The Canadian Raceboat Hall of Fame opened its doors in Bracebridge on July 20th as the destination for Canada’s largest collection of iconic vintage raceboats and artifacts in a new 14,000 square foot display area.
Murray Walker, Founder and President of the Canadian Raceboat Hall of Fame is a Muskoka resident and devoted collector, whose vision was to create a venue to celebrate Canadian racing achievements. Among the 40 exhibits are cherished vessels that include the renowned Miss Supertest III, Miss Canada 11, and Tempo VII. They are nostalgic pieces of an era when these finely crafted wooden boats ruled the waters.
Celebrating Canadian accomplishments
Walking through the doors, the Canadian racing championship era is preserved in all its glory. The Canadian Raceboat Hall of Fame is a journey through time, a haven for those with a passion for vintage raceboats and an appreciation of Canadian achievements. It’s a place where enthusiasts and curious visitors alike can marvel at the sleek designs and innovative engineering that defined an era when wooden boats were a symbol of elegance, speed, and adventure.
There were three major Canadian racing families in the last century. In the 1920s, Muskoka’s Harry Greening had innovations set all kinds of racing records. The Wilson family followed with its series of racing vessels called the Miss Canada boats. The Wison family sold Miss Canada IV to the Thompson family of London, which owned Supertest Petroleum, and they renamed the boat Miss Supertest 1. Walker says, “After Miss Supertest I was retired, Miss Supertest II set a world record. The Thompson family then had its eye on winning the ultimate competition, the Harmsworth Trophy Race, with the building of Miss Supertest III. This boat was never defeated.”
Another boat featured in the Hall of Fame is Tempo VII, which was owned by acclaimed bandleader, Guy Lombardo who was a world champion boat racer in his own right. Walker encourages visitors to see the Hall of Fame for themselves. He says, “Visitors might not know anything about raceboats, but they will learn something about raceboats and realize that many great Canadian achievements happened in the water, especially in Ontario.”
Story of Miss Supertest III
Many years after she was retired, Murray Walker acquired Miss Supertest III and he says, “Rather than leave it my private collection, I wanted to put this boat on public display. I needed to find a better way to share the story of Miss Supertest III. It’s such a significant Canadian story of achievement.” Miss Supertest III was the catalyst for the launch of the Canadian Raceboat Hall of Fame.
Miss Supertest III was built by a Canadian, raced by a Canadian, and powered by a 2900 horsepower Rolls Royce aircraft engine, the most powerful engine in the British Empire. She won the Harmsworth Trophy Race at 180 mph, but her maximum speed was never tested. Walker says, “It was the only Canadian boat that ever won the world championship Harmsworth Trophy Race, and it happened after the Americans held the record for 39 consecutive years. It was a tremendous achievement on the part of the Canadians.”
The Harmsworth Trophy race challenged competitors to race with unlimited power, at the highest of speeds. The trophy was taken by Canada in 1959, and again in 1960, and 1961 at the races in Picton, Ontario. Because she is part of Canadian raceboat history, Miss Supertest III is featured prominently in the Canadian Raceboat Hall of Fame. Walker adds, “The accolades also go to Mr. Thompson for his great ability to test the boat himself.”
Inspiring the future
The Canadian Raceboat Hall of Fame isn’t just about looking back, it’s about inspiring the future. Walker says, “Today, there are active groups of kids racing in small seafleas and many of these young racers are girls. Kids as young as 8 years old are racing in seafleas. It’s a very safe sport that is a lot of fun and highly competitive.”
Valleyfield, Quebec is a hotspot for North American boat racing. The Grand Prix classes of raceboats were developed in Canada and that Canadian innovation spread across North America. It’s another example of Canadian achievements on the water. Walker says, “We’re very fortunate that have 2 Grand Prix boats in the Hall of Fame that have won world championships.”
The Venue
In addition to the impressive collection of exhibits, the CRHF features, “The Venue”, an event center. It’s a picturesque setting for weddings, corporate events, and celebrations of life, with a capacity to accommodate up to 125 guests. Walker says, “If people are coming for an event, guests can view the Hall of Fame which will be well illuminated through the glass doorways. Hopefully, the guests will come back and learn something about raceboats and Canadian achievements.”
Showcasing Canadian innovation
Whether you’re a seasoned collector, a boating enthusiast, or someone who simply appreciates a good story, the Canadian Raceboat Hall of Fame is a destination that promises to leave an impression. It serves as a time capsule, showcasing Canadian craftsmanship and innovation. Murray Walker says, “Each boat on display tells a story of Canadian achievement, daring races, iconic victories, and the craftsmen who poured their heart and soul into creating these floating masterpieces.”
The Canadian Raceboat Hall of Fame is a tribute to a time when craftsmanship and speed were celebrated in equal measure, and a reminder that some traditions are too beautiful to fade away.
The Canadian Raceboat Hall of Fame is located at 1512 Muskoka Road, 118 West, Bracebridge. It’s open 7 days a week from May until October. For more information visit their website.
For ticket or rental information for The Venue, which is open year-round, contact Ann Curley at: [email protected] or (705) 708-2500.