Nova Scotia and Maritime-built boats will be centre stage at this summer’s 4th Annual Nova Scotia In-Water Boat Show on the Halifax waterfront.
Presented by the Nova Scotia Boatbuilders Association (NSBA), in partnership with Waterfront Development Corporation (WDCL), the show runs from July 23 to 25, at Bishop’s Landing Marina.
The quality and diversity of Maritime-built custom and semi-custom boats will be showcased. Last year 22 boats were featured ranging from dories to ocean-going cruisers. Two WDCL tenants, YachtSmiths International and The Dory Shop will again participate.
“The Halifax waterfront is a natural fit for the Nova Scotia In- Water Boat Show,” said Colin MacLean, president and CEO, WDCL. “It’s a working waterfront with a growing marina and top destination for visitors and residents.”
The show will also feature a seminar and a fashion show by Helly Hansen.
“The Nova Scotia In-Water Boat Show is unique because it features only Maritime-built boats, designed for fishing, work, and pleasure,” said Tim Edwards, executive director of NSBA.
Nova Scotia and maritime boatbuilders are known globally for building safe, seaworthy boats. The industry is growing with a U.S. demand for fine pleasure boats based on Nova Scotia hull designs that are safe and practical.
Dartmouth-based YachtSmiths International will feature the completed 53-foot aluminum luxury Kasten designed motor yacht Passage of Time and introduce a model of the Pathfinder 48-foot steel trawler design.
The company specializes in high-end pleasure yachts for the North American market, using steel, aluminum and composite. It presently employs 10 people and looks to expand into northern Europe.
“Building custom boats is all about relationships – when you spend a year or more building a boat for a client, you tend to form a lasting relationship,” said Brian Smyth, chief operations officer, YachtSmiths International and speaker for the show. “We have clients that update us on their boats and latest adventures.”
The Dory Shop, located on Lunenburg’s working waterfront is one of the oldest continuous commercial boat building shops in North America. The dories are built using much the same traditional methods of the past 90 years.
For the first time in 30 years, the company is building schooners. Dawson Moreland and Associates, parent company of The Dory Shop, is building twin 48-foot schooners simultaneously outside the shop.
In 2008, boatbuilding sales in the province were about $50 million, with more than 45 boatbuilding companies, employing about 820 people year-round.
NSBA was established in 1998 by group of leading boatbuilders who shared a common vision of growing and diversifying the industry. Membership comprises 34 boatbuilders and 38 companies supplying products and services to the industry.
WDCL is a provincial Crown corporation that oversees provincially owned land along the waterfronts from Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford and Lunenburg. Revenues are reinvested into further development and projects on the waterfronts. A number of events are supported annually to provide people with a vibrant waterfront experience.
