Article and Photography by Tim Du Vernet

The history of antique and classic boats is an integral part of the culture and identity of Muskoka. The lakes and rivers were the original highways and served as essential transportation routes for goods and people. The Muskoka Lakes Association’s bi-annual boat show recognizes the cultural and commercial significance of this history.

The mandate of the show more specifically states “The MLA Antique Boat Show began in 1971 and has been held bi-annually since, honouring boats that have been built in Muskoka or have spent most of their life in Muskoka waters. This show is a tribute to our Muskoka boat building heritage.”

The 1920s were thrilling and formative years in Muskoka’s history. Wooden boat design evolved through the decade with elegant long deck launches and race boats that made their mark nationally and internationally. The theme of this year’s MLA Antique Boat Show, “the Roaring ‘20s,” is a nod to the importance of those years in Muskoka’s history and the many changes to boats of the time.

By the 1920s, wooden boats were capable of serious speed, having left a war behind and engine power roared with enthusiasm. The theme of the year will bring examples of antique race boats and gentlemen’s racers from the ‘20s as well as examples of a broad range of boats from the teens to the fifties.

“We always reserve about 20 spots for our theme boats out of our space restricted total of about 65,” explains Dunc Hawkins, committee member for the MLA Antique Boat Show.

“The Roaring Twenties were exhilarating years in Muskoka with the steamboat, hotel, cottage and wooden boat building industries flourishing,” adds Ian Turnbull, another long-standing member of the committee and supporter of wooden boating.

Whippet, a 1925 Ditchburn sports runabout, has been selected to represent the theme. At her inception, she was custom ordered by Clarence Ewart McLaughlin (1898-1968). He was the son of George W. McLaughlin, and grandson of Robert McLaughlin, founder of the McLaughlin Carriage Company and the McLaughlin Motor Car Company, which became General Motors of Canada.

Currently, Whippet is owned by the Herrmann family of Lake Rosseau. Matt Herrmann is at the wheel of the 26-foot race boat, representing the third generation in his family to do so. One of the more recent modifications to Whippet is that she is now powered by a custom designed Ilmor 625-horsepower V-10 engine. Herrmann believes Whippet will top 70 mph in current form, while historically she likely achieved nearly 60 mph.

Whippet will be joined by other sports runabouts with equally remarkable stories to tell. A replica of Rainbow IV, built for Harry Greening to challenge Baby Bootlegger, shows just how advanced Greening’s ideas were. Unfortunately, he pushed the rules too far for the American competition and she was disqualified. 

Dix is another 1920’s Ditchburn sports runabout that follows the stylistic trends of the time, but she is a considerably smaller and more personal craft at only 19 feet. Black Prince, a 1934 sports runabout, is one of a series of compact racers built by Minett-Shields that made regular appearances on the Muskoka summer racing circuit.

Some boats have been fortunate to have been passed through multiple generations and now have new faces at the helm. In addition to Whippet, Fleetwood II, a 26-foot 1929 Minett-Shields, is another example of the next generation representing a family boat. She is now owned by Will Gray and was originally owned by his grandfather.

More than a century ago, boating was an adventure that required planning. Boats such as Seraph, a 1905 steam launch owned by Paul Gockel, are no turnkey operation. It takes time to sort and gather sufficient firewood for the distance and then to build steam in the engine, which develops all of three horsepower. For longer trips, Gockel may have to stash a supply of wood along his route in advance. Seraph has seen many MLA boat shows over the years and the fascination for her engine never wanes.

Another early launch, a 1905 Minett called Pioneer, was built from the pine of the original Cleveland’s House property, according to her owner James Woodruff. Another example of early boats will be the Port Carling built Disappearing Propeller boats, which were first built around 1915.

The long, displacement hull boats that continue to impress more than a century after they were built, served an important purpose in Muskoka’s history. Boats such as Lady Elgin were built to carry people to and from private cottages and resorts. The 38-foot 1912 Minett Come N’ Go was not designed as such but was put into service as a livery boat – the water buses of the time.

A few of the “old” boats still have either their original engines or authentic period power. Come ‘N Go is powered by a four cylinder, 25-horsepower Van Blerck engine. The engine is a jewel itself with red paint and brass. When moving at speed, Come ‘N Go looks as sleek as a knife cutting the water. Certainly, there can be an added challenge and concern when relying on an engine that is over 100 years old. However, according to boating experts, once they are fully and properly serviced, a vintage engine can be as reliable as anything brand new.

The town of Port Carling was a very different place, upwards of 100 years ago. The shoreline was home base for at least three boat builders – Matheson, SeaBird and Duke Boats. The docks also served the many steamers and large private and commercial pleasure boats such as the Rambler, Wanda III and High Tea, among others.

To anyone growing up in Muskoka, being surrounded by antique boats, they are icons that have spanned the generations. Boats sometimes take on part of the character of an owner at one time or another. Dr. Henry Wilson is fondly remembered for taking visitors out for rides in Lady Elgin and Tim Chisholm and Rambler were regular participants at the MLA show.

With a large congregation of antique boats such as this, one of the most exciting aspects of the MLA show is when the boats arrive or leave. Seeing the variety of boats in action, honouring the speed limits, of course, provides an added layer of entertainment and perspective. Many will arrive early in the morning when the water is still calm.

For those arriving a bit later, landing a boat over 30-feet long can be quite intimidating, particularly with an audience to watch every move. Fortunately, the MLA show dock hands, wearing their white gloves, are ready to catch you. Despite their size, an experienced driver like Rick Terry or Ian Turnbull, who have been driving boats like these nearly from the cradle, can make a 36-foot boat literally turn on a dime.

The Muskoka Lakes Association Antique Boat Show is a unique event among most boat shows. Hawkins explains that the boats are invited to display at the show, rather an open invitation to classic boat owners to register to attend. Hawkins stressed that while this may sound elitist, “it gives the show committee an opportunity to ensure the gathering has variety and represents truly significant examples of our wonderful, and I have to say, world-renowned, boat building heritage. Show space is limited so careful selection is required to stock the docks with some of the best examples.”

Hawkins also pointed out that the boat show committee has independence in managing the show, with the administrative support of the MLA.

“The show has evolved little over the years, because the formula is simple and works well,” shares Turnbull. “Invite the boats that best demonstrate Muskoka’s wooden boat history, fill the docks at Port Carling, fete the owners with recognition, provide a free spectacle for the public, cover 100 per cent of show costs through sponsorship.”

Turnbull further explains, “The MLA show celebrates boats that were built locally or have spent a long time living here. It typically features the best examples of Muskoka’s unique-in-Canada wooden boat building and restoration legacy, which represents over a century of stewardship of the craft.”

In conjunction with the MLA shoreline celebration of wooden boats, the Muskoka Lakes Museum is preparing a display of racing trophies and similar memorabilia represented around the 1920s. Participants in the show are also encouraged to loan their family trophies to the museum for the day.

On Saturday, August 11, the docks of Port Carling will be filled with over 60 of the best examples of wooden boats in Muskoka. The large boat locks are usually closed for the day and independent boating groups such as Muskoka Seaflea and the Outboard Motor Club may be found on either shore.

Surrounded by surviving sites of historic significance, such as the Duke Boats building, the freight shed and Port Carling’s wall “Looking Back,” the MLA Antique Boat Show displays decades of preserved and restored boating history for everyone to enjoy.