The “Emotional History” Of Classic Speed Boats
I know this is a topic I have been blabbering about for EVER, but it is for sure more true now than even before. It explains the shift in the passion size and age demographics. Why clubs are struggling, and magazines closing. So yes, the community is shrinking, Let’s call them “The Dreamer Generation”.
The Dreamer Generation: THEN- Restoring a Dream
In the early and mid 20th century, people restored boats to reclaim a dream. The emotional current ran toward aspiration toward what could be.
A man (and it was usually a man) would find a worn-out runabout or a tired cruiser and imagine her reborn in his driveway or boathouse. It was about projecting forward freedom, adventure, escape. The restoration was a ticket to an idealized life, warm weekends, the hum of the engine, pride at the dock. The boat wasn’t just wood and hardware; it was a vessel for identity and success.
It was, in essence, about becoming restoring the dream of who you hoped to be.
And so where is the current generation? They are out there. Just not where you are. They are gobbling up Porsche’s and restoring old summer camps. AND taking lots of pictures, not joining clubs, because they don’t have too, and don’t subscribe to magazines, because they don’t have to. But they are out there, and yes, here on WoodyBoater, this isnt a sales pitch, I got nothing to sell, but it is a fact. And before we all ” The Dreamer Gen” complain and are sad, don’t be. It’s a natural evolution of such things.
The Story Generation – Now: Restoring a Classic
Today, the emotional tide has reversed. We’re not restoring dreams we’re restoring stories.
In a world of constant noise, speed, and disposability, rebuilding a classic boat is no longer about what you’ll do once she floats again. It’s about the act itself the patience, the craft, the connection to the past. You’re not chasing a future self; you’re listening to an old one.
Modern restorers often talk about caretaking more than ownership. Each plank or bronze fitting is a dialogue with time a chance to preserve something that once carried meaning for someone else. It’s a slower, humbler kind of satisfaction. Less performance, more reverence. Where once the dream was freedom, now it’s continuity.
So, how can this be thought of in simple terms. AND it’s important to note, this is more of a spectrum. I personally fit kinda in the middle, since I have very very early dreams, but not as deep as others, but I sure love preserving and publishing the stories
Dreamer Gen – Then: The boat was a symbol of arrival.
Story Gen -Now: The boat is a symbol of return.
Dreamer Gen – Then: “Look what I built.”
Story Gen – Now: “Look what survived.”
I do have the emotional ties, I do consider myself a caretaker and I do enjoy you preserving and publishing the WoodyBoater stories. I just hope there is a group that will take over from us. I believe there is so much value and history that should be preserved in our boats!
Carry on Matt!
That’s why I check Woodyboater every morning. It has good stories, humor, good information and good dialogue among some heavy hitters. I wasn’t born into this. I went to one Les Cheneaux boat show and my jaw hit the ground looking at all the beautiful mahogany, chrome, water and enthusiasm. Everyone loves them but they’re scared about the maintenance work involved. I almost didn’t buy my first woodie because of the responsibility I felt to be a good caretaker of this old boat. I’ve since bought an old Clyde boat to match my aquaplane and it was a one owner boat. He bought it new when he first got married in 1956. It was their fishing, skiing, everything family boat and they traveled all over Michigan with it. The owner passed away at 92. The family held onto it for another 6 yrs because they couldn’t part with it but weren’t doing anything with it. They wanted someone to buy it who will fix it up more, get it running and take good care of it. I told them this will always be his/their boat. I am just the caretaker. What a great hobby and group to be involved in. I like that it’s a small crowd but it needs to be big enough to care for all these old boats. I get concerned when I see so many boats for sale for so long online.
Wow Matt, you really hit the nail on the head (bit on the screw?)… I am disappointed in the lack of interest that many people have in classic boats and have to start to think about reducing the size of my collection.. Ive found myself migrating to my classic car/truck collection as there still is interest in those as they have wider appeal and can be used more and are easier to work on. For now I find myself spending the majority of my efforts towards preserving (caretaking) for the next generation (if they ever materialize) but your daily missives keep me going and entertained. Thank you
The problem goes much deeper. In the 80’s, somebody decided that anybody who worked with their hands was a loser and abolished shop classes in school. Today, very little gets repaired. Products are designed to be throwaway. When faced with ownership that requires manual skills, most shy away. Think how we would react if watching a video required fixing a color TV? Today’s shop class is found on Google and delivered on U-Tube.
