My Blog: Latest Boating News & Columns

From a Distance

By Tim Du Vernet

When the rain stops and the setting sun begins to poke through the clouds, a distant engine rumble can be heard. It gets louder and louder as it comes closer. A combination of different pitches, low rumbles and burbles. The first boat appears and then more. A fleet of perhaps 15 boats wound its way around the shores of Lake Rosseau as the sun set on Sunday after the rain.

It was wonderful to see the silhouettes of such a variety of boats. Long deck launches and I could catch a glimpse of at least one Minett with its inset side running light. There were a few sport runabouts, utilities and more. Perhaps picking up on the momentum from last Saturday, when upwards of 80 boats celebrated National Vintage Boating Day. The rumbles and waves went as they came, disappearing into the reddening sunset. A spectacular sight of wooden boats. No blaring music required. Certainly, the cruise last weekend will likely be the highlight of this summer.

All these wooden boats eventually need professional attention whether it is a touch up on varnish and chrome or more involved repairs to planking or the engine. One of the most visible shops in Muskoka has recently had a change of management. The shop just south west of Port Carling, at the turn off for Foreman Road, is now being managed by Robert Gerigs. Many of us will remember it as the shop that restored Miss Canada IV, when managed by Tom Adams.

When the opportunity presented itself, Robert decided to take the plunge to take control over re-developing the business and running the facility. Built in a traditional format with three separate spaces, Robert represents considerable and varied experience in many facets of boat restoration.

Robert first touched wood working in a serious and competent manner when he was 10. Since then he has had the opportunity to work with experienced builders such as Tom Adams and Paul Brackley.

When reflecting on some of the more memorable projects, Robert believes the most notable was of course Rita, 50 foot, 1914 Minett. Robert notes that some of the others were during times at Dukes and Brackleys, such as "Little One", "Rambler", "Red Witch", "Carry-All", "Memphis 5", "Big Boy", among others. It takes many skills to run a shop and Robert feels confident that his varied experiences and skills will provide him the foundation needed for success. At one point early in his career, Robert spent about 5 years learning metal working and body repair on big rig trucks. This experience proved to be a serious asset when it comes to fairing, as applied to wooden boats. Certainly these are challenging times and it will take a bit of drumming to get the shop humming again. With his passion and determination Robert hopes work will start to flow in. Look for the sign, “The Boat Builder” and you will have found his shop.

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

By Tim Du Vernet


What could be more Muskoka than a casual day of vintage boating? In a sense it will be a like a Flash Mob for the water! Imagine vintage boaters from all corners of Muskoka gathering in a casual flotilla on a route through the various lakes in ALL regions of Muskoka? We know there are hundreds of wooden boats. It would make an awesome spectacle of heritage to see wooden sailboats, utilities, long deck launches and runabouts cruising together.

We know our region has a rich and lengthy history of wooden boating and it should be celebrated annually, frequently. One of the best places to catch a view of the flotilla will be from the locks in Port Carling or the various bridges that span well- used waterways. It will be a tough decision how to see it best. The community of vintage and antique boaters know each other pretty well, at least by boat if not by owner. This is one of the fun things about the boating community. The boats have spanned generations. It isn’t about the ownership, it is all about the stewardship, realizing that any particular ownership is a temporary custodianship through the ages.

So far the latest notes are Get out on the water on -Saturday, August 8 from 10:30 to 12:00 - on a lake or river near you. No registration and minimal trailering required. Vintage boats include any boat built up to and including 1991, or any wooden boat.
Here are the confirmed routes so far:
Lake Muskoka
Assemble by 10:30 a.m. on Mirror Lake just south of Port Carling on the Indian River. Guides will lead the flotilla on a gentle cruise.
Lake Rosseau
Assemble by 10:30 a.m. in the bay on the Indian River opposite Echo Point near the canoe cut. Guides will lead the flotilla on a gentle cruise.
Gloucester Pool
This slow-paced cruise will begin in Little Go Home Bay, head around into Whites Bay to the mouth of the channel to Big Chute and down the Trent System, through The Narrows into Little Lake and return via the Back Channel. Assemble by 10:30 a.m. or join along the route.
Lake of Bays
Assemble by 10:30 a.m. at the west end of the Narrows. Cruise through the Narrows toward Dorset, pass under the bridge into Little Trading Bay, then break to head for home.
Boaters who do not wish to make the journey to Little Trading Bay, could cruise the bay closer to home base.

