In the early 1980s, a group of vintage boat owners living on one of Michigan’s many pristine bodies of water in the Grand Traverse region organized the Long Lake Wooden Boat Club. Gradually, they became aware of an international organization called The Antique and Classic Boat Society; from this awareness would come the Water Wonderland Chapter, which now ranks as one of the largest and most active chapters in the ACBS.
The first official meeting of the Water Wonderland Chapter was held on June 8, 1987, in Traverse City, Michigan, and an ACBS charter followed shortly after that. Water Wonderland became the twenty-ninth chapter of the ACBS!
Michigan has a storied past with its many boat manufacturers such as Chris Craft, Gar
Wood, Century, Hacker Craft and a host of other notable boat builders. Because of all these builders feeding the demands of a nation of boaters in the early 20th century, we are truly located in the state “where it all began”. This creates a perfect atmosphere for interest and enthusiasm for our hobby to flourish and our chapter does all it can to maintain that energy.
Our members hail from throughout the state and the Midwest, predominantly from the western half of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This extremely large geographic area allows us to plan activities in many different and varied locations for our members.
Each February we are invited to display up to ten boats at the Grand Rapids Boat Show. Early on, the show organizers recognized the public appeal of having vintage boats at this “new boat” venue and decided to use our antique and classic boats as part of their advertising and as an added draw for the show. This gives us a chance to promote ACBS, our chapter, and our hobby to the public and to potential new members.
Water Wonderland Show 2017 Youth judging a hydroplane
Early each spring, a scheduled President’s Tour marks the reawakening of the hobby for the year. Sometimes we’ll head to a restoration shop, attend a “how to” seminar, or visit a private boat collection, maritime museum or other nautically related venue.
Throughout the spring and summer, many of our members volunteer to organize weekend rendezvous activities. These are usually one-day events held in various locations around the state. Ten to twenty boats cruising new lakes and waterways is always quite a sight both for those that are participat- ing and, even more, for the admiring spectators on shore.
Boating in a group setting is quite a thrill and guided trips just add to the pleasure and relaxation of the day. The dates and locations vary each year and these events are on our calendar.
Our flagship WWC event each year is the annual Boats on the Boardwalk boat show always held on the first Saturday of August in downtown Traverse City, Michigan, along the Boardman River, which winds its way through the downtown business district.
Boardman Boardwalk, Traverse City in 2017
Many years ago, a boardwalk was constructed along a large expanse of the river, providing the perfect location to display our historic, antique and classic boats. Over the years, the boat show has steadily grown and we now expect up to sixty boats lining the river along the boardwalk. This lineal park setting allows thousands of spectators to enjoy this unique display of watercraft at no charge.
We continue to encourage youth participation at all of our events and especially at the boat show. This includes special awards and supervised hands-on activities. Years from now, when they are active ACBS members and collectors, we hope they will fondly remember their early years with vintage boats, this experience and the WWC/ ACBS.
Following the Boardwalk show, many of our members travel to the Upper Peninsula for a week of terrific boating and other social activities in the Les Cheneaux Islands area of Lake Huron. A WWC Poker Run through the islands is held at the end of the week and finishes at the site chosen for the WWC Picnic. Often, with so many in attendance; any one passing by may easily assume that a boat show was underway.
Although not sponsored directly by the Water Wonderland Chapter, the Les Cheneaux Island’s Wooden Boat Show has become another highlight of summers in the Great Lakes. Located at the marina in the quaint town of Hessel, this show is one of the largest both in the Midwest and in North America, attracting nearly 200 vintage boats. Hessel also happens to be the home of the first Chris-Craft dealership, the E. J. Mertaugh Boat Works, founded in 1926.
Back in 2000, the Water Wonderland Chapter planned and coordinated the ACBS “Mac 2000” Pre-Event Cruise that toured five different lakes over a period of five days in both the Lower and the Upper Peninsula. The WWC also co-sponsored and planned the ACBS “Mac 2000” Annual Meeting held on Mackinac Island. Over 350 people attended that event held at the Grand Hotel and it was also a great success.
Water Wonderland again played hosts to the ACBS International Show in 2010 and in 2023 re-branded for the Vintage Boat Week, a celebration of cruises, tours and great fellowship.
For more information about our chapter, please visit our web site at www.wwcacbs.com.