Collecting boat brochures was part of the job in the 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s, so the Dawsons could keep up-to-date on all the makes and models to sell their new and used boats at Dawson’s Marina Limited on Lake Simcoe. Then, during the 1980’s, 1990’s and 2000’s, Doug and Brenda continued collecting brochures for reference in their businesses: Computer Boat Search, Boat Value Book and Boat Evaluation Service. As a boat tester for Canadian Yachting and Power Boating Canada Magazine, Doug continued to collect and often referenced the brochures for specifications and equipment.
Even though they only collected one of each, the “Old Boat Brochure Library” has grown to thousands and is probably the largest in the world. The Dawsons are keeping it up-to-date each year collecting brochures at Boat Shows and contacting builders.
Boaters around the world now have access to this library. The Dawsons have a long list of all the brochures in their library. They are appreciative of any donations from anyone, who is house or office cleaning and need a place to send their old boat brochures. “Don’t throw them out” says Doug. “We may have someone out there, looking for them”.
They will scan and email a pdf for boaters who need information for buying, selling, restoring, bragging, advertising, or history. Depending on the manufacturer, the number of pages ranges from 5-20.
This is a unique resource for boaters and anyone interested in boats.
by Andy Adams, Editor
Canadian Yachting Magazine
These Sylvan brochures are simply amazing! Thank you so, so, so, sooo much!
Thank you very much! This is me and wife's first boat so we wanted to have some info on it. With Seaswirl being out of business there were no real specks available. I was also wondering do you happen to have any extra 1995 brochures that you might sell? Please let me know, I have attached a picture of our boat for you 🙂 thanks again!
Found the boat! THANK YOU! Thrilled to have a brochure on the boat. The boat I was looking for “is” in the 1966 Grew brochure… the boat I just bought is a “barn find”… probably been in the water a total of 2 hours over its life… the boat is “mint”… no marks on the boat. Engine is just dirty from sitting… we fired it up yesterday to find it actually “runs”! Terrific barn find. Thrilled with the brochure. Could not find ANYTHING on it! Now I know! Thank you VERY much!!!
Doug and Brenda, boating experts, publish lessons on how to dock a boat and how to buy a boat, and so much more.
