Story and photos by Paul Scorza
My wife (and kids) think I am nuts. My “fleet” ranges from 10-14 boats depending on when you catch me. I have loved boats since I was a little kid. Attached is a pic of a 1960 Glasspar, owned by family friends, in 1969 with me riding in it on the Hudson River in Red Hook, NY. I loved boats then as I do now, and boats from that time period hold a special place in my heart. Hence the reason all the boats I buy and restore are from those years of growing up on the river.
My first restoration was when I graduated from college and wanted my own boat. I loved Sea Rays from when we used to visit lake George every summer and the lake was full of them. I found a 1970 Sea Ray, 24ft cuddly full of tomato plants in a field. I bought it and proceeded to restore it over the next 9 months. I used it for a few years and then traded it for a newer boat. We then always had a family boat for the wife and kids.
My next restoration was many years later when my dad passed away and I needed something to keep busy. He loved Chris Crafts, so I figured why not find one that needs restoring and take it from there. I restored a 22ft 1955 Continental which I still have and will always have. I named it after my dad. That boat, John C, is the headline picture above.
Next, I actually found that exact yellow boat in the picture from 1969 rotting away in an owner’s backyard and offered to buy it. I restored it and still have it. That really got me going on finding old boats and bringing them back to life. Sometimes I sell a few of them, but mostly I have my favorites and keep them. They have to be seaworthy and run, as every one of my boats goes out for a cruise at least a few times a year.
I recently added some more to my collection – 2 Lymans and a 1960 Cruisers Inc, 15’.
As you can see, I can’t stop bringing these beauties back to life.
Below is a picture taken on a day when the whole fleet was afloat. It looks like a lot of friends and family having lots of fun!
Paul says, “My favorite thing to do is go out with my wife and take a nice early evening cruise on one of my restored oldies.”
How can you share the story of your boat, or your fleet, or your chapter event?
Email report and pictures to kathyparker@acbs.org …OR
Wow, Either you’ve got the patience of a saint, or you must be an engine guy. I couldn’t even keep two running correctly (1957 Higgins and a 1956 Correct Craft). You must also be spending $10 to $14k a year just to license and insure your fleet!
More power to you.
Hats off to you. I’ve involved in this hobby for good while and know several guys with good sized fleets, only their percentage of “floaters” is significantly lower than yours.
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Above is my 20′ 1956 Chris Craft Continential powered by its original CC MBL engine that I’ve owned for nearly 40 years. I grew up summers at Lake Delavan in Wisconsin where we had a 22′ 1948 Chris Craft Utility , and now at 75, I still can’t get the sound, smell, and all the other wonderful feelings about owning such a beautiful boat out of my system.
My Boat, Larry Lang in Lake Geneva, WI., took totally apart and refitted it with all new needed wood, Silica Bronze Screws, new 5200 hull stem to stern, and so on.
Even a new custom five bunk Eagle Trailer so my baby can enjoy a nice smooth ride when out of the water. LOL!
Congratulations Paul (and your wife as well)!!! You’ve got to be one very happy guy (couple)!
Thanks for the comments! Yes, paying that insurance bill every year is painful…but I certainly need it because they are all floaters and I use every one of them at least twice a summer. I already have my next project ready for this winter.