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THE MANOTICK CLASSIC BOAT CLUB – History
Organized in 1975, it was in January 1976 that the Manotick Classic Boat Club (MCBC) officially came into existence. None of the founding members could possibly have imagined to what proportions the movement would grow. Antique and classic boating has come into its own in North America. Fine watercraft built by past generations of boat builders are being ferreted out of old boathouses, barns and garages, and are being restored by loving hands to their former glory.
The Manotick club is devoted to the restoration and preservation of antique and classic boats, which are representative of an era in boating that was refined and genteel, as well as exciting, fast and challenging. This is a hobby for true enthusiasts only. Classic boaters are absolute purists when it comes to originality and authenticity. No effort or expense is too great to achieve the standards of perfection necessary.
At first, MCBC was for the most part a social group for people who had some interest in early wooden boats. As the boat owners gained experience their activities gained momentum. They shared their knowledge generously and went about gathering more. Original wood finishing methods and authentic outfitting became the hallmark of boats owned by club members.
By a remarkable coincidence, at about the same time that this was happening at Manotick, a group was getting together at Lake George, New York. They adopted as their name “The Antique and Classic Boat Society Inc.” (ACBS) and went on to establish themselves as an international organization. The Manotick Classic Boat Club was the first Canadian chapter of ACBS, and ACBS has grown to 53 chapters with over 13,000 members throughout North America and Europe. Manotick was also instrumental in bringing the ACBS Toronto in as the second Canadian chapter. Indeed, for a short time, Toronto and Manotick shared the MCBC newsletter, The Brass Binnacle. Toronto has since grown to be one of the largest clubs in North America.
James C. Potter of Manotick was the MCBC’s first president, the following is a list of all our Presidents:
| Name | Year |
|---|---|
| Randy McKendry | 2021 |
| Randy McKendry | 2020 |
| Randy McKendry | 2019 |
| Andreas Reissmann | 2018 |
| Carman Keyes | 2017 |
| Carman Keyes | 2016 |
| Carman Keyes | 2015 |
| Ray Saunders | 2014 |
| Ray Saunders | 2013 |
| Rich Vickers | 2012 |
| Judy Saunders | 2011 |
| Dinah Scholfield | 2010 |
| Ron Jelley | 2009 |
| Ron Jelley | 2008 |
| Barron Meyerhoffer | 2007 |
| Jean-Francois Milotte | 2006 |
| Dave Tilley | 2005 |
| Jack Hughes | 2004 |
| Heather Phelan | 2003 |
| Nancy Taylor | 2002 |
| Martin Luce | 2001 |
| Martin Luce | 2000 |
| Dave Havelock | 1999 |
| Don Logan | 1998 |
| Don Logan | 1997 |
| Ron Dulmage | 1996 |
| Ian Wyllie | 1995 |
| Nancy Taylor | 1994 |
| David Burns | 1993 |
| David Burns | 1992 |
| Nancy Porter | 1991 |
| Graeme Beattie | 1990 |
| Marlene Thomas | 1989 |
| Alan Macleod | 1988 |
| Alan Macleod | 1987 |
| Mary Herwig | 1986 |
| Sydney Herwig | 1985 |
| Sydney Herwig | 1984 |
| Sydney Herwig | 1983 |
| Frank Phelan | 1982 |
| Edgar Hendee | 1981 |
| Edgar Hendee | 1980 |
| Edgar Hendee | 1979 |
| Linda Potter | 1978 |
| James C. Potter | 1977 |
| James C. Potter | 1976 |
Since 1984, the Club has recognized those who have provided Considerable support to the Manotick Classic Boat Club through the award of the President’s Cup. The following individuals have been so honored:
| Name | Year |
|---|---|
| Not Presented | 2021 |
| Not Presented | 2020 |
