This beautiful Launch was built in Hamilton, Ontario by Morris Boatworks, and spent her life in the Muskoka region. Morris boats were known from the days of prohibition, as the primary boat builder for many bootleggers of the era, and notably custom made boats for well-known Canadian bootlegger, Ben Kerr - whose million dollar empire, a fascinating tale, is depicted in the historical fiction, "Whiskey and Ice."

 

A prominent Toronto doctor, who summered in the Muskoka Lakes wanted "the fastest boat in the Muskoka Lakes". Morris Boatworks' reputation from the prohibition days soon landed them the commission of building this boat in 1937.

In the spring of 2009, an acquaintance of John's contacted us to see if we knew someone who would give this beautiful vessel a new restored life, and treat her with the love and respect a fine vessel such as this demands.

 

Enter Dan. With the readily availability of a flat bed transport from McWilliams Moving & Storage, the Morris was brought to Omemee to get a full restoration at John's Little Boat Shop.