If you weren’t able to join us at the 2026 ACBS Vintage Boat Week, we hope these photos are the the next best thing. The spray and smiles are contagious and everyone is enjoying the ride! Here are just a few highlights of boats in attendance. Follow ACBS on social media to keep up with all the fun!
Jubilee
2021 22-foot Hacker Design Replica Gentlemen’s Racer
Philppe Bougie, Manotick Chapter
It was always a thrill to go for a ride in wooden boats as a kid, says Manotick Chapter member Phil Bougie. And in his mid-20s, after building a wooden kayak, he decided to build a vintage boat. After hours of marveling at plans purchased from Wooden Boat Magazine, one stood out. The boat was built from a Nelson Zimmer plan which is very similar to the Hacker Fleetfoot plan. A beautiful boat! But, Phil decided to make a few small design changes.
He started building in his parents’ basement, using his father’s tools and his second set of hands. It was an exercise in patience, problem-solving, research, trial and error, with some details taking years of thinking how best to proceed.
When Phil was deciding which engine to use, he went to Mark Mason. Mark took a keen interest in the project and suggested a flywheel forward Chris-Craft, of which Phil already had two from his grandfather’s boat! That conversion was the beginning of a long friendship and under Mark’s guidance, the engine was re-built into the 365 hp 383 stroker that propels Jubilee to 50+ MPH.
Phil and the family are thrilled that this bit of his family history continues to live on. Jubilee took 25 years to complete, hence her name. Phil could never have imagined at the outset the length of time he’d spend on the boat, nor his feeling of satisfaction once she was finished.
Photo credit: Rob Cassell.
Untouchable
1932 Hacker Craft Triple Cockpit Runabout
John Hanks, Water Wonderland Chapter
Only three of these 1932 Hacker Craft 20 foot triple cockpit runabouts are known to exist. This is the oldest of the three. It is powered by a 135 HP Chrysler Crown M47S. Untouchable’s ownership has been traced back to 1954.
Buster
1959 Cruisers Inc. Commander 300
Jane Larson, Glacier Lakes Chapter
This mahogany and white oak lapstrake, Buster, was completely made in Wisconsin. The wood, the motor, (a rare Mark 75AE outboard manufactured by the Kiekhaefer Corporation), throttle (a “pistol grip” shaped handle and thumb button that strongly resembles a WWII fighter plane control stick and machine gun actuator) and steering wheel were all made in Cedarburg and still today are all original.
Renabelle
1942 Chris-Craft Enclosed Cruiser
Bob and Mary Shapton, Water Wonderland Chapter
Renabelle shows her government numbers as she was used to patrol the St. Clair waterways. The original numbers were found while refastening the hull and were carefully traced and measured for positioning and reapplication after hull was refinished.
Sarah Lee
1956 Century Arabian
Brian and Kathy Fair, Inland Empire Chapter
Photo credit: Maggie Cassell.
In spring 2009 Dick Werner, a former president of ACBS, shared with Brian and Kathy Fair that he had seen a blue/gray Century Arabian in the rafters of Sierra Boat Works at Lake Tahoe. It had no engine or trailer but it did have all the chrome parts. They bought it. They stressed to their restorer that the all mahogany wood boat must be stained blue/gray. Over 80% of the original frames were reused but all new wood had to be built for the exterior. Over the next three years, the boat transformed into a beautiful new Arabian. It took one year to find the correct recipe for the blue/gray colors. The Cadillac engine was rebuilt by Sierra Boat Works.
Photo credit: Holly Weber.
Miss Cindy Lynn
1954 Lyman Islander
Bob and Cindy Grimm, North Coast Ohio Chapter
Purchased in 2018 as a restoration gift for Bob’s 66th birthday, this boat had not been in the water since 1984. The bow stem, knee and keel were completely rotted. Windows, decks, selected planks, and three ribs were replaced. Eighty-one parts were stripped, sanded and varnished with 12 coats. The engine, a four cylinder flat head Gray Marine, is original. Restoration was completed in 2020. (Photo credit: Holly Weber).