Anybody know where she is?

MargAnnIII · Post by **MargAnnIII** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 7:56 pm

Am new to this forum, however hoping that someone might have information for me as to the where our families 1968 36' Sea Voyager may be today ...

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 3881_n.jpg

Have really scoured for photos ... nothing digital I'm afraid ...

Our lovely lady was purchased not yet finished from the Niagara-on-the-Lake manufacturing facility ... one of the last wooden (or woodies as you folks here refer to them) hulls to be completed at Niagara in the late summer of 1968. I remember the day we drove to take a walk through ... we had just returned from a family trip from Kingston via the Rideau and Ottawa to Montreal, 2 weeks at Expo 67 and then home via the St. Lawrence ... a dream trip of my Dad's ... an excursion for our Mom! We always travelled with friends .... there was rarely a dull moment aboard. Dad decided following this trip in our 31' Shepard that it was time to "move up" ... he was keen for a flybridge! The tour was amazing ... I can remember it with such detail ... I was 7 years old! She arrived in Kingston, and was part of our family until just before my Dad's passing in 2000. She sold from the Ivy Lea Inn Marina for a sad amount of $5000.00 CAD. My folks had meticulously cared for her ... we painted the bottom each spring, varnish and teak attended to each summer, nautilex conditioned, canvases new and old ordered and repaired ... no expense was spared for this true and trusted member of the family.

I would sincerely appreciate any information on her next or present location. From Ivy Lea I believe she travelled either east towards Quebec, north to Merrickville or Ottawa maybe? I don't believe she went Toronto way ... and I don't remember any US interest. My Dad was never the same from the moment she left ... all those years he flew overseas and never looked back, consoled by his boats and his time on the river with dear friends.

Thank you for reading ... and, with admiration to you all for your time and dedication ... whether wood or glass, owning a boat is a life like no other.

LSP · Post by **LSP** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 8:21 pm

What a great story to read and what a great part of your life. I sure hope someone here can help you with your search. Welcome to the forum.

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 10:10 pm

Awesome story. She sure is a beauty. Hope you track her down and that when you find her the new owners have kept up the good work. We have to keep on top of the old beauties, there aren't that many left. Glad you're looking into it, your dad would be proud.

k9th · Post by **k9th** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 10:26 pm

Welcome to our forum and what a great story. Hopefully you will be successful in your search.

Good luck in your quest.

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 6:23 am

I share a similar story with my fathers antique car that I located back in 1982.

I used the club and the club roster along with the license plate numbers which led me to the state's dept of motor vehicles. They were able to give me the car's serial number.

You might try that route as well.

Also, a form letter mailed out to all the boat dealers in the area might also turn up a lead.

Your results will be tempered by your own level of determination.

Good luck and keep us posted,

RWS

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 8:03 am

RWS offers up a good idea. You may try contacting by phone or e-mail the OMOA (Ontario Marine Operators Association) at http://www.boatingontario.ca/, they can supply you with a list of thier marina operators. They were very helpful to me when I wanted to send out a mass e-mail to all the marinas in hopes that I could find something for my boat. Give as many details about the vessel as you can; make, model, length, year etc. If any of the marinas have such in thier facility, I'm sure they'll respond. Those that tried to help me responded quickly. If you get a lead, ask the marina to have the owner contact you. I'm sure the owner would be more than happy to as we're always looking to find as much history behind our vessels as possible. Good luck.

MargAnnIII · Post by **MargAnnIII** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:47 am

Thanks Everyone ... appreciate your kind welcome, thoughts and suggestions ... I will follow your leads ...

BigD ... I see you are also located in Ontario ... yours is a true beauty ... if you are willing to share your boat's history, I would always be interested.

There is one for sale on ebay at the moment ... looks like she needs a good home ... looking at the photos online, my husband's comment "certainly doesn't look like the condition your Mom kept your Dad's" ... by contrast, there is another in Bobcaygeon ... :

