2010 Clayton Boat Show Friday - All Things Wood

It's Friday at Clayton - We started our day at the 46th Annual Antique Boat Show & Auction with a visit to The Antique Boat Museum which was fantastic, a must see. It's like taking a step back in time to appreciate the history Gar Wood and the connection to the 1000 Islands area of New York State.


Gar Wood's racing history is legendary and well documented at The Antique Boat Museum.

Antique Boat Museum Trustee, Author and Noted Historian Tony Mollica was on hand to highlight the history and racing career of Gar Wood. Tony also shared some rare audio recordings of Gar Wood himself talking about his racing experience's, and an unusual race with a passenger train (which we won by the way) in Upstate New York.

Charles Mistele, the owner of "Miss America IX" for over 40 years, spoke about the history of IX ands Gar Wood's connection to the boat which is one of the most famous boats in American Powerboat Racing history. Then you could walk outside and see the boat up close and in person - very cool.

While we were touring the museum, Kaptain Krunch formed an attachment to one of the antique race boats in the museum. He seemed happy to just hang out and soak up the history of the boat.

Then we told Krunch it was time to go outside to see the rest of the Gar Wood's at the show... Let's just say we had a hard time getting him to leave the museum and his new favorite race boat.

All things wood outside, including an impressive selection of original and reproduction Gar Wood boats.

"Miss...Martha" is a spectacular Circa 1900 18ft Wilbur & Wheelock St. Lawrence Rowing Skiff owned by Dr. Larry & Sudee Pollock from Apollo, PA.

"My Bluenose" is a 1965 26ft Lyman powered by an original 327 V-8, owned by Sidney Fawcett from Kingston, Ontario.

No problem finding Lyman's at this boat show, they are everywhere! "Hocus Pocus" is a beautiful 1947 22ft Lyman Utility.

"Hocus Pocus" had a ship mate on board who was doing a great job taking care of the boat. This folks is the future of our hobby, and it's great to see the young people participating.

"Miss Hallie" is owned by Jim Denning from Dalton, Ohio - A spotless 1954 Chris-Craft U-22.

A huge selection of vintage canoes and skiffs on display in one of the museums buildings.

All things wood, including the popular Wooden Boat Publication.

"Gar Gantua" a 1947 Gar Wood runabout going out for a spin.

To end the day on Friday, we went out for a ride aboard a Gar Wood Triple Cockpit for a big ride around the lake and islands, the only way to see and truly appreicate the lake and surrounding landscape.

Today I shot over 530 photos of boats at the show, so we will be putting together a special Gar Wood boat story in the next few days. So stay tuned to WoodyBoater. Also, we will be covering the auction on Saturday which should be lots of fun.

Texx

Were In Clayton - Just Because....

Just Because - It`s one the the best Antique & Classic Boat Shows on the planet.


For those of you that have not been to Clayton before, this is what it`s like as you get closer...

You see views of the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Thousand Islands as you cross the bridge...

You see evidence of the rich boating history in the area... and wooden boating...

You see things that you don`t normally see in the west... and learn that Amish folks don`t like having their picture taken! Ooops - Sorry...

Just because - You can stay at the Wooden Boat Inn...

Just because - You can go to the Antique Boat Museum... (More on that later)

Just because - You can see cool little wooden boats...

Just because - You can see cool big boats...

Just because - You can see cool wooden sedans...

Just because - You can see cool Chris-Craft boats... (Were hoping to get a ride in Lily - Chad)

Just because - You get to see and hear a perfect Dolphin on the water...

Just because - You can see folks going for boat rides on a warm summer evening...

Just because - You get to see a gorgeous Baby Gar...

From every angle...

Just because - You get to see a Man and his Best Friend in a Lyman welcoming us to Clayton...

Just because - We all get to see Dick Kish`s beautiful, spotless, and rare Garwood Sedan...

Just because - We get to go to an Antique & Classic Boat Auction on Saturday...

Just because - There are Boats for Kids...

Just because - This is a perfect place for an Antique & Classic boat show, celebrating Gar Wood Boats, lots and lots of Gar Wood Boats! Stay tuned throughout the weekend for show updates...

Texx

Clayton. This Weekend! Ed Says So!

The big show and auction are this weekend in the Thousand Islands... It's more than just a salad dressing!. The fun starts tomorrow and ends when you plunk down some greenies on a nice slice of mahogany. I just got off the phone with Peter Mellon from Antique Boat America, and it looks like the auction is going to be a full one this year with some very nice buyable boats. And as mentioned.. about 1000 times, we will all be there egging you on. Lots of Woody Boaters will be there, Texx, Krunch, John, Kim and I will be reporting live-ish through out the weekend. If the cell service works. UGH! So stay tuned.

It's That Time Of Year Again. The Biggest Balls Award!

And again, it goes out to fellow Woody Boater David Konick. Ya sea David likes to fish.... a lot....and like any addict, his fix gets him deeper into trouble... Deep sea deep.... David takes his very sweet user Sea Skiff out to sea on a regular basis.. Like 40 miles out to sea... For those of you planning ahead for the wake...it will be held near his home in Fenwick Island Delaware. All kidding aside, David is a very worthy seaman, and his boat is smothered with affection... And those Tuna sure look tasty...mmmm But I personally don't have the courage or confidence in my flat heads.. And more so in the weather in the Mid Atlantic. Fast moving storms that come out of the blue here are legendary. But David and his trusty Chris Craft Sea Skiff have weathered many storms. After all it's what the boats were made for...So here's to David and his fish balls... woohoooo!

Just Another Day In LA

As promised an eclectic journey through whackyville. It all started with a search for any woody boaterness. First... At Gladstones on the beach near Malabu...


This was lame but at-least something.. And then inspiration hit. In the form of a bottle.


Lake Arrowhead... It's only a 2 hr drive..we put the gas pedal and top down..


No one has told me though that its almost 6000 ft above sea level.. Can this get any crazier?









It's a friekn alpine village that doubles as a outlet mall... It is beautiful... So there has to be some woodyness around. And food? Cue the prewar and a sign...





Woodys Boat house Restuarant... Interior is chocked full of history and boat show stuff. We sat in a boat of sorts and had a burger while people came in and out... It is a tad strange to be sitting in a classic boat while a guy walks by with a spike in his lip and hat sideways with his angry wife and the 1 year old.. Welcome to SoCal... Oh it does not end there.....yesterday was spent filming in the hills above Santa Monica....





Joan was an amazing host and stunning...and funny as hell... Hey if a 70 year old boat can be restored??? This was of course the climax of the weekend... We aint in Kansas that's for sure.. The day was complete with a great dinner at The Galley in Santa Monica. A very old hang out there... And chucked full of great photos of very normal folks in there caps...


... And now.... I sit in the airport on my Iphone reporting this all...


Its just all very strange but its the world we live in here in Woodyboaterville... Next weekend.. Clayton dear god!

Reporting live using BlogPress from my iPhone