Michigan. A Classic Boaters Paradise! Nine Days Til Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhlgonac!
Look at that water.In Mr White out on the St. Clair with fellow Woody Boater John and Kim Kadimik
It feels like the countdown to Mt Dora only its summer.. But for us here at Woody Boater going to Michigan is a very exciting idea.. In just 9 days, The entire gang of Woody Boater reporters will be in Algonac. Chad and Texx, Tom, Mark, Jimmy, Patrick ,will be there is full force.. and will also be speaking at the Old Club on Harsens Island. Henry Ford, Firestone, Edison.. History is dripping all over this area.. about Woody Boater and the state of the union of the hobby.
Chris Smith Leaving the Old Clubs private canal. note the sign
Nice triple at the old clubs parking area. Yes this looks like every old Chris Craft photo you have seen..
There is some very cool Lapstrake love going on as well.
I am also picking up a little surprise up on Belaire lake to bring to the show. shhhh the boatress will be in Denver on her walk.. So I have a week to hide stuff.. And then Texx is headed up to Hessel with fellow reporter Alex Watson to do a tour of the secret boat house finds in Hessel with a local legend. Tom Mertaugh of Classic & Antique Boats, The first Chris Craft Dealer in the US. These boats never go to shows, and are daily users, the real deal.. Woody Boats in there natural habitat.. Texx will be like the Marlin Perkins of Woody boater.. . Texx is doing all this on his Harley! And we can all go for a ride in Alex Watsons latest Boat!
Alex Watsons newest boat. Texx and Alex will be at the Islander I am sure.
So this will be a 10 day Michigan feast. I can’t wait.. I actually keep taking off extra days as I can to stretch this out. If I was a dog, my tail would be wagging all day for the next 9 days.. Bouncing up and down at the door, leash in my mouth ready to go.. If you cant find me over the next 9 days.. i will be in the passenger seat of my truck drooling on the window.. No one is leaving me behind!!!!
Come meet the Smiths and Woods..
I might just explode when I get there. Below is the Press release for the Algonac show.. If you are with in a 10 hr drive.. It’s worth it.. To bask in the history of it all is a must if you are into the history of these fine water craft. This is far far far more than a show. The entire state is dripping in Varnish! We hope to see you there.
Michigan Chapter ACBS Presents the 27th Annual Chris Craft Plant Jamboree “Where It All Began” in Historic Algonac Michigan
Algonac, Michigan has historically been an area that has influenced classic boating due to proximity to Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River, and the river delta called the St. Clair Flats. This is evidenced by the location of many of the classic boat builders such as Chris Craft, Gar Wood, etc. The area still boasts of many antique and classic boats and restoration shops. There is an inherent and passed down knowledge of wood boats. Also there are many classic boats stored in old boathouses that are not restored and used for family Sunday afternoon boat rides or Walleye fishing.
In the early 1970’s one of original ACBS Michigan chapter members, B.A. Bud Aikens hosted a picnic at his waterfront home. The picnic concluded with a parade of boats down the St. Clair River. In 1979 Bud and his friends started the Michigan Chapter of the ACBS. The number of boats became so large that it could no longer be held at Bud’s home, so another member, Pete Beauregard, suggested moving the picnic to his marina in Algonac. Since the marina called the “Algonac Harbour Club” was the location of the original Chris Craft Factory, it was a fitting place for the annual event. Unfortunately Bud is no longer with us, but his Triple Cockpit runabout is featured on the 2012 show poster. Thanks to his daughter, his boat “Flyin High” will also be displayed at the show this year.
In 1985 the Algonac Antique and Classic Boat Show was born and is now in its 27th continuous year known as the “Chris Craft Plant Jamboree, Where it All Began”.
The Marque boat for the 2012 show is the Triple Cockpit Runabout. There are as of June 1st 10 of these classic boats registered for the show. We are anticipating about 100 total boats on display including 4 classic hydroplane racers. A new addition to the show this year is a Friday night Captain’s welcome party held inside the original Chris Craft factory at the final assembly area. Also the traditional Friday cruise will be expanded to include a more extensive tour of the “Flats” and a picnic lunch on a private island only accessible by boat.
