What’s Boating Like In Northern Michigan In Early August? It’s like Christmas Week!
Bob Shapton led the cruise in his 1942 26’ Chris Craft Deluxe Enclosed.
A huge thanks to longtime Woody Boater David Irvine for sending in this wonderful report from Northern Michigan.
The Water Wonderland Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society was in the water a LOT the past week! Bob Shapton coordinated a cruise on Lake Leelanau up towards “Fishtown” (aka Leeland) near Lake Michigan on Friday, August 2, 2024.
The next day, the annual Boats on the Boardwalk, held the first Saturday of August, was held in Traverse City. This show just celebrated its 37th Anniversary!
36 boats lined the boardwalk for the public to see.
Several enthusiastic boaters came for the week to enjoy the breathtaking boating in the Les Cheneaux Islands. Monday through Thursday, boating took place throughout these beautiful and picturesque waterways, with miles of unspoiled shoreline, beautiful cottages, and houses. Best of all, there were miles of boat houses, protecting some boats that have remained in these waters for up to a century!
Following a day of fishing and relaxation, several club members met for a social happy hour at a venue adjacent to the water. It was a great time to catch up with known and newer club members.
Tom “Flood’s” a group of onlookers with his vast knowledge of boats and the area near Cedarville where he lives.
On Thursday, the Water Wonderland Chapter, Antique and Classic Boat Society (ACBS) held a quarterly membership board meeting at Snow’s Bar in Cedarville, MI. The board adopted a “Director in Training” program for teens associated with the chapter, and the club members enjoyed fried fish after the meeting.
Amanda VanderWeele, President of the Water Wonderland Chapter, ACBS leads the third quarter business meeting.
Friday morning, boaters arrived at 9 am at Hessel Harbor to register for the Poker Run, which started at 10 am and included five stops throughout the Les Cheneaux Islands.
One of the camera boat for the Poker run is a 1974 Boston Whaler Montauk Hull Nauset, owned by David Irvine.
A few participants took a break after the poker run, BUT before the poker run picnic to check out the Cedarville Car show!
These Land Rover owners are ready for their next safari!
1955 T-bird, unrestored and originally from California, with low miles.
1951 Jeepster
The original engine from “The Boss,” rebuilt 20 years ago by Casey De Hollander, can be seen at the Les Cheneaux Distillery in Cedarville, MI.
The “Boss” has been re-powered with a modern-day V8 engine.
Poker players docked at Patrick’s Landing to turn in their cards, have a great picnic lunch, and see who takes home the coveted Poker Run Trophy for the next year!
Paul Tabor continues his “Tradition” of making sure everything runs smoothly, not only for the poker run/picnic but capturing great photos from his 1939 24 Chris-Craft Utility, AND ensuring that everyone enjoys themselves at the boat show!
On Saturday morning, August 10th, 2024, over 100 boats DID show up despite the weather forecast! 30 registered boats did NOT show up. Thankfully, the rain pretty much held off until the end of the day. This is one of the LARGEST Antique Boat shows in the country. An average of 5000-6000 spectators come annually across the country to enjoy these wooden and classic beauties in the Upper Peninsula, just over the Mackinac Bridge, approximately 35 minutes to the northeast.
Water Wonderland Chapter ACBS members Angie Stotz, Peter Cross, Stacey Holman and Jon Stotz are ready for coffee and pancakes after getting up EARLY to place their boats in the cloudy/sunny/light rain day with a chance of smaller weather craft wind advisory!
Teaser, designed by George Couch and built by Nevins arrives for its debut show at the storied Hessel Boat Show in Hessel Michigan.
Teaser became famous by winning the celebrated time trial against the Twentieth Century Limited train, the fastest train on rails at the time, from New York City to Albany in 1925. Teaser won by more than 20 minutes in front of crowds of thousands! Photo caption provided by owner John Allen.
“Lucille,” a 1966 19’ Century owned by Jane and Henry Opie of Pontiac Lake, MI.
Small craft / non-powered were displayed to the west of the Art Fair row of tents, near the boat launch.
“Abigail” a 1954 24’ Chris Craft Holiday owned by Michale Poort of Grand Haven, MI. The Chris Craft Holidays and Continentals were the 2024 featured boats at the show.
“Goldie, a 20’ 1954 Chris Craft Holiday owned by Angie and Jon Stotz of Rockford, MI.
Outboards aplenty!
I’m not “judging you!”
Hungry? Check out this mid-1950’s Spartan Imperial Palace FOOD TRUCK!
“Missle” a 2007 34’ Stan Craft, owned by Bradley Twait of Saugatuck, MI.
Thank you for this opportunity for me to “launch” this post and share what an exciting week in northern Michigan has to offer during early August. For 2025, consider going to the 47th Annual Les Cheneaux Islands Antique Wooden Boat Show which is always held on the second Saturday of August!
David Irvine is the Social Media Director for the Water Wonderland Chapter, Antique & Classic Boat Society. He regularly contributes articles to historical publications on antique & classic boats, cars, and vintage campers. By David Irvine, Photos by Brian Mortimore and David Irvine
It looks like a blast! It also looked like typical Michigan weather..don’t like the weather, in 5 minutes it will change! Great photos! Thanks so much!
Great post! Boats in the photos we don’t often see. A Morgan in the Land Rover pic caught my eye… Here’s one of mine. 😊
That Morgan is cool as hell. I love those cars. And a PERFECT COLOR
What a great week. I have boated most of those waters and it brought back fond memories. Nice to see our old friend Tom Flood and his Hackers. Thank you David,Brian and Matt for the great story!
Great Photos! Loved the set of “Teaser” photos. Northern Michigan is usually a lot colder than here in August Algonac. All the people wearing Jackets tells a story.
Fantastic pictures and thanks for a great report on the shows! The weather in Hessel was challenging this year, but it was still a fun time and all the boats looked awesome even under overcast skies. Already looking forward to next year’s show!
What a great coverage of pictures. Look forward to Boats On The Boardwalk and Les Cheneaux again next year.
Great story and Photos David. I was at the car show on Friday. It was a good show. The boat show was great as always on Saturday. Those of us who took our boats, braved the wind and rain. Several WB people had boats in the show. I recognized their names. I met the Mc Kneemer Kid ( I hope I spelled his name correctly.) At our WB meet and greet on the porch of the Islander Bar. I recognized a lot of faces in those pictures form the show. I also recognized the inside of Snows Bar. Your right. it was a great week. Thanks for sharing David.
I forgot to add in my earlier post. I want to give a big THANKS to all the volunteers at the boat show and to the volunteers from the ACBS .You guys always do a superb job and it’s appreciated.👍😃
This place looks like the epitome of the Woodyboater lifestyle. Nice to see a Shepherd in the mix.
My Brother-in-law lives outside of Petosky, Michigan. On our occasional visits we have toured Traverse City, Torch Lake, Lake Charlevoix, Wallon (wallet) Lake, Harbor Springs and the Les Chaneaux Islands. I even had a beer at the Islander Bar in Cedarville…Unfortunately never during a time that one of the many local wooden boat show occurred. My brother-in-law did take us out on his boat for a tour of Wallon Lake and showed us where Hemmingway’s cottage was.
For a native Californian, these visits were a functional equivalant to a religious pilgrimage. I highly recommend a visit to this area, preferably, when one of the local boat shows.
Brilliant story today! Really enjoyed seeing boats and cars together. What a fabulous weekend you had. Thanks for sharing.
I couldn’t go to Hessel this year due to a health problem so thank you to all who did and contributed to this article!! Terrific photos and a lot of good side information!! Just the way I like it!!