MLA Boat Show 2022
22nd August 2022
What do you do when you are 99 years old on and its a Saturday? You visit the Muskoka Lakes Association’s bi-annual boat show. Especially since the boat you have given to your grandson is the poster boat and lining the docks in the premier spot.
Alf Mortimer, who started Port Sandfield Marina a life time ago, was watching carefully over his pride and joy, the 1936, Minett-Shields, torpedo stern custom launch named Caprice. She is the last of three boats and the first to be custom ordered. The other two of her kind were destroyed, one by fire and the other by snow.
The show returned to Port Carling after a two years hiatus. The event always feels like a gathering of the boats as though they were old friends, bobbing next to each other at the dock. Over 50 boats were involved and the collection represents some of the most interesting boats in Muskoka. The show is a “must” for anyone interested in wooden boats.
In some years, the boats congregate all at once, causing a bit of a panic for the dock hands, but this year, it was a gradual and graceful affair with only a few moments when the uninitiated would hold their breath. The MLA Boat Show committee spent weeks pulling it all together. All the little details of permits, safety checks, signage and more are all important in making it the success if was. Attendance on the docks was pretty steady through the day, which started out quite cool and wound up being a stellar summer day.
Port Carling is known as the “Hub of the Lakes”, where the Indian River joins Lake Muskoka with Rosseau Joseph. As such the town has played an essential role in the history of the region, being home to at least three major boat builders at one point. It is the natural place to host a show and the boats feel right at home.
Summer Excitement is Here
By Tim Du Vernet
The ACBS-Toronto boat show is looming large now. With just one weekend to go! For wooden boaters, the show represents a serious start to the season with the long weekend past.
While ACBS-Toronto organizes the event hosted by the Town of Gravenhurst, the ACBS is a big organization and draws participation to this show from several of its chapters.
That means both boating participants and spectators alike will get to enjoy a broad range of classic boats from as far away as Florida, Ottawa, and beyond.
As classic boat collecting matures, more and more fiberglass boats become vintage and historically significant. This year’s show will combine all classic craft into a one day public event on Saturday with member activities happening Friday through Sunday.
Once again, the ever popular card board boat building event will be fun for youth and families as well as those who love to see just how far a card board boat can go.
A special highlight of this year’s event is the return of Miss Canada IV to Gravenhurst. Built by Greavette Boats, she will be the centre of attention at 12:00 with official ceremonies. The return of Miss Canada represents the co-ordinated efforts of many people from Ingersol to Gravenhurst. She will be part of a remarkable documentary film titled “Harold and Lorna”.
The show boat is the very historically significant KITTYHAWK. This name is tied to aviation history as well as more humble boating history on Georgian Bay.
Built in 1929 by Gidley Boats, KITTYHAWK started her career as a taxi boat. She came up for sale and Orville Wright bought her in 1931 after she a hardtop had been added.
KITTYHAWK was his Georgian Bay boat, where he spent the summer. At 32’6” and substantial freeboard , KITTYHAWK, is ready to handle the waters of Georgian Bay. Perhaps her sturdy nature is one of the features that attracted Orville Wright. The Gidley “Gull” model is described in the brochure as an all mahogany express runabout, equipped with a Kermath engine. A “general purpose craft she has a passenger capacity of eight plus incidental baggage accommodation.”
Shis is currently owned by Guy and Kathy Johnstone, who summer on Georgian Bay in an area known as Franceville East. KITTYHAWK will be brought to Lake Muskoka and launched specially for the show. It is expected that representatives of the Wright family will be present for the special showing of this remarkable boat.
Once again, there will be lots to see at this year’s boat show. Remember, the show is one day only with a modest admission fee.
The ACBS will also be selling posters featuring the KITTYHAWK in two versions, the production version and a very exclusive, limited edition version produced by Tim Du Vernet. More updates on the show next week!