Kent O. Smith Reports In Late Live-ish From The Big Chesapeake Bay Show.

First light at the museum docks.

WE ARE ON THE ROAD TO ALGONAC, TODAY Kent O. Smith gives us a small taste of the Chesapeake Bay Show 2022. Or would you rather see pics of I 70? Ya, Here ya go. STAY TUNED FOR LIVE REPORTING FROM ALGONAC Take it away Kent O.
The Chesapeake Bay Chapter show is an interesting event because you never know what you are going to see there. It’s not your typical northern lake runabout show, rather, it’s an eclectic collection of everything from those typical runabouts to classic glass, to cruisers of all sorts, to unique working boats built along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, to sailing ships, and military vessels.

The calm before the winds.

In addition to the registered boats, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime has it’s own in water fleet and wonderful exhibits highlighting the history of boating in that region. They also have their own shipyard and recently completed a new build of the “Maryland Dove,” a replica of a typical sailing vessel used by early colonists. You can tour the Hooper Straight lighthouse and climb all the way to the top deck.

Work boat land display at the museum.

The show also features seminars on various classic boat topics, a huge vendor tent with boat models, nautical art and hardware, jewelry and other crafts. There are also on site food vendors, though it’s worth going off campus for some local seafood like Maryland crabs.

Sea Scouts raise the American and Maryland flags.

Part of the campus viewed from the lighthouse.

 

Three museum boats and the Air Force Crash Boat.

Chris Crafts in front of the 1879 Hooper Strait lighthouse.

It’s a multi day show; Friday afternoon featured a cruise up the Wye River where you can see some famous mansions such as the one owned by the Chef Boyardee family.

Nautical hardware for sale by a vendor.

“Choptank”, built in Virginia in 1938

Oyster boat “Rose Ann”.

Friday evening is a Captain’s Party featuring plenty of liquid refreshment and a simple supper. Saturday is of course the main day of the show which usually features free rides in members’ boats, but sadly this year we had high winds with small craft advisories. Be sure to stay tuned for the story on the Sunday morning photo shoot that we did despite the rough river conditions. The show also runs through the early afternoon on Sunday.

Yard Patrol boat “Sea Wolf” and some land displays.

Dock panorama.

Trumpy Motor Yacht “Actaea”.

1940 Hacker Craft “Lil’ Angel.”

Hacker Craft dash 1940.

One of the best things about the Chesapeake Bay show is how friendly the chapter folks are. If you’ve never been, it worth the trip for a laid back weekend of boating fun.
I would like to say many thanks to President Bob Hamilton, Boat Show Chair Alicia Boardman and all my old and new CBC friends from over the years for hosting me at their show.

USAF Crash Boat.

Yard Patrol boat “Sea Wolf.”

Chesapeake Bay workboat “Veteran.”

1929 oyster buyboat “Iva W.”

Working on the rigging of the “Maryland Dove.”

Working on the rigging of the “Maryland Dove.”

1939 Elco 44’ “Southern Cross.”

Cruisers docked at the museum, both wood and glass.

Cruisers docked at the museum, both wood and glass.

1947 Ventnor 20’ that won best in show.

Ray Glenn’s 22’ Shepherd on the river cruise.

Jim Schiller’s 1971 Correct Craft center console.

Bill Hood built his Nelson Zimmer designed racer.

Stanely Boardman wave hopping his Boston Whaler Mischief.

A Lyman slicing through the waters of the Wye River.

From CBC President Bob Hamilton:
The Chesapeake Bay Chapter held its 34th Annual Antique & Classic Boat Festival at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Maryland featuring Chesapeake Bay Built boats.  After sweltering heat on Friday, Saturday and Sunday were beautiful although wind gusts reached 30 mph.

In all over 80 boats were registered with the Best of Show awarded to a 1947 20’ Ventnor and the People’s Choice award to a 1944 85’ Army Air Force Crash Boat.  The 1914 and 1929 Oystering Buy Boats were amazing and the classic motoring yachts showed the craftsmanship of the 1930’s. 

Stay tuned for the dramatic story of an early morning photo shoot in small craft advisory conditions! And yes, that’s a Cobra behind the spray…

For more info on the chapter and museum, check out their sites:
Chesapeake Bay Chapter:
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum:
Kent O. Smith, Jr. / KAOS Imagery 

12 replies
  1. Greg Lewandowski
    Greg Lewandowski says:

    I have to put this event on my bucket list. Both the venue and boats are amazing. I didn’t know Correct Craft even made a center console and that Elco Cruiser is beautiful. Congrats to the Chesapeake Bay chapter on a great show!
    We will be on our way to Algonac in a couple hours to splash Tiger Lily in that beautiful blue water and get the party started!

  2. Steve Anderson from Michigan
    Steve Anderson from Michigan says:

    Beautiful! Thanks for the pictures.

    On a side note, I am finally taking delivery of my ’56 Continental tomorrow morning in Algonac. I plan to launch it for the first time at the DNR launch in town about 9.30am and could use a hand if anyone is around.

    586-260-74 eight eight

  3. Troy in ANE
    Troy in ANE says:

    I swear I could have been at the event and not seen it in the same way. Kent O sure has an eye for just the right angle.

  4. Kelly Wittenauer
    Kelly Wittenauer says:

    The St. Michael’s show is definitely one to experience! We went once in the early 2000s, when the timing coincided with a business trip my husband had to make to MD’s eastern shore area,

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

    Great Story Kent O. Thanks for sharing. I have been wanting to explore that area for some time. I now have a better reason.

  6. floyd r turbo
    floyd r turbo says:

    Excellent photos Kent. Wonder where the 40′ Elco is that had been in this show 15 years ago, one of the most beautiful cruisers which was basically a half size version the early Elco PT boat.

  7. Chris Ogle
    Chris Ogle says:

    A great show indeed! My wife and I were able to bring our converted Chesapeake Bay Buy Boat “Veteran” to the show and had a great time. The Variety of boats on display was amazing. This particular boat also has a Woody Boater connection. Veteran was for sale not too far form WBGH and when I emailed Matt to ask about a surveyor in the area he responded within a few hours with a recommendation. The surveyor was great and it was a great example of how the community works. Also, while I have not been to WBGH, over her 108 years, whether as Elsie Louise/Georgeanna/Veteran, my boat has!

  8. Kent O
    Kent O says:

    Thanks for the nice comments, y’all. Stay tuned for the rough water photo shoot imagery coming next week.

Comments are closed.