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,
shipwright and finisher. Prior to his 13 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.
Tony Johnson : Craftsman, shipwright and finisher. Tony has been restoring and refinishing wooden boats for nearly 20 years now. He is an experienced boater and his undying love for classic wooden craft clearly shows in his work.
Luke Morgan : Master craftsman, boatbuilder and finisher. 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 : Finisher. Prior to her employment here, Lindsay has been involved with customer service / management duties. 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.
Bill Gonder : Craftsman. After several years away, Bill has re-joined the crew at Woodwind Yachts. He is a personable, reliable, conscientious individual who has an obvious love for old wooden boats. Welcome back Bill!
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 almost three hundred
fine wooden boats from canoes, daysailers, Folkboats, Dragons and Metre
boats to beautiful mahogany runabouts and launches, cedarstrips and
cabin cruisers.
Currently (fall 2008 / winter 2009) we are very busy performing complete
restoration and refinishing work to:
-
A 14' - 1932 Aykroyd sailing dinghy
-
A 14' - 1956 Peterborough cedarstrip runabout
- A 14' - 1954 Ross cedarstrip runabout
- A 15' - 1920's Walter Dean canoe
- A 15' - 1957 Peterborough 'Lakeside' cedarstrip runabout
- A 16' - 1940's Peterborough rowing skiff
- A 17' - 1947 Chris-Craft deluxe mahogany runabout
- A 17' - 1980's Kayak
- An 18' - 1960's Sloop
- A 21' - 1964 Lyman lapstrake runabout
- A 22' - 1949 Shepherd mahogany runabout
- 3 - 25' -1950's Folkboat sloops
- A 26' - 1956 Chris-Craft express cruiser
- A 27' - 1954 Shepherd mahogany express cruiser
- A 41' - 1960 Colin Archer double-ended cruising sloop
In addition, we will be building a couple more of our beautiful 15' Peterborough 'Nomad' runabouts.
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 work ethics and a good disposition 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