Lots of great boats at Clayton.

What an amazing show, Al Capones boat is here, Pardon me and Pardon Me 2 is here, a fresh out of the shop special barrel back race boat. And I cant up load one single photo. Sorry. i am working on it right now. Ugh

2 hrs From Clayton.. Woohoooo!

Here we are, going 70 mph on interstate 81, iphone powered internet and just two hrs from Woody Boat heaven. Clayton NY. Stay tuned for up dates and of course ask away for an special requests..... And yes I will see if there are any Lymans......

Lake Winnipesaukee Boat Show And One Killer Garwood.

Saved from the flames of Woody Boater hell, Raven Rhapsody a one of a kind 1947 Garwood Deluxe Runabout stole the show with 3 awards. Dockmaster’s Choice, First Place – Postwar Runabouts under 22’, and Best Of Show –Restored! She was also the highest point boat out of 75 boats, scored a 99.5. WOW. Here for your enjoyment. But for gods sake don't touch it, you will spend the rest of the day cleaning it. You can click on any of the shots and they will enlarge

Okidoki It's Lake Okoboji

I love places like this, it does not matter how bad my spelling is. No one will know that I messed it up....And thanks to fellow Woody Boater Mark C we can now see how stunning it is there. This weekends Antique & Classic Boat show was a huge success and in a fantastic setting. Enjoy. And if you want to see more. Just Click here and see what else Mark clicked...

I Want To Be A Franchini!

Thanks again to our West coast corespondent Texx.... West Texx...We had a special meet up with our Woody Boater of the month Cole Franchini... for that matter the whole darn Franchini gang. Yes even Grandma!

Portland Oregon.

After reading the recent story on WoodyBoater about Cole Franchini (Woody Boater of the Month), I was looking forward to meeting him (and his family) in person at this year's Maritime Heritage Festival in Portland, Oregon. We finally got together for a short visit on Saturday night after the awards banquet.
Cole was proud of the fact that he was able to get his Skeeto ready in time for the Portland boat show, it water tested perfectly and other than a few minor carburetor issues it's complete. Cole and his Grandpa (Steve Franchini) have a few solutions in mind to try when they get home. Cole's boat was on display (complete photo album, proudly showing his WoodyBoater award) and it was a hit with the spectator's throughout the weekend, even the local CBS Channel 8 TV film crew was on hand to check out his fine workmanship on Saturday.

Unfortunately for me, our visit had to be cut short in order for Cole and his father (Brain) could return home to Washington state so Cole could pursue his other passion which is cart racing - He had a local race near Seattle on Sunday. Cole approaches his racing just like his boat restorations, he is involved in every aspect of the work with the full support of his family.Cole's next boat restoration project is a recent "Barn Find" that he made on his own near Seattle - A "Hydrocycle" that was originally designed and built around the late 60's or early 70's (we think, he's doing the research now) that will probably use an 8HP outboard engine for power. It kind of looks like some thing George Jetson would ride.

It was great to meet Cole, Brian, Steve and Diane Franchini (his grandpa and grandma) who are very involved in his future, and to share their enthusiasm for Cole and the wooden boat hobby.

On Saturday night the entire family joined with Steve to celebrate his award for the Best Amateur Restoration at this year's Portland show, for their 1957 Tollycraft Rumpas. Steve considers that to be a family award as everything they do is a "Team Effort." That's some team Steve.

Texx

Live-ish From The Portland ACBS Antique & Classic Boat Show.

Thanks to our West Coast Corespondent. Texx, we can now enjoy Portland. More tomorrow on celebrity WoodyBoater Cole Franchini and his latest barn find.Portland Oregon
The 3rd Annual Maritime Heritage Festival in Portland, Oregon was a huge success again this year. The event is organized by the Columbia - Willamette Chapter of the ACBS (Antique & Classic Boat Society) and the (Portland) Downtown Marketing Initiative, held at the Riverplace Marina & Docks at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Congratulations to Chairman Chris Finks and his team of volunteers who worked very hard to ensure that every aspect of the event ran perfectly. The name "Maritime Heritage Festival" best describes the event, as it's more a celebration of boating and the rich history of the Willamette River. The weather was perfect and the attendance was great during the three day event.

