Blue Heron Cruises Fleet on Dry Land in Newly Constucted Dry Dock

By Martha Aitkin, Bruce Peninsula Press

Thanks to the purchase of a self-propelled trailer from Kropf Industrial of Parry Sound in May of 2023, the entire fleet of Blue Heron Cruises has been lifted out of the water for the winter. Six of these boats are parked for the winter in the space between The Crowsnest Pub and Verna’s, where Peacock’s Foodland used to be. Each of the boats was driven onto the motorized trailer and then moved into its place on land. Once each boat was placed on blocks the trailer was then driven out to pick up the next boat. 

The Salen’s expected to get only 4 of the larger boats into that space and were pleasantly surprised when, due to some careful maneuvering, they were actually able to fit six in! Last winter just two of the boats were taken from the water. Having the boats on land for the winter eliminates the need to run the multiple de-icers that were previously used to keep ice from forming around the hulls.

Each of the boats was treated to pressure washing, which has rendered the glass bottoms spotless. The boats are all in excellent condition and very little maintenance is planned. There will be a bit of touch up painting done in the spring before the boats go back in the water. 

Currently the Blue Heron Cruises Fleet is delightfully lit up with Christmas lights making downtown Tobermory very merry and bright! Santa will not have any trouble finding our little town this Christmas!