Nova Scotia Boatbuilders Association marking 10th anniversary

By Andy Walker

Sou’Wester

The Nova Scotia Boatbuilders Association is marking its 10th anniversary in 2008.

When the group was formed in May of 1998, it had nine builders and the seven associate members.

This number has now grown to 45 builders in all three Maritime provinces and 44 associated members, supplying everything from marine equipment to electronics, engines and generators and design services.

"It has been a pretty successful," says executive director Tim Edwards. "We represent the majority of boat builders especially in Nova Scotia but there is room to grow– we have gotten some members in both P.E.I. and New Brunswick but we would like to get more there as well."

This summer the association will once again be joining forces with the Mahone Bay Classic Boat Festival for an "in water boat show," featuring both pleasure and work boats. Edwards was at the recent Fish Canada Workboat Canada show in Moncton trying to convince some of his members that were also participating in the Moncton show to come on board.

"Last year we had 15 boats and we are hoping to have at least that and hopefully a little more," he says. "It is a very different show because people get to see the boats actually in the water as opposed to being displayed in an arena or a sales lot."

Edwards says the association is pleased to be able to be part of the existing festival in the scenic community of Mahone Bay. The July 31-Aug. 3 festival will also include light schooner/windsprint races, classic boat races, a fast and furious boat building competition and guided boat shop tours in the immediate area.

He says the Mahone Bay show allows members to showcase their products.

"Some of our members are having a little bit of a slowdown due to such factors as the current state of the fishery and the high dollar, while others are quite busy," he notes.

Referring back to the Fish Canada Workboat Canada show in Moncton, Edwards says shows like this one allow him to promote the association and touch base with all members and associate members.

Over the course of the three-day event, he made a point of stopping by the booth of all his members just to touch base.

"For builders and suppliers that aren’t members, the show offered them a chance to learn more about us and we have a chance to make our pitch," he says.

Edwards was able to identify three to four potential new associate members and one new boat builder member at the Moncton show.

(Andy Walker resides in P.E.I. and is a regular contributor to the Sou’Wester.)