Ollie, the boat restoration guy

Grew Before

I see these old boats around an I can’t just let them go to the junkyard.  So, I pick them up and do the work – make them nice again. Ollie Constable keeps turning them out, one by one.

June 21, 2023

Before: a 50 year old Grew twin drive

Grew After

I see these old boats around an I can’t just let them go to the junkyard.  So, I pick them up and do the work – make them nice again. Ollie Constable keeps turning them out, one by one.

Mostly I buy them for like $500. This Grew 255 was built some 50 years ago in Penetang and it was abandoned.  I pulled out the twin drives, put in another recycled single and took the top off. Now it’s a beauty.  I just find it terrible that these once fine boats are heading to landfill.  It’s a waste. Plus, I hope I can inspire people to work on boats and fix them up.

After: a sweet centre console single drive

Grew Headed to Boneyard

Grew Today

Ollie had Constable Boat Works in Parry Sound but retired 15 years ago, then took up boat working as a hobby.  A number of the people who had worked at the Boat Works went on to their own enterprises and working elsewhere, which is where the momentum for getting new people enthused developed.

The Grew was headed for the boneyard

He has built boats, fixed boats, I had welded a bit, done everything. I had never done upholstery but picked it up on the internet. You can find lessons for everything. I hope I can inspire people to give their older boats some TLC.

– JM

More of Ollie’s restorations next issue of CYOB

 

 

at the dock today

 

 

Related Articles

ENVGO NV1

ENVGO Builds Cutting-edge Hydrofoil Electric Boat for Canadian Boaters

Dec 19, 2024 By Mathew Channer Canadian Company ENVGO  based in Waterloo, ON, is revolutionizing electric boating in North America with the ENVGO NV1, a cutting-edge electric hydrofoil cruiser that is scheduled for release in 2026. NV1 utilizes state-of-the-art hydrofoil technology to significantly increase the power and range of its electric motor by reducing drag…

Nicolo Genco

Eight Bells. Nick Genco

Dec 19, 2024 For boaters in Toronto, there was once the luxury of choice for boat parts and supplies. Davidsons on King Street, the legendary Tom Taylor on Adelaide, a couple on Pier 4, the Dock Shoppe in a mystery building on Queen’s Quay. Holland Marine on Dundas next to the pizza place.  And of…

This Ain’t AI

This Ain’t AI

Photo: Adobe stock Dec 5, 2024 I can’t lie to you – this endless talk about AI has me somewhat spooked. Clearly if the banter about robots replacing editors is accurate, I will soon be hard at work preparing my resume and applying for a government job or driving Uber. But this publication is written…

Video Gallery

Four Winns H9

By Andy Adams

Stunning new flagship in Four Winns’ bow rider line. Next Wednesday, October 30, at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the public will get its first in-person look at Four Winns’ stunning new H9 model, the flagship of their bowrider series. But we were invited to the dealer unveiling in Charlevoix, Michigan earlier this past summer to run Hull # 2.

Read More

Destinations

Hiding Out in Belize

By Zuzana Prochazka

Dodging holiday havoc in the tropics

Getting out of town was top-of-mind as it was only November and I was already saturated with Christmas traditions – the music, the glitter, the cookies, the sales. A week in relatively remote Belize was the siren song so we booked a 45-foot catamaran with The Moorings and packed our bags.

Read More

Lifestyle