By Chuck and Diane Thornton, Land O’ Lakes Classic Boat Club During the winter of 1956-57, Gene Bartachek saw a Taft Marine Woodcraft kit boat ad in one of his favorite mechanics magazine. He requested their brochure and shortly afterwards ordered the Model 950, 18 ft. Offshore Cruiser. The price was $399 including shipping, minus…
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By Trevor Kemp, France Chapter As a 14-year-old English schoolboy I was fascinated by all things Royal Navy and when I discovered that the Thornycroft company had built a series of 40ft & 50ft torpedo boats known as CMB’s, I thought one would make an interesting model. John Thornycroft were pioneers in stepped hull record-breakers…
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By Dev Fraser, Okanagan Chapter I have been messing around with boats for as long as I can remember, as there were always boats in my life with family and friends owning and actively using them. This story explains how I came to own the “Shepherd”, a 1954 27-foot cruiser. It was built by Shepherd…
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The SML Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society recently presented a donation to the “Landing Love Project”. Pictured (L-R) above is Tiffany Silva from the Landings Restaurant and Chapter President Dave Olson. The “Love Project” was started 8 months ago to address the community’s need for meals to those with food insecurity during…
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by Joseph McCarthy member of the Southern New England chapter I have to admit that over the years , I have owned many boats. Perhaps one or two may survive today. “CAPER” is the most unique boat I have ever owned and has been a big part of our lives since we purchased her three…
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by Sami Al Jallad member of ACBS I’m pleased to share with you a bit of history about our 1973 47’ flush-deck Cabin Cruiser that was built by Stephens Brothers Marine in Stockton California (HIN #541923). She is a mahogany plank over white oak ribbed v-type hull that contains three staterooms, five bunks, two heads…
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“READING THE TEA LEAVES” On Wednesday Dec 9, 2020, The Sunnyland Board of Directors had to make one of the hardest decisions and that was to cancel the Sunnyland Antique Boat Festival for 2021. The decision was predicated on numerous factors and it was very painful to have to cancel the event. Looking ahead to…
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by Rob Bruce member of the Columbia Willamette chapter Dream Weaver a ‘62 37’ Constellation Tri Cabin w/ Doghouse has lived a rather colorful life. She has lived her entire life just miles from where she was originally sold, in Portland Oregon. She has a history that needs to be told. For the past 45+…
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by Jim Alexander member of the NC Coastal & Piedmont chapter As a kid growing up in NE Pennsylvania we had plenty of outdoor time and lots of swimming in local creeks. Not so much lake time, as the lakes were too far away for biking. However, my parents had two friends with lake houses…
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by David McDonald member of the Manotick chapter For a number of years, I had been casually looking at ads for wooden boats. I worked in the forest industry, I live in a log house and I appreciate wood furniture. It only seemed natural that I have a wooden boat. In the summer of 2017,…
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by Jay Wilmeth member of ACBS Saw an ad for this beautiful nineteen-footer for sale in up-state New York. I already had two Lyman runabouts in storage in central Pennsylvania, but this one had it all! Late ‘50s model, recently re-furbished in and out, a Ford Crusader V-8, new canvas, gorgeous brightwork , and a…
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by Karl Hoffman member of the Pacific Northwest chapter My first ACBS event was the Seattle opening day of boating 1983 with our newly purchased 16 ft. Century Resorter which is still in our family. My next project was a 55 Century Coronado which took me 8 years to complete. Then came the 1941 34…
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