History
How We're Trying To Be Environmentally Friendly!
As a family-owned boat excursion company, we take pride in showcasing the beauty of nature on our environmentally aware and nature friendly excursions. Our team is dedicated to leading trips that leave as little impact as possible on the environment. We believe that by immersing yourself in nature, you can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the world around us. And there's nothing quite like the experience of swimming with the wildlife – it's like being in a scene from a movie! We look forward to sharing the magic of nature with you on our next excursion.
Penetang Harbour
Located approximately 2 hours north of Toronto, On, Penetanguishene boasts beautiful beaches, pristine waterways and is known as the “Gateway to Georgian Bay”.
Rich in history, Penetanguishene is home to Discovery Harbour, an 1812 era British Naval and Military Establishment that was built to safeguard access to Upper Canada following the War of 1812. By 1820, a small community of sailors, officers and shipwrights emerged and commercial boat production began. Magnificent tall ships can still be found at Discovery Harbour.
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Midland Harbour
In the early 1900’s, the shores of Midland were crowded with lumber mills, shelters, a grain elevator and a steel works. These enterprises required water access for transport and the current town dock housed docks designed for shipping and receiving of lumber and coal. Over time the town dock evolved into a tourist destination for cruises and passenger ships touring the Great Lakes and it still operates as a tie up for recreational boats, grain ships and the occasional Coast Guard Ship.
Why we named our boat “Gidley Boat Co”
When our great great grandfather, Henry E. Gidley established his boat building facility in Penetanguishene, during the very late 1800s, he offered an unusually wide range of boats from canoes and rowboats to powered fishing boats. After the turn of the century, he expanded his business to include motor launches, yachts and houseboats. He even built large steam-powered commercial boats.
Utilizing the assembly line production technique, by 1910 Gidley Boats claimed to be the largest builder of pleasure boats in Canada, and with access to rail service, his products could be shipped across North America and his commercial vessels were used by the Canadian Government, the Hudson’s Bay Company and an icebreaker by the Russian Government.
By the 1920’s, Gidley Boats was producing one-of-a-kind, luxury yachts which led to a collaboration with Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company of Canada. The Gidley-Ford model had Model-T engines in a twenty-four foot runabout, a Model-T windshield, steering wheel, and folding top.
The most notable Gidley Boat was a 24 foot launch sold to Orville Wright, of the Wright Brothers, what and to this day is still known as, the Kittyhawk.
We proudly named our vessel “Gidley Boat Co” to honour our family history, its legacy, and connection to Penetang, Midland and Honey Harbour.
Giants Tomb
Legend of Kitchikewana
Wyandot legend tells of a god called Kitchikewana, who was large enough to guard the whole of the Georgian Bay. Kitchikewana was known for his great temper, and his tribe decided the best way to calm him was with a wife.
They held a grand celebration, and many women came. Kitchikewana met a woman named Wanakita here. He decided that this was the woman he wanted to marry, and started planning the wedding immediately after she left. But when she was invited back, she told Kitchikewana that she was already engaged. Enraged, Kitchikewana destroyed all the decorations, running to one end of Beausoleil Island and grabbing a large ball of earth. Running to the other end, he tossed it into the Great Lakes. Thus, the 30,000 Islands were created.
The indentations left behind by his fingers form the five bays of Georgian Bay: Midland Bay, Penetang Bay, Hog Bay, Sturgeon Bay, and Matchedash Bay. He then lays down to sleep and sleeps there still as Giant's Tomb Island.
The town of Penetanguishene now has a large statue of Kitchikewana on its main street.
Beausoleil National Park
Georgian Bay Islands National Park, Beausoleil Island offers a breathtaking landscape of soft soil woodland, windswept pines and exposed granite of the Canadian Shield.
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Honey Harbour
Honey Harbour was once the ideal location for bee studies with direct access to the 30, 000 Islands. It is now a travel hotspot featuring Picnic Island, Royal Island Hotel, and Delawana Resort.
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Honeymoon Bay Campsite
A popular campground and swimming hole located on the very northern tip of Beausoleil Island. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the North Channel, swimming in refreshing Georgian Bay waters, and scenic walking trails.
