Ken Lavalette: Owner/operator, master craftsman and master finisher. Ken has almost 30 years experience in wooden boat restoration and refinishing. His main area of expertise lies in the small to medium sized classic sailing craft and runabouts. Ken truly has an undying love for vintage wooden watercraft, which is clearly reflected in his attention to detail.
Arnoud
Braat: Master craftsman.
Prior to his 12 years of employment here, Arnoud accumulated 14 years
experience in an array of fine custom woodworking. For
many years now, he has shown a genuine, keen interest for wooden boat
restoration, and works to exacting standards.
Richard Walker : Master craftsman. Prior to his employment with us, Richard has accumulated over 20 years of woodworking experience building custom timbreframe log homes. He is an accomplished carpenter and woodworker, and has a keen interest for wooden boat restoration and construction. Richard has a positive, cheerful attitude, and works to extremely high standards.
Steve Stiles : Craftsman and finisher. For 15 years prior to his employment with us, Steve was building beautiful custom homes. He has excellent mechanical, electrical and welding skills to compliment his woodworking, and has been a strong and reliable addition here over this past year.
Tony Johnson : Craftsman, shipwright and finisher. Following a year away, Tony has rejoined the crew at Woodwind Yachts. He has been restoring and refinishing wooden boats for nearly 20 years now. Tony is an experienced boater and salvage diver, and his undying love for classic wooden craft shows in his work. Welcome back Tony!
Luke Morgan : Craftsman and boatbuilder. Prior to his employment here, Luke was building and installing elaborate wooden interiors in 34' to 44' luxury yachts. Luke is a quiet, conscientious woodworker who is very pleasant to work with, and is a nice addition to our crew.
Lindsay Unwin : Prior to her employment here, Lindsay has been involved with customer service / management duties in the restaurant business. She has been involved with furniture refinishing and is no stranger to woodworking tools. She shows a keen interest in wooden boats, and is currently apprenticing to become one of our exceptional finishers.
With our combined talents, vast knowledge and experience in all types
of wooden boat construction and restoration, the crew at Woodwind Yachts
feel confident we can provide our customers with an outstanding wooden
watercraft (be it new or restored) that will satisfy even the most discriminating
yachtsman. Collectively, we have built or restored well over two hundred
and fifty fine wooden boats from canoes, daysailers, Folkboats, Dragons
and Metre boats to beautiful mahogany runabouts and launches, cedarstrips
and cabin cruisers.
Currently (winter/spring 2008) we are very busy performing complete
restoration and refinishing work to:
-
A 14' - 1935 Aykroyd sailing dinghy
-
A 14' - 1960 G.P. 14 Daysailer
-
A 14' - 1954 Ross cedarstrip runabout
-
A 15' - 1950's Peterborough double-cockpit cedarstrip runabout
-
A 16' - 1930's Lakefield canoe
-
A 16' - 1961 Mason runabout
-
A 16' Johnson Boatworks lapstrake outboard runabout
-
A 16' - 1960 Wayfarer daysailer
- A 16' - 1957 Shepherd Ski-Bee inboard runabout
-
A 17' - 1947 Chris-Craft deluxe runabout
-
An 18' - 1940's Peterborough rowing skiff
-
A 25' - 1947 Folkboat sloop
-
A 26' - 1956 Chris-Craft express cruiser
-
And the 34' - 1927 Six Metre racing sloop "Merenneito".
Proudly
Canadian
Opportunity for Employment
Due to our ever increasing workload we are currently required to increase our staff with an experienced, self-motivated shipwright/craftsman with knowledge and a passion for classic wooden boats. Only those with exacting standards, good disposition and a good sense of humour need apply. This is a rare opportunity to become a part of our dedicated "family" of craftsmen, producing exceptional quality workmanship on fine wooden watercraft.
Serious inquiries
to be directed
Attn: Ken Lavalette
Phone: (905) 986-9663 (days)
Fax: (905) 986-1345