The Twelve Days of Muskoka - Christmas & Holiday Local Gift Guide :: Day 3

We really dig living in Muskoka. The area is home to many beautiful iconic features and creatures that have come to help symbolize Ontario and Canada as we know it. But one of features that we like the most is how inspiring it is to live amongst the many artisans and crafters - that have made this land of rock and water their home - as well the smaller businesses that have come to be part of the personality and character of the Muskoka we have come to know and love. Thus Twelve Days of Muskoka, inspired by Suburban Tourist's Twelve Days of Holiday Gift Giving, is meant to celebrate these people and their businesses as well as introduce you to some new gift giving ideas and remind you of some old favourites.

The Third Day of Muskoka Christmas & Holiday Gift Giving Guide

Johnny's Boat Shop

Maintenance, Repair & Storage

John Gall

John is an example of a modern day artisan of services. For almost 2 decades, John has been working intimately with fiberglass, Kevlar, carbon fiber, Royalex and aluminum, even specializing in thin laminate construction and repair. Located in part of Ontario's cottage country, Johnny's Canoe & Kayak Repair Centre is the one stop boat repair place for when you are at the lake, the cottage or touring beautiful Muskoka. He also offers maintenance packages and storage.

What better gift to give then to have someone take care of your canoe for you!

Seriously, that would be a really great and unique gift idea. Have Johnny's Boat Shop sand and oil those gunnels, adjust the screws, or clean and store your boat so your friend has a worry free winter and  great start in the Spring.

And after knowing John for many years now, we can vouch for his quality of work and experience.  His friendly personal service and special expertise always includes helpful advice as can be seen on the Algonquin Outfitters' blog where John guest bloggs about putting your canoe away for the season. Read John's advice here: Putting Your Canoe Away For The Winter contact him today: Contact John @ Johnny's Boat Shop.

Badger's Tip of the Week - Impromptu Kayak/Canoe Repairs

Badger Paddles' Tip of the Week includes information on paddling, camping, portaging, boat transport, and maintenance tips, as well as any other information that we may find to be useful around our sett.

While we hope you don't ever find yourself having to use these specific tips, we do believe the following information for emergency boat repairs is extremely useful to know.... because, well... you just never know!

Minor impromptu fibreglass/kevlar canoe or kayak repairs can be done while on a trip, even if you didn't bring a proper repair kit with you. For a minor crack or leak, repair the area by carefully burning/melting some polypropylene rope and then dripping the liquid into the crack. Let cool.

Polypropylene can fix a small leak when
brought to it's melting point.

For a larger hole or damaged area, seek out and respectfully harvest some Birch bark and Balsam sap from the surrounding forest.  Use a thin piece of Birch bark as a temporary emergency patch held in place with some gum from a Balsam tree. (If you do not have these specific species available to you, research your local flora and fauna to become familiar with substitute materials for those specified in this week's tip.)

Use the "gum" from a Balsam tree as a sticky adhesive.

Use the bark from a Birch tree as a temporary patch.

These are all meant as temporary repairs, of course. We would always recommend repairing your canoe properly as soon as your trip has ended, but in an emergency, these quick fix tips could possibly get you back to civilization with much less worry. And, if you end up getting all that sticky sap on your hands, just grab some rubbing alcohol or on-the-go hand sanitizer from your first aid kit, apply to the sticky area and rub vigorously. The alcohol should dissolve the resin.

Do you have any tips to share? Send us your tips and paddling advice - and if your tip is featured here - we will send you a free Badger Paddles sticker!!! All you have to do is email us your suggestions.

Canoe, Kayak, Skiff & Boat Repairs in Huntsville, Ontario

Looking for Canoe or Kayak repair help?  Have an issue with your laminate or gelcoat?  Want to protect your canoe with new Kevlar skid plates... how about damaged gunwales or seats?  Or maybe you have an aluminum boat that needs some welding... then talk to John Gall.


For almost 2 decades, John (of Johnny's Boat Repairs in Huntsville Ontario), has been working intimately with fiberglass, Kevlar, carbon fiber, Royalex and aluminum, even specializing in thin laminate construction and repair.  From canoes to kayaks, to rowing shells, sailboats and skiffs; you can trust John to fix it!


Located in part of Ontario's cottage country, Johnny's Canoe & Kayak Repair Centre is the one stop boat repair place for when you are at the lake, the cottage or touring beautiful Muskoka.  You can't get any more convenient then that!

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John is also a canoe builder so he understands the makings of watercraft intimately.  He also understands that some of us don't have the time to do our best at maintenance.  That is why John offers the convenient service of "Annual Maintenance" and "Fleet Maintenance".

We all know properly maintained gear lasts the longest and if you want the job done right - sometimes it pays to invest in a professional.  And, it always pays to head off any slight damage with a repair before it gets serious.


After knowing John for many years now, we can vouch for his quality of work and experience.  His friendly personal service and special expertise will have you recommending him to your friends too!

For more information call

705-783-7141

or visit www.johnnysboatshop.com