Tugboats chug into town
PARRY SOUND – Paul Gaynor, captain of the 110-foot tug Prescotont, took part in the fourth annual Tugfest here last weekend for the first time after he decided he had to see what the event was all about for himself.
“I’ve heard about it,” said Mr. Gaynor, of Toronto. “I wanted to come up and see all the unique boats because we’re really unique.”
During Saturday afternoon, when the public could tour many of the 19 tugs, there was a line-up of those waiting to board the Prescotont. In groups of six, the spectators had their turn.
Mr. Gaynor bought the Prescotont 13 years ago and began restoring her himself. It used to pull railroad barges between Prescott and Ogdensburg, New York between 1930s and 1970s.
Roland Schultz, of Michigan, was also at Tugfest for the first time and also refurbished his 38-foot tug, Restless. When he purchased Restless five years ago she was stored in a field.
“I’m one of those types of people that likes to shoot themselves in the foot to go to the hospital,” he said of the project. “No, I just like wood boats.”
He participated to have fun with other like-minded people, many of whom had taken part in a tugboat race together in July.
Presented by the Parry Sound Chamber of Commerce, the festival attracted more than 4,000 to the docks this year.
The festival included a light parade, races, and awards for best-dressed tug, most impressive tug and most congenial captain. The award for most impressive tug went to Prescotont Captain Paul Gaynor, while Mink Isle Captain Bob Parr received the award for most impressive tug and Joe Algove of Baleen accepted the award for most congenial captain.
Also, through a breakfast and dinner for participants on Saturday, and shirt sales, $1,350 was raised for the Waubuno Shrine Club of Parry Sound.
Due to bad weather in the Owen Sound area, three of the expected 21 tugboats weren’t able to make it. Eight of the 19 boats were new to Tugfest this year.
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