Killarney Lake Boat Works: Reviving the Past with Every Plank

TotalBoat Penetrating Epoxy bottles on a boat

Killarney Lake Boat Works was born from a passion handed down through three generations of wood boat enthusiasts. Led by Tyler, a veteran who brings infantry warrant officer grit to the delicate art of marine restoration, the shop is based in Killarney, Manitoba and specializes in restoring antique wooden boats and providing expert fiberglass and gelcoat repairs for the local boating community.

For Tyler, restoration is more than just a trade; it is about keeping history alive. “These aren't just hulls, they're floating heirlooms,” he explains. Whether it is a classic Chris-Craft or a family’s hardworking fiberglass runabout, the mission is always the same: to revive the past.

From Combat to Craftsmanship

Tyler’s journey to the workshop floor began with military service overseas as an infantry warrant officer. Transitioning back to civilian life wasn’t simple, but he found his “second act” in the steady, hands-on work of boatbuilding. The shift from soldiering to gelcoat gave him a renewed sense of purpose and a quiet that only time on the water can offer.

Today, Killarney Lake Boat Works is a family endeavor, supported by his wife, Amanda, and inspired by their children, Jack and Georgina.

A Marriage of Old and New

The heart of Killarney Lake Boat Works lies in Chris-Craft restorations. Tyler maintains a high standard of excellence by fusing old-world techniques—like steam-bending planks—with modern materials and technology. He describes the process as a marriage rather than a compromise.

On the bench, a traditional Japanese pull-saw might sit beside a container of modern epoxy. By cold-molding with clear epoxy, Tyler creates rot-resistant, long-lasting bonds that respect the wood’s history while ensuring it survives for the next generation. Teaching younger hands why a plank bends or a seam fails is just as important as completing the restoration itself.

Tyler uses TotalBoat Penetrating Epoxy to prep new planks.

Navigating the Manitoba Season

Operating in Manitoba presents unique challenges, with a short boating season and extreme temperatures that can reach minus fifty celsius. These conditions demand meticulous preparation. Tyler often swaps out brittle hardware for stainless steel and applies multiple protective coats to ensure vessels survive harsh prairie winters.

The limited summer window means the team works relentlessly to meet non-negotiable weekend deadlines. “Every missed dinner and every skinned knuckle feels like a medal earned,” Tyler says, when a local family finally gets their boat back on the water.

Beyond restoration work, Killarney Lake Boat Works has become a trusted resource for local boaters, offering practical solutions, honest advice, and a place where boats are treated with care.

The TotalBoat Integration

Tyler first discovered TotalBoat through YouTube, and in a region where the nearest city can be a two-hour drive, the speed and reliability of shipping immediately stood out.

TotalBoat Fairing Compound: On a major restoration involving a 1951 Chris-Craft double cabin flybridge, Tyler relied on TotalBoat Fairing Compound to prepare new planks. Its long open time allows him to meticulously carve and fair the hull, ensuring a smooth, precise foundation before finishing.

Topside Paints and Primers: Tyler values the crisp, professional finish that these products deliver, turning fixer-uppers into boats families are proud to take back on the water.

Varnishes and Epoxies: These systems have become shop staples for their durability and ease of use, helping Tyler give every restoration an “old soul, new skin.”

"TotalBoat topside paints? They sing.
Primers glide like silk on skin.
The gelcoat…it’s crisp.’

"A finish so honest, it'll outlast my reputation—and that's saying something... I don't buy cheap. I buy what lets me build forever." With TotalBoat as a reliable partner on the shelf, he’s doing exactly that—one mahogany plank at a time.