Mar 8, 2023

Brad Boutilier became a Master Mariner at a young age but, after starting a family, wanted to be close to his young kids and wife. That led him to purchase East River Boatyard on Nova Scotia's South Shote in 2000 and in three years he grew it into Atlantic Canada's largest.

Now he's bought out managing partner Leigh Robertson of marina and boatyard, Gold River Marina. Both East River and now Gold River are on Nova Scotia’s South Coast near Chester and provide the only facilities of their sort in the region for handling medium and larger boats.

Boutilier is now partners with Gold River’s Topher (“Tuffer”) Wurts, the fifth generation of his Pennsylvania-based, classic-yacht-crazy family to summer in the nearby village of Chester. Wurts, who is a partner in three local classic yacht ownership syndicates, bought GRM in 2003 with Chester-based Robertson investing as managing partner soon thereafter. As managing partner Boutlier will focus on strengthening GRM’s niche retail pleasure-boat and classic-yacht service business.

About Gold River Marina

(Left) GRM accommodates 45 boats, both power and sail

Located on Nova Scotia’s scenic South Shore of Mahone Bay, “GRM” is a premier provider of marina and boatyard services to the recreational sailing, wooden and power boat markets. GRM employs four full-time, seasonal employees and enjoys synergies with staff and subcontractors at East River Shipyard.

GRM has 53 slips and more than 13,800 sq.ft. of indoor space for boat construction, maintenance and inside storage for more than 400 boats up to 65 feet in length. The yard has a 50-ton capacity marine railway fitted with a hydraulic lift that provides flexibility in safe hauling of boats up to 80,000 lbs.

Visit www.goldrivermarina.com.