Vintage Wooden Boat Builders of Muskoka & Ontario

The Stories Behind the Boats Everyone loves the look of 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. Muskoka's Golden Era of Boatbuilding 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. Spanning more than 100 years, the book includes detailed histories of over a dozen of the region's motorboat producers. Additional Ontario Boatworks Rounding out the picture, Vintage Wooden Boat Builders of Muskoka & Ontario also includes concise histories of a selection of notable builders from around the province, such as Shepherd and Grew Boats. The source of many of today's surviving wooden boats, these manufacturers remain an important part of the current boating scene. Their stories provide a wider look at the industry of that period and show the connections between them and their Muskoka contemporaries, not the least of which was their cooperative effort to build military vessels during World War II. Also included are numerous builder biographies, which introduce 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.