14

The Carrie a steamer that supplied connections with Chester Basin and Mahone Bay
1900
Chester Nova Scotia

Credits:
Chester Municipal Heritage Society

15

Chester C-Class
Builders: Ruben Heisler, Benjamin Heisler

Billy Smith, of Lunenburg, wishing to have a faster racing yacht which could be used as a cruiser when not racing, approached Benjamin Heisler and his father Ruben, of Chester, and asked then to produce a design that would beat Lunenburg's fast boat called, "Eclypse."
He began by designing a half model to meet this request for a fast boat. One boat was constructed called, '"The Gwen", for Billy Smith from Lunenburg. This boat did not let them down and sparked the order for six more C class boats.
There were six boats built using this design, which came to be known as the Chester C- class. Five were built in 1937, two more in 1938, and one 1942. Another C- class was built in 1954, and another, "Eclypse", by Benjamin Heisler, Ruben's son.The final and newest of the class was built in 1984 by Wayne Heisler, grandson of Ruben, with the help of his father Benjamin, "the Benjamin A. Heisler".

The "Whim", the "Ripple", the "Mistral', the "Sajoda", the "Ohop", the "Gwen", the "Restless", the "Eclypse"' the "Algin" in Maine, USA, and the Benjamin A. Heisler, are still sailing only the fate of the "Gwen", is unknown, ( last known to be in British Columbia.)

16

Stevens' Boatyard on Mill Cove at Chester
1980
Chester Nova Scotia

Credits:
Chester Municipal Heritage Society

17

Barkhouse Family Boat Builders
1947
Chester Nova Scotia

Credits:
Carol Nauss

18

With this expanding interest in sailing, the Chester Yacht Club was formed in 1902. Nineteen of the original fifty-five members were Americans. The club quickly established both itself and its locally built sailboats as major players. Numerous cups were won by Chester Yacht Club members - bringing prestige to the boat owners, their crews, as well as local boat builders. The Coronation Cup, established in 1902, was generally recognized as one of the top trophies for yacht racing in the Maritime Provinces. And while this cup was open to all Canadian yacht clubs, it was won by the Chester Yacht Club forty eight times. The names of prominent summer resident families (Talcott, Grove, Wurts, Pew, Blaine) are among the winners many times over. Two yachts, the Hayseed IV and the Eclipse II, have won the Coronation Cup thirteen and seventeen times respectively.

19

Yacht Club
1946
Chester Nova Scotia

Credits:
Chester Municipal Heritage Society

20

Sailboat racing became such a mainstay of summer life in Chester that for many years shops closed on Wednesday afternoons, as it was a big race day. Special viewing towers were constructed for some of the summer residents to watch these races. The Lightfoot Tower, constructed in 1905 and located in the garden of the Zoé Vallé Library, is the last one remaining. Interest in sailing and racing wasn't limited to men and women, as children from both local and visiting families were encouraged to crew and learn.

21

Zoe Valle Tower
1980
Chester Nova Scotia

Credits:
Chester Municipal Heritage Society

22

Fierce competition encouraged new and better sailboat design, and local boat builders didn't disappoint. The celebrated Chester C (or C-boat), first built in the 1930s, and the Bluenose class boats of the 1940s each became so popular, separate competition categories were created for them. Interest in these classic sailboat designs continues to be strong with sailing enthusiasts. And interest in restoring these older classic boats continues to generate work for local craftsmen

23

Chester C-Class - Builders: Reuben Heisler, Benjamin Heisler
1915
Chester Nova Scotia

Credits:
Chester Municipal Heritage Society

24

Bluenose Class
1950
Chester Nova Scotia

Credits:
Chester Municipal Heritage Society

25

Races - Chester NS
1960
Chester Nova Scotia

Credits:
Chester Municipal Heritage Society

26

In the 1950s summer resident sailing enthusiasts donated trophies for the ever- growing categories of races - there was even a cup for model sailboat races. At the start of the 20th century there were races each Saturday during the summer season, plus the annual regatta in August. Today there are races every Thursday and Saturday, and most Wednesdays and Sundays during the season. The annual August Race Week typically includes keelboats from all over eastern North America and is the largest fixed keel regatta in Canada.

27

Geronimo with spinnaker
2000
Chester Nova Scotia

Credits:
Chester Municipal Heritage Society