Every Boat Has A Story, By Texx.

One of the best things about attending an antique & classic boat show is having the opportunity to see the beautiful boats "Up Close" and if your lucky, get to hear the boat's story - because it seems like "Every Boat Has a Story."

While attending the 2009 Big Sky ACBS Boat Show on Montana's Flathead Lake, I had the pleasure of meeting Dean Sackett - a certified Woody Boater. Dean was standing next to his 1929 Chris-Craft Model 3 and explained to me that this was his future retirement project. Before long we were talking about Chris-Craft's (Dean's a fellow CCABC Member), restoration costs, the wooden boat hobby, boat shows, etc ..... and I asked Dean if he knew about WoodyBoater.com. With a big smile Dean responded, "Every day when I get home from work, the first thing I do is check my personal e-mails and then I go to WoodyBoater.com to see what's there." He said he likes the stories about Joe Martell...Who is Joe Martell?

Dean Sackett grew up on Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire and has been around wooden boats all his life. He remembers going to the marina with his father in their wooden outboard boat and looking at the Chris-Crafts (which were a common site then) and dreaming of some day owning one. Dean purchased his first used Chris-Craft (a barrelback) when he was 19 and has had the wooden boat bug ever since.

Then, many years later, his continued interest in wooden boats brought him to "HOBO", the 1929 Chris-Craft Model 3 24' Runabout which he purchased in 2007 via Mitch LaPointe. "HOBO" was originally delivered to Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey in 1929 and prior to 2007 spent it's entire life (78 years) in the same boat house. Here is a recent photo of the HOBO's boathouse on Lake Hopatcong, NJ - courtesy of the current owner Tim Clancy. Tim is an ACBS member and owns a beautiful 1947 U-22 "Piggy Bank" (that's right Matt a U-22) And now for the Rest of the Story - in Dean's Sackett's words........

"HOBO" a 1929 Model 3, 24' Chris Craft, Hull # 2349 was inspected on May 4, 1929. She was shipped by rail to New Jersey where she was purchased by Harry Tarakajian. Harry, a Well Driller by profession and the ultimate tinkerer, did not take immediate delivery of "Hobo" because he was waiting for his boat house on Lake Hopatcong to be completed. Harry installed huge steel I beams in the boat house for raising the boat and one put in place just to be able to pull the engine. The two story boat house had an apartment w/bar upstairs where Harry frequently entertained visitors from the city who went to Lake Hopatcong to escape the summer heat. Harry would also give people rides in Hobo. The story goes that on occasion Bud Abbott of Abbott and Costello fame would stop by for a drink at "Harry's Bar" and a breezy ride in "Hobo". Ancient history is that Bud Abbott summered and rented the upstairs of the boathouse from Harry in the 30's or 40's. (Current Boathouse owner said) "I just became aware of this from a neighbor two doors down when Grandpa Tom Miller came to a graduation party last summer. Talked to his son last week and said the HOBO showed up and the new owner was interested in the Hobo's history and he said he would have his father come over next time they're in town. I'll see what else he might know, he's probably is in his 80's so he was just a child when Harry bought the boat. He was the guy that told me about Bud Abbott, his father used to tell him "you stay away and leave Mr. Abbott alone".

By the Late 60's, "Hobo's" original 106 hp Chrysler LM was getting tired. Chris Craft had recently introduced their version of the 327 and Harry had to have one. So "Hobo" got a new engine and Paragon hydraulic transmission.

Dean has had a difficult time obtaining more historical information on "HOBO". However, as a result of the Big Sky Boat Show report posted on WoodyBoater.com last Monday, Dean contacted us to say.......

I just thought I would let you know that a few hours after the blog was posted I received a call from a (fellow) WoodyBoater follower on Lake Hopatcong that knows the boat. He is very active in the wood boating community and is going to help track down some history. He said he thinks the original poster for HOBO Speedboat rides is in the museum there and he will get me a copy some time this fall. He said he will look through their digitized archives for data on the boat and the marina it was shipped to. I'll keep you posted as the info comes in. Thanks Dean

Now that's what I call "A Good Woody Boat Story"

In Search Of African Mahogany...

