Are You Local Boating?

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Lyman made in Ohio

As I try and wind down Classic Boat Insights Week, I have found some more insights so, guess what? Ya, I am going to milk Insights week until I run out of  gas. And according to my wife, running out of gas is never my problem. So strap in and lets keep riding this Milk Barge.

One of the coolest parts of Classic Boat ownership, is you are in a way, a living museum, a keeper of the flame. Okay wait. Maybe thats not a good pun.. Anyway, if you live on the water someplace. Chances are there are boats that are part of the texture of that area. Not mass produced tupoware that just floats through life in a generic way. Evolution of use in your area has created the perfect boat for your waters. Like Lake Erie and a good Lyman, which can handle a good beating, or in Michigan for the little canals and getting around on lakes.

Donzi fun in FLA

Florida, you, speed, and sun protection, big water capabilities,

Not built in California, but part of it’s maritime history

California, Boats built to be in dry climates, this is why some fiberglass hull retrofits are so important out on Lake Tahoe

Both built on the Chesapeake Bay.

Here in Virginia the boats are more work like and used for many purposes. In fact as you dive into it even deeper here, there are different styles for very specific areas. Which I love. It’s getting to the point where I can KINDA tell were a boat was built locally by certain design traits.

The Claude Summers Skipjack was built in Virginia. Even though they are iconic to Maryland, Sweet Pea, built next door to me here in Reedville.

You get the idea. The other cool part is it is endless. Thats the true joy and fulfillment of owning a classic boat, it’s a deeper relationship with your boat. It’s not just about where the boat was built but the sorts of boats that make up the texture of your area.

A Riva screams Italy, romance, luxury and sexyness

A classic Chris Craft is as much a part of Michigan water as the the trees, water color, and some have even been known to blend them all.

Just say’n.

/14 Comments/by
14 replies
  4. Dick Dow
    Dick Dow says:

    Just a few PNW boatbuilders – all gone now… Bryant, Uniflite, Skagit, Norseman, Fairliner, Tollycraft, Reinell, Skippercraft, Sande Ace… The picture is of my folks on the bow of the 21’ Bryant Voyager dad brought home when I was 3 months old. Our original “Thisuldu”.

  5. Dick Dow
    Dick Dow says:

    Oh! How could I forget Bell Boy? We live in a wonderful cruising paradise – which gave inspiration to the builders mentioned above. The picture here is from the beach where I was raised, taken a couple days ago.

    • Don Palmer
      Don Palmer says:

      Here is a picture of my dad’s Fairliner. A 36′ Chinook model. twin 440 Chrysler’s. I am glad you remembered Bell Boy! I posted this picture before of me skiing behind my 16′ Bell Boy with the 75 Johnson… 1970!

  6. Art
    Art says:

    “Best day ever’……………………..depends who you ask! As for me, it was the best day to find out who your friends really are.

    As for boat designs from different locations, having lived my entire life here on Harsen’s Island across the river from the original Algonac Chris Craft plant, I can tell you that the CC designs have evolved over the years, Woodies small and large, plastic, houseboats, sailboats, boats for war, and race boats. Yes, most of them will navigate the local waters well but were basically designed for usage worldwide.

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The Fashion Of Classic Boating Is Changing.There Will Always Be A Part Of You In Your Classic Boat