bear island
boats

Bear Island Boats builds and sells handmade wood strip canoes that are functional works of art to honor the heritage of traditional boat building.

The boat shop has been a dream of mine for many years. As an avid canoer and Outward Bound Instructor I was inspired by the functional works of art created by Master Craftsmen Ted Moores.

Following my dreams, I graduated from Bear Mountain Boats school of boat building in Ontario, Canada prior to Ted's retirement.

As the universe conspired to make my dreams come true I purchased an old Finnish homestead alongside the Bear Island River in Ely, MN. 

The boat shop situated on the Bear Island River honors the rivers heritage as a waterway that served as a regular trading route for homesteaders, loggers, and the Anishinaabe.

Follow my journey and stay notified of the boat shop launch!

The Bear Island Boat shop will: