Kingston, May 21, 2025 – It is with great sadness that Sail Canada shares with the Canadian sailing community the passing of Canadian yacht designer Mark Ellis.
Mark Ellis had a long and successful career in design in Oakville, ON, where he built his company, Mark Ellis Design, and established his reputation as a designer.
He will always be remembered as the designer of the Nonsuch line of Hinterhoeller-built cruising catboats, as well as for the Niagara line of cruising sloops, the Hinterhoeller custom one-offs built by Bruckmann, the Limestone line of deep-vee powerboats built by Hinterhoeller and Medeiros, in addition to the custom and semi-custom power cruisers built by Bruckmann, Holby Marine, and Freedom Yachts. Mark also partnered with Dave Harris to establish the Harris & Ellis yacht brokerage firm.
“On behalf of the Sail Canada community, I would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mark Ellis,” said Kate MacLennan, Chair of Sail Canada’s Board of Directors. “Mark’s legacy to Canadian sailing will forever be remembered, with his name being associated with many Canadian-designed and Canadian-built boats.”
Sail Canada will share his obituary when available.
More information is available at https://boatingindustry.ca/people/death-of-mark-ellis/.
About Sail Canada
Established in 1931, Sail Canada is the national governing body for the sport of sailing in the country. Sail Canada is a leading international sailing nation, proud of its world class athletes, lifelong participants and inclusive culture. The organization and its members are committed to excellence by developing and training its leaders, athletes, sailors, instructors, coaches and officials. With the valued support from our partners, the Provincial Sailing Associations and our member clubs, schools, organizations and stakeholders, sailing is promoted in all its forms. By setting standards and delivering programs from home pond to podium for Canadians of all ages and abilities, from dinghies to keelboats, cruising to navigation, windsurfing to powerboating and accessible sailing, Sail Canada sets sail for all, sail to win and sail for life.
A sport in the Olympic program since the first Games in 1896, except in 1904, the pursuit of success in these Games is what fuels the focus of Sail Canada as Canadian athletes have so far achieved nine Olympic and five Paralympic medals.
