by David Arscott member of the Water Wonderland Chapter Why and How does my Dad, starting in 1948, a 45-year-old full-time employed mechanical engineer at GM ‘Pontiac Division’, married and father of three young children (JAmes 6, PAtrica 14 & DAvid 11) start to build a ‘speedboat’ from ‘scratch’? Having not asked my Dad ‘the…
by Dennis Padden member of the Heartland Classics chapter I grew up in a family that always owned a boat. We spent most summer weekends and vacations at our favorite lake in Oklahoma, Tenkiller Lake. When I was 6 my step dad had an early 60’s mahagony Chris-Craft, he named her “Ski Mist”. This was…
by Raymond Reynolds member of the Lake Hopatcong chapter Photos by Bob Kays I was introduced to wooden boats at an early age. My wife became a boater when she married me. At the time of our marriage I owned a 1942, 17′ Century Sea Maid. I sold it a few years later. It would…
by the Quast Family members of the Blackhawk chapter This boat brings a lot of fond memories to me and my family. Our Lyman is knick-named “Bee Bop”. Don’t ask me how my Dad, Arnie Quast Sr. coined that name, but for my entire life that is the affectionate title of this stately 1964 18’…
by Peter Takvorian member of the Lake Hopatcong chapter 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 walk around…
By Dave Matthews member of Finger Lakes chapter Lancea’s documented history goes back to the fourth previous owner, Russ Balmer, who sailed her out of the Port Huron Yacht Club in the 1960s. Before that the history is murky but the last previous owner believed her to be the very same boat that was originally…
By Rick Peebles member of the Rocky Mountain Classics chapter As far back as I can remember we were always going to “the lake”! Lewis & Clark Lake was created when the US Army Corps of Engineers built Gavins Point Dam as part of the Flood Control Act of 1944. Recreation on the lake opened…
By Wright family members of the Michigan and Water Wonderland chapters By Norma Wright member of the Michigan and Water Wonderland chapters Chrissy is a 1948 Chris Craft custom deluxe runabout with the original triple carburetor motor. When she joined the family in 1974, she was covered with fiberglass and painted brown and white. She…
By William Goold member of the Smith Mountain Lake chapter Red Velvet is the name of a 17 foot ChrisCraft Sportsman. This ChrisCraft has lived almost all of its life on the fresh waters of Smith Mountain Lake, in Virginia. The 1956 mahogany and white oak boat has all of its original wood. The second…
by Willard McJilton member of the Chesapeake Bay chapter In 1987, we decided to sell the NOVA. After making the decision and agreeing on a sale, it became apparent that this was a mistake and asked the new owner to bring it back when he was ready to sell. We are the 3rd and 5th…
By Whitey Smale member of the Sunnyland chapter Joe Charles phoned me as I was cruising into Midland to tell me he had a 1929 or 30 26 ft Ditchburn for sale. He said he could meet me at the Midland dock later that afternoon to show me a picture of the boat in the…
by Jim Gould member of the Finger Lakes chapter I had always wanted a Chris-Craft so when I retired in 1995, it seemed a perfect time. My search ended when I found Boyd Mefferd (Boyd’s Boats, Canton CT) and an “easy project” 1955 20ft. Chris-Craft Continental. A research visit to the Mariner’s Museum in Newport…