The 2016 Portage Lakes Show was the 41st Annual Antique & Classic Boat Show sponsored by the North Coast Ohio Chapter.
On June 25th, the 2016 Portage Lakes Show was at “On Tap at the Harbor” restaurant and docks in Coventry, Ohio. The show included over 50 beautiful wood and vintage fiberglass boats.
In the last few years, there has been growing interest in the original fiberglass boats which became popular in the late 1960’s as wood boat production was phased out due to shortages of mahogany, production costs, and desire for easier to maintain boats. Those earlier model fiberglass boats had unique designs influenced by the finned automobiles of the late 50’s and 60’s. You will see some of those boats at the show.
One very unique fiberglass boat manufacturer, Elite Craft, wanted to keep the “wood grained” look of the 30’s and 40’s mahogany grained runabouts with their cockpits forward of the “decked over” engine compartment. Only 350 of these very beautiful boats were made in the late 1980’s and we will have one of 20 foot Elite Craft on display at the show. See if you can spot the fiberglass boat that looks just like its earlier wood cousins. Here is a hint; the name on the transom tells the story, “Not Wood”.
Also on display will be the boat featured on this year’s show poster, Portage Lakes resident Byron Kruger’s 1964 Chris Craft Golden Arrow, 19’ utility which has been beautifully restored.
The Winners in the 2016 Portage Lakes Show are:
- Historic Canoes – 1st Place: 1913 B.N. Morris 17’ Canoe, owner Jerry Welch, Akron, Ohio
- Classic Wooden Outboards – 1st Place: 1959 Sandusky, Blue Water 16’, Owners John and Betty Scheurer, Mansfield, Ohio
2nd Place: 1950 Century Imperial 13’, “Sleek Antique”, Owner: Terry Egert, Clinton, Ohio - Classic Fiberglass Outboards – 1st Place: 1966 MFG, Niagra 14’ “Little Blue”, Owners: Dave and Liz Nau, Shaker Heights, Ohio
- Late Classic Fiberglass Outboard – 1st Place: 1989 Boston Whaler, 15’ “Mischief”, Owner: Dave Rosenberger
- Antique Runabout – 1st Place: 1942 Century Seamaid, 17’ “Double Barrel”, Owners: Larry and June Prebis
- Classic Runabout – 1st Place: 1967 Century Arabian 20’, “Sweet Jane”, Owners: Mike and Jane Matusick, Hermitage, Pennsylvania
2nd Place: 1948 Chris Craft Deluxe Runabout, 18 “Diotima”, Owners: Murray and Sarah Hestley, Dundee, New York - Contemporary Outboard – 1st Place: 2016 Homebuilt 10’ “Squirt”, Owners: Rob and April Riedel, Medina, Ohio
- Contemporary Inboard – 1st Place: 1940-2009 Homebuilt 18’ “Dad’s Legacy”, Owners: Larry and Virginia Otermat, Ashland, Ohio
- Classic Utilities – 1st Place: 1964 Chris Craft Golden Arrow 19’ “Miss Adventure”, Owner: Byron Kruger, New Franklin, Ohio
2nd Place: 1961 Century Sabre, Owner: John Fox, Massillon, Ohio - Fiberglass Utilities – 1st Place: 1967 Larson Volero 18’, Owners: Jacob and Jessica Marcum, Tallmadge, Ohio
- Fiberglass Runabouts – 1st Place: 1969 Chris Craft Commander 19’ “Afishinado”, Owners: Dick and Karen DeFazio, Bemus Point, New York
- Best Chris Craft / Judges Choice – 1957 Chris Craft Constellation 30’ “Miss Conduct”, Owners: Steve and Susan Littin, Huntsburg, Ohio
- Most Original Boat – 1969 Chris Craft Cavalier Ski Boat 17’, Owner: Dan White, Akron, Ohio
- Best Owner Restoration – 1947 Gar Wood Sedan, “See Gar Go”, Owners: Les and Marilyn Demaline, Avon, Ohio
- People’s Choice – Best of Show – 1957 Chris Craft Constellation 30’ “Miss Conduct”, Owners: Steve and Susan Littin, Huntsburg, Ohio
- Ned Mohrman Memorial Trophy – Portage Lakes Boaters of the Year: Ross and Laurie Kieffer
Antique and Classic Boat Classifications
- Historic: A boat built up to and including 1918
- Antique: A boat built between 1919 and 1942 inclusive
- Classic: A boat built between 1943 and 1975 inclusive
- Late Classic: A boat built after 1976 and the year 25 years prior to the current year
- Contemporary Classic: A wooden boat built within the last 25 years
- Utility: A boat with the engine covered by a box with an open cockpit area
- Runabout: A boat with the engine covered by decks that cannot be walked around
- Outboard: A boat powered by an engine mounted on the transom
