Nova Scotia Boatbuilders Association

10/21/2026

Groggy: This word comes from "grog," a name for rum diluted with water introduced in 1740 by British Admiral Edward Vernon (nicknamed "Old Grogram" because of the coat he wore). Sailors who drank too much of it became "groggy" (dazed or unsteady)


📷: British sailors get grog (US National Archives)

10/19/2026

Dagley's Boatworks combines old-fashioned craftsmanship with new technology to custom-build or restore a boat that will give you years of enjoyment. Each project is carefully planned to suit your needs, then skilfully developed using epoxy, fibreglass and vinyl-ester in composite construction and durable low-VOC paints. The end result is a boat that handles well in the water, is pleasing to the eye and is easy to maintain. And last but not least, their prices are reasonable. Their projects range from dragon boats to sloops, canoes to Cape Island fishing boats, up to 40 feet in length. Whether it’s new construction, repair, or a classic or commercial restoration, proprietor-builder, Scott Dagley, has over forty years experience in satisfying clients. Their shop is located in East LeHave. They’re proud to be continuing this tradition.

10/16/2026

Check out our latest video about The Dory Shop! Learn more about the world famous wooden boat that is still popular today. Visit YouTube.com/nsboatbuilders to see this video and many others!


https://youtu.be/KN_Vh4rVnDk

We spent a day at The Dory Shop in Lunenburg with builder Morgan Sm...

10/14/2026

The Fall issue of The Boatbuilder is out now! Visit nsboats.com/newsletter to see the latest issue which features stories about Hefring Marine, 10 Years at West Head Boatbuilders, the Picton Castle, Build-a-Boat Workshop and more! You can see archived issues and subscribe so you are notified about future issues when they are published.

10/12/2026

Happy Thanksgiving! This year we continue the Indigenous and Canadian traditions of expressing gratitude for blessings, the beauty of autumn, and the warmth of friends and family. Indigenous peoples in North America have a history of holding communal feasts to celebrate the fall harvest that predates the arrival of European settlers. Wishing everyone a day of gratitude and joy filled with friends and family.

10/09/2026

National Leif Erikson Day on October 9 honours the explorer Leif Erikson. The Norse explorer earns credit for bringing the first Europeans known to have set foot in North America. Leif Erikson was an Icelandic explorer during the 10th century. Long before Christopher Columbus, Leif sailed west from Greenland and landed in a place he called Vinland, which we identify as L'Anse aux Meadows on the northern tip of Newfoundland. Among discoveries at L'Anse aux Meadows is a boat repair shop identified by archeologists.


art: Christian Krohg, Liev Eriksson discovers America (1893)

10/07/2026

October is Women's History Month. The theme for 2026 is Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future. This month is about highlighting the achievements of women and girls, past and present, who have shaped Canada in fields like politics, science, arts, business, and the economy. Did you know that during WWII, approximately 4,000 Canadian women stepped into shipyards along the Atlantic, Pacific, and St. Lawrence River coasts? By 1943, women made up roughly one-third of the workforce at the crucial Pictou shipyard in Nova Scotia, building Park-class cargo ships for the Merchant Navy. Indigenous women were key figures in these war efforts as well. For example, Bridget Ann Knockwood (Martin), a Mi’kmaw woman, became a prominent historical symbol of the thousands of women who built Canada's naval fleet.


📷 Bridget Ann Knockwood, Library and Archives Canada

10/05/2026

Shining Waters Marine Services is a full-service marina with chandlery for all your needs including Beta & Yanmar parts centre and certified Canadian Customs arrival site. They offer marina and boatyard services in an idyllic rural setting that is within 5 minutes of many services from grocery to highway access. They are 25 minutes from Halifax and 40 minutes to the Halifax International Airport and only 6 km down the Peggy’s Cove Road towards the most famous lighthouse in all the Marit

10/02/2026

World Smile Day is celebrated annually on the first Friday of October to spread goodwill, positivity, and random acts of kindness. Harvey Ball, creator of the iconic yellow smiley face in 1963, established World Smile Day in 1999 to dedicate one day each year to kindness and smiles. The official motto for the day is "Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile."

10/01/2026

Treaty Day is celebrated in Nova Scotia on October 1st each year and marks the beginning of Mi'kmaq History Month. Treaty Day recognizes the treaties signed in 1752 between the Mi'kmaq and the Crown. On this day, Nova Scotians mark Treaty Day to celebrate the rich history, proud culture and important contributions of Mi’kmaq people. These centuries-old treaties honour the enduring bond of peace, friendship and respect between Nova Scotia’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and reaffirm the historic presence of the Mi’kmaq who have stewarded the land for thousands of years.