I love a good story and the tale about how Silver Streak Boats became to be is a nice story worth retelling.

Just a stones throw from the Prestige Oceanfront Resort, Silver Streak Boats started from the grass-roots in Sooke, with its early stages in founder and owner Andy Barry’s shop. Andy had been working in a Victoria shipyard working for someone else. But on the side he had the dream of building his own boats. With a clear vision of where he wanted to take his boat building business, Andy quickly began drafting (working on his own at night) and carving out foam prototypes which would one day become the pattern for one of the Canada’s premier all-aluminum boats.

For three years he toiled in a small double bay shop. As his aluminum boats grew in popularity, Andy realized he would need more space. (It was a realization not unlike the movie “Jaws” when the protagonist says: “We’re going to need a bigger boat.”) Andy took over an old gas station and over the years expanded it to include offices, added shops, a parts department and a crew of 30.

As I walked around the shop, I was impressed with the variety of ages. Young mixed with old and everyone seemed to be taking advice from each other. Even though some of Barry family work the shop floor, there were no egos here. They had a mission - to build the best aluminum boat they could using local crew. The company proudly hires both local Sooke and people from the surrounding area, which translates to job creation for many in this small community.

Quesnel, BC

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February 16^th, 2018