What a year full summer of Antique & Classic Boat Shows, and trying to actually get out on the boat. ( That's happened 2 times) - We are looking forward to the Reedville VA show in our hometown of Reedville VA on September 12th, then off to Smith Mountain Lake VA a very fun and friendly show.. on the 18th and then to Lake Geneva on the 25th. And if I am not all varnished out, a brief flight to Canada for the big ACBS show...... But first, before all that, we are off to Africa! In search of the real African Mahogany!....actually I will be on a shoot in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and in a jungle someplace.... But trust me, I will be woody boat hunting for sure. The stories for the next couple days may be at odd times from odd places... So stay tuned! I promise if I get kidnapped and held my Somali pirates, I will get them to post there demands on Woody Boater...

Watch And Weep!

Mo Bo! Apparently His Designs Actually Float!

Over the years as many of you know we have shown some fantastic fantasy designs from fellow Woody Boater Bo Zolland. All of them in design stage with amazing drawings leaving us to our imagination to go out on a Sunday afternoon cruise. Well. The darn things are real... as real as Bo. Just add water and here is what you get. Dang! Those sunglasses may actually get done.

Lyvish From The First Annual Montreal Classic Boat Festival

Fellow Woody Boater Gene Porter and Jr Woody Boater William Garceau of Columbus traveled to The First Annual Montreal Classic Boat Festival in.......Montreal, and back by Lyman from Lake Champlain via the historic Richelieu and St Lawrence Rivers. Easy trip. 2.5 days up; 1.5 days back. Great small towns with docks. True North was the only US boat to so arrive. We always report on the shows and not the journey... Personally I have found that the journey both restoration, and drive is the fun part. Trips like this are the essence of ACBS boating.

Several eye watering commuters, of which the well-known Dolphin was judged the best.

22ft 1951 Chris Craft Sedan....Things Are Not Gonna Be Still At Stillwater Boat Company!

Fellow Woody Boater Steven Gray of Stillwater Boat Company, located in Kentucky has undertaken the restoration of this eBay beauty. A 22ft 1951 Chris Craft Sedan. "She is rotten from stem to stern" so I suppose we will hear from him from time to time...to time...to time......He plans on keeping it..... Dear lord! Thats alot of 5200 and varnish. But well worth the effort, these Sedans are stunning when done. What amazing lines and a true classic look. As one of Stevens pal said, " We are blessed to have the skills to return these boats to there original condition". We are all glad that Steven is using his skills for good.

Calling All Wood Boat Lovers... It's One Ringy Dingy!

Stop the presses, it's eBay time. Here ya go. A Chris Craft? Table phone. For the price of a McDonald's lunch you can have a true treasure. The only problem? You won't know when someones calling you... Details. It just needs a little work, all orig wood......... Dial here!

Live-ish From Big Sky Antique Classic Boat Show... It A Deserves Big Story.

The Big Sky Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society presented the 4th Annual Antique & Classic Boat Show on the shores of Flathead Lake in Lakeside, Montana last weekend. The Big Sky Chapter is proud of the fact that after only 3 full years of operation, the club continues to be one of the fastest growing ACBS Chapters, with over 50 members from around Montana, Idaho, Washington, California and Alberta, Canada. Chapter President Alex Berry and his team of volunteers put on a first class event this year - congratulations to everyone!

The Flathead Lake area of Montana has a long history when in comes to wooden pleasure boating. In the 1930's two local Flathead boating enthusiast's, Ole Lee and Stan Young started their respective wooden boat building companies, Lee Craft and Stan-Craft. From 1938 thru the mid 1950's, Lee Craft turned out a variety of wooden boats... ranging in size from 13-20 feet and built some 3,000 plus wooden boats. Stan-Craft was launched in 1933 at Flathead Lake, near Lakeside and built wooden boats at this location until World War II broke out. After the war, the Stan-Craft Boat Company resumed business in the Flathead Lake area until the wooden boat popularity gave way to fiberglass in the mid-1960's, when Stan-Craft adapted and changed to modern materials. In 1981 Stan-Craft relocated from Montana to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho where they continue to build modern versions of the "Classic Wooden Boat."

