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 first powerboat race on Whitefish Lake took place in 1907 leading to the Whitefish Lake Regatta in 1934, which ran continuously for over 60 years. In 1938, the Glacier Boat Company began offering tours on the lakes of Glacier National Park. These historic wooden boats still operate in the Park today. The post-war years and the boom in outdoor recreation found three prominent local boat builders; Stan Craft & Lee Craft on Flathead Lake and Hutchuck Boats on Whitefish Lake, supplying boats to the local sportsman population as well as shipping their boats to other dealers in the region. Boating on the pristine waters of the many lakes in the region continues to grow to this day.

It is upon this historic wood boat foundation that the Big Sky Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society was chartered in 2006. The Big Sky Chapter primarily serves the wooden boat community using the many lakes in the northwest corner of Montana, although we have chapter members from all over the US. Our chapter membership comprises large numbers of seasonal residents, and our boating season is short in NW Montana. But we make the most of it with our Whitefish Lake Woody Weekend, a non-judged show each year that continues to see great ssuccess,attracting members and non-members alike as well as a huge spectator turnout.

 

Our Chapter is dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and enjoyment of antique and classic boats and believes that roaring around in a beautifully restored mahogany or classic fiberglass runabout is among the greatest pleasures of life. You don’t need a boat to enjoy the fellowship of events and on-the-water boating activities.

The Big Sky Chapter of ACBS is also philanthropic, contributing to area environmental and water preservation non-profits.

We invite and encourage you to join us in promoting the preservation and enjoyment of classic boats!