The ACBS Awards Program is designed to:

• Further the goals of the Society.
• Encourage its members and chapters to set higher standards and to constantly work toward those objectives.
• Recognize outstanding achievement.

The announcement of the coveted Chapter and Perpetual Trophy Awards is a big part of Vintage Boat Week fun. Each year, ACBS members who emulate the enduring dedication, vision and commitment to antique and classic boating stewardship are nominated by their peers. The Awards Committee has quite a job in combing through those nominations to find the most deserving winner for each of the awards. 

Do you have a worthy nominee in mind for one of these? Please review the Awards criteria below and think of five reasons your nominee should win. And, don’t forget, you may submit nominations in multiple categories!

Submit your nominations by email to the Awards Committee by June 30th! (Please sign into the ACBS Membership Portal to get the email for the current Awards Committee Chair.)

ACBS President’s Cup: This award is given annually by the President of the Society to recognize and honor an individual whose dedication and contributions to ACBS during the year has been exemplary.  History of President’s Cup Recipients

Major Benefactor Award: This award was donated by the Northern California/Lake Tahoe Chapter and given at the discretion of the ACBS Board of Directors in recognition of major donations to the Society having a minimum value of $10,000. A permanent plaque displaying the names of all recipients is retained at ACBS Headquarters, while each recipient is honored with an appropriate memento of their generosity.  

2003 – Lindsey Hopkins III
2004 – Ray and Mary Keating
2006 – Jim Shotwell
2007 – Nick & Steve Lamando, Hall’s Marina
2025 – Lee & Penny Anderson
2025 – John & Rebecca Allen

Broken Gunwale Award: Donated by the Finger Lakes Chapter this award is given in the spirit of fun and good humor and presented to any individual or group which has “distinguished” itself in a memorable way while participating in an ACBS cruise or boat show.  A perpetual trophy displaying the names of recipients is retained at the ACBS office and is awarded only when an appropriate event or incident deserves “commemoration”.  History of Broken Gunwale Award Winners

Founders Award: This award was donated by the Michigan Chapter and the winner is chosen annually by past recipients. This award recognizes outstanding lifetime achievement in furthering the goals of The Antique and Classic Boat Society. A permanent plaque is displayed at the ACBS office, while each recipient is presented with a memento.  History of ACBS Founders Award Recipients

Hagerty Safety Award: Generously provided by Hagerty Classic Marine Insurance of Traverse City, MI, this award is given to an individual(s) who has published an outstanding article on boating safety. The award carries with it a monetary honorarium and each recipient’s name is engraved on a perpetual Trophy retained at ACBS Headquarters. History of Hagerty Safety Award Winners

Mary Herwig Award: This award was donated by the Manotick Classic Boat Club and is awarded for the purpose of honoring an individual who, through activities at the chapter level, has contributed broadly and in an outstanding manner to further the aims and objectives of the society.  History of the Mary Herwig Award Winners.

Rover Award: Donated by the Toronto Chapter, this trophy is awarded for the purpose of recognizing outstanding effort by an individual or group in the organization and implementation of an on water event encouraging the use of classic boats for the enjoyment of the chapter members.  History of the Rover Award Winners

Terry Fiest Award: This is a new annual award sponsored by the Sunnyland Chapter  and serves to recognize the dedication, leadership, and vision of an individual Chapter member(s) which has served as a Boat Show Chairperson, Judge, or volunteer who has demonstrated outstanding sustained performance at a Chapter’s premier Boat Show Event.

2025 – Heidi Szonn, 1000 Islands
2024 – Dan Diehl, Heartland Classics
2023 – Carmen DeLeo, Mid-Atlantic
2022 – Terry Fiest, Sunnyland

Chapter of the Year: Since 2010, this award is given to recognize one or more chapters who have been particularly outstanding in their development, activities, member participation, and other areas of improvement during the year.  History of Chapter of the Year Winners

Chapter Communication Award: Starting in 2025, this award is given to recognize the efforts of our chapters and their outstanding communication with their members, be it through newsletters, website, social media, regular emails or phone calls. Nominations should tell us how your Chapter collectively or a member of your chapter leadership has effectively used multiple forms of communication to engage chapter members. 

2025 – Allan Wardsworth, Inland Empire