By Don Brandt, ACBS Member Driving home from a weekend sail on Chesapeake Bay in fall of 1987, I spotted a wooden “runabout” and trailer for sale along the highway. Such boats were scarce in that area and it was my chance to own a “Woodie”. Impulsively, I plunked down my $3000 and trailered my…
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By Alan Hills, North Carolina Coastal & Piedmont Chapter I have owned many boats in my life, both power and sail, but have only owned one boat twice. That would be True Blue, a Carl Alberg designed 26’ Pearson Commander sloop built in 1967. The first round of ownership was a partnership with my friend…
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By Rex and Sue Wangler, Jerry Dyhrkopp Iowa Great Lakes Chapter This 1940 Chris-Craft 17-foot Deluxe Runabout, now owned by Rex & Sue Wangler, was delivered to Monroe, NY on July 12, 1940. Her newest port as of August, 2018 are the fabled and renowned “Blue Waters” of West Okoboji Lake, Iowa. In the similar…
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By Harvey Lambeth Jr., Adirondack Chapter My Dad purchased the “Highlander” in 1954, two years barely used and unnamed. I was 13 and our family was part of a large, extended family who now number near 300. My great grandmother, Lillian Tuttle, was born in 1856, in the town of Bolton on a farm in…
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By David Grooters, ACBS Member In November of 2004, I was at a luncheon table and the conversation went from boats to Whalers specifically. The fella across from me mentioned he had a 15-foot Whaler for sale. Well, I’ve had numerous Whalers, 13-feet, 17-feet, 25-feet and even Squalls but never a 15-foot. I told him…
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By Bill Conley, North Carolina Coastal & Piedmont Chapter Since 1975 I have been building furniture for our house. A large wall unit, a curio cabinet, a grandfather clock, and a couple of bookcases. In 2003, we bought a condo in Beaufort, NC. I still lived and worked in Raleigh, NC, but we started spending…
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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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