Water Wonderland Chapter Hosts Lake Leelenau Rendezvous and Boats on the Boardwalk - ACBS - Antique Boats & Classic Boats

The first weekend of August was a big one for the Water Wonderland Chapter. With two events, a casual Lake Leelenau Rendezvous hosted by Bob and Mary Shapton, and their yearly Boats on the Boardwalk, it was all hands on deck for a great time!

: Stacey and Mark Holman with “Half Century”.

: David Willis, President of the Water Wonderland Chapter, navigates through the narrows near Cedar, MI.

First, on Friday, August 1, the Lake Leelenau Rendezvous was held on the eastern side of the Leelenau Peninsula of Michigan. The chapter provided lunch and then Bob led the cruise aboard his 1940s Chris-Craft Deluxe Enclosed Cruiser, 38W486 Renabelle. The group went through the south end of the Lake, through the Narrows, to the north end up to Leeland, aka, Fishtown, and back.

: What better place to put a train set than on top of one of your project boats?

: All Aboard!

The morning of Boats on the Boardwalk started at 4:30am when the set up crew readied the docks. Talk about dedication!

: An early morning set up.

: All the beautiful boats!

By land or by sea…. 45 boats were displayed both in the water and near the boardwalk. Brian Mortimore hit the water in his 1939 21-foot Chris-Craft Utility, Island Runner, with her newly installed 327 engine.

: A homebuilt blue dory built by the Harrington’s of West Michigan.

: 1938 Chris Craft 21’ Utility, “Island Runner” with the varnish barely dry.

Ebisu, a 1924 Purdy, and the only surviving Purdy built in Michigan (out of 100) and the second oldest Purdy in existence. was on display. Ebisu is a Japanese for Goddess of Fishermen! Read more about her in this ACBS story from January 2025.

Ebisu/Delta Lady.

There was a Seafarer, with a mid 1950s Evinrude and a really Tee Nee Trailer, a 1971 Boston Whaler Montauk, several beautiful not powered canoes, and a 2011 Gar Wood… just to name a few.