S.S. Minnow

Nanoose Bay, Vancouver Island, B.C. – The S.S. Minnow – it left on a three-hour tour and wound up with a hit 1960’s television series – Gilligan’s Island. The 11-metre / 36-foot mahogany S.S. Minnow was one of several boats used in the filming of the series, and appears in the opening credits for the second season. After the series it actually did sail onto a reef in the Hecate Strait, while cruising south from Alaska.

The boat was purchased by Scotty Taylor of Parksville on Vancouver Island and made its new home at Schooner Cove Marina in Nanoose Bay. Taylor purchased on the condition that he would fix it up. After putting about $200,000 Cdn into the renovations, in August 2006, Tayor, then 70 years old, decided to put back up for sale It was purchased by local businessman Ken Schley of Quality Foods, who has refurbished it extensively. It’s now used occasionally for company promotions, etc. Much of the time it’s stored privately in Nanaimo, but it often puts in an appearance at the annual Nanaimo International Bathtub Race in July. You might also see it docked at times at Fairwinds Schooner Cove Marina in Nanoose Bay.

Parksville is an east coast village 147 km / 92 mi north of Victoria, and 37 km (23 mi) north of Nanaimo. It’s known for its long sandy beaches and annual beach festival that features a sand castle building competition that draws competitors from around the world. Nanoose Bay is half-way between Nanaimo and Parksville.