June 8 2023
Visit to the Shelburne Dory Shop.
Tomorrow is launch day.
Milton and Cricket busy caulking the garboard seam. The Lowell Boat Shed team is almost done building their dory at the Shelburne Dory Shop.
Week one was the week of the Shelburne forest fire. A sad time for the community with much smoke rolling out to sea.
June 4 2023
Deliver Hereshoffe Skiff to Chris.
Our Herreshoffe Skiff project is now a retirement project for Chris. Dave and Peter dropped it off at Malega Lake.
June 3 2023
Party at the Boatbuilding Shed
for the Lowell Boat Shop visitors.
Graham, Executive Director of Lowell Boat Shop,
Cricket of Fretwater Boatworks taking a Madeline lesson from Colin.
Colin Otoole of Covey Island sharing lobster & smoked salmon sandwiches, served on bread baked by Colin. Colin’s mandolin filled our little shed with music.
Diane and Brad from Fretwater Boatworks on the right.
A nice evening with kindred spirits.
May 30 2023
Plycraft prelaunch, checking for leaks.
In preparation for launch day of our Plycraft David check her over for leaks and we take her for a spin.
Mahone Bay Shipbuilding
The early days of shipbuilding in Mahone Bay date back to the mid-1700s. During this time Mahone Bay developed into a thriving shipbuilding industry that reached its peak in the mid-1900s. Over one thousand wooden vessels of various sizes and styles from dozens of boatyards comprised the industry. At one point the boat building industry reputably employed the majority of the Town.
Boats were built in Mahone Bay to meet the demand of ours and neighbouring communities involved in the fishing, transportation, trade and war efforts. As time changed the days of the wooden sailing vessel yielded to modern shipbuilding. In the early 1900’s there was a demand for recreational yachts and Mahone Bay was the first major builder of high end luxury yachts with Obed Ham Yachtworks. This industry thrived until the mid 1970’s when Paceship Yachts closed. Mahone Bay’s shipbuilding industry faded and unfortunately virtually nothing is left of the shipyards that were once such a vital and vibrant part of the Town of Mahone Bay.
The Heritage Boatyard Co-op is dedicated to preserving and promoting Nova Scotia’s South Shore wooden boatbuilding history.