By Brian Thalhammer
Wooden boat restoration is one of those niche pursuits that, once discovered, tends to become a lasting fixation. Those familiar with it know that with two hands, abundant ambition and some extra project space, a unique opportunity exists to navigate sculpted lumber back into the shimmering expanse once admired from shore.
Mecum Auctions presents a direct path to that rare opportunity with The American Wooden Boat Restoration Collection: Boats, Trailers & Parts—an extensive offering of classic watercraft eager to crown a new captain. Offered via Mecum’s On Time® platform from May 8 to June 11-13, the collection well reflects the rich breadth of wood boatbuilding and the growing significance of preservation within the hobby.
From an Earlier Harbor
The boats within this assemblage span decades of design evolution, from the restrained elegance of prewar craftsmanship to the more expressive styling of the postwar era. A standout example is the 1928 Chris-Craft 24’ Triple Cockpit, a configuration that helped define early pleasure boating in America. Triple cockpits were designed for social use, accommodating multiple passengers while maintaining harmonious performance. Wearing engine model “K” and Serial No. 22087, this is one of those tide cutters that tended to be owned by affluent boaters who valued both craftsmanship and the growing leisure culture surrounding inland waterways.
Born just a few years later, the 1935 Fitzgerald & Lee presents something altogether more obscure. With its rare V-drive arrangement awaiting a new powerplant, the forward-cockpit design stands as an excellent candidate for a thorough restoration. Reflecting a less common approach to performance design, its mahogany hull alone is enough to turn heads among collectors seeking something outside the norm.
’50s Projects with Purpose
While a few boats in the collection approach show-anticipatory condition, the majority are promising projects, and that is precisely where the exhilaration lies. The 1956 Chris-Craft 23’ Continental is a prime example. With its hardtop, complete MCL engine and largely intact hardware, it offers a strong foundation for a proper restoration. Boats like the Continental were among Chris-Craft’s more genteel offerings in the mid-1950s, integrating performance with a level of comfort that appealed to a burgeoning class of recreational boaters.
For those seeking a slightly more approachable launching point, the 1957 Chris-Craft 19’ Capri—fittingly named “Just-Right” —is reported to be a functional “daily driver” with an operational KFL engine winterized in 2013. Capris of this era were designed to be sporty, responsive and accessible, making them a popular springboard into wooden boating both then and today.
At the other end of the wharf, the 1952 Chris-Craft 19’ Racing Runabout invites a hands-on approach—ideal for those who prefer shaping a project from its earliest stages. With its interior now vacated and some detail work already underway, it represents an opportunity for a deeply involved restoration.
Distinctive and Rare Offerings
Part of what makes this collection especially compelling is the inclusion of lesser-seen or regionally significant boats. The 1948 Ventnor 20’ Double-Cockpit Runabout hovers firmly in that category. Originally built in New Jersey and configured as a race boat, it represents a smaller, more specialized builder operating outside the more familiar brand names. Its missing wing—an abnormal detail, given that many were originally delivered with one—adds another layer of intrigue for those acquainted with the Ventnor marque. While a smaller producer, Ventnor was nevertheless a premier builder of high-speed racing boats that claimed victories in events such as the APBA Gold Cup in 1939 and 1941.
Equally interesting is the 1948 Higgins 19’ Runabout Deluxe, a boat tied to a company well known for its military contributions during World War II. Higgins Industries played a pivotal role in wartime production, most notably with landing craft, before transitioning that expertise into recreational boats. Powered by a Chrysler Marine S M7 8-cylinder engine, show-deserving examples like “Splish Splash” offer a direct link to that unique chapter in American manufacturing, further echoing those roots with its red, white and blue presentation.
The Transition to Modern Utility
By the early 1960s, wooden boats were evolving to meet new demands—particularly in water sports and family use. The 1962 Chris-Craft 17’ Cavalier Custom mirrors that growth. Designed as a practical “towboat, ” the Cavalier balances durability with performance, powered by a 283 CI V-8 that was a staple of the era. Similarly, the 1963 Chris-Craft 17’ Ski Jet reflects early experimentation with jet propulsion in recreational boating, as some builders explored alternatives to traditional propeller-driven designs during this period.
The 1964 Chris-Craft 20’ SuperSport known as “Gail Ann II” sits at the intersection of style and function. With its white and teal interior and classic mahogany lines, it embodies the visual language of midcentury boating—though, like many in this collection, it awaits the careful attention required to return it to its true form and intention.
Complementing the boats themselves are valuable assets essential to the restoration process, such as Phoenix bunk trailers—commonly paired with Chris-Craft Capri and Racing Runabout configurations—along with a group of original cradles, dollies and an authentic Chris-Craft shipping cart bearing period markings. These pieces aid transport while also reinforcing the authenticity of a comprehensive wooden boat rehabilitation.
Embracing an Opportunity to Embark
Many of these offerings are, without question, boats in need of nurturing—but to the right audience, that’s precisely the point. Each represents an opportunity to learn, build, preserve and take part in an age-old tradition that values craftsmanship as much as the finished product.
For those who have considered tackling a wooden boat restoration—or adding another icon to the fleet—The American Wooden Boat Restoration Collection presents a rare and meaningful place to begin.
After all, the most rewarding days on the water are often spent aboard boats brought back to life by the hands of their very own loyal captain.