In 1956 Harry Dewey set up shop to manufacture and repair boats in the basement of a barn

on the end of the 10^th line where it turns into BayouPark, now called New Brailey Line and Bayou Road.   It was from this location that Marine Plastics, one of Ontario’s earliest marine fiberglass boat building and repair industries operated.    Harry Dewey was a leader in the plastics industry, designing and building several types of watercraft. Marinas across Ontario sold his boats and several orders went to Eaton’s.

Most boats built were 12’ to 18’ fiberglass runabouts and had wooden decks, transoms and gunnels with wood being purchased from Dimension Enterprise Co. on Atherley Road near Gill Street.  Most boats also had a wooden keel covered with fiberglass.  Many fiberglass canoes were also built with several being sold for rentals to Smokey’s Cottages on Creighton Street in Atherley.  Pictured is one of Harry’s innovative designs.  Canada’s first water and snow craft, a 12’ sled-front boat with a 46” beam and powered by a 90 hp VW motor. Demand for this early all season craft did not materialize with only one of these being built, and it may have been sold locally.

The business was very successful for many years but closed in early 1965 and Harry passed away in 1980.