The classic water skiing demonstration was a crown favorite.

"Miss Lucy" a 1930 22.5' Dart owned by Jun Morris
Century boats are popular in the Portland area and were well represented at this year's show. Rick Means 1958 21' Century Coronado (forground) and Greg Bateman's 1966 17' Century Fibersport.
Steve Spahr's 1966 Century Resorter that's he has owned for many years.

Chuck Kellogg's 1955 21' Chris-Craft Cobra "007" - Chrysler Hemi Powered with twin Paxton Superchargers for a little extra kick!
"Shaman" is a 1940 19' Gar Wood runabout and is owned by Gene Hand.
Steve Franchini for the Best Amateur Restoration at this year's Portland show, for their 1957 Tollycraft Rumpas. Steve considers that to be a family award as everything they do is a "Team Effort." Look for more on the Franchini's tomorrow.

Brian Robinson was on hand this year to help with the judging, along with Mike Mayer (Chief Judge), Dick Dow, Mike Green, Fred Mayer, Tim Robinson & Alan Thomle.
Alan Thomle brought along "Greyhound" a 1921 33' Yandt Gentlemen's Race Boat powered by a 12 Cylinder, 750 HP Rolls Royce for everyone to enjoy.
The best way to "Beat the Heat" this year was to get out on the water...

Texx

New Look For Jim Staib... OK Wait... Just A New look For His Company.. Fine Wood Boats!

When I saw Jim at this years Mt. Dora Show we talked about a new snazzy logo. 5 months later here ya go. The grand debut of the new look for Fine Wood Boats! Jim has been around for a long time and is always at the shows and a fixture in the Antique & Classic Boat Community. You should start seeing the new look in various local show newsletters, web sites and at shows.. Which reminds me .. ONLY ONE WEEK TIL CLAYTON.... Wooohooo, we're Fine Woodyboating!

Mojito, The Blog! Woohooo.

WoodyBoater would like to do a shout out to Mojito, the boat, the blog and .. the drink. You can check it out here. www.mojitotheboat.blogspot.com this a great free way to keep the juices going for your pals and family. It's also inspiring to show folks that are thinking that the task of restoration is beyond them. That it can be done. It all starts with the dream and a scraper. I also love this format for getting to know a boat. You get to know deep into how a boat was loved and cared for if you are thinking of selling it. And its all FREE! Way to go... Wooohooo, another woodyblogger!

Riddle Boatworks. Cold Mold Your Woody.

It all started as a new bottom on a clients Chris Craft. Now you can have an entire reproduction done with a cold molded bottom. Dang! Click here to read more. Woohooo, I got a cold molded bottom... Wait, my wife says my bottom is hot!

Garwood Poster On Ebay. Is Half The Enjoyment Knowing It's Real?

In the never ending quest for art for this hobby, this has popped up. Is it real, an ad that is being claimed as a poster. The only way to tell.. is to buy it. Enjoy. Click here.

Live-ish From The McHenry, IL Antique & Classic Boat Show

Thanks to Jim Staib of Fine Wood Boats and his trusty camera we can enjoy the The Blackhawk ACBS boat show. What makes this show special, is that it almost did not happen. The original location burned down and show had to be moved to Fox Lake... Ahhhh Fox Lake... The understudy finally got it's big break. Just sitting there, holding water for centuries.... waiting for it's big chance....

Best Utility went to Jim Staib for my 1951 U-22
Runner up in the Runabout class was this rare Cavalier runabout owned by Marge Wagner of McHenry

Century's were also very active!A float plane even came in for a look

15 Days til Clayton! But If You Can't Wait...There's The Blackhawk Show, or A Taste of Tahoe... Or...

Ahhhhh, only 15 days left until I am in Woody Boat heaven...Sitting in front of a ton .. tons of classic boats and in a setting that the dream all complete. The anticipation is almost the most fun part. But if you need to get your fix in this weekend, here ya go. We have a reporter at the Tahoe show trying a new experiment with video? Lets see how that works.

