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
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, I wanted to say thank you for the brochures, articles and your personal insights into the Performer.
We purchased a 1988 24 foot CC after reviewing the information you supplied.
Thank you very much for the Tempest brochures. That is exactly what I was looking for. I am rebuilding this particular boat right now, and it is pretty much identical to the one my Dad bought new when I was a kid. One of the pages that you sent me is the same one that I used to have, but since lost. Thank you again.
Doug and Brenda, boating experts, publish lessons on how to dock a boat and how to buy a boat, and so much more.
