1947 BB Swan “Tangerine” – First Fiberglass Production Boat By John Harrison Hough, Sunnyland Chapter Member I have been fortunate to acquire one of the first fiberglass production boats ever built. She is the second oldest known fiberglass production boat in existence: BB Swan hull number 6 sold first in 1947. Number 5 is in…
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 James L. Kieffer, Blue Ridge Chapter Member I became acquainted with Chris-Craft boats at the very early age of eight years old in 1948. My parents and I would go on vacation to Colonial Beach, Virginia, where you could ride in a triple cockpit mahogany Chris-Craft boat for just 5O¢. What a bargain!! That…
By Leo Milleman member of the Jerry Dyhrkopp/Iowa Great Lakes chapter. Jane (my wife) and I grew up in Spencer, Iowa close to the Iowa Great Lakes in the Northwest part of the state. Jane’s parents had a summer home on Okoboji, a deep water blue glacial lake. Jane and I dated in high school…
By Kenneth Moeri, member of the Lake Hopatcong Chapter My dream of owning a classic boat became a reality in July 2010. I acquired Hornblower with love in my eyes in beautiful Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, from an LHACBS chapter member. Hornblower is a 1954 20’ Chris-Craft Special Sportsman. It had been basically restored to…
By Danny Ross – President Sunnyland Chapter of the ACBS On behalf of the Sunnyland Chapter and its highly acclaimed Sunnyland Chapter Apprentice Mentoring Program for Youth (SCAMPY), I was please to present the ACBS Junior Craftsman Award to the brother-sister duo Emily and Isaiah Kadletz at the Sunnyland Chapter Annual Meeting. Emily (16 years…
By Rick Casali, Thousand Islands Chapter Some classic boats have great stories, but Ol Boy’s background is hard to beat. This 1938 Chris-Craft 25 Sportsman has spent its entire life in the 1000 Islands. Joe Cardamone was a serious fisherman from Utica, NY, who owned a 21-foot utility. He fished out of Dingman Point, 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…
From James Barrick, Wine Country Chapter Oliver Outboards: In 1953, the Chris-Craft Boat Company closed their kicker division and sold out to the Oliver Tractor and Farm Equipment Company. Oliver replaced the Chris- Craft 5 1/2 hp Challenger with a completely modernized 5 1/2 outboard of their own. Some were painted in rich blues as shown here. They…
From the Lake Hopatcong Chapter Archives She came from England. Demeter, a 1926 28’ Taylor & Bates launch was built at a boatyard on the Thames. Needing a frame up restoration to return to service, Demeter underwent major surgery over two years at Pete Schell’s shop. The Lake Hopatcong Chapter was privileged to see the…
From the Lake Hopatcong Chapter Archives Ken & Cindy Heaton are Lake Hopatcong ACBS Members (since 2000). Both have been on the Board, and Ken is a Past President of the Chapter (2015-2016). Kenny has a well-deserved reputation of being the Fred Sanford of boats-in-need of some TLC. Other members are taking advantage of this…
From the Lake Hopatcong Chapter What a wonderful time we had as over fifty of us gathered at Alice’s restaurant. After dining on a delicious buffet lunch, our President, Jackie Loughridge, called the Annual Meeting to order. After the normal business like approving the minutes, listening to the various committee reports, discussing plans for next…