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Heritage Boats and Pender Harbour's Boatbuilding History
A Very Short History Of Boatbuilding In Pender Harbour

Undoubtedly, the first boats built in Pender Harbour were dugout canoes. Members of the shishalh (Sechelt) Nation wintered here, where they fished and harvested shellfish. Early white settlers fitted these canoes with sails, oarlocks and eventually small engines, tailoring them to their own needs and cultural traditions.
A rough boatbuilding timeline:
A rough boatbuilding timeline:
- Shishalh canoes fish Pender Harbour
- Pender Harbour shipwrights supply herring salteries of the 1920s
- Boatbuiding activity peaks in the 1950s
- Plywood and fibreglass boatbuilding techniques perfected in the 1970s

By World War I, a fleet of fishers served the herring salteries of both Pender Harbour and Vancouver and a local community of shipwrights grew up to provide vessels for the growing industry. Pioneers of this era included George Duncan and Harry Dusenberry. By the 1950s boat activity was at its peak. John Daly, along with shipwright Russell Keillor, constructed fish boats at the current site of the Seattle Yacht Club. Gillnetters, seiners, trollers, tugs, water taxis, camp tenders and pleasure craft were built in the many shipyards in the Pender Harbour area. Members of the Gooldrup, Farrell, Cumming, Duncan, Warnock, and Crosby families contributed their skills as designers and builders.

By the 1970s, Marshall Rae constructed both work boats and pleasure craft at the site of Headwater Marina and, in the fishing off-season, Jimmy Reid built and repaired fish boats in Whiskey Slough. But the 1970s also brought changes in building techniques, and the distinctive plywood hulls of Bert and Victor Gooldrup were easily recognized in the Harbour. One of the Harbour's largest builders, Barrie Farrell, pioneered fibreglass construction and produced hundreds of 32' and 37' gillnetters, as well as some 70' seine boats. By the 1980s, fibreglass moulded boats were still in production by Don Penson in Garden Bay, while Fred Crosby and Jack Cumming continued to craft traditional wooden boats.
(source: Howard White, Harbour Publishing)
(source: Howard White, Harbour Publishing)
Our Heritage Boat Livery
The Pender Harbour Living Heritage Society is building a livery of small, significant boats
built or active in Pender Harbour's maritime history.
built or active in Pender Harbour's maritime history.
Buttercup (Allen Farrell)
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Old Betsy (Scotty Cameron)
Handliner (Hubert-Evans) Details coming soon... |
Red Speed Boat (Barrie Farrell)
Cedar Strip Canoe Details coming soon... |
Other Heritage Boats
The following boats have been built in, visited, moored, or are currently kept in the Pender Harbour area.
All photos are © Copyright Pender Harbour Living Heritage Society. Do not use without permission.
All photos are © Copyright Pender Harbour Living Heritage Society. Do not use without permission.
LASATA ( name means Place of Peace )
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TICK TOCK
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LARK
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SCOTIA
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SILVER LURE
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EVA JEAN
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GREEN BAY
History The Nakade Boat Works began operation in 1904 in Steveston and became an important supplier of commercial vessels ranging in size from Columbia River boats to seiners. The company’s owners and many employees built boats in the winter and fished during the short summer season. In 1941, the Canadian government confiscated the boats and companies owned by Japanese Canadians, but the Nakade family returned after the war to re-establish their prosperous boatyard, building up to 10 boats a year in the 1950’s and ‘60’s. Scarcity of fine old growth cedar planking and skilled shipwrights forced the company to close in 1972. |
LADY JAYNE
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Miss Tina
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Gaia
Fascinating history: during WWII, Gaia was arrested by the Germans for smuggling refugees from Denmark to the Scottish Shetland Islands. Converted to a sailing yacht in 1975, sold in Venezuela in 2003 and purchased by the BC Ingersoll family in 2005. She continues as a family owned yacht and is enjoyed by family and friends. Information credit: City of Richmond, BC, 2014 Ships to Shore - meeting of tall ships in Steveston, BC |
STRANGER
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INSTIGATOR ONE
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WEE ONE
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RESOLUTE
Great story: The original owner kept Resolute at Eagle Harbour in West Vancouver. In 2007, the boat was listed for sale and then it was stolen by thieves who stripped her and sliced the through-hulls in an attempt to sink the evidence. Because of her construction, Resolute would not sink and a photograph of her partly submerged is still used in ads for C-Tow. The damaged vessel was purchased from the insurance company by a man from Cranbrook who brought builder Sam Devlin in to inspect the boat he had built. His assessment was that, aside from the wiring, Resolute was as sound as the day she was launched. The new owner worked on restoration for 18 months before ill health forced him to sell to the current owner. After four years and $40,000 of refitting, final cosmetic repairs are underway. |
DALI-ANNE
Owners
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TIGER BAY
History Harry Callais commissioned William Garden to design a boat for long range offshore world travel. Early on, he abandoned the project and the Tiger Bay’s hull was sold to football Hall of Fame member Arnie Weinmeister, who moved it to Phillbrooks yard in Sidney, BC for completion. She was registered in Anacortes, WA in 1972 and Mrs. W, known as “The Teak Lady” took great care of the woodwork and loved to entertain on the boat for many years. Sometime after 2000, Californian Charles Martin bought Tiger Bay and moved her to Ladysmith where, unfortunately she languished for five years before being offered for sale again. The current owners, Fred and Hollie Musto of 100 Mile House, recognized a boat of historical importance and a gem in need of TLC, and purchased the boat in 2014. They indicate that she is a “work in progress” with whom they hope to have many years of enjoyment with family and friends. |
Lisa Diane
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Norlander
Owners:
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LIAISON
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