John and his wife Cindy became seriously interested in wooden boats in 1991 when they purchased a 1962, 25 ft. Chris-Craft. Although they had previously owned a few smaller boats, the Chris-Craft was their first wooden boat.

 

John’s journey with woodworking began long before then. In 1973, he began an apprenticeship and became a licensed carpenter, honing his skills in cabinetry and fine woodworking. Mastering the restoration of wooden boats vs. building cabinetry became an easy transition. 

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What began as a hobby quickly grew into something more. After John and Cindy completed their second wooden boat, Meandering On, John’s skill and attention to detail caught the eye of other wooden boat enthusiasts. Friends and acquaintances soon began bringing him their own boats for restoration, and the busy Little Boat Shop was born.

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Today, The Boat Shop proudly carries on a remarkable legacy, taking over the production of Bear Mountain Boats’ renowned sprint racing canoes. Since 1979, Bear Mountain Boats has been a trusted name in high-quality canoe craftsmanship, and John is honoured continue that tradition.

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