Donelle Boat Builder Ltd. is a well established, traditional family business started over 80 years ago by the grandfather of the present owner, Mr. Leandre Donelle. Today, in addition to the father, two of the three sons (Steven and Gary Donelle) are active in the firm.

Over the years, as the business passed from father to son, the Company built a solid reputation for both quality and craftsmanship. Mr. Leandre Donelle carried on the business handed down to him by his father under his own private name over 40 years ago.

Boats built by the Company found far-reaching markets with boats being sold in New Brunswick, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, several New England States and on the California coast. During the many years of operation several other direct and indirect members of the family developed their own boat building businesses based on the knowledge gained from the original Donelle family.

On March 25, 1992, the resolve of the Donelle family was tested by a disastrous fire, which destroyed most of the structures on their property. Undaunted, the Donelle's persevered and began the long process of rebuilding from the traditional wooden vessels to the more modern and efficient fiberglass vessels. Their efforts were rewarded with a formal re-opening on October 26, 1992.