Montreal boat and water sports show showcases boats for every budget

Visitors can explore the latest watercraft trends at Nautisme Québec’s annual show.

The Montreal Boat and Water Sports Show is underway at Palais des congrès from February 12 to 15.

It’s Valentine’s weekend, and the retailers here want you to fall in love with a watercraft.

Hosted by Nautisme Québec, people come to see the new trends and innovations at this show, like battery-powered watercraft and hi-tech navigation systems.

Yet, many of these watercraft come with a hefty price tag.

Marc-Andre Loyer of Nautisme Québec points at a price tag: “A $400,000 boat, $400,000! That’s not cheap.”

He adds that there are ways to enjoy the water for less.

“Like you can rent a car, you can rent a boat. They have a structured program for renting various types of boats.”

Renting programs and smaller crafts for smaller budgets.

Andrea Cutugno of Nautisme Québec says the show is for “Everybody that likes water, everybody who enjoys sports. We have paddleboards, kayaks. We’re going to have some sailing racers, too. So, basically, it’s made for everybody.”

The downside to an indoor boat show is that you don’t get to try anything.

With that in mind, the organizers announced what might become Canada’s largest in-water boat show – starting September 2026 in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.

Salaberry-de-Valleyfield Mayor Miguel Lemieux says his city hosts the speedboat regatta in July and will be ready for all other watercraft in September too.

“We have a navigable canal. The downtown is built around a bay. We have the biggest marina in Quebec. So, our nautical potential is wonderful, is huge!”

All this talk of water sports is a reminder that summer is getting closer.