Show information including accommodations in the Algonac area is available in the Michigan chapter web-site www.michacbs.com.
Questions: Call Roy Schoenherr (586)713-9340
I can not wiat to meet all the Woodyboater Gang in person, feels like I have known you for years. “Old School” and I will there all weekend, enjoying the cruisin waters of “THAT”
side of the State…
From WEST Michigan, see ya soon, Dennis
Ok, time for a shameless plug from the East Coast.
If you’re in Algonac stop by and see Panther return to her birthplace. Though not as rare as Paul Mikkelson’s Maidenform Flyers (wait isn’t that women’s lingerie?) Panther is a rarely displayed 1950 CC 17’ Sportsman. This is also a rare glimpse into my massive antique boat collection of one (very easy to catalogue). Panther is normally only available to the public that passes my driveway every day.
If less is more then Panther is the most with a full complement of 4 cylinders shouting from under her engine box. Hear the roar of those 60 horses being pumped through that single copper exhaust. Miss America and Sverige (Cerviche?) have nothing on Panther. Watch as we power away from the dock and come up to speed. Keep waiting…….a little longer……yawn…..….wait for it……yes you can go get a sandwich……. and use the bathroom……ok, but only a short nap…..…almost………..yep that’s it. You were expecting more from a B engine? But look at how little fuel she uses!
Is the zipper pull correct? Well there isn’t one because in 1950 the original owner didn’t worry about a bimini, or skin cancer. There’s also no flashy gold tail fin like the Cobra or gull wings like the Holiday. For that matter also no head, very little seating and not much freeboard. Watch as we come back in soaked to our skivvies, burned to a crisp and in search of a restroom.
So when you’re tired of the crowds around the triple Ditchburns, quadruple CC’s, boats with plastic flowers floating around them and engines so loud your ears bleed come on over and hang out.
We are looking forward to seeing (and riding in – hint, hint) Panther at Algonac. Cameras ablaze…
The more the merrier……..um,the more the slower…….. maybe one at a time? That said I’m game to take her out for anyone for any reason. She’s a user boat not a trailer queen. A couple of years ago my wife’s cousin came into port with a 124′ Feadship. After a cruise and lunch on that I took them out for a spin in Panther. We had a blast.
Nice clean water in Michigan. None of that brownish gunk from the Mt. Dora shots, and no gators either!
Wish I could be there for the Bell’s alone! Have a few pitchers of Oberon for me.
Yah: Amost as clean as NH water! I wouldnt put my boat in that Dora water .
m-fine, You still have time to hop on a silver dog (Greyhound bus) and join us… We will supply the bells (and whistles) for the best mens spandex!
Or
Rent a hog and ride over…
No need to rent the hog, but the problem is I have too much going on locally to make the trip.
Alright slipping that whaailer in the header , i think id rather own the penn yan-thompson on the other side of the dock.
Lyman on the left. I think I can see the tag on the foward deck trim piece. Both nice.
Rick,
I was thrilled to se a New York boat on the registration list for our Algonac show. However, I did not know your Sportsman had the pedigree described in your explanation. It is good to see Panther coming home, and I am looking forward to meeting you at the show. Welcome to Michigan!
It will be her 1st time back in almost 62 years.
Lets have one of those Panther parties that Forest Gump broke up!
Alex, Alex, Alex.
I will not say a word about your “choice” of vehicle however, your credibility is now in serious question when it comes to items which may or may not possess great design.
In other words Sir, you have no right to criticize Mike’s choice of boat whilst you’re lolly-gagging about in that, that, that thing.
One look at it and I get a series of those barf-burps.
But think of all the beer that thing can haul, or drunk guys after a party. Hell you could hide a Donzi girl back there and your wife might never even see her, it’s HUGE!
Rick – you have a valid point.
Drunken debauchery with a Donzi girl and I suppose it would not matter who might catch a glimpse of you motoring down the interstate.
The question really is: could she handle all of the fake wood?
Great post! You looked and sounded very excited… I was also excited for this Michigan Feast. I hope you can post some photos from the event.