There were six boats built in 1934 by Bert Minett of this model.  The Seagram family has owned one called Gold Fawn, since new.  John Aird Black, former L. Governor of Ontario, owned another, Black Beauty.  The late Tim Chisholme, had another in his extensive collection on Lake Rousseau.  Blue Streak resides in Beaumaris.  I am not sure of the whereabouts of the sixth.  MAB was built for the aunt of Bert Minett’s partner, Bryson Shields, on Lake Joseph.  The aunt, Maybelle Beatty, had named her RADIO II.  She sold it to the late David Pardoe of Fairy Island on Lake Joseph, who renamed her MAB, after Edmond Spenser’s Faerie Queen.  I purchased the boat from David when he was 92 years old.  There have only been three owners.

I had her restored by Paul Brackley.  His employee, Ian Marr, basically rebuilt MAB from the decks down.  The decks and hardware are all original to MAB.  The late Doug Smith, who worked for Greavette for 35 years, and who re-upholstered all my boats, did the upholstery with yellow Italian marine leather.  The bottom was painted to match.  The original yellow bottom had faded, but, was identifiable as yellow.  The sister boats all have matching seats and bottoms in gold, red, beige and blue.  Steve Francis built a custom V6 using a GM block.  Gary Clark refreshed the varnish and paint over the winter of 2013 and 2014.  

MAB is 21′ 6″, but rides like a longer boat.  The engine is perfectly matched to the boat and rides soft and dry, much better than it did with the previous V8.  The ride is similar to the ride of my 24′ Greavette, Crusoe, one of the best riding boats ever built.

Many thanks, and a tip of the straw boater to Tim Duvernet, whose artistry perfectly captures the magnificence of these Canadian treasures.