Virtual Summer

By Tim Du Vernet

This summer has seen it’s share of virtual representations of normal summer happenings. Why should the boat shows be any different! While it isn’t easy to capture everything, there will still be lots of magic to enjoy. I suppose boat owners could all share something online at a magical time, but in honour of all the cancelled boating events, I have put together a special web album of photos spanning decades of boat shows. Not all the images will be up at once so keep checking back to see what’s new. I will dig through my archives to see what I can discover.

If you would like to go directly there, here is a link:

https://duvernet.photium.com/boat-show-sampling

There has been at least one boat show in Muskoka every summer since I began covering them in 1977. The unforgettable boat, car and air show at the Muskoka Lakes Golf and Country Club, set a standard that has yet to be surpassed. The venue was perfect, but never before had the spectacle turned to the sky. Anyone who was there will remember what I believe was a C-130 Hercules come in low, low enough so that my pictures show it below the height of people in their boats. But all of a sudden, it did the most remarkable stunt. It pointed skyward and let loose rocket launchers. The surprise was enough that many a spectator sitting on the edge of something feel over. Where does any boat show go from there to surpass that spectacle?

Highlights over the years have included the last showing of Miss Canada IV with Harold and Lorna in the cockpit, Miss Supertest and Canadian racing champions, the presence of wonderful boats such as Rita, Rambler and of course Heather Belle, which was brought all the way from Lake of Bays by Tim Butson. The recreated Rainbow I and Rainbow III showed the world that Muskoka could compete against the best.

This summer would have featured Rainbow IX for the ACBS and the 1936 Minett-Shields, Caprice, for the bi-annual MLA show. She is owned by Jonathan Blair, grandson of Alf Mortimer, Port Sandfield Marina. Ninety-six year old Alf Mortimer rides shotgun with Jonathan as they take the recently restored boat out for a spin. Alf took Caprice in on a trade for a new fiberglass boat, near the time when the marina was just beginning. Caprice stands out from the field of Muskoka boats with her dramatic transom that seems to disappear into the water. Hopefully we will get to see her next year, with Alf riding with Jonathan.

We can still enjoy these remarkable boats in virtual form through a sampling of highlights over the years.

It's hard to believe but it's been over 40 years since I first started documenting Muskoka. One of my early assignments was the MLA Boat/Car and Air show. There was also the run of Miss Canada IV in Gravenhurst, the last time the RMS Segwun steamed up to Bracebridge, historic figures such as Frank and Phoebe Roads, Charlie Amey, Burt Riddiford, among others. This special collection will include some of the rare and lost moments of Muskoka heritage. A maximum of 15 prints will be made of each image. Prints will be approximately 11 x 14 in size. The album will be posted once I the scanning and preparation process has been completed.

Volume II of the greatest collection of wooden boats in North America and probably beyond is out. It took over a year to produce, but the Race boats of the Anderson Collection have been documented in all their glory in a 120 page, 14 x 11 lay flat book. Copies are available at through the Antique Boat Museum. A special edition "Book Plate" is also available to interested collectors. Please contact me directly if you would like a book plate to go along with your book. Such a magnificent collection. Volume III is in full process.

In the sleepy village of Port Sandfield, Muskoka, more than 100 years ago, machinist, Edwin Rogers and boat builder, W. J. Johnston Jr., came together to invent a “mechanism of propulsion” for rowboats in a small second floor machine shop. Officially patented in 1915 the “Device” as the mechanism would be commonly known, would transform more than 3000 rowboat-like boats into Dispros.

