Celebration of Antique and Classic Boats August 8
08th August 2020
Vintage Boating Flotillas
YouTube Hand Held Video
By Tim Du Vernet
Muskoka’s antique and classic boating community were hungry for action. The chance to share their joy of antique wooden boats and classic glass came together in the form of several great parades in Muskoka and beyond.
Celebrating National Vintage Boating Day for the first time clearly let loose the urge to get out and cruise. It was a perfect summer’s day and there is no better way to celebrate this than to join fellow boaters and create some waves. Three routes were planned in Muskoka: Lake Rosseau, Muskoka and Lakes of Bays, as well as the Gloucester Pool and Kawartha Lakes areas.
I joined the Lake Muskoka cruise. I would estimate that upwards of 40 boats joined in. The leader boat, named Kindling, was an early launch style with a pointed stern and powered by a 20HP engine, likely a 1912 and probably the oldest boat in the flotilla. She set the pace and led the gathering through the Beaumaris bridge and then through the islands of the area. Similarly on Lake Rosseau, another flotilla slowly cruised the lake going around the lake. The planning committee lead by Rick Terry expected maybe a dozen boats would show up. The flotilla grew to upwards of 40 boats of all shapes and sizes, similar to the Lake Muskoka group. Everyone had a great time and feedback comments indicate the idea should be repeated next year!
On Lake of Bays, Rita Adams outlined the route: we assembled at the west end of the Narrows, cruised through the Narrows toward Dorset, passed under the bridge into Little Trading Bay then broke to head for home.
Five boats participated: Skipjack a 1909, Heron, a 1947 Greavette, a 1994 Giesler, Rana a 1951 Shepherd runabout and a 1957 aluminum previously used as a Toronto Harbour police boat. It was a modest turnout, but rewarding for everyone. All things considered, Rita was pleased with the turnout. A few of the boats she was hoping for had some mechanical troubles.
No word on whether this would become an annual event, but it was exciting to see the different boats at speed, cutting through the water, each with their distinctive personalities. A few performance classic glass boats showed off the innovations of hull design and engine power of their generation. The long deck launches just smoothly cut through any waves while the ever practical utility boats from Duke, SeaBird and Greavette filled out the pack. A wide cross section of boat styles and builders were well represented.
VBD2020 Album
YouTube Hand Held Video
By Tim Du Vernet
Muskoka’s antique and classic boating community were hungry for action. The chance to share their joy of antique wooden boats and classic glass came together in the form of several great parades in Muskoka and beyond.
Celebrating National Vintage Boating Day for the first time clearly let loose the urge to get out and cruise. It was a perfect summer’s day and there is no better way to celebrate this than to join fellow boaters and create some waves. Three routes were planned in Muskoka: Lake Rosseau, Muskoka and Lakes of Bays, as well as the Gloucester Pool and Kawartha Lakes areas.
I joined the Lake Muskoka cruise. I would estimate that upwards of 40 boats joined in. The leader boat, named Kindling, was an early launch style with a pointed stern and powered by a 20HP engine, likely a 1912 and probably the oldest boat in the flotilla. She set the pace and led the gathering through the Beaumaris bridge and then through the islands of the area. Similarly on Lake Rosseau, another flotilla slowly cruised the lake going around the lake. The planning committee lead by Rick Terry expected maybe a dozen boats would show up. The flotilla grew to upwards of 40 boats of all shapes and sizes, similar to the Lake Muskoka group. Everyone had a great time and feedback comments indicate the idea should be repeated next year!
On Lake of Bays, Rita Adams outlined the route: we assembled at the west end of the Narrows, cruised through the Narrows toward Dorset, passed under the bridge into Little Trading Bay then broke to head for home.
Five boats participated: Skipjack a 1909, Heron, a 1947 Greavette, a 1994 Giesler, Rana a 1951 Shepherd runabout and a 1957 aluminum previously used as a Toronto Harbour police boat. It was a modest turnout, but rewarding for everyone. All things considered, Rita was pleased with the turnout. A few of the boats she was hoping for had some mechanical troubles.
No word on whether this would become an annual event, but it was exciting to see the different boats at speed, cutting through the water, each with their distinctive personalities. A few performance classic glass boats showed off the innovations of hull design and engine power of their generation. The long deck launches just smoothly cut through any waves while the ever practical utility boats from Duke, SeaBird and Greavette filled out the pack. A wide cross section of boat styles and builders were well represented.
VBD2020 Album