The last big event of the 2003 boating season will be the ACBS Annual Meeting and International Boat Show in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Organizers have been working hard on this wrap-up of the boating year and have put together a super series of events for the weekend of September 25-28.

I encourage every ACBS member to make the trip to the Canadian capital to enjoy what promises to be a wonderful weekend full of activities. As it stands at this writing, the pre-event cruise up the Rideau Canal to Ottawa is fully subscribed and there is a waiting list. But there is still room for ACBS members to take their boats to the International Boat Show by trailer and attend the Annual Meeting. Why not organize a flotilla from your chapter and really make it a weekend to remember? Rooms are still available at the Chateau Laurier at a special ACBS rate, but that discount won’t last too much longer. Look for the necessary registration forms in this issue of Rudder, send them in, and plan to have a great time!
 

In April the Toronto Chapter hosted the Spring Meeting of the ACBS Board in conjunction with their annual Spring Tour of Muskoka boat shops. The weather was fabulous, the meeting was successful and the Spring Tour gave everyone a chance to see some exquisite boats under restoration, construction and reconstruction. Many thanks to everyone in the Toronto Chapter who worked on the weekend’s arrangements. Everyone who attended had a great time. In business conducted at the Spring Meeting, action was taken to put the Society’s four major funds – Endowment, Life Membership, Scholarship and Building Funds – under professional management. This move eliminates the need to have a member of the Board responsible for management of these funds and places them in the hands of a professional organization dedicated to managing charitable monies. Many thanks to our treasurer, Ann Storandt, for making the detailed proposal and necessary arrangements for this change.
 

Members of your Society’s Board of Directors continue to labor on your behalf to make the organization more responsive to members’ needs. If you concur with their efforts, please take a moment to let them know of your support. And by the same token, if you think things should be going in other directions, please let me or any of the officers of the Society know.
 

In May, I attended the Southwest Chapter’s Keels and Wheels Concours d’Elegance at the Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, Texas . It was a grand event with lots of cars, boats, and folks who know how to extend Texas hospitality in a grand manner. One of the highlights of the weekend was the presentation of the first Junior Craftsmanship Award to Daniel Merryman, nephew of ACBS Director, Paul Merryman. A 16 year old honor student and junior at Clear Lake High School, Daniel did a masterful job of restoring a 1957 16-ft. SeaFly outboard boat and motor under the watchful eye and guidance of his uncle.

For his labors, he also won a Best of Class trophy and the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Outboard – all very gratifying accomplishments for this young man who had worked long and hard on his project. Look for more details on this story elsewhere in this issue, and “Congratulations” to Daniel for a job very well done! Daniel exemplifies the interest and commitment to antique boating and boat restoration needed in coming generations. How about your chapter – do you have a Daniel or two who should be recognized in the same manner for his or her efforts? If your chapter has a candidate for the Junior Craftsmanship Award, please let ACBS Director, Les Demaline, know and let another young person beam with delight and enjoy the recognition that goes with accomplishment.
 

Hope the summer boating season has been all that you hoped for. And don’t overlook the opportunity for the grand finale that Ottawa represents. If you go, you’ll be glad you did!

President, ACBS
Home phone: 585-265-1518
Fax: 585-265-4375
Camp phone 518-946-7103
e-mail: flcboats@aol.com