All of my wooden boats are sailboats and all three of them wouldn’t sell for enough to fill you gas tank. I’ve had 44 boats but only one was a powerboat, a Lyman with a 50.
I was given a 16’ CrisCraft that had been driven under a dock. I towed it sunk across the river with my sailboat, put it on a trailer and returned it to its owner. I had no way to work on it at the time.
But as an artist and sailor Ive been checking your site every morning for years. Beautiful boats…great photography…..and wonderful stories.
Thanks
TEACHING MOMENTS! Matt if you and the readers of this site want to see this hobby live on into the future. You need to have more stories of teaching moments or mentoring of older restoration craftsman teaching the younger generations. There is no teaching or passing of knowledge when it’s just about folks with boat collections that pay others to restore and maintain their fleet. Younger generations can hardly envision or aspire to own a home let alone a boat these days. I challenge any reader here to share your knowledge or stories of “The passing of the torch” we call Woodyboating!!! Sharing of analog “hands on” life skills. That is what we are losing!!!!
Jeremy: I think that is the exact thing that Matt is doing with his WoodyFloater series and his detailed refinish of “B” (or “Betty” as some have suggested).
There is also a LOT of opportunity if one is involved in a local ACBS chapter.
Matt also tried to bring back forums with The Old Boats Home, but that is about as active as Boat Buzz.
Find a survivor Chris Craft Kit boat or Century Palomino relatively small and manageable. Tear it down to the keel and rebuild it back up with new screws, CPES, paint, and varnish. Preserve as much original as possible, source new material to replace what can’t be saved. Learn by doing. Fail, but hopefully you can rebound due to the small size. Get peer input by sharing. Ask questions. It’s not work if you love what your doing.
Now that’s a true blonde.
Wow Matt, you bit off a big chuck of the universe in that one! Good thoughts, good enough spelling…is this AI? Nah…good stuff…I agree with all…now to Go Boating. And Frank, I want to make the pilgrimage to your boat storage venues before you go for the Porsche. John in VA.
It’s interesting reading the comments from our group and realizing we all know the issues that face our generation.
We who run a business or two and sign the front of the paycheck, know the most important task of each day is to figure out how to make payroll on Friday.
After that, family, friends and every other responsibility that comes up. After that, if there’s a bit of time left over, the passion for other activities kicks in.
I can’t say I collect/store/hoard/keep/preserve any one thing. When it’s possible and I see something cool and can afford it, well, it comes home. (I like to think that one day it’ll all make for a better auction for Patti because Bob Bramlage will know where it all is and know what to do with it).
Until then, yes, I try and be enthusiastic enough to get anyone into our boat passion. Growing up in foundries and machine shops all over Cincinnati and the surrounding radius, well, I took it for granted that people knew how to fix things.
Today? Try and find a plumber, electrician, welder or any competent tradesperson that has five minutes to spare.
Trade schools? They’re quietly getting a foothold again, but we’re years out from filling just the current need.
Desire to learn a trade? Not really until push comes to shove. Need? Just look around.
I can tell you from personal experience, I need at least three apprentices for woodworkers and yes, we’ll teach on the job. Tried for years to get help from the Great Lakes Boatbuilding School, but they don’t believe in a summer co-op program, so bless Bjorn, we had a student from IYRS who has now gone on to greater things at Hinckley.
Where are we now? The picture today shows a new restoration shop coming together in Cincinnati. If anyone knows someone who wants to learn, we’d love to talk with them.
Until then, we should all keep the faith and do all we can do to keep the fire going.
Personal satisfaction and the knowledge that you did it yourself is the greatest aphrodisiac known.
Let’s keep it going.
Nice looking racing runabout in the middle of the picture:)
Rest easy, wood boats won’t go away. We used our modest little Century on a little private lake for some Cocktail Cruises and to keep her wet close to home quite a bit this year. All the neighbors got used to seeing her so there was nobody paying much attention when she was out. Every time we would go to a public waterway the comments and attention was crazy, which we had forgotten about. I’m sure you have all felt this as well. The couple shows I was at this year were well attended with a lot of younger folks. Shop owners in our area are younger. Keep the faith, people love em and when they come to a stage of life where they can have one they will get one. Best thing to do to promote them is Go Boating! Let some eyes see them!
Well i didnt grow up on water, never knew anyone with a boat let alone a wood boat. I know that when I die my kids( daughters) wont miss them ,but they will miss me working on them.