Kent O Smith Report – 57th Annual Antique Boat Show at Clayton NY

Folks enjoying the ride on “Zipper”, a 1930s Purdy Boat Company design that was built in 1974.

We have the official report in here from Kent O. Smith! Ahhhhhhhhh, I love looking at kent’s photos. Sunsets, light dancing, and just all swirling with Mahogany, chrome and smiles. Miles and miles of smiles. Okay, Knots, but just roll with me here. Ugh, take it away Kent.

A rare bright sided Lyman with a unique windshield.

This year’s show kicked off the weekend with a sunset cruise around Grindstone Island. Several of the Antique Boat Museum’s ride boats participated as well as a number of exhibitor boats. Haze likely do to the wildfires treated us to a glowing sunset.

The Miss TI needs a proper yacht ensign and a glass stern pole globe instead of the current plastic one.

There were a number of seminars given on a variety of topics such as judging procedures, rebuilding a Scripps motor and the history of local builder Fitzgerald & Lee. The Don Doebler storage facility was open to the public where you could see many interesting boats and motors that are not on everyday display at the museum.

This old launch has some get up and go. Bruiser, you may have a new boat friend who seems to be enjoying the ride.

The docks were mostly full and the grounds were filled with land displays of all types. Overall, I thought it was a good turn out, especially after the depressing season last year due to Covid. However, the vendors were sparse and the boat auction was virtual this year because by the time the restrictions were lifted, the team at the ABM did not have enough time to work out the logistics.

St. Lawrence Seaway gold.

Right before the picnic dinner in the tent by the river, a storm front pushed through. In a matter of minutes, the sky became dark, then the rain and wind hit. The winds were so strong they blew over tables and chairs. At one point, it was thought the tent might blow over so staff urged everyone to make haste to the main museum building.

Really cool old school mechanicals on this Fry launch named “Suwanee.”

We all ran through the pouring rain and arrived safe but wet inside the museum. The caterer was able to move the food inside as well, so we were well fed as we dried out.

“Gadfly” is the museum’s 1931 Hutchinson 31’ commuter ride boat.

The prow of the awesome “Pardon Me”

A typical boat show day in Clayton.

Incoming from the north! Even mother nature was upset that our Canadian friends could not attend the show.

I won’t bore you with too many dock shots. As Matt told me many years ago, “dock shots are deadly” as far as a compelling photograph goes. Instead, I will share some more unique views and of course the action images that everyone enjoys.

Always nice to see the 1926 Baby gar 33’ “SNAIL” on the river, and even better to hear the Liberty engine!

Sunday morning the awards were given out and to wrap up the show, there was a boat parade through Clayton then a cruise to Boldt Castle in Alexandria Bay.

“Geraldine” is a converted Navy launch.

A tale of two Holidays – 1951 and 1964

“Mr. Breeze” is a 1964 Century Resorter 17’

A new speedster built based on plans by Adolf Apel, the founder of Ventnor Boats.

“Summer Breeze” is a 1958 Chris Craft Custom Runabout 17’

“Liquid Asset” is a 1951 Chris Craft Holiday 19’

Mike Turcotte gives a thrill ride on the 27’ Speedster “All Wound Up.”

It’s nice to see a young family enjoying an old boat…well, maybe the kids not so much.

Randy catching some air in the 22’ Speedster “White Knuckles.”

River traffic is always interesting on the St Lawrence.

As always, thank you Rebecca Hopfinger (Executive Director) and Caitlyn Playle (Events & Communications Coordinator) for the hospitality at the Antique Boat Museum. For more information about the museum or to check out the list of awards winners, please visit www.abm.org

Photos and report – Kent O. Smith, Jr. – www.kaosimagery.com

Morning photo shoots are fun trying to get the hung over captain’s to line up just right…well, maybe the photographer was hung over…or all of us member of ACBS, the Antique & Classic Booze Society LOL.

24 replies
  1. Greg Lewandowski
    Greg Lewandowski says:

    Thank you Kent and Matt for the great story on a fabulous event. Having been there and cruised the area, I can really appreciate what a good time it must have been. We have to make another trip to the Thousand Islands some day!

  2. Roberta
    Roberta says:

    We sure had a great time at the Alexandria Bay International Show. Wonderful Experience with Great Weather.

  3. RiverRat
    RiverRat says:

    That is some beautiful work. That Lyman is not of the plywood that mine are. Solid wood strakes. Also so nice. Finally at The River. Happiness!!

  4. floyd r turbo
    floyd r turbo says:

    Amazing shots and there’s a lot of time and effort in these to cull out and select the good shots. Good seeing you Kent and wondered where you were when that storm cloud came thru. I was volunteering at the Mary St gate when it came thru and sucked all the flee market tents up and bashed them against the iron fence like Walmart bags. Tried to hold some down from blowing onto Mary St onto cars and trucks (one of them mine) while getting drenched. Even Ross Brothers had half their canvas blown down. Helped Andrew drain his tubs of parts and load stuff but that micro burst came out of that cloud formation and was lucky no boats were damaged to my knowledge.

    • Andy C
      Andy C says:

      The help was greatly appreciated. I would have lost more stuff if is was not for you. Thanks again.

  5. Syd
    Syd says:

    It was a nice weekend. It has been a lot of years since , actually this is the first time in over 50 plus years of showing that I only did a land display

  6. Art
    Art says:

    That shot of Pardon Me brought back some great memories…………….. When I was a minnow here on Harsens Island a neighbor, Dick Lock, owned it. It was named after his wife Pat ergo LOCKPAT was its name. He only took it out on Wednesdays, I don’t know why Wednesdays, but that’s when he took it out. Anyway us kids would hang around his dock hoping for a ride, and every now and then he would say you kids want to go for a ride—-of course we did and it was always a blast. It really went fast for a boat that size and had one hell of a wake.

  7. Johnny V./John Vyverberg
    Johnny V./John Vyverberg says:

    Great pics Kent! Wonderful 5 days and so good to see old friends and make some new ones. As usual, Bill was very hospitable at Bertrands, we sold some stuff at our yard sale, had fun judging and overserved ourselves on both food and adult beverages. Glad to be back and looking forward to a bigger and even better show next year.

  8. Philip Andrew
    Philip Andrew says:

    Wow some great shots there Kent. Love the shot of Liquid Asset turning left. She looks like she’s riding the top inch of the water.

  9. Kent O
    Kent O says:

    Thank you all for the kind comments. So great to see people, and some I haven’t seen in nearly 10 years (Floyd R).

    One of our late chapter members said “It’s the boats that bring us together” and I think that’s very true.

    Happy Classic Boating!

    K

  10. jimsHYDROshop
    jimsHYDROshop says:

    The Bottom Feeders were loaded with Old Boating Goodies and sold tons of old boat parts! Great Weekend, Earl

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