26' Ontario 16 Class Sloop (1945) - THE GULL

The Gull is one of three remaining wooden sailboats of her class in the world that we know of. The class was called “Ontario 16” as these boats sailed and raced on Lake Ontario at the turn of the 20th century, and were 16′ in the water. They are gaffed-rigged and have a centre-board. The Gull’s actual age is unknown but we have photographs of her sailing on Stoney Lake, Ontario in the 1950’s. We suspect that she was built in the 1940’s, possibly on neighboring Chemong Lake, Ontario. Gull has been in our family since 1973 when my uncle bought and restored her for racing out of the Stoney Lake Yacht Club in the 70’s-80’s. She was restored a second time in 2005-06. This restoration included new ribs, planking, centre-board box and decking. The only thing remaining of my uncle’s work is her boom, mast and gaff, all of which he made himself.