And, now onto the midwest and the Mississippi Valley Chapter of ACBS…. The Mississippi Valley Chapter is small but mighty. Chartered in the 1980s, with most of its members centered around St. Louis, Missouri, the Chapter meets regularly in the four bay workshop of one of its members to tinker, restore, learn, and just enjoy…
By Alan & Liz Wardsworth, Inland Empire Chapter If you have been following the saga of our 1963 Belmont, you probably won’t believe it ended up being a successful summer of boating! Belmont produced luxury runabouts from 1956 to 1966 before they converted to fiberglass flat bottom racers. Most Belmonts have Cadillac power but founder,…
On the heels of such an amazing boat show, this week we visit the history of the Bob Speltz Land O Lakes Chapter. Originally chartered in 1977 as the Land O Lakes Chapter, it was the fourth Chapter in the ACBS family. Here is the story… Chapter History and Name: A 1976 a boat…
By Shannon Knight, Sunnyland Chapter Meet Crush, a 1977 Glastron CVX-16 Deluxe, complete with its original Mercury 115 engine, affectionately known as the “Tower of Power.” Glastrons are famous for their sleek design and vibrant paint jobs, and Crush is no exception. These boats even made appearances in James Bond films, like “Live and Let…
With a charter date of February 14, 1976, the Lake Hopatcong Chapter became ACBS’ first. Still thriving nearly 50 years later, ACBS salutes those who laid the foundation for this organization and those who continue to build on it’s legacy today. Here is the Lake Hopatcong Chapter’s story… A Brief Chapter History The Lake Hopatcong…
By a 1930 17-foot Model 99 Runabout owned by Brock and Donna Horsley, Water Wonderland Chapter I am a Chris-Craft, a 17-foot 1930 Model 99 double cockpit, turtle back runabout with an interesting story to tell. I am the prototype, the first of the Model 99s, and the first Chris-Craft ever built under 20-feet. The…
HOW LUCKY DO YOU FEEL? By Bill Nalle, Southwest Chapter Some very intelligent guys have asked me if they really need trailer brakes. A few of my friends have opined that for many years they have no trailer brakes, got along fine on long trips and therefore, see no need for brakes on mid-sized boat…
By Gregory Rice, Michigan Chapter For over thirty-five years, I have been scratch-building Radio Controlled boats. Since 2008, I have focused on the unique designs of John Hacker. When I was growing up in the 60s, like many boys at the time, one of my hobbies was model building. My work was nothing special, but…
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.”…
Gil Maringer, North Coast Ohio Chapter When the Antique and Classic Boat Society created a new “Resto-Mod” classification for boats that have been restored and modified with modern engines and equipment while preserving the classic boat style and historical significance, it almost seemed to be tailor-made for a certain Chris Craft Holiday on Portage Lakes.…
A People’s Choice Pink 1958 Century Roan In 2011, she saw it. A pink 1958 Century Roan. A boat fabricated in her favorite color. “I fell in love with it in about two seconds,” says Kateyln Marsden, member of the Finger Lakes Chapter, a third generation member, in fact. “My grandparents were founding members.” The…
By Graeme Hoatson Beattie, Manotick Chapter William L. Ralph was the adopted son of Michael Ralph. Little is known about Michael, yet he did have the financial means and wherewithal to acquire a 99-year lease from the Canadian Crown to establish Ralph Island in 1889. Ralph Island is a mile away from Portland near the…