The Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre is home to the new Disappearing Propeller Boat exhibit, created to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Dispro Owners Association and the Antique and Classic Boat Society theme of “Go Slow Boating”, for the July 5 annual summer boat show.

Disappearing propeller boats or Dispros were built in Muskoka from 1916 to 1956. These unique boats were equipped with a mechanical device that would automatically or manually retract the propeller to avoid obstacles in the water.

The Dispro Owners Association, a club of boat owners, has prepared a large exhibit of engines, devices, lights and parts from these unusual boats. Although approximately 3,000 of these boats were built, the club reports approximately 300 remain today.

This 2,000-square-foot exhibit will tell the story of the production of Dispros. It has taken a year to assemble all of the items from private collections. Central to the exhibit will be Bull’s Eye, a 1924 John Bull model Dispro recently acquired by the heritage centre.

Sharing the spotlight will be an early 1900s rowing skiff also made by the Disappearing Propeller Company of Port Carling. Other Dispros include what is probably the earliest boat still in existence, a 1922 Port Carling model, as well as a Greavette model and a Lindsay model. Visitors will be able to follow the storyline from Port Carling, where the first boats were built, on to Tonawanda, N.Y. to Lindsay, Ontario and finally to Greavette in Gravenhurst.

Visitors can also view the history, photos and souvenirs showing how W.J. Johnston invented the disappearing propeller device.

When visiting the display, be sure to leave lots of time to view the video of the boats in motion and listen for the unique sounds of the various engines. There will be a large in-water and a dry-land exhibit of several additional Dispros at the Antique and Classic Boat Show, July 5.