For a young local boat show, the diversity of boat manufacturer's represented at this year's event was great to see! "CINCO" is a 2004 Fish Brothers Barrelback 23'.

"LA SIRENA GORDA" (I think it means "The Fat Mermaid") is a beautiful 1957 Chris-Craft Continental 21'. Along side is "DREAMBOAT" a 1965 Chris-Craft Cavalier 30' owned by Jim & Kathleen Petersen from Bigfork, Montana.

Rick & Laura Zanto's 1967 Riva Ariston.

ACBS President Dick Werner's 1942 Century SeaMaid Triple Cockpit 20' "SWEET LOUISE"

"FULL CIRCLE" is a rare 1958 Shepherd 105 Convertible 18'. (Check out the cool manufacturer nameplate on the dash)

"ROCKETEER" was originally built in 1937 by the Reinell Boat Company (in Marysville, Washington) as a 16' open outboard utility. In 1992 Alan Thomle extensively modified her into a 1930's style inboard race boat utilizing a 289 Ford Interceptor V8. She now has a top speed of 44 MPH.

There were a few old woody outboards at the show, "BURPIE TIME" is a perfect 1959 Cruiser Inc. 14' Mariner 100 with a period correct 35HP Evinrude outboard.

Bill & Julie Robbins' 1950 Peterborough Speedster 16' powered by a period correct Johnson 25HP (Pull Start) Sea-Horse.

When is the last time you saw a 1955 Curly Craft Super Deluxe Runabout 14' with a Johnson 35HP Outboard? This one belongs to Lorne & Leslie Kermath from Whitefish, Montana.

MINNIE" is a beautiful 1959 Chris-Craft Sea Skiff 22' owned by Alex Berry (Big Sky Chapter President) and his wife Margene. (Cowboy Hats are standard issue in Montana) Arlon Hibbert came over from Pingree, Idaho with his restored 1947 Gar Wood Ensign 16' "THE OTHER WOMAN"

"KNOCK ON WOOD" is a great example of a 1964 Chris-Craft Custom Ski 17' and is owned by Mark & Janice Buck from Missoula, Montana.
Here's one of Matt's favorites - An awsome 1954 Chris-Craft Utility 22' from down the lake in Polson, Montana, MIMI's owners Bob and Betty Moore keep her ship shape.
Larry Shroeder heading out to take Dick Werner for a ride in his 1946 Stan-Craft 25' Day Cruiser "THE BARB".
Dick was impressed with the Day Cruiser. This is Dick Werner's 12th boat show of the 15 he is planning to attend during his term a President.

As expected, there were lots of Stan-Crafts to see and enjoy on the Flathead Lake, both old and new. Here is "MOONSHINE" a modern 2008 Stan-Craft.

"ART'S TOY" is a 2006 Stan-Craft Mini Missile 29' owned by Art & Danielle Engel.

The unique Stan-Craft Torpedo's are always a crowd favorite.

"SEABISCUIT" was in attendance this year, a rare 1937 Chris-Craft Runabout.

After living in a barn for over 30 years, this Chris-Craft Sedan was picked up by the new owner the day before the show, so he brought it by for everyone to see. The original Scripps Model 208 6 Cylinder engine was also in tow, strapped to the back of the tow rig.

I had the pleasure of meeting Dean Sackett at the Big Sky show, the owner of this 1929 Chris-Craft 3 24' Runabout that up until 2007 spent the last 75 years of her life in the same boat house on Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey. Stay tuned for the full story of Dean and his retirement project.
Lee Craft
(p.s. Sorry no Lyman's at this show, but I will keep looking!)
Texx

Reporting Live From Grand Island Nebraska.... Hey, Were Are All The Boats?

