Description

Everyone loves antique wooden boats, but few people today know the history behind these handcrafted beauties, many of which are now over 100 years old. Vintage Wooden Boat Builders of Muskoka & Ontario tells the stories of more than 30 vintage boat manufacturers-some famous and others not so well-known-with special attention to those of the renowned Muskoka region. A helpful reference for classic boat fans, it provides all the essential information about the companies and people who built your favourite launches, runabouts and cruisers.

Beginning in the 1870s, Muskoka saw the growth of a local boat-building industry that went hand-in-hand with the district's role as a summer vacationer's paradise. Boatworks sprang up all around the Muskoka lakes, and some of the builders went on to become Canadian icons, such as Ditchburn and Greavette. Even the boats of many smaller, independent builders are prized today for their style and craftsmanship. The book includes detailed histories of over a dozen Muskoka motorboat producers.

Rounding out the picture, Vintage Wooden Boat Builders of Muskoka & Ontario also contains concise histories of many of their notable contemporaries from around the province, such as Shepherd and Grew Boats. This gives a wider look at the industry and shows the connections between these and the Muskoka builders, not the least of which was their cooperative effort to build military vessels during World War II.

Also included are numerous builder biographies, introducing the reader to the talented individuals behind the boats, as well as over 150 historical photos and illustrations.

Gerry Hatherley is a volunteer researcher and writer for the Archives of the Muskoka Discovery Centre in Gravenhurst, Ontario.