Alexandria Bay, NY July 17-19 30th Annual Vintage Boat Show on the main Street Docks. 1000 Island Chapter ACBS Contact: Peter Mellon, 315- 783 -6100 or visit www.1000islandsboatclub.com

Clear lake Iowa July 18th 2009 This year the show will be spotlighting Larson Boats. For more information contact: Paul Morris at 515-243-1845 or email clearlakechapter@mchsi.com.

South Lake Tahoe, CA. July 17-19 ACBS Wooden Boat Classic at Tahoe Keys Marina. Northern CA. / Lake Tahoe ACBS. Contact: Steve Caplan at 408-981-6996 or stevec@kbmworkspace.com

Hammondsport, NY July 17-19 27th Annual Antique Boat Show and Regatta hosted by Wine Country Classic Boats, Inc., a chapter of ACBS. The event features a display of antique and classic boats featuring boats from the 50's on beautiful Keuka Lake. Wine tasting and reception Friday, judged show and dinner Saturday, regatta and chicken barbecue Sunday. Contact Terry Holland at 315-548-9061 or WCCB2009BOATSHOW@aol.com. or visit there web site http://www.winecountryclassicboats.com/.

McHenry, Il. July 18th 25th Annual In- Water Antique & Wooden Boat Show at Joey T's on the fox. Blackhawk ACBS Contact: Tom at 815-385-0454 or visit www.finewoodboats.com

Toms River, NJ July 18 32nd Annual Toms River Seaport Society Wooden Boat Festival, Huddy Park, Toms River, NJ.,9-5 Contact Gary Micco 908 3031710 or micco1@comcast.net

Beaver Lake, AR July 18th Beaver Lake Arkansas Cruise of the Heartland Classics ACBS. Contact: Kyle Jamar at kyle6@cox.net or 918 629 4483. Or visit us at www.heartland-classics.org

Cole Franchini, Woody Boater Of The Month.

No this not a photo of some 90 year old geezer as a kid. It's a real kid. Master Cole Franchini, a true WoodyBoater. This is Cole in his 1960 Skeeto made by a company called Moldcraft from Wisconsin. Cole bought it with some money he had saved for a video game when he was just 8. That was a year ago, and now at the ripe old age of 9 he is finalizing some painting on it this week in order to take it to the Columbia-Willamette ACBS show in Portland at the end of the month. The Franchini's will have three generations at the show, each with a boat. Brian ...Cole's Dad, bought his 1966 Tollycraft Sportabout 5 years ago which in turn sucked his Dad into the hobby. Cole helped restore a 1957 Tollycraft Rumpas for Grandpa this winter that made it to the Sandpoint, Idaho show this past weekend. Cole is excited to have his boat at the upcoming show. He loves to stand by it and tell people about how “he” found it and all the work he has done. Just like the rest of us WoodyBoaters. So here's a raised glass of milk to Cole Franchini. Wooohooo.

Boats At The Barns. Kalamazooooohooo! Classic Cars And Boats In The Same Show.

Thanks to the Kalamazoo Antique Auto Restorers Club and the Gilmore Car Museum we can now see very cool classic boats being towed around by very cool classic cars that match up. We see this in small spurts at all the boat shows, but this is more of a get together. It's also tied in with the Gilmore Museums big whopper car show of the year. The 29th Annual Red Barns Spectacular on Saturday August 1st. So you can get all your needs to see old cool stuff done in one trip. Dang. It's like the Walmart of car / boat shows. Thelma pick me up one of those Rubbermaid thingies and a bag of Cheetos while your there!

Live-ish From Essex Connecticut. Woohooo I Spelled Connecticut Right!

Thanks to John and Kim Kadimik we can enjoy this weekends show in Essex Connecticut, OK we can just enjoy the photo's, not the laughs or food, or smell of fresh air... or better yet, the smell of to rich carbs and fresh varnish...