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.
For Them, The Boat Was Less Than a Month Old, He Named It… Lily, of course. The boat was a barn find, introduced to the two of them by FLC member Steve White. It was in pretty good shape. Noah was sure he could get it ready in time for the boat show, thinking it only…
On Saturday, August 16, the North Carolina & Coastal Piedmont Chapter of ACBS coordinated a Sea Scouts weekend of camping and leadership education in conjunction with International Vintage Boating Day. Five captains from the NCC&P and the Blue Ridge Chapters brought their four boats to Lake Norman. Rob Weller (NCC&P and BRC Chapter) came with…
The Long Island Chapter of ACBS received its charter in 1981. Officers at the chapter’s founding included organizer Rosemary Reder, Richard Willis, First Vice President, Bob Woodworth, Secretary and Gale Aziano, Treasurer. The Chapter’s newsletter is called Nuts and Boats. The group enjoys scenic cruises up and down the Hudson with stops at Shelter Island…
By Reuben Smith, Adirondack Chapter and owner of Reuben Smith’s Tumblehome Boatshop In traditional boatbuilding and restoration, perhaps no other tools are as critical and as often used as edge tools. We find these to be the most accurate tools in the shop. In some boats, the seams are made tight with wood-to-wood fits, and…
Every summer, Rocky Mountain Classics Chapter’s biggest show of the year brings everyone together for a high-altitude celebration of wood, water, and camaraderie—and Grand Lake never disappoints. With 18 boats in the water and two on land, 2025’s show was their largest yet, full of sunshine, surprises, and stories we’ll be telling for years. A…
The Ohio Valley Chapter of ACBS stretches from Southern Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana. Founded in 1989, the chapter has a common enthusiasm for antique and classic boats and provides an opportunity to exchange information about the history, preservation and restoration of these boats while emphasizing enjoyment on the water and creating camaraderie among…
Each October in South Carolina, Georgetown’s historic waterfront comes alive with sawdust, sea spray, and stories. The Georgetown Wooden Boat Show, now in its 36th year, is more than just a festival—it’s a living showcase of craftsmanship, community, and coastal heritage. On October 18th and 19th, Front Street and the Harborwalk will once again be…
Welcome Aboard! The Buckeye Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society (ACBS) was founded in 1979. It is one of the oldest chapters of the ACBS. Buckeye Lake has a long and rich history of being a play-land and boating destination in central Ohio, a tradition that continues today. This lake has a lot…
The Blackhawk Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society hosted the 39th Annual Fox Lake Antique & Classic In-Water Boat at Famous Freddie’s Roadhouse on Pistakee Lake in Fox Lake, Illinois. The show was originally scheduled for Saturday, July 12th but due to a rainy forecast that day, organizers pivoted to the following Sunday. …
(by Marcus Divita, secretary Rocky Mountain Classics) We’re the Rocky Mountain Classics chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society, serving the geographical region of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico. We’ve always known that our passion for historic boats isn’t just about preserving the past—it’s about inspiring the future. That’s why, starting in 2021,…
The Northwest corner of Montana has a long and proud tradition in wood boating. Beginning at the end of the 18th century, mighty wood steam ships plied the waters of Flathead Lake, delivering goods and services and providing the quickest form of transportation around the 29-mile-long Flathead Lake. Recreational boating followed with fisherman and boat racing. The…
By Tom Flood, Michigan & Sunnyland Chapters John Hacker’s primary interest was in designing and building wooden boats. John was born in 1877 in Detroit, Michigan. He spent his boyhood days in Detroit, where he roamed the many boat yards in his spare time analyzing the design of the wooden craft of that era. His…