Wooden Stars Shine Bright At Moonlite Bay For The Whitefish Chain Rendezvous
Charlie Underbrink’s spectacular 1970 Riva Ariston “Las Brisas” powered by a 220HP 327.
Late last night roving reporter / and ace photographer Dane Anderson sent us some farm fresh photos and a short report from the 26th Annual Whitefish Chain Antique and Classic Boat Rendezvous in Moonlite Bay, Minnesota – proving once again that the Minnesota region of the country has some fabulous classic boats if you just know where to look. (and don’t forget you can click on the photos to enlarge them – Texx)
Charile’s daughter Piper piloting “Las Brisas” during the traditional Saturday boat parade at Moonlite Bay.
Dane noted in his e-mail – “I think we had one too many Canadian boats at Moonlite Bay this year. It dropped to 47 degrees last night and stayed in the 50s most of the day today – cloudy and a few rain drops too. But everyone made the most of the weather and had a great time anyway. There were quite a few “new” boats at the show this year including 4 – 19′ Chris-Craft Barrelbacks, all gorgeous.
Michael Lang’s 1939 Chris-Craft 19′ Custom Barrelback “Victory”
“Runamuck” – a 1941 Chris-Craft 19′ Custom Barrelback owned by Joe Ruttger
Mike Sofka’s 1939 Chris-Craft 19′ Custom named “Torpedo”
“Juliana” – Julie Robertson’s 1939 Chris-Craft 19′ Custom Barrelback
The real treat was the two Ditchburns that were at this years show. Charlie Underbrink brought his beautiful Kermath powered 1929 30 footer…
… And John Allen had his 1927 27′ Ditchburn Viking “Mowitza II” c/w with a stepped hull. The story at the dock was that these two boats were finished at the same time to prove that the stepped hull Viking was faster than the 30 footer, which it was and now 80 plus years later, they show up at the same boat show up in the woods in Minnesota. A great story.
Joe Ruttger in his Chris-Craft 22′ Sportsman – a Whitefish Mail Boat, which was once used on the Whitefish Chain of lakes.
Pete Dahls family in their cool Riva Junior “Fortunato”
Not exactly sure what this is or what it has for power, but it sure looks great – and fast. We will find out more on this one.
So there you have it, a brief glimpse of some of the wooden treasures to be found in Minnesota during the summer – a “must visit” area if you like antique & classic boats.
The one thing that always seems to remain constant in the hobby is the popularity and collectability of the pre-war Chris-Craft barrel stern models, and it’s great to see them come out for the local boat shows around the country. Looking through Dane’s photos today, it makes me think about how cool it would be to some day feature these rare barrel stern boats as the marque boat for a boat show. But that’s for another day…
Special thanks to Dane Anderson for sharing his great photos and comments from the 26th Annual Whitefish Chain Antique and Classic Boat Rendezvous today. And also to the sponsors, organizers and volunteers that make this great show possible.
Texx
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Well Texx – the Barrel backs, stern’s or Customs (whatever folks prefer to call thme) are the marque boat at the Tahoe concours in 2014. I plan to take my 1940 19′ there next year for the event. It would be most appropriate given that mine was delivered new to Tahoe and was on that lake until 1992. I have never come across a person that does not like the styling of these boats, they are indeed iconic.
Great selection of boats at this event, and it’s a shame the weather did not copperate. Love the Canadian stuff!
Must say its odd to see the 84 year old Mowitza II anyplace other than Lake Joseph (Muskoka Lakes) Ontario
Great to see Mike lang’s Barrel with correct Green waterline and all! Nice boat Mike. Hope to see it at Tahoe in 2014
Not to be a PooHead or anything, but there seems to be a large amount of debris floating in the water around those beautiful boats. And that makes me wonder as to what kind of screens these boats are using at the cooling water inlet ?? I have often wondered as to why our boats do not contain a clear, visible and removable screen or filter system to ensure that the pump is not sucking up and getting clogged with the local water flora. (I am thinking of the same sort of clear filter idea as a fuel filter).
Another great show from Moonlite Bay! My favorite shot at the docks is this view of Kermit Sutton’s V-12 Hisso nestled inside his magnificent Belle Isle Super Bearcat. This show has everything, from canoes to cruisers and everything in between. Wood, fiberglass, aluminum, it was all there.
Texx — You can just leave that header up there for the next month or so, far as I’m concerned.
I’m planning on taking Talaria (nee “Sylvia”) to Tahoe, so that’s one more 1941 19′ barrel to add to the list…wonder how many will ultimately be lined up along the docks?
Lessee, now…do you want to group the 19’s all together by year, or alternate 19’s with 17’s, or…? A nice quandary for the organizers to struggle with!
Here’s hoping there are a whole bunch, in any case.
“Not exactly sure what this is or what it has for power, but it sure looks great – and fast.” That boat, a 17′ 4″ Glen-L Gentry, was a new build by Dean Wilson. The Bonnie Dean is powered by a 1963 283 185HP, originally installed in a Lake Minnetonka 23′ CC Sea Skiff. It went to the show with 14 hours on the hull and rebuilt engine. It was fun talking to people on the dock about the boat. It was the only Gentleman’s cruiser and (I believe) the only home-built boat at the show.
It sure looks good Dean, you did a great job! Thanks for the update.
Great news Rich!
With the pre-war barrel stern designed boats featured as the marque boat for the 2014 Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance, there will no doubt be a big turn out of Chris-Craft barrelbacks from around the country. And “Talaria” will certainly be right at home amongst the 17′ & 19′ Customs.
But the event is not limited to just Chris-Craft boats. Hopefully we will have an opportunity to see some other pre-war barrel stern manufacturers represented at Tahoe in 2014 – like Century, Gar Wood, Greavette, Mercury, and even Hacker.
Described as any pre-war design with an unbroken line from waterline to waterline across the transom.
One of my favorites is the 17′ Century Seamaid — we have a dandy example in our local ACBS club here in Northern Ohio. It belongs to Larry Prebis…a ’42 he named “Double Barrel”. Looks very much like the one pictured above. Here’s hoping he can bring it to Tahoe so everyone can see the results of his 12-year restoration. Whaddya say, Larry?
It was a great show and we enjoyed being there with our ’49 C-C Deluxe Runabout. Moonlight Bay did a great job just as Dennis and Judy Madigan had for so many years before. Being able to launch at C&C was a very nice advantage.
Another place where there are a large number of Woodys. Lake Rabun Georgia. In the Community of Lakemont Georgia. In the northeast part of the State. Alot if water front Mansions with a woody in most every boat house. They have a flotilla even 4th of July.
It’s amazing to see.