For many years now, the large and active Quebec sailing community has felt somewhat let down by the annual Montreal Boat Show, which gives little attention to sail-specific activities (booths, vendors, conferences, etc.). Some sailing groups decided to take matters into their own hands and create their very own sail-only trade show and conference.
Led by Bianka Julien from Voile-Com and thanks to lots of support from social media, on Saturday April 18 at the Old Port of Montreal, the Rendez-Voile (Sailors’ Rendez-vous) event took place and attracted more than 2,000 sailors from every corner of the province.
It was a great success—vendors and sailing community organizations hosted booths and the event’s back-to-back conferences were at full capacity. It is sure to be repeated year after year.
Highlights
Conferences were hosted by experienced sailors who presented on a wide range of subjects.
Growing the Community
- Voile Com (Sail Community), the main organizers of this event, presented their program and how they match sailors and crew with captains and boatowners. This French, Quebec-led organisation manages and matches people of various experiences, from novice to expert, who want to sail with boat owners that welcome them on board. Some join to gain more experiences, some to sail in new locations, others join to learn, while others join to share their own expertise with new boat owners. To date, the organization already has over 25 boat owners from all over eastern Canada as well as Lake Champlain in New York and Vermont. Voile communautaire | À propos (French-only website).
- Marine Scouts introduced the next generation to the world of boating and sailing.
Gear
- Technical experts presented the latest battery technology and solar systems, delving into the pros and cons of each.
- Sail presentations explored the various cloth selections available, with the pros and cons of each fabric choice, best practices for care and handling, and how to choose your sails. The presenters also showed various modern handling equipment, such as furlers designed for foresails and downwind sails.
Voyaging
- Trip planning and readiness presentations focused on what you need to know and bring, such as emergency gear.
- Voyaging sailors shared their experiences and lessons learned. From heading down the east coast of North America from Montreal to Florida, to crossing the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas, to improved safety at sea via organizing flotillas for various passages, how to decide when the best time is to undertake crossings and passages, and detailed various situations from equipment breakdown to extreme weather.
- Canadian liveaboard YouTube sensation, Sailing Atypic, presented their around-the-world adventures, including their beginnings. They shared everything from how they began with no real sailing experience to how their first monohull boat sank, how and why they chose a catamaran to continue their adventure, and their ups and downs of their lifestyle. They emphasized that despite their videos showing great locations and adventures, there are many aspects and serious downs that no one sees.
Plans for a Repeat Success Next Year
Overall, vendors and sponsors I spoke with were very pleased with the show, many confirming their commitment to attend next year’s event.
I was there representing Practical Sailor at the Boathouse and Montreal Shipwright booths, where visitor names were collected fora drawing to win a one-year subscription to Practical Sailor digital magazine.
The organizers hope to hold this event in March next year, which is one month earlier. This would be before the spring pre-launch season begins in Quebec and would accommodate many more guests.
Cost permitting, and with willingness of organizers, I think this event could be added to the traditional Montreal Boat Show as a trade show within a trade show, dedicated to sailors.
