THE GULL LAKE CLASSIC at BAR HARBOR SUPPER CLUB – Part 2

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WELCOME TO PART 2 OF THE ANNUAL GULL LAKE CLASSIC at BAR HARBOR SUPPER CLUB show in Minnesota, presented by the Land O’Lakes Classic Boat Club.

Today’s show report, with photos by fellow Woody Boater Dane Anderson, starts off with a BANG with some action shots of “Baby Horace III” a one-of-a-kind 1923 24′ Sweepstakes Racer from the Lee & Penny Anderson Collection.

“Baby Horace III” was built in 1923 by the Horace E. Dodge Boat Works in Detroit, MI. As a contender for the grueling 150 Mile International Sweepstakes Race to be run on the Detroit River in 1924.  For the 1924 Sweepstakes race it was powered by a 500HP Packard V-12 1M-1242 race engine.

Meet Steve Lively (at the helm), an extremely talented man who is responsible for keeping the massive Lee Anderson boat collection running and operating smoothly. Dane & I met Steve at Lee Anderson’s Nisswa, MN home a few years back. We went down to the docks where at least 8 antique wooden boats were located, all with vintage engines. Steve fired each one up as we walked down the dock and they all ran perfectly. Simply amazing.

Meet Kathy Muller (in the co-pilot seat), from Muller Boatworks Inc in Sunapee, New Hampshire where she works with her husband Bo Muller to produce some of the best wooden boat restorations in the country – including some recent restorations for boat show host John Allen.

Steve offered to take Kathy for a low level Fly-By in “Baby Horace III” and Dane was able to capture the fun.

I have been fortunate to go on a few Fly-By runs with Steve Lively over the years and they were always great fun, as Steve knows these old boats well.

The 97 year-old Sweepstakes Racer digs a hole in Gull Lake as Steve brings “Baby Horace III” up to speed.

Hang on Kathy!

With that aft cockpit, there’s about 22 feet of wooden deck out front as Steve gets Baby Horace on plane.

That was a fun ride even for us. Imagine racing down the Detroit River for 150 miles in that boat with a 500 HP Packard V-12 back in the day?

There were three 1930 30′ Hackercraft triples at the show this year, which all live in the Gull Lake area. Here are two of the big 30/30 Hackers.

Brian Mark with “Charismatic” an immaculate 30/30 Hackercraft powered by a Sterling Petrel 200 HP 6 – which lives on Gull Lake.

John Allen’s 30/30 Hackercraft “Rebecca Paige” which also lives on Gull Lake. She is powered by a vintage Scripps V-12.

“Runaway Jane” is a 27′ Chris-Craft Triple presented by wooden boat restorer Doug Morin from Michigan.

Rush Hour at the Bar Harbor Supper Club.

A perfect 1949 Chris-Craft Deluxe Runabout “Just Swell” presented by Tom & Mindy Clark.

“Pocahontas” is a beautiful Canadian built 1955 26′ Greavette Streamliner from the John Allen collection at Fort Mahogany on Gull Lake.

Also from the John Allen Collection at Fort Mahogany is “Mowitza II” a rare 1928 Ditchburn Stepped Hull Viking.

Today’s header shot was a very nice, early 1946 Chris-Craft 20′ Custom Runabout presented by Debra Flam & Don Hales.

Bob Herrboldt and crew in his cool 1950 Century 18′ Seamaid.

It’s always great to see a classic 1955 Century Coronado on the water. This one is owned by Roger Miller (not the singer).

A nicely restored 1956 Chris-Craft Sportsman owned by Alan & Barb Lindquist “Blue Heron”.

And last but certainly not least is one of the most popular antique wooden boats on the boat show circuit this year, “Miss Algonac” a super rare 1922 26′ Rear-Drive Runabout built by Chris-Smith & Sons Boat Company in Algonac, Michigan.

Dane had a tough time getting a clean shot of “Miss Algonac” as she was nestled in the dock with her friends.

Ever aspect of this restoration is simply remarkable, the original dash board was hidden away for many years. Now it’s perfect after the restoration as she approaches her 100th birthday.

This stunning boat is owned by John & Rebecca Allen and the extensive restoration was recently completed by Kathy & Bo Muller at Muller Boatworks in New Hampshire.

Kathy Muller on board “Miss Algonac”.

