Dr. John McDowell is rowing Luoma Loon in the foreground, Burtt Fidler is rowing John's yellow fibreglass boat, and Doug Walter is rowing Verna Gregson's red fibreglass boat. The fibreglass boats were made from a mold created from Luoma Loon.
A restored little row boat with a history was relaunched Sunday, June 1, 2014 at the El Verano boat launch on Gabriola Island, sliding off its trailer into False Narrows like a fish returning to familiar waters. The story of this little boat began decades ago when the Luoma Brothers of Naniamo built it for use in the local row boat fishery. After decades of service, Steve Ellis and his brother Graham acquired the boat on Protection
Island and made it available to Wayne Gorrie of Mudge Island to use as a plug for making the mold used to make fibreglass double-ended row boats. After repairing the boat enough to use as a plug, the Ellis brothers decided to restore it and use it, which they did for many years before selling this little hand troller to Burtt Fidler.
Now, after many years of use in its second life, Luoma Loon has once again been restored to what is believed to be its original colours and configuration as a hand troller or hand liner fish boat. The original name of the boat is unknown, but when it was discovered on Protection Island years ago, it had a loon painted on it so it was called Loon. Burtt Fidler renamed it Luoma Loon, because he wanted to give credit
to the the Luoma brothers of Shack Island who are believed to have been the original builders of this boat.
Dozens of these boats were made by the Luomas between the 1920's and 1940's and these were considered to be the finest of row boats by the fishers of this area because of their handling characteristics and seaworthy
qualities.
Sunday's relaunch was a low key event. After a few brief words about the boat including a mention of the ones that were made using the mold that was made from it, Thomas Hardy blessed the boat and poured some homemade plum wine over her bow and the boat was relaunched. Those present took turns rowing Luoma Loon and two of the fibreglass boats that were made from the mold taken from Loon in the 1980's. These boats are owned by Verna Gregson and Dr. John McDowell of Mudge Island.
Larry Westlake of Sechelt, who did the work of restoring Luoma Loon, was present on Sunday as was Steve Ellis of Naniamo who initially rescued the boat years ago. Thanks to the efforts of these two men, this wonderful little boat will provide many more decades of joy and service to all who use her.
-Burtt Fidler
On that note, the museum is proud to host the 2014 Small Wooden Boat Festival! If you're interested in the boats as mentioned above, you'll love this festival. It takes place July 27, from 10 am to 4 pm in Holland Park in Gibsons. Click here for more details!
Our replica handliner will be in the Sea Cavalcade parade, while Hubert Evans' real handliner is in our museum! We also sell replica handliner plans in our gift shop in case you want to make your own.
Island and made it available to Wayne Gorrie of Mudge Island to use as a plug for making the mold used to make fibreglass double-ended row boats. After repairing the boat enough to use as a plug, the Ellis brothers decided to restore it and use it, which they did for many years before selling this little hand troller to Burtt Fidler.
Now, after many years of use in its second life, Luoma Loon has once again been restored to what is believed to be its original colours and configuration as a hand troller or hand liner fish boat. The original name of the boat is unknown, but when it was discovered on Protection Island years ago, it had a loon painted on it so it was called Loon. Burtt Fidler renamed it Luoma Loon, because he wanted to give credit
to the the Luoma brothers of Shack Island who are believed to have been the original builders of this boat.
Dozens of these boats were made by the Luomas between the 1920's and 1940's and these were considered to be the finest of row boats by the fishers of this area because of their handling characteristics and seaworthy
qualities.
Sunday's relaunch was a low key event. After a few brief words about the boat including a mention of the ones that were made using the mold that was made from it, Thomas Hardy blessed the boat and poured some homemade plum wine over her bow and the boat was relaunched. Those present took turns rowing Luoma Loon and two of the fibreglass boats that were made from the mold taken from Loon in the 1980's. These boats are owned by Verna Gregson and Dr. John McDowell of Mudge Island.
Larry Westlake of Sechelt, who did the work of restoring Luoma Loon, was present on Sunday as was Steve Ellis of Naniamo who initially rescued the boat years ago. Thanks to the efforts of these two men, this wonderful little boat will provide many more decades of joy and service to all who use her.
-Burtt Fidler
On that note, the museum is proud to host the 2014 Small Wooden Boat Festival! If you're interested in the boats as mentioned above, you'll love this festival. It takes place July 27, from 10 am to 4 pm in Holland Park in Gibsons. Click here for more details!
Our replica handliner will be in the Sea Cavalcade parade, while Hubert Evans' real handliner is in our museum! We also sell replica handliner plans in our gift shop in case you want to make your own.
RSS Feed
