About The Dispro Owners Association

A Canadian Legend & A Community That Supports It

The legendary Disappearing Propeller Motor Boat and its Patented “Device” were both invented in Port Carling, Ontario Canada in 1915. Powered with a 3 hp. inboard marine motor, 3100 boats were produced by four different companies over a 44 year time period. In the ensuing years, it has truly become an icon of classic small motor boats. It is fondly referred to as a Dispro or Dippy.

Become A Member Today!

What Makes Up a Dippy?

This famous early Canadian power boat is generally known as the “Dippy “ or “Dispro” and was the brainchild of the late William J ‘Billy’ Johnston of Port Carling, Ontario, Canada. Mr. Johnston started working for his pioneer Muskoka boatbuilding uncle, William Johnston Sr. around 1900 and together they built many fine boats in the Muskoka area.

The Device - 1914

W.J. Johnston Jr. (Young Billy), while working as manager of his Uncle’s Port Sandfield Rowboat Livery, was introduced to the concept of the disappearing propeller by a local engineer. Young Billy saw how the idea could be used in a rowboat with a newly available, light weight, gasoline engine. The critical “Device” allowed the propeller to be cranked up into a housing in the bottom of the boat out of danger from rocks or deadheads.

The Dippy

The first Disappearing Propeller Boat was constructed in Uncle Billy’s boat shop in Port Carling. The boat was promoted as “The greatest little motor boat afloat”. The little boat commonly known as Dispro or Dippy attracted investors in a new corporation and by 1920 they were selling quickly from Sales Offices in Toronto and Buffalo for $325.00 f.o.b. Port Carling. Dippys were shipped to England, Ireland, France and Brazil.

What’s the Device?

The ‘device’ consisted of a cast iron housing (later aluminum) mounted in the hull to accommodate a universal joint, propeller shaft, combination strut-skeg and the propeller. The motor was mounted forward and was coupled to a flexible propeller shaft which entered the housing through a stuffing box. In the largely uncharted and unexplored waterways of that day, this device was truly a safe way to get there with little or no damage if the propeller shaft skeg struck bottom or logs, etc.

Join Us!

When you register as a member with the Dispro Owner’s Association, you’re joining a family of like minded people who have a common love and interest of Dippys. Not only will your membership offer you the satisfaction of maintaining and preserving a vessel of historical significance, but you will also benefit learning and enjoying the romance of Dippy Life along the way.

Quarterly Device newsletter
Parts & Dippy Finder
Organized Excursions
Annual Regatta Weekend

Member Knowledge Sharing
Dippy Workshops
Explore Ontario Lakes
Camaraderie and Great Fun

Applicant Information

Summer Address

Boat Information

Membership

Submit

Name*

Co-Member's Name

Address*

City*

Prov./State*

Postal/Zip*

Phone No.*

Phone No. 2

Email*

(Optional)

City

Prov./State

Postal/Zip

Boat Builder*

Model*

Hull No.*

Engine Make*

Name of Boat*

(Boat 2 Information - Optional)

Boat Builder

Model

Hull No.

Engine Make

Name of Boat

Membership Dues

Canadian - $25.00 per family

US - $30.00 per family

Payments may be made by e-transfer at dispropayments@gmail.com
or by cheque payable to Dispro Owners Association and mailed to:

Dispro Owners Association
32 Kemp Drive
Dundas, ON
L9H 2M9

Full Name*

Electronic Signature Disclaimer:

By submitting this form, I acknowledge and agree that my submission constitutes my electronic signature and has the same force and effect as a handwritten signature.