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…
By Calvin Seith Seven boats convened at the South Shore yacht club at 9AM to disembark on the Glacier Lakes Chapter’s Milwaukee River Cruise. Scott Bruesewitz organized the event and showcased his incredible all original unrestored 1974 Glastron. The rest of the lineup consisted of Tom and Beth Neary who came with their 1948 Chris-Craft…
On April 30, 2004 the Glacier Lakes Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society Inc., was granted a charter from ACBS. But the chapter’s origins date back to 1974 when several boat dealers and interested parties got together at the Milwaukee Marine Dealers’ Boat Show to discuss having an antique and classic boat exhibit…
1956 26-foot Chris-Craft Continental Gary and Susan Rechcygl, Glacier Lakes Chapter “That’s my boat!” Not necessarily words you want to hear when backing out of a dock. Gary Rechcygl thought he was about to hit another boat so he put Double Trouble in neutral. Standing on the docks at the Lake Geneva boat show that…
By Andreas Jordahl Rhude (originally printed in the Glacier Lakes Chapter newsletter, At the Waterline) When most people conjure up an image of a wooden era Thompson boat, they picture a lapstrake hull with white painted sides and stained and varnished mahogany decks, transom, and interior trim. In a way, this is the quintessential “Thompson.”…
By Jeff and Renee Davey, Glacier Lakes Chapter This obsession began when we were restoring our 1947 19-foot Higgins known as Covergirl. We kept seeing a 23-foot Higgins named Foxy Lady winning numerous awards and knew that we had to have a boat like this! After a lengthy search, we found a 1949 23-foot Higgins named…
Nikko is a 15-foot Arkansas Traveler Frolic model that was introduced in 1961. She is equipped with a cloud white 1959 Kiekhaefer Mark 58AEL w/Mercury Super Thunderbolt Powerhead which is rated at 45 HP. The Mark 58AEL designates it as Electric Starting, Long Shaft with Alternator. Owned by Glacier Lakes Chapter members Micki and Jim…
By Roberta Hegy, Glacier Lakes Chapter All my life I have been a hands-on person. I was drafted into the crafts by my father who needed an extra hand and really enjoyed working with him. He taught me many skills and those interests later developed to become a way of life and a good living.…
By David Quirsfeld, Glacier Lakes Chapter This Thompson Sea Lancer had sat idly in a garage since 1984 until I rescued it from an estate sale in 2021. Unfortunately, the 1980s vintage 80hp Mercury outboard was sold before I learned of the Chicago area sale. With no dry rot to speak of, its overall good…
We know boat show season is starting to kick off down south, but many of our northern ACBS chapters are still in winter or early spring mode, so that means workshops and gatherings. Here are a couple of upcoming offerings from the Glacier Lakes and Columbia-Willamette Chapters. If you are in the area, be sure…
This week really kicks off the winter boat show season, where now through April, at regional event centers and fairgrounds across North America the latest models of watercraft are on display for you to check out and buy. They’ll be showing everything from PWCs, fishing boats, pontoons, and wake boats, up to large cruisiers and…
by John Baas, Glacier Lakes Chapter Took the dog to the vet and came home with a boat. Well, maybe not just that fast but almost! On the way to the vet, the main road there was under serious construction with back ups for miles. I told my wife, Pam, that we won’t be coming…