Browse news articles, stories and media for the the Antique & Classic Boat Society; including photographs and stories related to ACBS International and it’s chapters.
by Mitch & Tracy Johnson, Inland Empire chapter My father was born on August 1st, 1926 on Whidbey Island, Washington. Growing up on the island, fishing and boating in Puget Sound was his love since childhood. On my Dad’s birthday in 1967 he factory ordered his new 20’ Thompson Offshore that we still have today.…
Above is a Circa 1995 “Buffalo Mini Boat” actually manufactured in Buffalo, New York. It was advertised in Motor Boat Magazine with two adult women and was said to easily navigate the “Ice Bergs” in Buffalo. Owned by Ed Dominiak of the Niagara Frontier Chapter, she is powered by a 2hp Evinrude and is said…
by Tom & Diane Emling, Water Wonderland chapter Our Gar Wood Speedster Loon Magic is a 2001 exact re-creation of the original 1935 gentleman’s racer. Loon Magic comes to current owners and ACBS Water Wonderland chapter members Tom and Diane Emling – filled with lots family stories, fond remembrances, and a fascinating folklore of growing…
By Judy Hills, North Carolina Coastal & Piedmont Chapter Our ACBS Chapter (North Carolina Coastal and Piedmont) partnered with Blackbeard Sailing Club (BSC) and the Edward Teach Youth Sailing Association (ETYSA) to host a low-key boat show at the BSC facility in Fairfield Harbour, New Bern, NC on Saturday July 17th between 10 AM and…
Leading the Tuesday Tour of Classic Boats this week is a 1966 Larson 166 All American with 110hp Mercruiser. Her name is Ei8ht Again! because my parents bought it new when I was 8 years old in Independence, Missouri. We’ve owned the boat its entire life. The boat is all original and we relaunched her…
By Greg Evers, New England Chapter The 1966 Century Resorter 17-foot is one of 129 Resorter 17’s built in 1966. She spent her entire life in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. The boat was originally sold by Channel Marine on Lake Winnipesaukee. It was then purchased used in 1970 by my wife Jessie’s father,…
By Leslie W. Rue, ACBS President 1994 ACBS and the entire antique and classic boating world lost an unforgettable and valued member with the passing of Dr. Robert J. Johnson on July 1st of this year. Bob was also affectionally known as “Big Bob”, “The Tipster” or “Tippy”. The “Big Bob” came from Bob’s rotund…
This week’s Tuesday Tour of Classic Boats is led by a 1978 Chris Craft 19-foot Lancer named Wise Choice. Wise Choice is owned by Bill Wise, a member of the North Coast Ohio Chapter. Home Again was built in 1932 by Chris Craft. She is a “300” model 15.5-feet long. The name Home Again makes you wonder…
By Daniel Teetor, Michigan chapter Roaring 20’s is a 1929, 28-foot Chris-Craft Model 17 Custom Runabout with the stylish double-upswept deck. The triple-cockpit models represent the top of the line Chris-Craft prewar runabouts and relatively few of these are seen today. This model features the unique torque compensating aft bottom surface. Approximately 6 feet from…
By Ken Gimble, Inland Empire chapter ROBUSTO – Name is a series of Cigar shape related boat names owned by a group of us here in North Idaho. 1960 Chris Craft 23-foot Sea Skiff Ranger – One of 51 Sea Skiff Hulls for 1960 and a fewer number of Ranger finished craft. This option included…
Juel is a very rare 1928 22-foot W. J. Dowsett launch powered by a 1935 4cyl 60 HP Kermath Sea Lion engine. She was built in Portland, Ontario, and has spent her entire life on Big Rideau Lake. She is currently owned by Bob Sneyd of Grand Isle, Big Rideau Lake. Photo was taken by…
By Dan Gyoerkoe, Executive Director for ACBS I learned early on members of ACBS are always more than happy to help, i.e. launching a boat, docking a boat, diagnosing an engine issue, etc. Last fall my wife accepted a new job and we relocated to an area 2.5 hours away from the ACBS headquarters (Clayton,…