Wooden Pleasure-Craft Construction in Muskoka

Wooden pleasure-craft construction in Muskoka has been a booming industry for decades. There are many companies operating in the region and a wide variety of boat designs. Whether you're looking for a small fishing boat or a large luxury yacht, you can find it. Depending on your budget, you can even have the boat of your dreams custom built for you.

Ditchburn long deck launch

This small town in Ontario may be known for its lumberjacks, but it also was a thriving hub of manufacturing in the early part of the last century. Ditchburn boats built wooden rowboats and canoes, but later branched out into gas powered launches. The company remained in business until the 1930s when the economy tanked. Despite its demise, it's namesake still resides on Lake Muskoka, which is a popular destination for Canadians who crave a dose of agritourism.

There are many admonitions to be found in the waters around this port of call, but one of the best perks is the ability to browse the company's collection of antique boats. One such eminently impressive vessel is a storied schooner that has graced the docks at the venerable company for the better part of three decades.

Hutchinson Boat Works

Hutchinson Boat Works is a family owned business. It has been operating on the St. Lawrence River in Alexandria Bay, New York for over a century. The facility includes a dock, fuel, and parts department. They also offer special events and instruction for the boating community.

One of their most popular designs was the 26' utility. This model was built with a hard chine, which improved stability. These boats were primarily used for commuting and cruising. The design was very popular for the river.

This Hutchinson Utility is in excellent condition. A few upgrades have been made including a new chrome and flooring. The original engine has been replaced with a Chrysler Ace 90 HP six cylinder.

The Hutchinson Lapstrake Guide Boat was originally called the Sport Boat. It was designed to be very easy to navigate. It had a side steer tiller, and was used by paying customers.

Shim-Sutcliffe

Brigitte Shim is an architect and design advocate who is co-founder of the Canadian firm, Shim-Sutcliffe Architects. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, she immigrated to Canada in 1965. She attended the University of Waterloo where she received her undergraduate and Master's degrees in environmental studies. After completing her education, she began an apprenticeship with Arthur Erickson Architects in Toronto.

Brigitte Shim has been a member of the Architectural Review Board, the National Capital Commission's architectural advisory board, and the Toronto Waterfront Design Review Panel. She also has served on several design juries. In 2007, she was a member of the jury for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

Brigitte Shim has received numerous awards for her work, including the American Institute of Architects' National Honor Award. Her design has also been recognized with the Progressive Architecture Award and the City of Toronto Urban Design Award.

Clarie II-a Gold Cup racer

The Clarie II is a Gold Cup racer built by Hutchinson Boat Works in Alexandria Bay, New York, in 1920. Built to compete in the Great Lakes Gold Cup, the boat was not successful.

It is a classic example of a Muskoka boat. It has high-backed leather seats and a grand piano deck. There is also a cherry red canvas-over-battens hatch cover.

Originally built for maneuverability, the baby skipalong was designed with a shallow draft and a stepped bottom. This reduces friction. It has two fuel tanks and a wheel-mounted throttle.

The hull is different from the rest of the Gold Cup Festival fleet. Its chines trap air, so it cruises at 75 mph.

The hull is a delicate snubnosed bow with a stern tucked in. She has a wheel-mounted throttle and a vintage fire extinguisher.

Clarion Boats of Muskoka

Founded in Campbellford, Ontario, Clarion Boats of Muskoka has a rich history. The company was founded by Kerstin Boyd and was initially based in the city. After the founding of Clarion, the business relocated to Muskoka.

Clarion is known for their top notch quality and performance. Their hulls are made from a mahogany hull planking that is cold molded, and then epoxy sealed to ensure watertightness. This is a major improvement over the rot-prone traditional wood construction.

In addition, Clarion Boats of Muskoka offer a custom trailering/mooring cover as part of their package. Buyers can choose the colour, style, and bespoke details of their boat.

As for the Clarion Twenty, it is a unique custom build that takes about 2,500 hours to produce. Its smooth deep-V hull is easy to drive, and seats six people in an open cockpit. A Mercruiser sterndrive and 250 HP power provide excellent performance.