A Century of 'on-the-water' Boating Services
Dr. Stephen Thorne who began his medical practice in Bobcaygeon in 1888 first established the yacht harbour. As canoes were in great demand, he hired a man to build them in 1894, turning his boathouse into a workshop, which was located directly in front of his house on Front Street. Gilbert Gordon, from Lakefield, took over in 1909 and built canoes in the boathouse, then known as the boat livery. In 1926, Gilbert's brother Charles took over the lease and operated the business as Gordon Boat Works. Gordon Boat Works was eventually sold to Earl Gordon then passed to Bill Gordon who, with his wife Mary Jane, ran a thriving business known as Gordon Yacht Harbour. Colin Fernall took over the operation in 1975 and started a major renovation in 1990. The current owner, Charles Pitcher, completed these in 1999 and continues almost a century of boating services for the 50 resident boaters and over 1000 transient boaters every summer.