Latest news with #MuskokaSteamships
CTV News
11-07-2025
- CTV News
Wanda III ready to set sail in Muskoka after 4 years of renovations
The Wanda III on the open waters in Gravenhurst, Ont. After four years of renovations the Wanda III is set to soon sail on the Muskoka Lakes in Gravenhurst. The steamboat was originally built for Mrs. Timothy Eaton in the early 1900s as a personal yacht to use during the summers. The vessel has since undergone an extensive restoration and refurbishment. John Miller, president of Muskoka Steamships and Discovery Centre, said the steam engine on the iconic ship has been removed. 'Everything runs off electric power, our propulsion engines have large battery banks and we look forward to seeing what the performance is going to be like,' he added. Miller calls the upgrade 'sustainable heritage.' 'We've taken a vessel from 1915 that's relatively the same as she was when she was built, and we've electrified her and put her in a boathouse so, she's got all the all the things she needs to remain here for generations,' he noted. Wanda III The Wanda III undergoes restoration and refurbishment inside a newly constructed boathouse in Gravenhurst, Ont. (Muskoka Steamships & Discovery Centre) As for the experience, the interior of the ship has remained the same as it was over 100 years ago. 'It's an exclusive trip to be on Wanda because we've got salons down below where you can sit and relax, maybe have a bite to eat or a glass of wine coffee,' said Miller. 'Up above, there's going to be chairs on the upper deck and that's where people spend the most time when the weather is really nice.' The vessel is 94 feet long and 12 feet wide. The finishing touches are currently underway with the ship expected to hit the open waters later this summer. Miller believes in preserving the steam ships is important and beneficial. 'So future generations can come by and enjoy them,' he said. 'So they can learn the stories about the about the history of these vessels on our lakes.'
CTV News
10-07-2025
- CTV News
Surprising mechanical issues force cancellation of RMS Segwun's season
The RMS Segwun at its port in Gravenhurst, Ont. The iconic RMS Segwun will remain docked for the season after a major mechanical issue was discovered during routine inspections, according to a social media post by Muskoka Steamships and Discovery Centre. In a Facebook post on Thursday titled 'Very Disappointing News,' Muskoka Steamships said its engineering crew identified a serious problem while preparing the historic steamship for the upcoming sailing season. 'The mechanical problem was a surprise because we have been routinely testing all aspects of Segwun's mechanical system and there has been no indication of any issues despite her age,' stated John Miller, Muskoka Steamships and Discovery Centre president. 'Safety is our number one priority, so we made the painful decision to cancel the season and execute appropriate repairs,' Miller continued. Built in 1887, the RMS Segwun is North America's oldest operating steamship and a symbol of Muskoka's heritage. The vessel has been a key attraction for visitors to the region and typically offers public cruises from its home port in Gravenhurst. Muskoka Steamships said it was working to contact ticket holders for the 2025 season to offer alternate accommodations aboard Segwun's sister ship, Wenonah II. Muskoka Steamships announced plans for a significant restoration of RMS Segwun to start in the fall, dependent on confirmation of funding. The restoration project is intended to extend the vessel's operational life by at least 25 years.
CTV News
15-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Muskoka prepares for busy tourism season ahead with May long weekend kicking things off
Muskoka gears up for what's expected to be a busy summer for tourism. Muskoka gears up for what's expected to be a busy summer for tourism. The May long weekend often marks the start of the summer season for Gravenhurst as the town experiences higher than usual traffic due to cottage-goers. Staff at businesses in the area say they are already experiencing higher foot traffic due to the nicer weather Mother Nature has been providing. 'This weekend marks the sort of traditional weekend where people open their seasonal homes and, it does get people out and about in their backyard exploring,' said Heather Fraser, manager of the Shipyards. Muskoka The Shipyards Muskoka Marketplace in Gravenhurst, Ont. (CTV News/Luke Simard) With an increased demand for the public to shop locally, Fraser adds local artisans are hard at work. 'Artists are busy preparing new products and bringing them in,' said Fraser. 'A lot of them (products) are one of a kind so people know there will be a huge influx of new stuff for them to browse through.' Muskoka Steamships is also preparing for a busy summer season with the first cruise ships scheduled to depart May 24. 'It's been a hard winter, so we're ready to go and I think people are,' said John Miller, president of Muskoka Steamships and Discovery Centre. 'Especially this last week, we've seen a lot of people wandering around, a lot of inquiries, a lot of phone calls about want to go for a cruise.' Muskoka Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst, Ont. (CTV News/Luke Simard) For the first time in 25 years, Muskoka Steamships will have three cruise ships operating out of Gravenhurst, including a restored ship that runs on electricity, which is expected to cruise starting July 1. A few kilometres north in Bracebridge, Cottage Friends is busy preparing for more foot traffic after a challenging winter. 'We are truly welcoming anybody that would like to come, and shop in our main street. We're very proud of the main street,' said Sharyn Wilson who is the shop keeper at Cottage Friends. 'We work very hard to keep it nice.' Bracebridge Mayor Rick Maloney said the town is ready for the influx of tourists and seasonal residents. 'We're making sure that our parks are cleaned up, spruced up and opened up and, ready to accept visitors,' said Maloney. 'We are putting out, some of the safety devices in around the bay, making sure that all that, safety equipment is there for folks that are using our beaches and things like that.' Muskoka Gravenhurst, Ont. (CTV News/Luke Simard) Maloney adds that tourism is a huge boost to the local economy. 'Whether it's construction, trades, the building supply side of things, it's the downtown, merchants,' said Maloney, 'Large box stores, whether it's the Walmart's or Home Depots, Canadian Tire and Home Hardware, it's also our restaurants... it is a very busy time.' Town officials want to remind residents and tourists that Silver Bridge will be closed for the foreseeable future after a shift was discovered late last year. The closure could cause traffic delays in town.
