Built on Experience.
Trusted Across Muskoka.
For over 20 years, Johnny’s Boat Shop has helped paddlers, camps, and outfitters keep their boats on the water with reliable, professional repair and maintenance.
In the Beginning
Johnny’s Boat Shop started with a simple idea: “do the job properly, and do it in a way that lasts.”
Located in Huntsville, right on the doorstep of Algonquin Park, the shop grew out of a deep connection to paddling and the realities of life on the water. Early on, it became clear that many repairs were either rushed or not done with the right materials, leading to boats that didn’t hold up over time.
From the beginning, the focus has been on understanding how boats are built, how they fail, and how to bring them back stronger, cleaner, and ready for real use.
About John & the Team
Johnny’s Boat Shop is led by John Gall, whose experience in small craft construction and repair goes far beyond typical repair work.
John was instrumental in setting up the production line for Swift Canoe in South River, helping establish the processes behind one of Canada’s most respected canoe builders. That level of hands-on manufacturing knowledge shows up in every repair done at the shop.
During the COVID period, John also built a fully custom fibreglass fishing boat from scratch, a project valued at over $100,000. From design through construction and finishing, it demonstrated not just repair skill, but a deep understanding of composite boat building at a high level.
Working alongside John is Colin, General Manager of the shop, perfecting the craft through real repairs, restorations, and day-to-day shop work. It’s an old-school approach to passing down knowledge, built around experience, attention to detail, and taking pride in doing the job properly.
Whether it’s a routine maintenance job or a complex structural rebuild, the focus is always on quality workmanship and keeping boats on the water for years to come.
The Work Behind the Reputation
Reputation isn’t built through advertising. It’s built through consistent, reliable work over time.
Much of the business at Johnny’s Boat Shop comes from repeat customers and word of mouth. Paddlers return year after year. Camps and outfitters rely on the same shop season after season. That trust is earned one repair at a time.
Because in the end, it’s about more than just repairs, it’s about keeping you out on the water more days of the season, doing what you love.
Let’s Get Your Boats Ready
If something needs repair, maintenance, storage, or you’re looking for parts or thinking about selling, just give us a call, and we’ll figure it out together.