Late Live – ish From The 2016 Lake Hartwell Antique and Classic Boat Festival

Phillip Jones does his best Matt Smith impression while taking a break from steering Purple Haze around the cove near Hartwell Marina. Purple Haze is a 1949 22-foot Shepherd in amazing condition. Beautiful boat.

Thanks to fellow Woody Boater and reporter Kentucky Wonder for reporting in from Lake Hartwell. Take it away Mr Wonder.

Tom Neff throttles up PAL before taking her to the launch ramp. Pal is a 1918 HackerCraft that bears the very first Historic Watercraft license granted by the State of Michigan. Note the registration number.

This year’s edition of the Lake Hartwell boat show was held Thursday-Sunday at the Hartwell Marina in Hartwell, GA. The show was sponsored by the Blue Ridge Chapter ACBS along with the Hart County Chamber of Commerce. Classic boaters from several states attended, many getting their boats into the water for the first time this year. The show also featured dozens of classic and modern automobiles, plus several arts, crafts and food vendors.

The car show in the parking lot featured two 1960 Austin Healey Bugeye Sprites. I love these cars, but wish I could fit in them. They were not built for taller people. Six-footers need not apply.

Red paint and chrome greet a couple of car guys at the Hartwell Marina on Saturday morning. They are looking under the hood of a 1961 Chevrolet Impala.

Steve and Kathy Gaffney’s 1949 Thompson Sports Runabout 12, named Nine and Three Quarters was parked right up front along with Bill Lovejoy’s canoes.

Here is the description from Bill Lovejoy about his towing rig: ’76 Bronco Ranger, bought it near Seneca, SC, it was sold there new May 1976, only 30 miles from the Hartwell Marina. Since we picked it up last fall it has had a complete mechanical overhaul. The body and interior are just as we found them. Canoe on top is a 1928 Old Town 50# model that was sitting outside in Maine for at least a decade, was a basket case, my uncle took it as a trade years ago. We replaced decks, 2 ribs, 20% of the planking, re-caned seats, varnish, canvas, fill and paint. Could have built 2 canoes in the amount of time to put this one back in the water. Hartwell was the first time it has been in the water since the rebuild.

Beautiful weather brightened the mood and bolstered attendance, as more than 450 cars filled with spectators were ushered into the parking lots. Shuttle buses eased traffic congestion, and let out passengers right at the dock where free admission allowed anyone to enjoy the day, and get a good look at both marine and automotive history.

An old MinnKota trolling motor hangs alongside a Johnson outboard motor. The MinnKota reminds me of a 1940s kitchen appliance. Early milkshake mixer, maybe?

Dennis Moore, center of group in tan shirt, talks about different projects going on in his boat barn, which is a gearhead treasure trove. More horsepower here than Churchill Downs at any given time.

Behind the boat barn is a collection of future projects. And parts. Some of them are even related to each other.

The Blue Ridge Chapter ACBS has proven itself to be a friendly and helpful group of people, welcoming several new members to the show over the weekend, and assisting anyone who needed help. Launching crews were at the ready, and members always lent a hand when a boat approached the docks. Funny stories from past shows flowed freely, and laughter was a common sound.

Two powerplant projects at the Moore’s Boat Barn. Green was a common color of the week. Even the show boats that were recently polished accumulated the green pollen from budding trees.

Cedric Martin of Satchamos BBQ cuts up a rack of ribs for Friday night’s dinner at Julie and Dennis Moore’s Boat Barn. Many in attendence said those ribs were the best they ever had. No argument here. The slaw and mixed roasted vegetables were worthy sides. You should have been there.

Thursday featured a boat run to April and John Heiderich’s home across the lake for great food, drinks and conversation. The excellent beef tenderloin and seared tuna foreshadowed a weekend filled with great meals.

David Cowart returns from a run on the lake with a boat full of riders. They had more fun than the boats at the docks!

These guys appeared in a boat that would qualify for the show, but were just looking at the boats assembled at the docks. With the friendly wave, they would have been right at home in the Blue Ridge Chapter.

Gary Fesperman throws his 1987 Correct Craft Ski Nautique 2001 into a tight turn before slowing down to join Sunday morning’s easy cruise.

Friday was put-in day for most boaters, and a long cruise up the lake to Clemson, SC was planned. Alas, high winds whipped up the lake water, making a water trip less than smooth, so most boaters became automobile passengers. Craig Miller, Bill Lovejoy and I were the only ones who decided to go by water. Craig’s 24 Sportsman was certainly capable of getting through the chop easily enough, but a late start and an oil leak kept us from making our lunch rendezvous. Still, we had a good time, and the skipped lunch left more room for dinner later.

Craig Miller, right, pilots Brown Eyed Girl, a 1960 Chris-Craft 24 Sportsman through a wave Friday on Lake Hartwell. A lunch run to Clemson, SC was planned for everyone, but windy conditions kicked up enough wave action to make most boaters opt for land transportation. Brown Eyed Girl handled the waves just fine, but was betrayed by a leaky oil seal. “Still a fun day,” said Craig after refilling gas and oil, and cautiously driving back to port safely.

