The ACBS Adirondack Chapter hosted a fantastic first-ever Captial Region event on the Hudson River at the Ravena Coeymans Yacht Club.
The day’s events included lectures on solar powered boats and barn finds.
Captain David Borton and wife Harriet speak with the public about their Solar Sal boat.
First, Captain David Borton, a retired Ph.D. professor from Rensselaer Polytech Institute discussed his and son Eric’s trip on the Alaskan Inside Passage using only solar power. Showing images of his boats and scenic places along the way, Dave offered interesting technical information on solar panels, batteries and three-phase electric motors that were used to efficiently cruise some 50-plus miles daily using only power from the sun. Borton and his wife Harriet, whom he affectionately refers to as his “Memory Stick”, also brought one of their Solar Sal brand boats to the show.
After lunch, Adirondack Chapter members presented three barn finds of aluminum, wood and fiberglass. The over riding question of “what have I gotten myself into?” was answered with a rewarding project!
Andy Ellis discussed his aluminum Feather Craft from the 1950s, including its construction, riveting and riveting tools. We learned that the technique for riveting in Feather Crafts is same as in aircraft, and that riveting is a two person job, with one person on the inside and the other outside. We also learned that aluminum restorations are straightforward compared to wood hull restorations.
Next, Neil Satterly picked up with a surveyor’s review of a 1922 foot Cruise-Along plywood boat that was recently found in the original owner’s barn. Though plywood boats, and especially plywood cruisers, typically don’t fare as well in storage as their carvel and lapstrake constructed counterparts, thanks to decades of proper storage, this Cruise-Along is in remarkably great shape. The decision on whether to embark on major repairs was discussed given materials costs, market values and sentimental values. Of course, the ACBS member network and extensive video library provides a great network of knowledge and support.
Everyone’s favorite ADK chapter mascot, the “Adironduck”!
The final barn find discussion centered on a rare 1965 Chris-Craft Corsair with a “swivel drive” I/O and a 302 Ford Interceptor motor. Adam Weisburgh talked about how this boat’s features make it a rare find with a unique set of restoration challenges. Adam pointed to the Chris-Craft archives held at the Mariner’s Museum and Park in Newport News, Virginia as a resource for technical information as well as the book Essential Guide to Chris-Craft.
Thank you to the ACBS members who attended with their boats or just made the visit to be supportive. Special thanks to Adam Weisburgh who organized the event and to Andy Ellis for his extra efforts to make this day successful.