Sandpoint, Idaho Boat Show: Silver Wake Celebration

By Barry Provorse, Inland Empire Antique & Classic Boat Society

Sandpoint, Idaho and the Inland Empire chapter of ACBS celebrated its Silver Wake Celebration, the 25th showing of antique and classic boats on the city’s boardwalk during the sunny weekend of July 11 through 13th.

Boats in the show were a good representation of Lake Pend Oreille and beyond. A number came from surrounding lakes, and several beautiful boats travelled all the way from McCall, Idaho, on Payette Lake, 320-miles to the south.

Friday evening, after getting their boats tucked in along the boardwalk, show attendees made their way to the Welcome Aboard gathering. This year’s feast was tastefully catered by local Sandpoint bistro Marigold and hosted in the grand atrium of the Sandpoint Center.

Saturday, July 12th began as a brilliant, blue-sky day with all 44 boats gleaming in the morning sun along the Sand Creek waterway. Among them was a special collection of six StanCrafts representing over 80 years of boatbuilding. The newly restored 20-foot Marjorie was originally designed and built by Sid Young and his father W.H. “Billy” Young in their Flathead Lake shop in 1935. At the other end of the spectrum was the shadowy 2016, 36-foot Darkside which is clearly the wood boat of choice for Darth Vadar, though we did not see him on the dock. The StanCraft boats are part of a growing collection shown by chapter member Carlo Ferreira.

Saturday evening’s Award Dinner was attended by 68 sunbaked members. The fare was prepared and presented by local food legend Ivano’s and hosted at Sandpoint’s Heartwood Center. Event setup for both dinners was organized by Petyr & Karin Beck and Billy & Sheila Schaich, who were very appreciative of club members who helped as needed.

That evening featured two awards and the presentation of a heartfelt remembrance. The coveted Skippers’ Choice Award selected by the chapter’s boat owners was a nod to perfection presented to Michael Cavalier and Kiane Pryce for their careful restoration of Payette Forward, a 1946 19-foot GarWood Deluxe Utility.

The other award was to a boat selected by the hundreds of boat show attendees, the People’s Choice Award. It was presented to David and Mimi Taylor for their lovingly rebuilt Most Beautiful Queen. The 16-foot Poulsbo dory was powered by a 1940, four-horse Briggs & Stratton engine and spends most of her time on nearby Cocolalla Creek.

A brief moment of silence was held in remembrance of the late Don Robson, a gifted leader who graced ACBS International, the Inland Empire Chapter, and his community with his many talents and energy. In recognition of Robson’s service to the chapter, Bob Henshaw and a group of motivated craftsmen designed and constructed a wood and chrome bench styled on Don’s favorite boat, a 1956 21-foot Century Coronado aptly named Wild Horses. Bob Jackson did the metal work. The work was presented to Don’s wife Emily. Don will be remembered as a bright light who shined on the Inland Empire chapter and his Sandpoint community. The Robson’s Century Wild Horses, a recent Skippers’ Choice Award winner, sat proudly on the boardwalk during the show, handled this year by next generation Robsons, Jarrett and Brooke.

The show ended as it began, under a clear blue sky with a calm morning boat ride downriver to Dover, where chapter members were greeted with coffee and a full breakfast buffet on the waterfront courtyard at Dish at Dover Bay. After fueling up their bodies and boats, show attendees headed out in groups and on their own to explore the calm Sunday morning water of Lake Pend Oreille.

For show chair Jan Keener, it marked a significant accomplishment and the satisfaction of knowing the chapter’s 25th anniversary show was an unmitigated success. Many thanks to all the IEACBS members who made the show possible, especially those of you who organized and managed the dock assignments, assisted at the boat launch and at the ship’s store, and pitched in with so many other details that made the show possible.

Interested in participating in future Inland Empire ACBS Chapter events? Check out their webpage for information on joining ACBS.