Smith Mountain Lake Fall Cruise

By John Coffman

A beautiful, albeit chilly day for a boat cruise on Smith Mountain Lake.

On Saturday, October 11, 2025, four boats and a brave band of nine humans (plus one canine with an impressive résumé as boat club security) launched the SML-ACBS boat club for the annual fall cruise. Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia is often called the “Lake Tahoe of the East,” and in 1991, it even stood in for Lake Winnipesaukee in the movie “What About Bob?” If you looked closely enough, you might imagine spotting Bill Murray waving from the shore.

John and Caille

We set sail in style aboard Made in the Shade, a 1948 Chris-Craft Custom Sedan 22 so classic, it makes avocado green appliances jealous. Our thirty-two-mile round trip was fueled by a hearty lunch awaiting us at the halfway point—and the promise of not having to paddle back. The morning was cool and breezy, which, in boat language, meant everyone was secretly jealous of the dog’s fur coat.

Starting the 130 hp Hercules engine took a little extra love—a few gentle words, a firm pull of the choke, and possibly a bribe involving higher octane fuel. After a triumphant growl (from the engine, not the dog), we aimed for the rendezvous at the meeting of the Blackwater and Roanoke Rivers. There, a parade of puffy jackets and wool hats revealed everyone’s definition of “boat chic” for crisp autumn mornings.

With waves and greetings exchanged , our flotilla rumbled up the Roanoke River. At the lead was Shady Lady, another 1948 Chris-Craft Custom Sedan 22, piloted by Alan and Jean Frederick. Our boat, also a 1948 Sedan, followed in their illustrious wake. That’s two 1948 Sedans, back-to-back—cue the Twilight Zone theme and a suspicious glance at the calendar.

WoWee

The rest of the flotilla was a colorful cast: WoWEE, a flashy 1998 Vintage Marine channeling its inner Chris-Craft Racer, owned by Bill and Sue Garrecht; Kemosabe, a 1948 Chris Craft 22’ Sportsman helmed by John and Callie Seal; and the sleek 1998 21’ Hallett S210, captained by Wayne and Cora Wagner, who might or might not have been wearing aviator sunglasses.

We reached our lunch stop without sinking, getting lost, or any boat breaking down, though one rebellious Burgee did attempt to make a break for freedom. After wrangling the wayward flag, we paused for a group photo and inhaled some much-needed hot food before heading home, satisfied that both humans and canine had successfully navigated another epic autumn adventure on the pristine waters of Smith Mountain Lake Virginia.