The Manotick Classic Boat Club came about in the mid 1970s mostly from young professionals and small businesspersons who bought wood boats because they were cheap and floated, (sort of), and you could turn the ignition key and they would go (sometimes).
The need to exchange information to keep them going evolved into a local camaraderie and a decision to set up a formal club organization to have meetings and boat shows in the summer. The first few “shows” over 1976 and 1977 were simply a bunch of wood boats coming together at docks in what ultimately became known as “Mahogany Harbour” in the village of Manotick, Ontario.
Manotick Classic Boat Club members, circa 1984.
In 1978 we had out first formal show at the Dow’s Lake pavilion (a very tired wood structure housing two restaurants and a bar), as well as dock space for about 40 boats. Since then we have had 44 more shows, and we are hoping for nice weather for the upcoming 45th.
Club Successes:
Our club has been very successful in helping to create and promote an integrated environment of information sharing, club activities and friendships, historical research, and support network for both amateur and professional boat restoration. With five full time wood boat restoration and repair shops in the Eastern Ontario region, the MCBC is a very long-lived club that has provided a wonderful source of friendship, educational opportunities and sharing of interests.