A few years ago I was able to donate this boat to the Gananoque Boat Museum and at the same time Murray Parnell donated a matching 1950 Johnson QD 10 motor. The boat had been in storage for about 40 years and was in mint shape.
The Museum has taken the upper room in their building - open to the public- and using the boat as a centre piece built their Board Room Table around it. The rest of the room has been made to look like a cottage from the 50s.
The picture on the wall is of the employees of Link Manufacturing Co. who made the boat. In 1929 Ed Link invented and patented the first flight simulator. To be able to sell these units to the Commonwealth countries he built a plant in Gananoque Ontario. The building is still there today and has been converted into Condos. It is about 200 yards from the Gananoque Museum.
If you are in Gananoque do drop in and see this museum it is worth the time.
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After 64 years our cedar strip boat returns home.
Many of you know that a few years ago we acquired a 1950 15’ Heron cedar strip boat made by Link Manufacturing of Gananoque Ontario. A magnificent little boat with smooth lines and a unique inward roll of the gunnels at the tumble home.
In the July issue of 1000 Island Life Magazine there was an article about a new boat museum being set up in Gananoque. The location of the Museum is on Water street right where the 1000 Island Boat Tours depart and arrive and will get lots of visitors. When you are facing the water and look over your left shoulder you can see the brick building where this Link boat was built.
After a brief inspection they agreed it would be a suitable boat for their collection as they did not have a Link boat. At the same time I was able to deliver on behalf of TSACBA member Murray Parnell a restored 1950 Johnson QD 10 built in Peterborough just to cap it off. So our little boat and Murray’s motor will be on display for all to see.
The family on Kasshabog Lake who we purchased the boat from are also very pleased with our decision.
It is amazing that a Town of 5,194 has a boat museum featuring boats built there - Link Boats and then Cliffe Craft Boats as well as St. Lawrence rowing skiffs. If you are passing by on the 401 i urge you to drop in and have a quick visit.
Jim, Merridy, Finlay & Aislin Watt
Members of TSACBA
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Read the The Link Collections., a fascinating story of a man who started by inventing and patenting the First Flight Simulator in 1929. Then became a pioneer in underwater rescue units, breathing apparatus with helium and finished by inventing the Flight Simulator for the Lunar Landing Module to name a few things. Next time you are in an airport and you or your luggage go thru a scanner, the “logo” will probably be “L3". That is the Link Manufacturing Company still going strong today.
Following are pictures showing the workshop area and some of the displays at the new museum.
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