm due to this.

We didn't notice any open floor space at the Toronto Boat Show in either the boat displays or the accessory sections so our take is we didn't notice any reduction in vendors. Except Henry's fish and chips wasn't there and we look forward to having the fish and chips for lunch each year!

A note on the Four Winns V355. After touring the 355, I was surprised to see in the specifictions posted near the 355's transom that our 328 is a larger boat both in beam and overall length. Nothing new about newer boats in many different brands stretching their lenghts when compared to their model designations, but new buyers may assume a V355 would be larger than an older 328.

Still enjoyed the Toronto show. Couldn't get my VC-17 bottom paint for the same price as last year.Accessories and boat supplies may not of been as competive as last year for the couple of items I was pricing.

Mike

_________________

Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

I didn't even bother with Bayliner, I figured they were like the red headed step child. I think the boats that impressed me the most were the Chapparals.

_________________
2011 SL242 5.7 VP GXi - 320 HP Dual Prop

Well, according to several early reports, attendance at the show was up, and sales were strong. So there must have been something there that people wanted to see. Things sure have changed on this board, not too long ago, a boat show thread was full of pictures , reviews and impressions of what was there. I guess with on-line magazines, and the internet, you can get all the pictures you want without taking any while you are there. So, my old school habits persist, and here are a few more pics of some boats at the show, in case anyone besides me who did not go is interested.

Three from Larson














And finally the Carver 540 I wanted to see.


I wish our GR boat show had that many boats to see, and so many larger ones. Glad those who went got to enjoy the smell of fiberglass during January !

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I appreciate pictures from the boat shows and the various pictures members post of their boating areas. I think the posting of pictures helps make a better site overall.

We arrived at the Toronto Boat Show about 10:45 am Saturday and by that time lines were already formed to get on any of the larger boats at the Boat Show. Once you got to the front of the line, with most of the larger boat displays you still had to wait to get onto a specific boat. It made trying to take any meaningful picture hard due to the number of folks all over the boat.

I wanted to get on the 540 Carver and the larger sedan bridge SeaRays but I was not patient enough to wait. This is one disadvantage on going on the weekend.

The pictures posted above from the Toronto Show were taken with what looks like nobody around.

I wanted to get a picture of a cute Four Winns gal (who was helping with line control) smiling in front of a Four Winns boat logo for you guys but it just didn't work out. Maybe next year.

Mike.

_________________

Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

I agree Mike, when it is busy and crowded, it's difficult to get decent pictures. I also do not like waiting in lines to see a boat, unless it is something brand new, or that I have never seen in person or on the water.
The Carver 540 is virtually unchanged from when it was released years ago. The layout is one of the best for it's size IMO. My brother in law has a 2000 540 that we spend time on several times per year. It is quite an experience docking such a large boat, but it was fun to learn.

The Marquis Yachts at the Toronto show would have been two I may have waited in line to see. Simply gorgeous fit and finish.

420SC


500 Sport Bridge

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I have a raft load of pics I will upload maybe later! I got on most of the larger boats except in the Sea Ray section. I didn't want to spend more time standing around. My time was limited. I went on the final day and it wasn't too bad. There were lines but overall not super busy!
The Larson boats were very different inside than anything I have ever seen.
The Cruisers were awesome inside!

_________________
2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

As I said there were deals on new boats but I wasn't in the market. I'm sure sales were up cuz it seemed every other boat we saw had a "sold" sign on it. I've never seen that many,,,,,not even close. The prices were very good but only on new boats

_________________
07 Azure AZ200,
Previous boat,
95 278 Vista,
And a lot of others.

Ontario, Canada

Bring on the pics acguy, we would love to see them

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Well here is a few that I have. You might have to plan guess the boat. Not too many outside pics to many people in the way. Also most of the pics have my kids in them, just back from Mexico that morning and has not seen the kids for the week!


http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu310/acguy9919/Boat%20Show%202012/

_________________
2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

Thanks for the pics.

How did you like the new arch/hardtop in person? It looks great from the pics I've seen.

_________________
2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

I thought the hard top was awesome. It would be on my list if I could afford it. I personally liked the V335 with the hard top others say they didn't.

_________________
2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike