BREAKING SAD NEWS. Antique Boat Shop Burns Down! UPDATE/Sunday

According to the Antique Boat Shop’s facebook page, Fellow Woody Boater Jeff Funks Antique Boat Shop burned Saturday..today. Morning. Here is the quote from Jeff.

“Disaster! Saturday morning around 4am Jan and I were awakened by a policeman who informed us the shop was on fire. By the time we arrived the building had collapsed, and everything was gone. Everything. Eight boats were lost, as was all our equipment. A complete loss. We were, and are heartbroken…as are our clients and friends for us. Probably an electrical short according to the FD. Now we have to rebuild. Changes are coming, so please bear with us as we recover from this loss. It may be awhile before you see posts. Cross your fingers for us as we work to get back on track.”

We wish and hope Jeff the best and if there is anything we can do, this is the time for the community to come together. We will update as we know more. You can visit The Antique Boat Shops Website here

Below is the news story on the subject from WANE.com channel 15

UPDATE!

We did email back and forth with Jeff last night, and he was well insured so that part is a good thing, and a sober reminder that to make sure your insurance is all paid up. We keep telling folks, almost half of all claims happen over the winter. Jeff is a great guy and has a great business. We are keeping this story up today so folks know whats going on.

35 replies
  1. Rick
    Rick says:

    That’s horrible. My heart goes out to them. If Katz’s can recover so and they. Best of luck with the rebuild.

    • Rick
      Rick says:

      Should have added very happy nobody was physically harmed. Emotionally I understand the loss of a business as it happened to me a little over 2 years ago. We rebuilt better. Good luck.

  2. Phil Little
    Phil Little says:

    So very sad. I hope all my antique & classic boat owner and restorer friends, whether amateur or professional, will see this as a cautionary tale and assure that their facilities are safe. Insurance is, of course, vital. But when an antique boat is destroyed, it can’t be as easily replaced as a Tupperware boat.

  3. Pete DeVito
    Pete DeVito says:

    Jeff,
    I am so sorry to hear about the fire. Thank goodness no one was hurt and we know you will come back strong.
    All the best!

  4. Jeff Rogers
    Jeff Rogers says:

    So sorry to hear, Jeff. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Looking forward to the better-than-ever ABS down the road!

  5. Mark in Ohio (sometimes da U.P.)
    Mark in Ohio (sometimes da U.P.) says:

    So sad to hear Jeff. That has to be terrible. Thank God thee were no injuries. You will be in our thoughts an prayers.

  6. Dave Shepler
    Dave Shepler says:

    So sorry to hear about the fire Jeff. Let me know if I can help in anyway.
    Sure glad I went snowmobiling instead of bringing you Mom’s Mink to your place last week.
    Glad to hear no one was hurt. I’m sure you will rebuild better than before.

  7. Donald R. Hardy
    Donald R. Hardy says:

    We at McCall Boat Works feel for you Jeff. All of our worst fears , to loose the shop to a fire. We will donate any of our Grey boats to you if they match the models burned up. Your’s for free if it helps. I am going to stop complaining about my Insurance payments, from here out.

  8. Rob Lyons
    Rob Lyons says:

    Jeff and Jan,

    All of us at the Antique Boat Center extend our thoughts and prayers to all the friends and family of the Antique Boat Shop. Please don’t hesitate to reach out should you need ANYTHING!

    The Hobby will be there for you.

  9. Jeff Funk - Antique Boat Shop
    Jeff Funk - Antique Boat Shop says:

    I can’t begin to convey how much everyone’s kind and thoughtful words mean to Jan & me. The many offers to assist us in any way possible has only reaffirmed my faith in the ‘basic goodness’ of people …especially those in this wonderful community of classic boating. I can’t deny we’re both a little numb and depressed at the moment, but be assured Monday we begin the process of rebuilding. Stay tuned…the next and exciting chapter in our lives is just beginning.

    • Tim Robinson
      Tim Robinson says:

      Jeff,

      As a retired Fire Captain and fellow boat restorer my heart goes out to you. I have seen this happen way to many times. Trust me when I say the Firefighters feel your pain too.

      I know you will rebuild better than ever and you can set up to make your operation moor efficient and safe.

      This happened to a good friend a few years ago and the lesson he learned was to take pictures (your shop and equipment). It is hard to remember everything when you are making your claim.

    • Matt
      Matt says:

      Jeff, I think Don Hardy’s offer is amazing. What boats do you need? I am sure there are enough Unrestored boats out here to replace what was in there to at least have a base.

    • Bill Hirschey
      Bill Hirschey says:

      Jeff and Jan,
      Very sorry to hear the bad news. I wish you the best getting things up and going again.
      Best Regards,
      Bill

  10. RH in Indy
    RH in Indy says:

    An indianapolis boat storage facility burned last week. 75 boats lost. Don’t know how many classics but a bad day for all involved.

  11. Wilson
    Wilson says:

    There are only so many way to express sorrow and concern. I think they’ve all been said and I echo them all. Losing an antique boat is like losing a good friend. My deepest sympathies.

  12. Ron Y.
    Ron Y. says:

    We are all so sorry to hear of the fire Jeff. It is a sad time, but the re-build will be a rewarding experience for us all.

    Condolences, my friend.

  13. Dennis Mykols
    Dennis Mykols says:

    So sorry this happened. Jeff is such a great guy, with such knowledge of the hobby.
    When Ronnie and I lost most of our marina to a tornado, I know somewhat of your pain, and numbness. But as I did, you will dive into the rebuilding process, and it will ease the pain. Call me, if there is anything I can do, I to , am just up the road from you.

  14. Mike Czuprenski
    Mike Czuprenski says:

    Wow, how very sad. While I’ve never met him in person, Jeff’s always helped me out as I’ve tried to learn about vintage wooden craft. Seems like he always found (made) the time to answer my questions in a prompt, polite and professional way. Just want to offer my encouragement to you, Jeff, with sincere and heartfelt hope that next year at this time you’ll be able to look back on this and be able to have a totally different perspective on where your business is at. It’ll no doubt take a lot of hard work but am confident you will design a first class facility and will have all the business you care to have. God bless.

  15. John Lisicich
    John Lisicich says:

    Wow! I am so sorry to hear of the devistating loss. We will keep you in our prayers and know that you will rebuild stronger and better! I only know how we would feel if we were in the same situation. God bless you and all your family!

    We woke up here in Hawaii to a ballistic missle threat yesterday morning. Really puts things in perspective even though we found out 45 minutes later it was a false alarm.

    All the best to you and your family for a speedy recovery from this devistating event.

  16. Big Al
    Big Al says:

    A terrible shame!
    Jeff has always been friendly and helpful to me as a curious “hack” ( MY words, not his) SO sad to hear.
    It is great to hear of the support for a good guy on this forum!

  17. Carla
    Carla says:

    First off, my deepest sympathy goes to Jeff and Jan for their incredible loss; however, we are all most grateful it was just “things” that were destroyed, not “people”. We all truly love our classic boats, but lives were spared. The generosity coming forth within our hobby overwhelms me. I am so proud to be a part of this incredible group of individuals that embrace each other through thick and thin, good and bad…

  18. Troy in ANE
    Troy in ANE says:

    Dang! I have been off line for a couple of days and come back to this.

    So truly thankful that none was hurt in this disaster.

    Hang in there Jeff and Jan.

  19. Dunc
    Dunc says:

    Jeff / Jan,

    My heart goes out to you two! I looks like you, who have given so much to the hobby, are about to see just what a family we are.

    In the end it is people not things. So happy you two and your staff are all right.

    Dunc

  20. JAG
    JAG says:

    Jeff,
    I’m just 65 miles away so if you need help with anything just call me, you have my number.
    John Gambill

  21. Bobby Gibson
    Bobby Gibson says:

    Jeff, again so sorry about your loss. If there is anything I can do, please do not hesitate to give me a call! Thoughts and prayers are with you!
    Your Friend,
    Bobby Gibson

  22. Dick Hansen
    Dick Hansen says:

    I’m a little bit late to this discussion however, I hope I can contribute to this conversation. I hope you have good insurance coverage. Because your business is somewhat complicated it calls for an insurance professional who is very knowledgeable in this particular line of business as well as an insurer who is conversant with the specific needs you have. Another consideration is the loss control capabilities of your insurer. When you rebuild, unless your agent is able to perform the analysis, you might consider engaging a professional risk management firm.
    I am not assuming you and your agent/insurer have not covered all these bases, hopefully they have and you will emerge from this disaster in good shape. Best of luck.

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