Nearly thirty years ago a friend offered to sell me his boat. His four children had learned to water ski and were growing too large to all fit in the Silver Bullet. It is a great looking boat and I immediately took him up on his offer. They moved up to a larger boat and…
By Neil Satterly, Adirondack Chapter The Adirondack Chapter’s Adironduck Project began in 1987 with the kit boat donation from ACBS to several chapters. We began construction on the shores of Lake George in September of 2007 at the ACBS Annual Meeting. Now in its 17th year, the Adirondack Chapter has been providing rides at…
By Craig Stanfield, Southwest Chapter Look on the sidewall. There is a DOT code on every sidewall. Look at the last 4 digits (last 3 digits before the year 2000). Woa Nelly, tell me your tires don’t date back to the previous century! Please!!!! Ok, now you are looking at the last 4 digits. The…
By Randy Fletcher, 1000 Islands Chapter Photo credit: Larry Assam Photography It was a beautiful day, warm, windy, and a great day for boating. Heidi and I decided to take Serenity out for a shake down cruise after lunch. We launched in late April, but the rain and cold temps had kept us from going…
Now that your boat is likely tucked away for the season, it’s time for winter maintenance projects. One of the most important things a boat owner can do is ensure their trailers are in good working order. ACBS Member Video resources has a fantastic video on how to inspect and repack trailer bearings. Presented by…
The Former director of the ACBS Lake Hopatcong chapter, Edward J. Seugling, wrote a really informative article for the winter 2007 issue of ACBS Rudder on the 2005 law mandating methyl tertiary-butyl ether, as an additive in gasoline. Worth revisiting, particularly, if one is newer to the antique and classic boat hobby, Ed answered questions…
Currently there are 42 States that require boater safety certificates in the US and 8 that do not, and Canada requires a Pleasure Craft Operator Card in all Canadian provinces and territories. Now some of those 42 States have exceptions for age of the operator or the type of vessel being driven. But more and…
HOW LUCKY DO YOU FEEL? By Bill Nalle, Southwest Chapter Some very intelligent guys have asked me if they really need trailer brakes. A few of my friends have opined that for many years they have no trailer brakes, got along fine on long trips and therefore, see no need for brakes on mid-sized boat…
Salt and brackish water: Just how harmful are they to antique and classic boats? by Judy Hills, Roving ACBS reporter Those ACBS Chapters that put on shows where the water is salty or brackish may have a hard time convincing ACBS boat owners to show their boats in the water because of their fear of the…
Tips from a Recent North Carolina Coastal & Piedmont Chapter Workshop By Judy Hills, North Carolina & Coastal Piedmont Chapter When the North Carolina & Coastal Piedmont Chapter gathers in John Justice’s workshop, AKA The Piglet, you know it will be a good time. It was a rainy day when the Chapter recently got together…
From Margaret Horn, Columbia Willamette Chapter At our annual retreat, we coordinated a demonstration of our inflatable life jackets. This turned out to be a big success for more than one reason. Obviously, it was entertaining to see a bunch of old guys jump in the water, but it also gave us an opportunity to…
Too Often, This Silent Poisoning Happens On Board It is not the pandemic, seasickness, flu, or your lunch. Carbon Monoxide is dangerous. Victims need to find fresh air immediately. This happens on boats more than you think. By Tom Beardsley, Finger Lakes Chapter (This story was originally published in the March 2021 issue of Brightwork.…