by Peter Takvorian member of the Mid-Atlantic and Lake Hopatcong chapters Riva wooden speedboats manufactured in Sarnico, Italy from the 1950’s through the 1970’s, are generally considered the pinnacle of design, construction, and elegance. In 1965, Carlo Riva and his designer, Barilini, discussed plans for a fast (45 mph) 18-19 ft boat with room to…
Photos by A. Hanson, ACBS Headquarters There were two beautiful Chris-Craft Super Sports that attended The Antique Boat Museum’s 2022 boat show this past August. Here’s a closer look at each… Name: Gus’ Minion Owner: Gus Lombardi Boat: 1976 Chris-Craft Super Sport Ski Boat Length: 17’6″ Engine: 1976 Chris-Craft 305K Owner: Elaina Pirro,…
By Steve Murphy, Heartland Classics Chapter My wife and I own and maintain a 1971, 31-foot sedan style Chris-Craft Commander. It’s powered by twin 383Q’s (formerly 327Q’s) and has a flybridge. We’ve enjoyed Edelweiss for 9 years on Table Rock Lake in Southern MO. After months of searching for the “right” boat, we found one…
From John Seal, Publicity Chairman, Smith Mountain Lake Chapter The SML Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society recently held their annual winter workshop at the home of Alan and Jean Frederick. The 39 members and guests in attendance learned from subject matter experts about 4 topics that are useful in restoring and maintaining…
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…