The “Device” is a t-shaped housing that fits in the hull, permitting the propeller to be raised above the hull or lowered to motorize the rowboat. The drive shaft articulates on a universal joint. The “Device” allows a Dis-Pro to be beached easily and to travel in very shallow waters. While the date of the first patent is 1915, there were precursor experimental designs and further advancements as the D.P. Co. and others improved the design. At an evening lecture given by Paul Dodington and Paul Gockel at the Muskoka Lakes Museum, we learned this is why imprinted on the “Device”d is “other patents pending”.

It is no secret, the D.O.A. has been looking forward to this event for a long time. Mary Storey, current president, with John at her side and Ian Dickson, chairman of the Centennial Committee with Barb at his side, took the lead in organizing events for August 8, 2015. The D. O. A. is grateful for the support from the Toronto Chapter of the ACBS. By taking up the cause along side the D.O.A. , with announcements, articles and other forms of support, the day was truly a special one.

The main event was the unveiling of a heritage plaque produced by Ontario Heritage Trust. Sean Fraser, Director of Heritage Programs and Operations, Wayne Kelly, Manager of Public education and Community Development, for Ontario Heritage Trust and James Bartleman, former Lieutenant Governor for province of Ontario, who has been a long supporter of wooden boat culture in Muskoka and Mayor Don Furniss, officiated with the unveiling.

Dispro owners love a party and the Centennial would prove to be one of the biggest. Dressed in period costume, boat owners and their guests participated in record numbers. In the end, nearly 80 boats spanning in age from 1916 to the mid 1950’s lined the docks and the small boat lock entrance. Members and guests had been preparing for this day for some time. Getting boats ready, arranging holiday and travel plans. Coming from the far south and the far west, the warmth and friendship proved the spirit of the Dispro!

The special nature of the festivities and the chance to see so many Dispros in one place attracted easily several thousand people to this historic occasion. It was quite humbling and awe-inspiring to see such public enthusiasm for the Dispro, a quirky and generally impractical little boat.

President Mary Storey, explains “the Dispro Owners Association was extremely pleased to gather the most Dispros ever assembled, have the boats and their production in Port Carling recognized by the Province of Ontario and have a public celebration in honour of the 100th birthday of Disappearing Propeller Boats.”

With the Centennial of the Device just around the corner, the Disappearing Propeller Boat is scheduled to make an historic presence in Muskoka this summer. Please check out a special album of historic and more recent photos of Dispros in action!

The 1928 Bell Laboratories boat, Tolka, won Best of the Best in Texas last weekend for the Big Boat under 40' category! An amazing achievement for this boat which was recovered as a grey boat and fully restored. Owned by Penny and Lee Anderson of Nisswa Minnesota, she is such a special and historic boat. Check out my album on Tolka for more beautiful images. I produced a limited edition custom 12 x 18" hardcover book about Tolka for Mr. Anderson.

Rambler Renewed and Glowing

By Tim Du Vernet

Rambler, long a well-recognized feature at the Muskoka Lakes Association Boat Show, has returned to the lakes refreshed and renewed and ready for a new life with Bobby Genovese at the helm. We hope she will once again come to the boat show this year for August 9, in Port Carling.

Rambler is one of those boats on Lake Rosseau that connects generations of summer residents. Parents remember it and their children will hopefully continue to remember it.

At 70 feet, she isn’t the most nimble or simple boat to care for and house. Through the years that Tim Chisholm owned her and since Genovese has as well, she has been kept in a boat house up on Lake Joseph and lifted each season using a complicated system of hoists. Soon she will have a new home on Lake Rosseau.

Paul Brackley, of Gravenhurst’s Brackley Boats, was given the task of restoring her. This was a huge challenge, given her size and state. It took nearly three years , working in very demanding conditions to repair and restore her 38 tons of mahogany on steel frames and oak decking.

Rambler’s effective, but somewhat smelly, 170 hp diesel engine can push her along at speeds up to 15mph. Although not as proportionately narrow as the Wanda III, she is still very narrow at only 10’. She was built by Polson Iron Works in 1903.

Unquestionably one of the most stately boats in Muskoka, Rambler’s colourful flags, now sporting her owner’s insignia, white hull and the rich tones of her oak decks and cabin combine to be a spectacular sight on the lakes during a warm summer’s day.

