shipping new 26M boat to Ontario, Canada

[dreamer]

I have just registered to this forum. I'm not a boater but always dreamed about sailing. I came upon the 26M and didn't realize that such a versitile boat existed. I am seriously thinking of purchasing one. I have read the various correspondences from the dealers on this webite. I was wondering if anyone has picked up a 26M or had it shipped to Canada from one of these American dealers. This is an amazing sight and very informative.

[Calin]

Hi dreamer,

Welcome! I live in Ottawa and I bought a 26M from BOATS 4 SAIL. I will pick it personally at the end of March. Bill, is a very useful person and can walk you through many features provided for this boat.

[Frank C]

Mod's Note:

Button at left - "Dealer Information" - locates Macgregor Dealers (website, phone).

Also, several dealers have banner ads that appear randomly at top of every page,
so they are highlighted in listings.

[Alex]

Welcome Dreamer.
Try to contact Dowsar from Hamilton. I think for start better take used boat and save money. Two month ago I saw there 2 years old boat , nice cond.
Price good as well. Alex

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

I was wondering if anyone has picked up a 26M or had it shipped to Canada from one of these American dealers.

I've had customers from three Canadian provinces (and 29 states) pick up a boat at my shop (so far). I can give you the contact info for these customers that can answer a lot of the questions you may have about taking a boat into Canada. I give you a Trailer Recall Statement that you need to get the trailer licensed. You would not have to pay me any tax.
You can ask on this site if anyone would recommend buying a boat from me.

Yesterday, I had a customer from Alaska pick up his new 26M with his motorhome. He was on his way to southern California. Wisconsin was right on his way, sort of.

[Catigale]

Dreamer - buying my new from Art Reiders in Mass (RIP) was the best thing I did since getting married...ok the kids are in there too...

Of course money drives these things but a good dealer can get you started and having fun in year one as opposed to learning a lot of stuff on your own....I confess Ill probably never buy a new boat again but dont regret going new in 2002 for an instant.

Surf this board and you will quickly find the guys who have the respect and admiration of purchasers here. Several of the dealers both advertise and post here regularly...hmmm ..I wonder what you chances are of having a big problem with such a person on a visible forum like this are......slim or none???

[beene]

I was wondering if anyone has picked up a 26M or had it shipped to Canada from one of these American dealers.

Yesterday, I had a customer from Alaska pick up his new 26M with his motorhome. He was on his way to southern California. Wisconsin was right on his way, sort of.

That would have been a long train indeed, about 60 feet long perhaps. Hope he did not go through Chicago. Like to see him get through that construction steering 60' of length.

g

[Rich Smith]

Hi Dreamer - not sure where in Canada you live but I have my 2001 MacX for sale. I'm in the Mississuaga, Toronto area. If you have any interest, feel free to send me a message on this board.

Cheers,
Rich.

[Randy McCotter]

Hey dreamer.....
if you're over on the west side of canada, you can call Gerry Berg in Vancouver OR Mike at Ghost lake recreations in Cochrane, Alberta. I would recommend buying a used one as well, just for the simple fact.... you ARE going to hit the dock. you ARE going to put a few scratches on it. you ARE going to cry when you do that to your nice new pretty boat!! having a used one takes the pain away a little.

Randy

[Rob Roy Macgregor]

If you do plan on buying in US, you should check out the link below. I bought my boat in US and brought it back accross the border. The information was invaluable.
http://boating.ncf.ca/buy-usa.html

[dreamer]

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions.
Calin, are you having an oatboard installed also?

Rich, I'm not too far from you but I think I'd like to go with the 26M. Although alot of you are saying to buy used since I would be new to sailing. I'll have to re-read some of the 26x vs 26m postings again.

Rob Roy thanks for the link. It provides the information I need.

I saw the Odin at the Toronto boat show. Nice boat but costs more than I thought. Went to Dowsar booth and saw the 26M. My kids loved it. Although I would rather support a Canadian dealer, I'm finding that I would save at least $4000 getting it from Bill or AWKIII.

[Calin]

I am looking for an OBM. Currently considering a private sale but also looked at iboats and edsmarinesuperstore. iboats have a good sale service and good prices.

[Frank C]

... Although I would rather support a Canadian dealer,
I'm finding that I would save at least $4000 getting it from Bill or AWKIII.

Hmmm - wonder if that's a reflection of international trade issues, or just USA retail competitiveness??

If it's so easy to import your own boat that the instructions are posted on a webpage,
seems maybe that Canadian retailers need to read their markets more closely.

[Rob Roy Macgregor]

The International trade agreement has helped in certain areas such as no more inport duties on US manufactured products. The main problems are generated by distance, shipping costs and volume. I am sure if Dowsar were selling double what they sell now in terms of volume they may look at their pricing.

A funny thing is that some products coming into Canada from the US have a different pricing structure. Having had a Fly Fishing store and had suppliers in both the US and Canada, I couldn't help but compare wholesale prices. Most US suppliers were cheaper, some had comprable prices and some actually were cheaper in Canada. Fly lines were an example. I could get lines made in US at prices 10-15% less from Canadian suppliers than US. I often had US customers in my store who would buy several lines and nothing else, as they were saving $15-$20 on each line over US prices, even with the exchange rate.

Looking at boat prices and the cost of shipping, I wonder if the price difference is just for shipping or are there add ons such as the Transport Canada inspection fee on trailers to consider as well.

However when I hear that someone can save $5,000 by going to the US and bringing the boat back thenmselves, I think there is something not quite right in the equation.

[Terry]

Hmmm - wonder if that's a reflection of international trade issues, or just USA retail competitiveness??

Sometimes it is just the individual dealer not passing on the exchange rate saving when the Can $ strenthens. I saw on Highlanders pics that Dowsar sells for about $23,999 cdn at the Toronto boat show, out here on the west coast the dealer charges $25,999. With can$ at .85 cents US it is a no-brainer to buy from BWY in Seattle and incidently several customers have. In todays day and age of global markets customers have more choices and dealers need to acknowledge this. If the difference between BWY and here is only 1K a customer may not bother going south, at 1.5K the customer starts contemplating, at 2K the economics forces the decision in favour of south and beyond 2K is just gravy. Another factor that can influence a decision is the amount of aftermarket options available, some dealers can differentiate themselves from their compettitors through aftermarket custom mods. BWY is the aftermarket supplier in these parts, and it looks like Kelly-Hanson is right on there heels for providing more options.