This collection profile highlights Canadian recreational small watercraft—any vessel of less than 12 metres—spanning a period of more than a century. The Marine Transportation collection at the Canada Science and Technology Museum comprises a cross-section of recreational boats representing a wide variety of designs, techniques and materials, with an exclusive emphasis on post-contact traditions. (The small watercraft of Canada's First Nations are collected and preserved by the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Hull, Quebec.) The Museum's boats tell a story that reflects a profound connection to the history, geography and culture of Canada. They also demonstrate the connection between technology and the social transformation brought about by the explosive growth of leisure-time activities and disposable income in the 20th century.

Note to Readers: The numbers in parentheses are the accession numbers of artifacts in the Museum's collection.