Heritage business The Dory Shop, in Lunenburg, N.S., has been operating for over a century. Established in an old fish store, the wooden boat-building business has survived the test of time and continues to operate much the same today as when it was founded. In addition to building and repairing boats, The Dory Shop passes on traditions by teaching the trade.

Setting sail

The beginning of The Dory Shop in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia dates back to 1917 when it was established by Henry Rhuland. Rhuland set up shop in an old fish store—a small shed once used to salt and dry fish and store fishing gear. Located on the waterfront, the business remains in the same location today on what is now Bluenose Drive. Its proximity to the water made delivering boats simple: they could be pushed right into the water from the shop. At the time, The Dory Shop was one of three similar businesses in the area.

Since day one, the shop has built handmade wooden dories for fishing schooners in Lunenburg, along the shores of Nova Scotia and across the Maritimes. Dories are small, lightweight boats with simple shapes, making them relatively easy to build. They’ve been used for centuries in the fishing industry and are usually kept onboard larger schooners.

 

Changing captains

In 1949, The Dory Shop changed hands for the first time when Rhuland sold the business. After being owned by a number of different people over the years, in 2005 Dawson Moreland and Associates Ltd. purchased the business and it’s currently managed by Captain Daniel Moreland.

The Dory Shop has maintained production since its inception. When times were slow, the organization took on repairs of schooners and other vessels. Although some modern tools have been added to the process, building a wooden boat at The Dory Shop today uses the same patterns and equipment as were used in 1917. According to the company’s website, The Dory Shop is one of the oldest continually operating commercial boat builders in North America.

 

Teaching traditions

Keeping the traditions of wooden boat building alive, in recent years The Dory Shop began teaching the trade. Although some boat-building education initiatives can take months, The Dory Shop’s course is two weeks. In that time, students learn to turn a pile of wooden planks into a dory ready for the water.

Each year, The Dory Shop can host up to two courses on the Lunenburg waterfront with eight students at a time. Classes start with learning the best wood to use and conclude with a launch party and a celebratory row in the harbour.

 

Still sailing

Today, operations continue at The Dory Shop of Lunenburg, N.S., found on the harbourfront at 175 Bluenose Drive. Still making small wooden boats by hand, the shop also refurbishes and repairs larger vessels. However, crafting wooden dories remains its specialty.

Note: A representative of The Dory Shop was unavailable for an interview; the above article is based on third-party research.

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