Found Footage – Lake Hopatcong NJ 1933

Yo youz all!

Man, Oh Manischewitz, the good folks at the Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum, got a whopper of a donation. Thanks to fellow WoodyBoater Bob “have I got a calendar for you” Kays we get to view it like it was shot yesterday.

Hats!

Boats, boats and boats in a very familiar setting

Which in a global type thought it was. i mean 85 years in the universe isn’t even a blink, so in a way, we are breaking news and it was just filmed…

okay, ya.. I was never that good at physics either. I am shocked I could spell it right. That’s right, right? Anyway, enough blabber, without further “time” here we are.

Wonderful waves

Actually it’s quite timeless, I mean I have been in those same shots at times… What? Get on with the film? Really? Dang, you know you can just skip reading this and save some time reading this and watch.

Families

Still readying? Why? Good god man, watch the dam film. And tell us what the boats are. We do know some of this was filmed near Barns Brothers Marina which is still a dealer and Marina on the lake. And of course Katzs Marina who is a newer marina that supports the classic boat culture on the lake since the early 1970’s. Okay okay, Jeeezzzzz!

21 replies
  1. John Rothert
    John Rothert says:

    priceless! A time capsule.

    I am Going Boating today……first relaunch of the 61 Whirlwind.

    John in Va.

  2. Verne
    Verne says:

    Lake Hopatcong has special memories for me because my family vacationed there every year from about ’61 to ’67. It was very much a part of my growing up. I got to know every inch of the lake, from the north end (full of weeds) down to Bertrams Island and below. Many, many memories.
    Once in a while, I’d get a glimpse of a very old woman in a fine dress and parasol in the back of a CC being driven by her chauffer in uniform and cap. That was a time when the lake was changing from “old money” to “new money”.

        • Matt
          Matt says:

          Dam Verne we have standards here. Somewhere around here are some standards. I will find them soon. I think I left them in a box someplace.

  3. floyd r turbo
    floyd r turbo says:

    Looks like a 28′ GarWood triple at 0:38 and the same boat at 2:26. And at 1:23 – 1:48 and 2:20 a Dodge split cockpit (double) early ’30-’31 vintage? and a CC flat deck triple at 2:48 not sure if its a 24′ or 26′ about 1927-29 vintage. Wonder what video technology enhancement could do for it.

  4. Al Schinnerer
    Al Schinnerer says:

    The first boat in the movie looks like a rare 28′ Dodge. Check the waterline at the bow, the sea nymph on the bow and the windshields.

  5. Watercar Martini
    Watercar Martini says:

    Interesting Video, awesome find – Like Al mentions the primary boat in the video is a rare Dodge triple cockpit. What is interesting is that on the 28′ there was a wide bridge-deck between the first and second cockpit which I cannot see in later shots. The smaller triples did not have this bridge deck. The port and starboard side lights mounted adjacent to the front windshields are present and were standard on the 28’s. The 28′ also had a front “hatch” for storage purposes which is not on this boat from what I can tell. The bridge deck is the most significant identifier so I cannot really tell 100% if this was a 25′ 25’1/1/2 or a 28′. For more information and photos of many of the Dodge Boat models check out my gallery at https://www.thatoldboat.com/DodgeBoats

  6. Dean
    Dean says:

    Would love to find some footage or photos of 1929 24′ CC “Hobo” that plied the waters of Lake Hopatcong for 75 years. Hobo is alive and well and living in Montana.

  7. Watercar Martini
    Watercar Martini says:

    After discussing this with Al in greater depth we both identify the boat as a 28′ Dodge. As Al pointed out only the 28-1/2′ boats had the sidelights mounted at the sides of forward windshield. I verified this against the 1930 and 1931 catalog also. Al went on to state that the separate red and green navigation lights were required on boats over 26′ at that time. Smaller boats solely relied on the combination bow light/lifting ring. BTW the photo I posted last was one I took of Hal Orchard and his 28′ Dodge at Obexers in Tahoe a few years back. The photo below is an excerpt of the 28′ Dodge as shown in the 1931 catalog. Enjoy

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