| Susan Richardson | 2019 |
| Carman Keyes | 2018 |
| Carol Ann Arsenault | 2017 |
| Bill Young | 2016 |
| Jean Beveridge | 2015 |
| Dave Tilley & Ian Wyllie | 2014 |
| Rich Vickers | 2013 |
| Judy Saunders | 2012 |
| Dinah Scholfield | 2011 |
| Ray Saunders | 2010 |
| Richard Macleod | 2009 |
| John & Susan Richardson | 2008 |
| Dave Tilley | 2007 |
| Jack Hughes | 2006 |
| Heather Phelan | 2005 |
| Ron & Wilma Jelley | 2004 |
| Parks Canada | 2003 |
| Martin Luce | 2002 |
| John & Gaye Spencer | 2001 |
| Donald Loken | 2000 |
| Nancy Taylor | 1999 |
| Ron Dulmage | 1998 |
| Ian Wyllie | 1997 |
| Stephen Fox | 1996 |
| Alan Macleod | 1995 |
| Nancy Porter | 1994 |
| Murray Gould | 1993 |
| Mary Herwig | 1992 |
| Don Thomas | 1991 |
| Linda Potter | 1990 |
| Frank Phelan | 1989 |
| Sydney Herwig | 1988 |
| Dianne Elliott | 1987 |
| James Potter | 1986 |
| Marlene Thomas | 1985 |
| Sarah Gould | 1984 |
Over the years, the Ottawa International Antique & Classic Boat Show has been a central focus for the Club. The Show has moved around the Rideau Valley over the years as the following list will attest:
| Year | Location | Show Chair(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Cancelled – Covid-19 | Show not held |
| 2020 | Cancelled – Covid-19 | Show not held |
| 2019 | Rideau Ferry | Dawn McKendry |
| 2018 | Westport | Chris Lucas |
| 2017 | Westport | Chris Lucas |
| 2016 | Rideau Ferry | Chris Lucas |
| 2015 | Show not held | |
| 2014 | Rideau Ferry | Ian Wyllie & Dave Tilley |
| 2013 | Long Island Lock Manotick | Ray Saunders |
| 2012 | Long Island Lock Manotick | Ray Saunders |
| 2011 | Long Island Lock Manotick | Ray Saunders |
| 2010 | Long Island Lock Manotick | Ray Saunders |
| 2009 | Long Island Lock Manotick | Ray Saunders |
| 2008 | Long Island Lock Manotick | Ron Jelley & Dave Tilley |
| 2007 | Long Island Lock Manotick | Frank Phelan |
| 2006 | Long Island Lock Manotick | Andrew MacLaurin & Barron Meyerhoffer |
| 2005 | Long Island Lock Manotick | Dave Tilley |
| 2004 | Long Island Lock Manotick | Dave Tilley |
| 2003 | Manotick Marina Manotick | Dave Tilley & Ian Wyllie |
| 2002 | Aylings Merrickville | Ron Jelley |
| 2001 | Westport | Heather Phelan |
| 2000 | Hurst Marina Manotick | Don Thomas, Frank Phelan & Ian Wyllie |
| 1999 | Westport | Martin Luce |
| 1998 | Westport | Ian Wyllie |
| 1997 | Dows Lake | Nancy Taylor |
| 1996 | Westport | Don Loken |
| 1995 | Merrickville | Nancy Taylor & Frank Phelan |
| 1994 | Westport | Ian Wyllie |
| 1993 | Westport | Graeme Beattie |
| 1992 | Dows Lake | Murray Gould & Cam Graham |
| 1991 | Westport | Brian Kirk & David Burns |
| 1990 | Portland | Al Macleod & David Scholfield |
| 1989 | Dows Lake | Frank Phelan |
| 1988 | Rideau Ferry | Graeme Beattie & Mel Evans |
| 1987 | Dows Lake | Syd Herwig |
| 1986 | Dows Lake | Syd Herwig & Murray Gould |
| 1985 | Rideau Ferry | Murray Gould |
| 1984 | Perth | Don Thomas & Murray Gould |
| 1983 | Rideau Ferry | Murray Gould |
| 1982 | Rideau Ferry | Frank Phelan, Peter Elliot, Murray Gould & Robert Merkley |
| 1981 | Rideau Ferry | Murray Gould & Ed Hendee |
| 1980 | Rideau Ferry | Murray Gould |
| 1979 | Dows Lake | Kent Martin, Robert Merkley, Barbara Hopper & Frank Phelan |
| 1978 | Dows Lake | Howard Poole, Kent Martin & Robert Merkley |
| 1977 | Dows Lake | Peter Elliot |
| 1976 | Dows Lake | Peter Elliot & Cam Graham |
Our Club continues to focus on the enjoyment of antique and classic boats through restoration and through operating these treasures on the water. The only membership requirement is an interest in old boats.