Craig Miller, left, watches while Bill Lovejoy checks the oil level following the discovery of an oil leak Friday during a run up Lake Hartwell. After a refill with extra oil, Miller’s 24 Chris-Craft Sportsman made it back safely.

Julie and Dennis Moore hosted Friday night’s festivities at their Boat Barn, which is a place where old cars and boats get rejuvenated and sometimes supercharged. If you ever meet Dennis, ask him about the drag racers he built for his son. I think every conversation I have had with Dennis has included the displacement and horsepower figures of at least one engine block. Gears are part of his DNA. Anyway, Cedric Martin was the man at the grill, and he knows how to use it. The ribs he cooked had the perfect combination of smoke, sauce, tenderness and time. Perfect. Bill, Craig and I declared ourselves to be the quality control board, and sampled the ribs as they came off the grill. I lost track of how much we ate, but there was plenty of leftovers for the rest of the nearly 90 people in attendance.

Millie Cutler looks forward while Captain Denny Cutler executes a turnabout in their 1947 Chris-Craft 18’ Utility named Costa Plente. Fortunately, the boats seeming to bear down on them from behind had plenty of time to avoid collision.

Sarah and Ed James wave from their 1971 Riva Junior, a 19’6” plaything called Ciao Baby.

Saturday morning brought more sunshine, a smidge less wind, and a large number of people to the docks. Many of the boat owners stayed close to their crafts, and answered questions about its origin, restoration or anything else that came up. About once per hour, Charles Mistele would fire up Miss America IX’s engines, and everyone on the property would instantly know which boat just started. The boats in the sunlight had an advantage over those in the covered slips – they were warm. People gathered in several of the sunlit boats just to talk and enjoy each other’s company.

Saturday night’s banquet was well attended, and those who got sun- and wind-burned during the day were starting to glow, this reporter included. The Blue Ridge Chapter is excellent at making everyone feel welcome, and so new members were recognized, along with those receiving awards in various categories. (list included below) Afterwards, the room slowly emptied as more stories were retold, friendships cemented and vows to see everyone at the next show made.

Gary and Donna Drews brought this 30-foot 1937 Carl Westin/Sweden boat named Pompe. Someone told me it was named after the Swedish King’s dog. Not sure how reliable that story is. One thing for sure, the boat was the only one like it at the show.

Had it not been for the constant cool wind off the lake, these deck chairs would have been THE place to be for the afternoon. They were on the bow of a 38-foot 1966 Chris-Craft Sea Skiff owned by John and Jeanne Balsam. The boat also featured a For Sale sign.

Sunday morning proved to be the best time to be out on the water, as little wind, plentiful sunlight and a calm surface mixed to form perfect atmosphere for a run around the lake. The Chapter provided snack breakfast bags for all, and we took to the water to enjoy what our boats are supposed to do – get out and perform. After an hour, the boat retrieval crew got busy, and all boats were headed home. See you next time!

Jerri Nowlen, top left, skewers another marshmallow to make gourmet s’mores Thursday night near Hartwell, GA. Nowlen’s recipe called for waffle crisps, dark chocolate, the marshmallow and a dollop of raspberry chocolate sauce. Much better than standard.

2016 Hartwell Antique Boat Festival Awards as picked by captains of registered boats

Skippers Choice Purple Haze (1948 Shepherd) Phillip Jones
I Want That One Gad A Bout (2009 Homebuilt) Patricia and David Nisbett
Best Runabout Halleyluiah (1957 Chris-Craft Capri) Beth and Ed Halley
Best Utility Miss Nina (1956 Chris-Craft Holiday) Libby and Pat Mac Rae
Best Contemporary Linda Ann (1975 Modified Arabian) Linda and Bob Smith
Best PreWar Pal (1918 HackerCraft Runabout) Tom Neff and Brenda Highsmith
Best PostWar Eau! Canada (1949 Greavette Runabout) Anne and Bryan Leazenby
Best Outboard Blue Boy (1961 Glassmaster) Dan Miller
Best Century Fleetwood (1958 Century Arabian) Myrna and Ben Huizinga
Best Chris-Craft Brown Eyed Girl (1960 Sportsman 24) Beth and Craig Miller
Boat Enthusiasts Diane and Charles Mistele
Old Boats, Old Friends June and Tom Riggle
Fred Thomas Best Antique Boater of the Year Mary Jo and Gary Fesperman

Best of Show (chosen by show patrons; 35 different boats received votes) Eau! Canada (1949 Greavette Runabout)

A bicyclist rides along the top of the Hartwell Dam Sunday morning. The peace of Sunday morning was only broken by the sound of classic boats touring the lake before eveyone pulled out to go home.