For the Love of Vintage and Classic Boats

By Mike Gridley

Photos By Patrice Anderson

In several regions of Canada, the history of recreational boating dates back more than 125 years. Fortunately, examples of these boats are still with us and celebrated by various clubs and organizations, dedicated to the preservation of these antique and vintage vessels and motors.

Like the collector car world, vintage and classic boating embraces all watercraft and motors from the late 1800s to boats only 25 years old. Over the years the hobby has expanded, with newer enthusiasts who are too young to remember the glory days of the wooded boats engaging with classic fibreglass models, which began displacing wooded boats in the 1950s.

Vintage boat owners are proud of the boats and motors they collect. Many see themselves as custodians, preserving these models for future generations. Their pride and passion is evident through their participation in organizations and clubs that promote the hobby to the public through multiple events and shows.

CLICK HERE to read the rest of this article FREE in the digital version of Canadian Boating May 2025

Related Articles

Video Gallery

Bennington 22 MSB

By Andy Adams

If you’ve already had firsthand experience with a pontoon, you will easily understand the appeal of the Bennington 22 MSB. But if you haven’t, let’s start by reviewing a few of the reasons why pontoon boats have become top sellers in markets across North America.

Pontoon boats began in the early 1950s as basically four steel drums lashed to a frame. They were not unlike the log rafts of ancient cultures and not much more sophisticated at first.

Read More

Destinations

The Best of Two Worlds

By Mathew Channer

Interior British Columbia might not be as famous for recreational boating as Canada’s Great Lakes, yet it is no less a world-class boat­ing destination. The mountains offer their own flavour of marine adventure with their series of long, deep ribbon lakes, and there is perhaps no area that embodies this more uniquely than the iconic Okanagan basin in southern B.C. One could be forgiven for assuming this valley was purpose-built for nautical fun, with a few delightful perks thrown in to make the area entirely irresistible (wine-tasting, anyone?).

Read More

Lifestyle