Seven years ago the Mid-Atlantic Chapter began displaying antique & classic boats at the Progressive Atlantic City Boat Show encouraged by our then Vice President, Ed Andrews. It was reported that this year 32,000 people attended and were afforded the opportunity to learn more about the Antique & Classic Boat Society, the Mid-Atlantic Chapter and our events. Even after years of displaying at this show the chapter is still working to improve its presentation. This year’s booth was no exception. Always presenting different boats, this year featured these nine fine examples:
Miss Pennsbury, a 1923 28-foot Morin Triple 100 Runabout:
Mr. Breeze, a 1941 16-foot Century Utility,
Sea Deuce, a 1959 21’ Century Coronado,
Teacher’s Pet a 1960 19-foot Century Resorter,
Never On A Sunday a 1963 18-foot Century Saber,
a 1988 23-foot Glastron/Carlson CVX,
and Booey Screwy & Screwy Booey 2014 8-foot Twin CockTail Class Wooden Boat Racing Association Plywood Outboard Skimmers. The latter are not quite contemporaries, but are based on a 1939 Charles MacGregor design called Skua.
Additionally, new banners graced this year’s welcoming table and QR codes were provided for the boats’ placards. Even though our members always generously volunteer their time to staff our booth, no boat owner can always be present for this show’s 5 days. So each boat’s description, history and several “on water” photographs were available if participants scanned the QR code on each placard. A special thanks to our chapter’s Documentarian, Chris Brown, for contacting each owner, researching and providing this information. Thanks also to the boat owners who agreed to display their beautiful boats and the 23 members, who faithfully staffed our booth.
As in past years, on Saturday & Sunday, the Sea Scouts of Ship 117 joined us. Our chapter proudly supports this educational program and their unit’s activities. So what’s in store for next year ? We’ll have to wait and see.
Where is your next boat show?
Looks very nice! At our Seattle show, we have made a habit of unbolting the trailer winch posts, and covering trailers with blue plastic table cloth material. It is less distractive, and gives more of a uniform appearance. We also remove the wheels from one side, and put them under the wheel on the other side, in effect “tilting” the trailers for better viewing. That early Morin looks quite amazing!
Ron, we did tilt one of the boats this year and it was a hit. I’d love more information on the table cloth material. I’m not sure we could remove all the trailer posts however. When the show ends Sunday evening the show organizers expect us to move out quickly as our booth is the major exit route for the rest of the show. We will certainly discuss it. Thank you for your comments. Ed