GRACE AND SPEED OF VINTAGE MUSKOKA LAKES BOATS A SLICK SHOW OF SLEEK SATURDAY AT WHARF

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — Bob Waterhouse had the same problem many boaters have had this summer.

He ran out of gas yesterday after running charity tours at the Antique and Classic Vintage Boat Show here. Luckily he came prepared with a spare can.

The son of Bill Waterhouse, who ran Grandview Resort on Fairy Lake, was one of the ACBS owners who offered free rides for a spin around Gravenhurst Bay Saturday as thousands of boat owners and lovers around the Muskoka Lakes docked at the Muskoka Wharf for another spectacular show under gleaming hot sun.

Many of not most made in Muskoka.

Dock to dock Muskoka Wharf was a vintage boat parking lot as the Antique and Classic Boat Society held their annual show and judging again Saturday in Gravenhurst. PHOTOS Mark Clairmont

Murray Walker, a captain of the lakes and co-owner of the Racing Boat Hall of Fame in Bracebridge, was basking in the back of one of his launches, a gorgeous, gleaming 36-foot Minett-Shields named Eaglett II. An 8-cylinder 165 hp inboard beneath his feet.

It was docked next to his wife’s Claire II, a sleek similar-sized lady of the lakes that was drawing the same attention from cellphone photographers perched on the end of A Dock.

He said they had a great run down Muskoka Lake from their Acton Island cottage in the morning along.

Both boats have been in the since late May and aside from a little pollen dust cleanup last month, they’ve required no other cleaning.

“Nope,” he said, didn’t have to spruce them up for the crowds.

Fortunate, he said, after the winter. The boats were hoisted up in their boathouse and avoided any resultant snow and ice storm damage.

All the other boats on display for judging appeared to have received the same TLC.

Some of the showpieces zoomed across the bay with all the floating, splashing grace and speed they were built for in the ‘Boats in Motion’ part of the show with hundreds crowding the ends of the docks for a close-up chance to see them in full action.

The annual land and water show included a nautical marketplace and awards dinner in the Lions Pavilion.

Darrin Mcgay, an assistant engineer on the Segwun, holds a piece of pointless coal now while giving tours Saturday as the ship’s season came to a premature end this week due to mechanical failure. Thus no more need for coal this year. It was supposed to make it’s debut cruise at the boat show. He’s a retired Canadian naval man.
The Segwun may be done for the season – even before it was to start Saturday – but it didn’t stop this young Jays fan from shouting “Full steam ahead” while have care and control of the throttle during a walk-tour with head fireman Danny Robinson.
Bob Waterhouse was one of the boat owners giving free rides in his Shepherd, built in St. Catherines.
On Behalf of Sam was just one of several dozen bronzed beauties in the water for show-goers to admire up close.
Murray Walker rests on his boat laurels Saturday while resting his back after bring two great boats down from his Acton Island cottage in the morning. The Eaglett II here and the Claire II parked next to her.
‘Boats in Motion’ is always a hit the slick, sleek watercraft cruise past the docks with all the grace and speed they could muster. A reflection of how the Muskoka Lakes appeared up to a century ago.
And away she goes …. The G4 was a highlight for many fans who tasted her flash and splash in a dock drive-by.
Walker’s other show entry was his wife’s Claire II, which dominated the end of A Dock to the delight of cellphone users.
Whether simple or sublime there was a boat for every sailor’s taste from fishing to pure pleasure, many made in Muskoka.

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