By Brian Thalhammer Content Sponsored by Mecum Auctions For many dedicated collectors, there are certain auctions that rise above the swells—special occasions that feel less like bidding transactions and more like the christening of a new ship. It’s a sentiment that’s proven prolific within the wooden boat community, where the reward isn’t just in ownership,…
By Lew Dobbins, Northern California Lake Tahoe Chapter Warning: Once again you are entering “The Gear-Head Zone”. Not recommended for the faint of heart. Clean finger nails not guaranteed! Hot Tanking parts: A caustic hot bath that cleans and eats paint, grease sludge etc. This leaves the engine internal and external surfaces almost ready for machine work.…
By Frank Robinson, Columbia Willamette Chapter If you’ve seen a gleaming 1928 Dodge Watercar at the docks, it just might be a boat with a long history in Frank Robinson’s family that started when his father purchased it from his boss for twenty-five dollars in September 1937. Here’s Frank’s story… The new watercar didn’t have…
By Gerry VandeVusse, Water Wonderland Chapter If you’re headed to the 2026 ACBS Vintage Boat Week in Port Huron, Michigan, you may be interested in exploring more of this beautiful state? From gleaming waters to quaint towns and some of the best boating in the country, Michigan has so much to offer. The following story…
By Lew Dobbins, Northern California/Lake Tahoe Chapter This article is based on my opinion and experience of dealing with marine engines for way too many years! As we care about protecting our boats, I’m sure that you all made a good job of winterizing your engines and fuel systems. So, let’s take a look at…
We recently wrapped up our own version of “March Madness,” pitting the most legendary vintage boat models against each other in a bracket-style tournament. Over the last several weeks, the community voted, debated, and celebrated the boats that have defined vintage boating – each in their own way. The Road to the Final Four Your…
By Brian Lawson, Hudson River Chapter In 1973, fresh out of college and newly married, I went to work for Janco’s Marina just south of Plattsburgh, New York, on beautiful Lake Champlain. Although a full service marina, it catered mainly to sailors and sailboats. Janco’s was located on the New York side of the lake…
The Continental Era 1955-1961 By Craig Magnusson, Pacific Northwest Chapter 1955 was the biggest year ever for Chris-Craft in terms of new models. The Capri and the Cobra runabouts were new, a number of new cruisers were introduced, and an entirely new line of utilities were introduced ranging in size from 18- through 25-feet. This…
By Craig Magnusson, Pacific Northwest Chapter In March 1922, Baby Gar won the Wood-Fisher contest at the Miami Regatta with Gar Wood at the helm. Today, Baby Gars are thought of as exemplifying the beauty and speed of Gar Wood boats. But in the beginning, they weren’t intended to be production boats. This fascinating article,…
If you aren’t at the Sunnyland Antique Boat Festival this weekend in Mount Dora, Florida, fear not. Here are a few photos to get you excited for the unofficial kickoff to the boating season! For more photos, follow ACBS on social media. Direct links to our social media are at the upper right of this…
ACBS Education Committee Report Neil Satterly – Chair ACBS Education Formal instruction for restoring your runabout is coming and you have an opportunity to participate with early enrollment. Earlier this month the ACBS formally partnered with the International Yacht Restoration School of Technology & Trades (IYRS) in Newport, Rhode Island for a new pilot…
The ACBS Membership Committee is hosting a workshop called Increasing the Value of your Memberships, Strategies to improve your chapter’s member retention rate Save the date: Thursday, April 16, 2026 @ 7:00 p.m. ET Whether your chapter is large, small, or somewhere in between, membership retention is one of your most important concerns. Responsibility for membership…