We left Boulder Colorado yesturday at 2 pm, heading east and will be visiting Bill Basler of the Chris Craft Antique Boat Club in Iowa today. Around 10 pm we needed to stop, we see the signs for Grand Island .. Great, boats in Nebraska, it's a sign. It's one of those exits thats 5 miles off the highway. So well, its late and we have made the turn... Well..... It all started out as expected, chain this and chain that, and then... like a beacon in the night. Tommy's Family Resturant. OPEN 24 hrs.... Dear lord, had we just entered the Twilight zone, was it 1959? Was my Woody Boat the newest thing around...if I was towing it..Youbetchya! My wife... my Woodyboatress was not pleased, but we went in. Holy crap... it was perfect...kinda like that lady on Britons got talent. We felt like fools for being so snooty....The food was amazing... best meal of the week.... month. They have a special way of making fried chicken.. ohhh and then we asked Maryln our waitress were a great hotel was... "Well right next door at the travel lodge....I'll get you a room".... oh boy... Dang again. Very nice very clean...updated rooms and free wifi.... right here in Grand Island Nebraska.... Perfect.. Now... Grand Island is the largest inland Island in the world.. yup... but not one boat that I can see. Something about two rivers and underground water...Also the birthplace of Henry Fonda and some football player.... Regardless, if you are ever near Grand Island... it's worth the 5 miles to stop by Tommy's....it will now be a regular stop when going cross country. Next time I am bringing the boat though.. It will be right at home here...

Joltin Joe Could Use A Jolt...Of Pasta!

We reported on Joltin Joe a year ago as it was being tucked away in a garage, to save it from the UV's
And now this report and flyer from fellow Woody Boater Robert Oakley
Martinez California.
There is an effort to restore the runabout and build a visitors center to display it. Enclosed is a program from a fund raising event held on 8/13/09. There is little info about who is collecting money but I would guess the city of Martinez or the Sons of Italy would have details. My collegue is designing the visitors center and new digs for a cafe on the waterfront. As of now the boat is sitting in a county garage rotting away. It was left out in the weather for ever without any care after it was rescued from the marina (where it had been half full of water for years.

Bring Your Banjo...Wheel.. It's Bluegrass Vintage Boat Rendezvous Time!

Mark your calendars now for September 11 & 12, 2009 for the biggest and best Bluegrass Rendezvous yet!!!

Incoming 2010 ACBS International President Gail Turner will be in attendance!

It seems our Rendezvous has created quite a stir in the vintage boat circles, and the “top brass” is coming to see the reason for the excitement.

Gail will be accompanied by her husband Bill Turner, who many of you know owns and operates Aristocraft Boats in Alpharetta, Georgia.

We are happy Gail & Bill will be joining us for the festivities. Let’s show them what vintage boating in Kentucky is all about. If you haven’t yet sent in your registration, please do so as soon as possible, as space is limited.

Recognized as the flagship property of the Kentucky State Park System, Lake Barkley State Resort Park is unsurpassed in quality of facilities and amenities. The lodge itself is spectacular and is AAA 3-Diamond Rated. Adjoining the lodge are 120 lake-view rooms and 4 suites. There are also 4 Log Cabins and 9 Executive Cottages.

You can learn more about Lake Barkley State Resort Park at http://parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/lb/ . A short distance from the Lake Barkley Lodge is the all-new Lake Barkley Marina with 112 covered slips, 60 open slips, and an easy launch ramp. Lake Barkley itself covers 57,920 surface acres and offers year-round boating enjoyment. You can learn more about Lake Barkley Marina at http://www.lakebarkleymarina.com/ .

Rare Runabout Cruser. So Rare It May Not Even Exist!

Thanks to the keen eye of Woody Boater Pete Devito he has found this very very very rare Runabout on eBay... So rare none of us have ever seen a runabout cruiser... But I am open minded in this hobby and realize that maybe I am no expert, because I am not.....I know you could get what ever you wanted if you asked...It claims to be original and never touched... Only two owners... mmmm OK... Someone ain't telling the whole story here.. Click here and you can start your own museum... You can display it right next to the Brooklyn Bridge that you just got... Click here.