http://www.milleryachts.com/boats/under ... /index.asp

It is very reassuring for me to know that there are so many still in use, and so lovingly and tenderly cared for ... our boat was absolutely my Dad's pride and joy. We left Kingston the last day of school, and did not return until late in the evening on Labour Day Monday ... my Dad commuted back and forth to work here in town, while we "lived" (like Gypsy's according to my Mom) on the boat on the river ALL summer. I was, very very lucky ... we met and made some life long friends, and even managed a few summer jobs here and there. It was very different to cottaging ... but if I had it to do over, I wouldn't change a thing! There were kids of all ages who summered there from Ottawa, Kingston, and from many locations in the US ... we met up each summer as we grew up, started a ski club amongst other things ... and for my folks, there were many social groups as well! Anyone who has boated in the 1000 Islands area will know there are many wonderful spots, and great locations with all kinds of different activities. Before the Gananoque waterfront Theatre, the facility was occupied by the Gananoque Canoe Club ... where the town hosted weekend dances for young people! And does anyone remember Drive-In theatre? And local small town fairs ... Lansdowne had a great one each August. I'm sure those who grew up boating in Ottawa, or Cottage Country have similar memories ...

I'm also going to try the Ministry of Transportation ... the license for the vessel must have been transferred upon sale.

Thanks all for humoring me and sharing your stories ... I do once again one day intend to be back on the River ... maybe when our daughter graduates from University ...

Best to all ...

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 11:16 am

MargAnnIII wrote:I'm also going to try the Ministry of Transportation ... the license for the vessel must have been transferred upon sale.

Good idea. The thought just hit me as well... If you do a title search by either license number or registered name (whatever it had) it should show up with name of current owner. It will cost you a few bucks for the search, but sounds like it may be worthwhile.

I know of another 36 (don't know vintage - '67 - '68 I think) in Bronte (just west of Toronto) but it is highly customized. Its name is Lady J (I will post pics some day - its really nice!). I think the owner has had it since before 2000 though so likely not the one you are looking for.

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 11:16 am

Another thought you might try...

Call John at Marine Tech. 717-684-4145 If you know the selling dealer, even if they are no longer, he will have a record perhaps of all Trojans sold through that dealer. With a customer's last name, you may be able to get the HIN (hull identification number or serial number) Then you can search all models for sale, and compare HINs.

Good luck in your search.

MargAnnIII · Post by **MargAnnIII** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:15 pm

Thanks everyone ... keep the ideas coming ...

Wrote to the Ministry of Transportation today, as well as any and all marinas in the Montreal area ... husband has noted my new obsession and for some reason felt she went to Montreal????? I don't remember this, however my heart was on my sleeve during the sale and so perhaps I am living in denial - a good place while grieving~!

At any rate, I am following through with suggestions ... my language skills are lacking significantly in French, so not certain any of the Montreal area folks will respond, but it is still worth trying.

Will keep sending out notes with accompanying photo until I can no longer find emails that I have not sent before ... absolutely do not want to bug people ... this is my journey, and not others ... however, if she is out there somewhere ..........................................

Funny how things come back to you ... 10 years later ...

Thanks again ... I do sincerely appreciate everyone's thoughts and ideas, and know that your time is not wasted ... I am in pursuit!

Best to all!

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 10:06 pm

Sounds like you have some real fond memories. You sound very passionate in telling the story, I can almost picture the events myself! Maybe it's time to make some boating history of your own?

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 10:40 pm

I wish you the best of luck in your quest .

MargAnnIII · Post by **MargAnnIII** » Sat Jul 24, 2010 3:16 pm

A quick update ... unfortunately due to privacy, the Ministry of Transportation were unable to provide me with any information. I can apply to the Access to Information and hope that someone there might view my request as reasonable ... am going to print the form and do the submission - fingers crossed!
Have also heard back from a number of the marina's that I wrote to in Quebec ... I am consistently surprised that anyone would bother to take the time to respond ... obviously, folks really do understand.
Am hoping to find time next week to write to marina's in Ontario ... if she is still afloat out there somewhere, I'm going to keep trying!

So happy to have an avatar ... thanks all!

hodgkinsbrian · Post by **hodgkinsbrian** » Sat Jul 24, 2010 8:04 pm

You might find the boat at the Montreal Classic Boat Festival Aug.20 to22

For more info go to;
http://www.fbcmontreal.com

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Sun Jul 25, 2010 11:58 am

MargAnnIII wrote:A quick update ... unfortunately due to privacy, the Ministry of Transportation were unable to provide me with any information.

I would expect you should be able to do a regular 'Title Search' (as people often do when they are thinking of buying, to make sure person selling is the real owner and to check for any liens...). Not sure if it is through MTO or Transport Canada as I haven't done one for many years. I will try to remember to check my old records at home and see if I can find info on where I had the search done before. Cost something like $20 - $30 a search.