Let’s Get This Party Started! Antique Boat Center Starts The Show With A Bung!

,
IMG_5162

It was a bring your own Hemi party! Allison Lyons one of our hosts made us all feel very welcome.

This years Suunyland show is starting out in roaring style. The Thursday night party before the show at The Antique Boat Center at Rejuvenation Boat Works in Eustis Florida was a smash hit.  It was like seeing a huge story on Woody Boater and meeting everyone in person. A Virtual Holiday Party not virtually, Which is virtually the way a party should be. This years show is looking like one of the biggest in years if the weather can hold out today, but for sure, Saturday and Sunday are promising to be 70 and sunny! WOW! If you are going to stop by the tent today and want a coffee cup, we have 20 left from 75. YIKES! Who knew? I never order right. The good news is we have lots of shirts, and we want them all out of here so we can go boating on Saturday and Sunday.

IMG_5151

Did we mention it was a boat show within a boat show! Wow

IMG_5156

How many parties do you get to go to and hang out over an engine? No really? This is paradise, with BBQ, which is really paradise..

IMG_5164

The inside of this place is one of the top classic boat shop settings on the planet. Its like it was built for a Hollywood set.

IMG_5166

Note Chad in the orange, Don Ayers in black next to Chad, Troy in blue

IMG_5186

Dave Bortner from Freedom Boat Service came in true Minnesota style going to great pains to match the wall candy!

IMG_5195

Still wearing the colors! ROCK ONE!

IMG_5193

John Rothert from VA was here in FLA, so is it now really John Rothert from FLA? Its all so confusing!

IMG_5204

Carla from Hagerty Marine Insurance in the center, next to Diane Mistele, with Charles Mistele fellow Hall of famers in yellow. And long time Woody Boater Bill Anderson looking like we surprised him with two , wait, three, no wait, 4….beers! Note the Cobra Gold plates and cups. Nice touch!

IMG_5170

Back inside, Chad, Don and Troy are still yacking it up!

IMG_5171

Shorts and cool floor texture. Ahhhh! Florida

IMG_5174

“SCOOTER” is the perfect accessory to any outfit!

IMG_5175

Terry Fiest talking it up with Brian Gagnon

IMG_5128

Rob Lyons CEO of Antique Boat Center coming over to say hi. What a great guy that is bringing real positive change and growth to the culture!

IMG_5130

One of my favorite pals, Pete Beauregard of Algonac came by to say hi! .

IMG_5146

The Boatress and “Scooter” Beauregard made the event special.

IMG_5213

Texas was well represented here!

IMG_5214

Its official, Paul Harrison has gone 100% Florida. I predict leisure suits have a comeback in the near future! Coolest shirt at the party BTW!

IMG_5215

Dick Werner assuming the show pose.

IMG_5219

A rare photo of Jim Staib on the left. Mark Sutterholm on the far right from Minnasotta

The Hamster from Las Vegas, assuming the pose. Marty from Lake Tahoe and Jim Frecette from Texas. Making sure the West is covered here in Florida

The Hamster from Las Vegas, assuming the pose. Marty from Lake Tahoe and Jim Frechette from Texas. Making sure the West is covered here in Florida

 

IMG_5223

Great signs all over the place

IMG_5179

Did we mention it was a massive turnout! The place was packed, but in a very nice way. What a perfect night! And lets get going on a perfect day today!

 

25 replies
  1. Steve Moreau
    Steve Moreau says:

    I hope all of ya’ll have a great day today and this weekend and great Florida weather.

  2. Carla
    Carla says:

    Way to get the party going, ABC! A good time was had by all…It’s going to be a great weekend hanging with fellow classic boaters!! Please stop by the Hagerty booth and say hi!

  3. Richard Daley
    Richard Daley says:

    Cool spot
    Can someone bring that hemi home
    Such great detail on a classic engine
    Quick weather update on the west side of canada
    Here in Lethbridge Alberta the ice is off the lakes in the south
    There projected high today is expected to nudge 70 degrees
    Should have a boat in the water this weekend
    Have fun in Florida wish I were there

  4. Mike K
    Mike K says:

    good news; finally all set,

    bad news, wont make the show, still delayed this morning with work (4 letter word) have to go straight to ft myers. if all goes well, will do next year!

  5. m-fine
    m-fine says:

    Did Paul fly in from the Keys for this event? He better buy property down there soon because I am not sure he will be able to survive anymore Calgary winters after going soft this year.

    Wish I was down there but I got too much work to do over the next three weeks.

  6. Rabbit
    Rabbit says:

    For the record: All of us back here in Minnesota really like Dave Bortner, but that doesn’t mean we dress like him.

    Also, woody boating is a craft. I think it’s time the hobby discovered craft beers!

    • m-fine
      m-fine says:

      We have discovered craft beer. It is made in Michigan just like our boats were. The problem is the people in Michigan like it so much, there isn’t much left to ship to Florida to give away at parties.

  7. Jerri
    Jerri says:

    What a great event! It was so good to see boating buddies that we have gotten to know and love on facebook, finally meeting in person! It was also fun to go back to where Richard & Kathy did a magnificent job on “The Good Life”. Thank you for a wonderful evening.

  8. Richard and Kathy Arnold
    Richard and Kathy Arnold says:

    Kathy and I want to thanks the Lyons Family and the Crew of Antique Boat Center for making our dream come true. And a special Thank You! to all of our our friends that helped celebrate the opening of the 2014 Sunnyland Annual Wooden Boat Show.

  9. Bill Hammond
    Bill Hammond says:

    Shaping up to be a great show. Another year perhaps? Y’all have a good time now, hear?

    • m-fine
      m-fine says:

      If he was “hipster” he would be wearing a pair of beyond skin tight womens jeans, a vintage shirt from some out of business brand, and thick black rimmed glasses. Not to mention the facial hair and the hipster man-purse mesenger bag.

  10. Tyson Konecny
    Tyson Konecny says:

    My wife was Pauls personal shopper in Vegas. A glorious evening of shirt and hat shopping! I promise not to wear my shirt at the same time Paul! HA!

    Mike, he isn’t a hipster until he grows a beard! Someone needs to photoshop that…….hehe……

  11. Tom
    Tom says:

    Where are the Live-ish reports for us poor saps stuck in the cold and at work? We got 5 post of the drive south but not much since then.

  12. Matt
    Matt says:

    Sorry for the delay in updates, for some reason the mobil updates are not working. Normaly we are able to run back to the room and upload.. Ugh.. We sold out of cups at 930 AM and should be able to get out on the water tomorrow early and load up on amazing photos. The gang is itch’n to go!

Comments are closed.