On July 28th, 1959 the Ottawa Citizen published an article on Ross Hamre and a friend’s boat building expedition to Portland. Three teenagers from Ottawa; Ross Hamre, Carson Thompson, and Rick Sladen built a boat from plywood and fiberglass. The boat was built in the Hamre’s family garage in Ottawa. The boat was built using a Svenson's boat plan for a Sunfish Cabin Cruiser. Once, it was completed it was launched that summer at Hog’s Back in Ottawa to start its maiden voyage down the Rideau Canal with a stop for the summer in Portland.
The boat weighed 400 lbs. and travelled roughly 5 to 10 mph on its 5 ½ horsepower outboard motor down the river headed to Portland for the summer. The boat was complete with a galley and cabin making it easy for weekend stays. They had plans to spend time in Kingston over the summer also.
Ross Hamre’s uncle stayed in Portland and had a larger version of the boat called the “Hamre’s Arc”. The boat was nicknamed the “Wee Arc” after Hamre's uncles boat. Portland was the destination of choice becase it had become a go to destination in the summer. The three worked doing odd jobs around Portland to fund their boating adventures for the summer and pay back Hamre's mother who had lent them the money to finish the boat. They also spent time in Rideau Ferry and Chaffey’s Lock at the Research Center. It was a routine to come for the weekend and spend the night in rideau ferry after danicng at the Inn.
Ross's parents rented a cottage on the lake for the summer. Ross also has family in garrett's bay. It became tradition for Ross to spend all his weekends on his boat in Portland. He became a long time boater at Len’s Cove. He sold radios with Len Horsfall prior to Len purchasing the marina in 1958. Now generations later the passion for boating on the big Rideau still lives in the hearts of his children and there families.
Where is the boat now? The boat was sold to pay for Ross Hamre’s sons crib. If anyone knows where it may be now we would love to hear from you!
