The BC Boat Show at Port Sidney Marina is almost upon us. From April 30 to May 3, exhibitors and brokers from all over the coast will come together to put on the largest on-water boat show in BC.
“We’ve sort of become the show that is the one to be at. Most of our clientele that comes ashore are very serious shoppers,” said show manager Steven Threadkell. “Now that the luxury sales tax has been removed, there will be some much better deals available on new boats for the people shopping.”
A day at the BC Boat Show in Sidney. Courtesy of BC Boat Show.With 2,000 feet of dock space and 13 exhibitor booths, the BC Yacht Brokers Association creates a season-opening event that locals know is not to be missed. Threadkell says roughly 3,000 to 5,000 visitors attended last year’s show. With an exciting list of exhibitors claiming space and a waitlist that started months ago, he expects similar attendance for 2026.
Threadkell manages the whole event, from exhibitor and broker placement to media relations and marketing. He says an important job is making the brokers and visitors happy by putting together a show that is interesting and well organized so visitors and vendors get the most out of the experience, “It’s kind of like curating an art show.”
This year, highlights include electric innovations. Threadkell says, “There’s a lot of new product line that’s being brought to the show this year. Stuff that hasn’t been seen before by new manufacturers. And technology that hasn’t been seen before either.”
The Arc electric wake boat, which debuted on the West Coast at the Vancouver International Boat Show, will also be on display in Sidney. All the boats on the docks will have informed brokers on board, ready to guide visitors on tours and help with “the big decision:” purchasing a boat.
It won’t just be new boats, says Threadkell: “The thing I like about this show is that we are able to present a wide spectrum of boats, both sail and power, but across a wide spectrum of budget capabilities.
”There will be plenty of non-shopping excitement as well. The Mill Bay Marine Group is bringing the heritage boat Providence that visitors can explore during the show. Providence will also serve free ice cream on board.
There will be more food available on the docks, and plenty of nautical excitement to last all four days of the show. Threadkell says to come, rain or shine, and enjoy all that the BC Boat Show has to offer. Go to bcboatshow.com for more information.