by Dave Samson, Bayou Chapter I’ve always had a passion for vintage wooden boats, especially the “lake boats” I remembered from the 50’s. I restored my first runabout, a 1955 Chris-Craft Capri, that took first place awards at Lake Arrowhead, Lake Tahoe and most recently the Lake Pontchartrain wooden boat festival in Madisonville, Louisiana. This…
by John Bush, Dixieland chapter In 2006 my wife, Carol and I began searching for a “wood” boat to use at our home on Lake Jordan near Titus, Alabama. Neither of us had any prior experience with “woodies” but owning one was on Carol’s bucket list. As we began our search, our brother-in-law told us…
On Saturday October 16th, the Long Island Chapter members were treated to a tour of the Historic Weeks Yacht Yard in Patchogue, NY on the Patchogue River, along with a catered buffet dinner afterwards. Our gracious host, Kevin Weeks took members on a tour inside several of the buildings, and throughout the yard & dock…
by Rick Watson member of the Allegheny chapter In the Spring of 1975, I was 12 and my life changed dramatically. My mom remarried and we moved to Conneaut Lake. I had a new home, in a new town . Bob Moss, (Mom & Bob are pictured above), began the process of stabilizing and molding…
You’ve got to love this photo of Green Pearl with captain Alan Miklos about 10 years ago. Photos of Green Pearl along with this story are supplied by Frank Miklos, president of Allegheny Chapter. Back when my son was 7 years old, I offered to give him the boat if he would row it across the lake…
by Dave Gordon member of the Allegheny chapter As I drove across a bridge over the Allegheny River during the Easter weekend of 1995, I noticed a large old boat sitting inside a steel mill building below. When I inquired about the boat, the owner was more than eager to sell, as he stated that…
by John Beekley, Adirondack Chapter Better Already is a 22 foot 1947 Chris-Craft Sport Utility, but her story actually begins in 1929. That is the year that my great-grandfather built a unique and wonderful boathouse on northern Lake George. While visiting my aunt and uncle, who had owned the place since 1969, my aunt mentioned…
by Tom and Joanie Moynihan, Adirondack chapter Ol’ Smoothie is a 28-foot 1929 Chris-Craft Model 17 Runabout. There were 180 boats built from 1929-1931 and reportedly only 30 remain. She was delivered to Lamb’s Marina on Lake George, NY on April 25, 1930. Vernon Hovey of Schenectady, NY was the new owner and named her…
by William Kelting, Adirondack Chapter The Elkin has been in my family since 1930. Since then, four generations have enjoyed many hours aboard. Elkin has spent the majority of her time cruising the waters of Upper Chateaugay Lake. Upon having her restored, my husband Bill and I have taken several lengthy cruises aboard the Elkin.…
By Jan Lowry, Vice President, Long Island NY Chapter 2021 has been a better year than 2020, but not without its own challenges. Thankfully, our Chapter President, Bob Williams made a great recovery from when he was hospitalized in 2020 with the Corona Virus which almost took his life! Since our monthly meeting spot at…
We would like to see a picture of your boat in the next Tuesday Tour of Vintage Boats. email the picture to [email protected] include the boat owner’s name include year, manufacturer, model of boat, and name tell home port and/or where picture was taken give credit to the photographer, if known
by Tom Carlin, Pacific Northwest chapter One of the original fleet of recreation boats at the Malibu Club in British Columbia, this boat was used in the salt water of the Princess Louisa Inlet from 1941 until 1950 when the club was abandoned. In 1953 the club was sold to the Young Life Christian Ministry…