During the restoration, Kathy Muller did some extensive research on “Miss Algonac” and the almost 100 year old Chris Smith connection to the boat. Kathy prepared some documentation in a flyer to share with spectators outlining her research, and Dane Anderson scanned a copy of the information for our viewers to enjoy today. This boat has quite a history.

If you have any questions regarding “Miss Algonac” please post them in the comment section and Kathy will do her best to respond.

As the Mahogany & Chrome Video Production Crew (above) heads out on Gull Lake to capture the show boats, that’s a wrap for our report from the Gull Lake Classic at Bar Harbor Supper Club.

Boat show host John Allen on board his 1955 Chris-Craft 18′ Cobra. John is a huge supporter of the antique & classic boat hobby, and appreciates everyone coming out to the show this year, including the many volunteers and sponsors.

Once again we would like to take an opportunity to thank the Allen family and the staff at the Bar Harbor Supper Club for their hard work and energy, the Land O’Lakes Classic Boat Club, and Dave Bortner from Freedom Boat Service for bringing it all together. – Texx

Here is a list of sponsors for this years show, please support the sponsors who support the hobby. Bar Harbor Supper Club, Nor-Son Custom Builders, Freedom Boat Service, Hagerty Marine Insurance, Zorbaz, Midwest Boat Appeal, Nisswa Marine & Rudder USA. We appreciate their investment in, and support of, our efforts and look forward to seeing you there!

14 replies
  1. ian smith
    ian smith says:

    John Allen and Lee Anderson have done so much for the preservation of wooden boats ; but more importantly they drive and share their passion to inspire new people to purchase and restore the dreams of yesterday; Thank you to both

  2. Greg Lewandowski
    Greg Lewandowski says:

    Wow, what a finale!
    I have to get to Gull Lake for one of these fantastic events. Thank you Texx, Dane and all involved for the great report.
    Kathy’s story about Miss Algonac is one of the best I have ever read, and lastly, how can I get to know Steve Lively?

  3. Mike Sufka
    Mike Sufka says:

    Hard to put into words just how incredible John and Lee’s collections are and to see a dozen or so that each brought, parked on the docks at Bar Harbor is truly spectacular.

    Dane your pictures are fantastic as always.

    See ya next year. Thanks again.

  4. Frank@Falmouth
    Frank@Falmouth says:

    “Baby Horace III” ? Was expecting a boat named “DIM II”
    🙂

    Just incredible boats and venue. and so happy to see PEOPLE and BOATS..

    Escaped the wrath of Ida here in Fredericksburg VA and my place down on the Patuxent River in MD, My prayers go out to those not so lucky….

  5. Ron in Seattle
    Ron in Seattle says:

    Matt, thanks for two days of bringing together some great inspirational people, Lee, John, Dave, Kathy, Dane, of course Texx, and others who all helped to present the best of the best. Their passion shows great efforts to support our hobby.

  6. Rabbit
    Rabbit says:

    Special shoutout to Alan and Barb Lindquist, shown with their beautiful Sportsman. Al is the President of the Land-o-Lakes chapter and Barb is the treasurer. They’ve been so generous with their time to the BSLOL ACBS over the years. And while Dave Bortner, John Allen and Lee Anderson are the driving forces behind this show, they couldn’t do it without a great club contributing.

    Also, Barb is well qualified to take the helm of that Sportsman. She’s a retired Northwest Airlines 747 pilot, one of the first women pilots to fly that amazing, massive aircraft. And Al is a retired air traffic controller. As you might imagine, they have some interesting banter with each other.

  7. Brad Ernst
    Brad Ernst says:

    Hats off to John Allen, Lee Andersen and thier families for sharing their boat and also car collections at Fort Mahogany and the Andersen museum over the years. Although I didn’t make it this year it has always been a highlight to my families summer.

    Brad Ernst and family

    • Texx
      Texx says:

      Hey Tommy – Nice to hear from you.

      I sent that five bucks special delivery by THOROUGHBRED EXPRESS COURIER years ago. When they picked it up they said the horse was tired but should make it to Michigan eventually.

  8. Philip Andrew
    Philip Andrew says:

    Texx I had to work today so have only just settled in to absorb this wonderful report. These old boats truly are wonderful. The finish on them and the engineering standard is simply the best of the best. Very much enjoyed the background reading on Miss Algonac. Interesting. It’s great to have you back.

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