Is 2026 a good time to buy a boat in Ontario?

Yes, for most buyers it is one of the better windows in recent years. New inventory is plentiful, dealer competition is real, and financing rates are easing. Dated U.S. and North American samples are background, not a measure of Ontario prices or HBW sales.

Why are new boat sales down if people are still boating?

New unit sales dropped as the post-COVID surge corrected, but overall boating expenditure remained strong. People are maintaining, upgrading, and repowering the boats they already own.

What is the best time of year to buy a boat in Canada?

Fall (September to November) typically offers the best new-boat opportunities: dealers are clearing model-year inventory and are more open to negotiating on leftover stock. Winter boat shows (January and February) bring promotional financing programs. Spring has the widest selection but also peak demand, so dealers are less motivated to discount.

How do tariffs affect boat prices in Canada in 2026?

Most outboards and many boat brands sold in Canada carry significant U.S.-manufactured content, so tariff costs on U.S.-origin goods are typically passed through to buyers within one to two model cycles. Any escalation in Canada-U.S. trade tensions tends to raise boat prices over the following 12 to 24 months. Waiting for a tariff resolution as a price-drop strategy assumes a political outcome that is uncertain.

Are the prices on mercuryrepower.ca in Canadian dollars?

Yes. Every price on mercuryrepower.ca is in Canadian dollars, with HST extra. The configurator shows live CAD pricing for the full Mercury lineup, no phone call required.

Is Mercury allocation healthy for 2026?

From our position as a Mercury Premier dealer, allocation has looked healthy on our recent orders, though it shifts by model and season, so confirm current availability when you call.

Is 2026 a Good Year to Buy a Boat in Ontario? (Honest Take)

Quick answer The 2026 Ontario boat market is steadier than anything we have seen since the COVID surge. Inventory is back on dealer lots, and prices have stopped climbing. Dated U.S. and North American samples are background, not a measure of Ontario prices or HBW sales. The...

Three examples of freshwater boating with Mercury outboards.

Last reviewed: 2026-09-06

Mercury Premier Dealer·Gores Landing, ON·Quote builder available

Quick answer

The 2026 Ontario boat market is steadier than anything we have seen since the COVID surge. Inventory is back on dealer lots, and prices have stopped climbing. Dated U.S. and North American samples are background, not a measure of Ontario prices or HBW sales. The federal luxury tax is no longer payable on subject vessels effective November 5, 2025. Bill C-15 received Royal Assent on March 26, 2026. If you have been waiting, this is a more balanced market. Build a quote at mercuryrepower.ca.

The post-pandemic reset is complete

For two years after the 2020 boating boom, Ontario buyers faced a frustrating market: too little inventory, prices at or above MSRP, take-it-or-leave-it dealers. That market is gone.

In its January 8, 2026 release, NMMA estimated that U.S. new powerboat retail sales fell 8% to 10% in 2025, to about 215,000–225,000 units. This is a U.S. industry estimate, not a measure of Ontario prices or HBW sales.

Overall boating expenditure remained strong through 2025. People kept boating and spending on service, parts, and upgrades. They just got more selective on major new-boat purchases.

What dealer inventories are telling you

The January 2026 Pulse Report, published February 27, surveyed 50 retailers in North America. It reported 46% considered new-boat inventory too high, down from 71% in December. That describes a dated survey sample; it does not establish the stock position of every Ontario dealer.

A "too high" reading in that sample is still useful background for buyers looking at selection. It is not a statement about every local lot.

Used-boat pricing varies by segment, age, condition and comparison period. Published U.S. data should be treated as background rather than a valuation for a Rice Lake boat. Compare recent local asking prices, completed-sale evidence where available, condition and documented service history before deciding whether a particular boat is good value.

2026 Ontario boat market ranges

What you'll actually pay for a boat in 2026

Real Ontario CAD ranges by category. New-boat pricing has softened from the 2022 peak. Used pricing has finally normalized. Repower remains the best dollar-per-season deal.

Aluminum fishing boat, 16 to 18 ft new$22,000 to $42,000

Package with 40 to 90 HP Mercury FourStroke and trailer. Range depends on console, electronics, and live well config.

Pontoon, 20 to 22 ft new$38,000 to $75,000

Dual or triple tube with 90 to 150 HP. Mid-range is the sweet spot for most cottage owners.

Bowrider or runabout, 18 to 21 ft new$55,000 to $110,000

Fiberglass with 150 to 250 HP. Tower, upholstery, and audio package drive the upper end.

Used boat, 5 to 10 years old$15,000 to $45,000

Wide range. Hull condition, hours, and trailer matter more than year. Always check compression and lower unit oil.

Repower of an existing hull$12,000 to $24,000

Best dollar-per-season value if the hull and trailer are sound. New motor, new warranty, no boat-shopping required.

Best value path for most buyersRepower if the hull is good

All CAD, pickup only at Gores Landing. Build a repower quote at mercuryrepower.ca.

The segments that matter on Rice Lake

The luxury tax on subject vessels was repealed

Canada's federal luxury tax, introduced in 2022, applied to subject vessels priced or valued above $250,000. The Canada Revenue Agency's Luxury Tax Notice LTN5 confirms that the tax is no longer payable on subject vessels effective November 5, 2025. The amendments were included in Bill C-15, which received Royal Assent on March 26, 2026.

