Main Docks
In the early years of the Park, the Main Docks were in town next to the Main Beach in the shelter of the breakwater. There were several competing boat rental businesses run by Hunters, Cherry, Sissons, Pease, Brayfords, and Greenops. The docks drew people to the waterfront to fish or canoe, to ride one of the cruise boats, to people watch, and to stroll admiring the sunset. Brayford Boats alone at one time had 98 rental boats and with the other businesses inventory, there were a large number of boats available for hire. Privately owned boats were very rare in those days.
As well as individual canoe and boat rentals, larger boats took groups on pleasure tours or excursions to fish at the West End Waskesiu or across Kingsmere Lake to visit Grey Owl’s cabin. Beginning with the Nanette I and II built by the George Pease family, to the Queen, Princess, and Shamrock to the era of the Paddlewheeler, a cruise around the lake was in important part of many people’s holiday. (See The Fish Shop)
“The Main Dock area was the centre of activity in Waskesiu in 1941 when the Brayford family arrived. Docks stretched from a long wooden breakwater…in a semi-circle around to the main beach area. Doc Sissons operated a boat business closest to the breakwater, below the hill on which the bandstand sat.
"Len Hunter’s establishment was beside the main beach. S.V. (Sam) Brayford had just purchased a boat business and gone into partnership with Alex Pease, who already owned a boat livery and commercial whitefish business in the Park. Their boathouse was in a prime location on the waterfront, directly down from Arner’s Store (now the Waskesiu Trading Company). The new business, known as Pease and Brayford Boats, had rental boats at the Main Dock, the Narrows and the Heart Lakes.
"Most of the boats had been built by Alex’s father, George Pease, and Harold Beck, using local tamarack and imported cedar. Sam introduced the first Peterborough boats used as rental units in the Park. In the new partnership Alex concentrated on the commercial fishing and with his extensive knowledge of the lakes, did considerable guiding, along with Eddie Hubble, Harold Beck and Jack Plummer.”
Bill Goodman, captain of the Queen, was from the Paddockwood district and a colourful character. Many are the youngsters who got to sit up on the high captain’s chair and steer the Queen. The Queen was built on River Street in Prince Albert.
“One hour cruises on the Queen during the ‘40s cost fifty cents for adults. On weekdays two afternoon and two evening cruises were customary during July and most of August. On busy weekends it was not unusual for Bill to make eight to ten trips a day.”
Sheila Brayford, Waskesiu Memories, Volume I, edited by Dorell Taylor
“Learning the boat business was indeed a challenge and required heavy duty, hard manual work. Our first weekend was in early June 1946 or ’47. It was a weekend to remember. Four tourists came by while we were busy trying to sort out and set up in our new venture. They wanted a boat ride so Hoddy volunteered me. 'Dean will take you out,' he offered. So we loaded ourselves in to a regular sized rental boat with a small engine and I took them to Kings [sic] Island. I was about to motor them back to the main beach when the motor failed. I rowed four passengers and myself back across the lake. Hoddy was waiting at the dock and offered to help. 'Not now, thank you very much!' was my reply after this exhausting workout.
"On Sunday of the same weekend, one of our rental boats capsized inside the breakwater. Hoddy to the rescue- he jumped into a canoe to retrieve the passengers and in his enthusiasm capsized his canoe. Since no one was in immediate danger, I could only see the funny side and I laughed. Meantime, our opposition, with whom we were to have an ongoing friendly rivalry, successfully retrieved everyone and the two vessels from the water. I think the Brayfords [the competition] are still laughing.”
By Doreen (Dean) McLaren Greenop, Waskesiu Memories, Volume III, edited by Dorell Taylor
When more and more people owned their own boats the boat docks and launch became congested. A larger marina was built around the north shore in the early 1960s. Doreen and Ed Greenop moved the boat rentals from the townsite and became the first operators at the new marina. At the new location there have been various operators including Solymos, Lockes and McLachlans. Recently, the marina was remodeled and upgraded to meet the needs of an increasing number of boaters.
The most recent pleasure boat that offered pleasure cruises on Waskesiu Lake was the Neo-watin Paddlewheeler. Read more about this colourful and popular boat here.
Water sports
Nowadays the gear for water sports is plentiful and scientifically engineered. In the early days of the Park, sports like water skiing were in the early stages of development, the boat motors were small, and the equipment was basic. Compare this story about water skiing with the enormous wake boarding boats and high tech equipment that is now used on Waskesiu Lake.
“Scotty Smith also had his own equipment. He brought in a Peterborough boat with a 25 H.P. motor, a large motor for those days. In the Park, water skiing as a sport was in its infancy. Brayford Boats had ski equipment for rent, which Daryl used to put to the test behind Scotty’s boat, attempting all kinds of innovations. The ski equipment of the time was pretty basic but Daryl introduced the Flying Saucer to Waskesiu. This was a saucer shaped plywood circle painted fire engine red. When standing on it while being towed behind Scotty’s boat lost its novelty, Daryl added a chair on which he would stand as he skimmed over the water.”
Sheila Brayford, Waskesiu Memories, Volume I, edited by Dorell Taylor
