Manotick Boat Shop Tour included stops at six boat shops in one day.
The Manotick Classic Boat Club’s Spring Shop tour was held April 23, 2016. We couldn’t have asked for better weather. The sun was out – still a bit cool, but that didn’t stop a crowd of about 30-35 people from coming out to the day’s events.
The Manotick Chapter of ACBS members started our tour at Mike Krzyzanowski’s storage shed. His shed is full of collectables and features a collection of racing and classic boats. My favorite is Charm, a 1919 Dispro, that Mike is planning to take to the Clayton boat show this summer.
Our next shop was Wykes Boat and Repair. Ken is a master boat builder and restorer. His sheds were full of classic boats, some for restoration and some just waiting for the warm weather to be back in the water. Also on display in the work shop were Ken Sr’s replicas of great classic boats.
Tackaberry Museum was our next stop. Always an impressive display, with every kind of motorized vehicle imaginable from trackers to snowmobiles, and of course, beautifully restored wood boats. My favorite was a 17 foot 1931 Chris Craft recently acquired from the Clayton Lake Museum. The interesting feature of this boat is its car-design rag top.
Our afternoon included two stops in Merrickville, Aylings Marina, and a new shop, called Sirens Boatworks. Andrew Lee, the owner, is currently restoring three boats, 2 Shepherds and Tenango, a 1930 42 foot Elco flat top, originally from Sea Island, Georgia.
Our last stop was Millar Potters Boat Restoration Ltd, just outside of Manotick. Jimmy Potter, boat builder and restorer par excellence (and a MCBC founding member) was there to greet us. Three boats were on the mend in the main workshop, including a 1929 Peterborough 18 footer that was up to its last coat under a dust free tent, and a 1995 Hacker Craft, sanded down and waiting for its varnish coats. Jimmy’s other sheds have boats stored for customers and a few more projects awaiting their turn.
After a day like this, you can only walk away inspired to either get your boat in the water or roll up your sleeves and open the can of Epifanes to get your boat ready for a great summer of boating. Thanks again to all our hosts of the tour. You brought smiles to the faces of a lot of people.
A reminder that the Manotick Classic Boat Club, a chapter of ACBS, will be holding its annual boat show on August 13, 2016, at Rideau Ferry. Hope to see you there!