Why We Still Love Wooden Boats
The Butson family has a long history with wooden boats and this Butson name has become synonymous with quality of design, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. Tim Butson’s ancestors were shipwrights for several generations in England. His Grandfather, Cecil, settled in Canada in 1905 and practiced the boatbuilding trade in the Midland – Penetang area in Ontario. Cecil’s son, Ron, caught the bug and devoted his entire life to boatbuilding as well. Ron eventually came to Muskoka in 1960 and accepted a job with Duke Boats Ltd. in Port Carling. After working for Duke’s for over twenty years he then joined his son, Tim, at Greavette Boats Ltd. in Gravenhurst and then Port Carling. Tim also had a passion for boatbuilding and was plant manager for Greavettes until 1981 when they decided to cease operations. One door closed and another one opened for the Butsons. Butson Boats Ltd. was born, with Ron and Tim at the helm that very same year. While the name of the business and its location has changed a few times over the past three decades, the Butson team continues to offer accomplished wooden boat design and building, along with quality restorations and repairs. We continue to have an “open door” policy and invite you to visit our traditional wooden boat shop now in Bracebridge.