If you are shopping for a vessel above the threshold, the tax no longer applies to qualifying transactions on or after the effective date. The CRA notice explains the remaining filing and recordkeeping rules for earlier transactions.

Financing is getting more manageable

The Bank of Canada policy rate eased through a series of cuts in 2025. Those cuts are filtering through to marine lending. On a typical $60,000 boat package, even a 1% rate reduction can take $30 to 40 per month off a five-year loan.

Prices here are planning figures as of September 2026. For live Mercury motor pricing, see the Mercury pricing reference.

Tariffs and the exchange rate

Most major outboard brands, Mercury included, assemble or source components in the United States, and most aluminum boat brands carry significant U.S. content. That means two things for Canadian buyers: a weaker Canadian dollar puts upward pressure on next-model-year pricing, and any escalation in Canada-U.S. trade tensions tends to raise boat prices over the following 12 to 24 months, not lower them. Waiting for a tariff resolution as a price-drop strategy is a bet on a political outcome nobody can promise. For clarity: every price on mercuryrepower.ca is in Canadian dollars, HST extra.

The case for 2026 pre-owned

Pre-owned boats typically account for about 80% of all boat transactions in a given year. Used-boat pricing varies by segment, age, condition and comparison period, so treat published U.S. percentages as background rather than a Rice Lake valuation. Every used boat at HBW gets inspected before it goes up for sale. Current inventory at harrisboatworks.ca.

2026 timing decision

Buy this season, or wait for fall pricing?

The 2026 market is not collapsing and not booming. Your timing depends on whether you can wait.

You need a boat for this season

You sold or lost your previous boat and want water time in 2026
You have a family vacation or cottage booked that needs the boat
Current inventory has something close to what you want
You can pay or finance now without stretching

Buy now, the market is what it is. Lose a season chasing a discount.

You can wait until late fall

You have a working boat that will get through 2026
You want a specific model or HP not currently in stock
You want to negotiate from a position of patience
Fall and year-end dealer flexibility matters to you

Wait. Off-season pricing and trade-in flexibility are real.

When in doubt:A season on the water is worth more than 5 percent off a motor. If a missed summer hurts more than the discount helps, buy now.

What this means for HBW customers

Inventory is back. You get to choose.
Pricing is rational.
Financing is improving.
The luxury tax no longer applies to subject vessels for qualifying transactions on or after November 5, 2025.

We watch the market from our shop on Rice Lake. The honest take on 2026: it is a buyer market, not a distressed one, just a balanced one.

Stop by Gores Landing, call 905-342-2153, or start a quote at mercuryrepower.ca.

Sources

Canada Revenue Agency, Luxury Tax Notice LTN5 (updated April 2026; Royal Assent March 26, 2026).
NMMA, January 8, 2026 release on estimated U.S. new powerboat retail sales in 2025.
Bank of Canada, policy rate (series of cuts in 2025).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 2026 a good time to buy a boat in Ontario?: Yes, for most buyers it is one of the better windows in recent years. New inventory is plentiful, dealer competition is real, and financing rates are easing. Dated U.S. and North American samples are background, not a measure of Ontario prices or HBW sales.
Did Canada really repeal the luxury tax on boats?: Yes. Canada Revenue Agency Luxury Tax Notice LTN5 confirms that the luxury tax is no longer payable on subject vessels effective November 5, 2025. The amendments were included in Bill C-15, which received Royal Assent on March 26, 2026.
Are used boat prices coming down in Ontario?: Used-boat pricing varies by segment, age, condition and comparison period. Published U.S. data should be treated as background rather than a valuation for a Rice Lake boat. Compare recent local asking prices, completed-sale evidence where available, condition and documented service history before deciding whether a particular boat is good value.
Why are new boat sales down if people are still boating?: New unit sales dropped as the post-COVID surge corrected, but overall boating expenditure remained strong. People are maintaining, upgrading, and repowering the boats they already own.
What is the best time of year to buy a boat in Canada?: Fall (September to November) typically offers the best new-boat opportunities: dealers are clearing model-year inventory and are more open to negotiating on leftover stock. Winter boat shows (January and February) bring promotional financing programs. Spring has the widest selection but also peak demand, so dealers are less motivated to discount.
How do tariffs affect boat prices in Canada in 2026?: Most outboards and many boat brands sold in Canada carry significant U.S.-manufactured content, so tariff costs on U.S.-origin goods are typically passed through to buyers within one to two model cycles. Any escalation in Canada-U.S. trade tensions tends to raise boat prices over the following 12 to 24 months. Waiting for a tariff resolution as a price-drop strategy assumes a political outcome that is uncertain.
Are the prices on mercuryrepower.ca in Canadian dollars?: Yes. Every price on mercuryrepower.ca is in Canadian dollars, with HST extra. The configurator shows live CAD pricing for the full Mercury lineup, no phone call required.
Is Mercury allocation healthy for 2026?: From our position as a Mercury Premier dealer, allocation has looked healthy on our recent orders, though it shifts by model and season, so confirm current availability when you call.

Harris Boat Works · 5369 Harris Boat Works Rd, Gores Landing, ON · (905) 342-2153

See all Mercury outboard prices (CAD) · Repower guide · FAQ