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POTW: Meet Sjöhäxa

October 9, 2025

Canadian designer, Steve Killing(l) and new owner Jason Williams contemplate the complete restoration ahead for this classic 5.5

Midland ON is emerging as Canada’s home for restored wooden 5.5M boats. These boats were once an Olympic class and have the graceful lines that metre boats share.

Just one problem – many are old and abandoned but thanks to keeners in Midland, they are being reclaimed. This boat obviously needs a lot of TLC but her new owner Jason Williams is up to the job. Designer Steve Killing, who lives in Midland, consults to the emerging fleet and is now on the case bringing Sjöhäxa back to life. Built in Sweden in 1951 the boat  was the Portuguese entry in the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki Finland.

Jason is a woodworker at Gyles Sails in Thornbury ON  and already has one restoration, Jill, to his credit.

Jill, Jason’s beautifully rebuilt 5.5 that was completed this year. Jason is hiking in the black jacket and Brian Gooderham at the helm.

Send us your photo of the week.  Of course it has to be boat related, but then it’s up to you: boats, kids, pets, sunsets!  Just send your shots to john@opmediagroup.ca and watch for your POTW in the next issues.

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