It must have taken a great deal of nerve and or skill for Tim Chisholm and his staff to drive her. Her tall form easily catches the wind and she originally only had a single screw and rudder to direct her.

In the process of her restoration, rational heads succeeded over originality and she now has bow and stern thrusters to help manage difficult docking situations. With a remote control at the ready, a simple push of a button can direct an effective push left or right at the stern or bow. I am sure the thrusters will save Rambler from possible damaging bumps with docks or worse.

Rambler will be a welcome site, coming through the Indian River into Port Carling. It will be easy to see her when she comes.

What could be better? Morning filming Marmilwood for the MLA boat show display and later some blasting runs in Boomerang! The morning weather co-operated for the filming of Marmilwood. Water was pretty calm and it was great fun to have Gary Clark along. Paul's friend Craig, did a great job driving the chase boat. It wasn't easy at times. Paul really likes driving Boomerang at speed. She rides very flat and sounds incredible. The fit and finish are parallel to non! Check out the YouTube video on both in a few days.

I can't remember a better day for the annual ACBS show. What made it even more special was how I was transported to and from the event. A small parade of three vintage cars made their way from Port Carling to Gravenhurst on the day of the show. A 1924 Buick owned by Eric Luk's, a 1912 REO owned by Paul Gockel and a 1914 Model T owned by Paul Dodington took about 2 hours to make the journey. What fun it was! While few visitors would have known about it, this year's show could also be called "the show before the 100th Anniversary of the Disappearing Propeller Boat!

I've added a few short clips of the boats racing and great engine sounds. Here's a link to my YouTube channel!
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmpe2EBlkHHdybkXjEdLS5g

The sound of engines roared during the 33rd Annual ACBS boat show. The demo course provided lots of excitement and it was fun to see the race boats lifted in and out by crane. MCIII made a few speed laps and hopefully we will see MCIV doing that soon as well.

Photos from the show and the Muskoka Boat and Heritage Centre exhibits will be compiled into a special booklet and pdf celebrating the Racing Glory of Muskoka. Email me if you would like to reserve a copy. $10 for the pdf (which will include the Harmsworth Trophy events as well).

Now you can see and hear the boats in motion at http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmpe2EBlkHHdybkXjEdLS5g. See a few videos of the MCIV test run.

What looks brutish and unbelievably powerful in slings or on a shop floor, came to like in Muskoka Bay. Miss Canada IV gave us a taste of what she could do. Sounding like a wartime Spitfire, she cruised leisurely around Lake Muskoka at 50 - 70 mph for her poster shoot runs. Peter Grieve and Norm Woods had their hands full trying to design the best strategy to get water running through the system properly. In the water, MCIV looks very sleek. She will obviously need to be photographed at speeds over 100mph to really see that rooster tail. Another day in a helicopter, another boat to photograph! What fun.

I have had several viewers ask me about putting the images together in a booklet. At this point a printed version isn't viable, but a PDF version could be. If this interests you, drop me a note with your favourite picture. All told, I took about 1100 photos, so the booklet could include about 250 or so. It would likely cost about $20.

It sure was exciting.

The 100 Mile Cruise, held Saturday August 18, 2012, was undoubtedly the greatest moment of this summer and certainly will be a lasting memory for generations to come. Over 150 wooden boats joined the Seqwun and Wenonah II on their cruise to Natural Park, Little Lake Joe. This was a procession the lakes have never seen before and it began in Muskoka Bay, Gravenhurst. I have uploaded a portfolio of over 200 photos documenting the day. Check to see if your boat was captured by my lens! http://www.duvernetphotography.com/classic-boating

Several Canadian exhibitors took top honours at the Clayton Boat Show this past weekend. Ken MacStephen, Jim Grand and Peter Breen were among the Canadian winners.

During the Muskoka Lakes Association Boat show this Sunday, I will have a special display and sale of my boating images using the lower level of Muskoka Classics store (former Hannah's Store). Some of my newest pieces will be available.