The Chris – Craft Antique Boat Club Comes Back In Full Force In Texas!
Left -Don Ayers..wearing the WB colors by the way.. Karen and Paul Harrison at the Chris-Craft Antique Boat Clubs tent in Houston.
For the small few that are in the weeds of the day to day running behind the scenes of the classic boat hobby. The last couple months of transition of the Chris – Craft Antique Boat Club has been interesting to watch. A new board, new Brass Bell being put together, and the transition of the web site to the next level. This was no easy undertaking by the way. Bill had done an amazing job getting the club online and built many things to move the club into the digital age. The new “group” is running now on all 12 cylinders. A new Brass Bell is in production, and as you can see above, the presence of the club is back and in full force. Which I might add is so no small undertaking. So a big Wooohooo to the gang for getting it all together. If you have let your membership lapse, you can sign up here.. Now back to some more pictures from the show.
"Soda Pop" a 1958 Rexcraft Regent from Houston, Texas, with a Johnson 35 hp Outboard (1959) Rexcraft boats were hand built, riveted runabouts produced in small numbers. It's styling cues from the big fin automobiles produced in the late 1950's.
A 1961 Reinell 16' Jet Flight owned by Dale and Debra Sirois from Marrero, LA
1961 Reinell - rear, aft. back, what ever you call it, its very very cool.
A 1955 Holmes 16' Cuddy Cabin powered by a 1963 Johnson Engine. Built by Holmes BoatWorks in Houston, Tx. It was restored in 1989 by Cecil Holmes, the original builder and the entire Merryman family. This boat was owned by four generations of the Merryman Family. Paul Merryman is the Co-Chairman of the Keels & Wheels Show.
This is a Circa 1894 Fan Tail Steam Launch, originally built for Bath Iron Works in Maine.
Its a 1934 something.. OK, Jim sent this one so we have no idea. I do see karen and paul in ht eshot. And I think thats Terry Feist. I recognize the hat and phone.
Sons of varinsh needs a bad ass truck? Thanks Jim for this one..
Thanks for these images from Karen Harrison and Jim Mersman. What a great show.
‘S A Gem is a 1934 27’ Chris-Craft Custom and it took a top prize at the show. It is owned by David Watts from Rice, MN.
Thanks Karen. I was starting to look through my pictures, found the sign for the triple to then fill in the blanks and then….bam. You beat me too it. How’d you like to be my chief of staff? You obviously have the skill set to clean up all the details!
This weekend was a blast. Southwest chapter ACBS has a lock on hospitality and fun. Off to NASA now to arrange for transporting all the cars, a boat and a piano home piggy back on a 747 like the space shuttle. Should be interesting.
Karen,
Would you sell your Continental?
thanks
Jimmy
Obviously Terry and Don did not get the memo that the belt phone case is the modern day pocket protector.
Love the pics, especially the Rienell. WB needs a shirt with a Rat Fink type rod pulling a woody boat. Getting to the water is half the fun. Hope this link works.
http://horsepowermarketer.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/talesflyer.jpg
Stay tuned for pic’s tomorrow of a cool as hell resto-mod pulling a CC. There is no end to the uniqueness found at this show.
Just got back from Clayton. I missed the show in Texas and sure could have used some of their heat since I neglected to bring a coat or anything warmer than an SOV T-shirt!
That said, there were plenty of nice boats to look at, in the museums collection and at Antique Boat America who were nice enough to open up late on Saturday to let us browse. The presenters at the symposium were fantastic, the only complaint we had was that we only got a couple of hours with each one when a couple of days with any one of them would remain interesting and helpful. The staff at the Antique Boat Museum did an absolutely amazing job of hosting us, feeding us and keeping us learning. You can imagine what it is like taking care of over 50 woodyboaters plus the instructors, so hats off to them for putting up with us with a smile.
They also when above and beyond and tried to give everyone the opportunity for a ride in one of their Gar Woods to get a glimpse of the Thousand Islands the way they were meant to be seen. We even got to show off our woody waves to a passing tour boat. The only things that would have made the ride better would have been a warm coat and an extra couple hours on the water.
I’d do more of a writeup, but I left the camera home with my coat. As Homer would say, DOH!
Matt- Dick Werner, past ACBS Pes. organizes these symposiums. We missed him at K & W but he had to be at the ABM. I have never met a more passionate or harder working guy in this hobby than Dr. Dick. He goes all over the country organizing these events, and has really built the whole program. I am glad you enjoyed it and found it beneficial. I bought my first wood boat from Dr. Dick in 2007 and it was his passion that drew me into this. Sounds like it was a great event.
My very best Kudos for Paul Karen and all of the CC guys. Job well done! And I recognize one of my favorite Woody Boater navigational aids t-shirt!
Thanks to all! Paul, you sure had a lot more goodies to offer than we had sitting at that empty table in Tavares!
John in Va.
John – we sold it ALL – except for 2 small golf shirts and 2 sweatshirts, which we donated to the Keels and Wheels organizers for a kids charity they suport. It helps to have the stuff actually available when the show is on! It was a great show for lots of reasons, and the presence of the CCABC was appreicated by many and that was nice. Keels and Wheels Co-Chairman Paul Merryman went out of his way to provide our tent space and encourage our attendance. There is a TON of good faith throughout this hobby.
Paul, Sounds like a swell deal…thanks for holding down the tent, look forward to doing that again next year in Tavares!
John in Va.
Great to see these classic boats restored to such great condition! Reminds me of my mis-spent youth up North 🙂 Excellent photos — Thanks!