Hat’s Off To Some Special Folks & Some Final Housekeeping From Lake Tahoe
As we all catch out breath after a busy few days at the Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance and the related Riva Club USA events in California, there are a few special people that we would like to acknowledge. We also have some breaking news about the 2014 Tahoe Concours, an update from the popular Gathering of the Gar Woods event which was held on Monday, and an exclusive BMZ photo of the Hamster.
Lake Tahoe Concours
These events are the culmination of years of planning, along with the many dedicated volunteer’s and corporate sponsors who work together for a common goal, who all deserve credit for the major success of the Concours.
This years Lake Tahoe Concours was once again a very sucessful event for everyone involved. The collection of classic Riva boats was outstanding, with some of the best marque class Riva Aquaramas in the country on hand at the Sierra Boat Company Marina. One of the key people who was instrumental in the success of this years show was our friend and fellow Woody Boater Marty Feletto. Marty’s dedication to the hobby, energy and extensive knowledge of Riva boats is remarkable, and infectious.
It was exciting to see all the wonderful people who traveled all the way from Italy to attend this years Concours, to celebrate the Riva Aquarama Marque Class for 2012 and Carlo Riva’s 90 birthday.
Special Guest Chiara Ferrese and Marty Feletto
One of the highlights of the event was during the Friday night awards banquet when Chiara Ferrese, Carlo Riva’s granddaughter from Monaco, spoke to the audience and read a touching letter from Carlo. Chiara’s mother, Lia Riva Ferrese, owns Monaco Boat Service in Italy. Patrizio, her father who also at Tahoe, owns RAM in Sarnico, Italy where the Riva Historical Society “2012 Riva Days” will be held in a few weeks, on Lake Iseo, Italy.
On Saturday afternoon Marty loaded up his 1966 Riva Aquarama for the traditional “Roar Off” from the Sierra Boat Company Marina… and everyone was having a ball as the boats made their way out on to Lake Tahoe.
Thanks Marty for everything you do!
2012 Gathering of the Gar Woods Event
The popular Gathering of the Gar Woods event was held on Monday, just down the west shore of Lake Tahoe at the historic Obexer’s Boat Company. The only boat show that exclusively celebrates the singular beauty and grace of the boats built by Garfield Wood.
The Lake Tahoe area boasts the largest compliment of Gar Woods in the world and this show serves as a chance to showcase them for one special day each year. Event organizer and fellow Woody Boater Sabina Pellissier noted…
“This years event was very well attended with 22 beautiful Gar Wood boats and over 65 owners at Obexer’s Boat Company’s Marina… The rain held off – that is until I actually managed to get in a boat! We got as far as Fleur du Lac and the storm hit – needless to say we zoomed (pun intended!) back to Obexer’s soaked and laughing harder with every passing minute! Made for a very memorable Gathering.” – Sabina
Gathering of the Gar Woods
Tahoe Yacht Club Foundation Announces Marque Class for 2014
On Sunday we received news from Lake Tahoe that the Marque Class for the 2014 Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance will be the distinctive “Barrel Back” boats. Although an official press release from Dave Olson, President of the Tahoe Yacht Club Foundation and the Lake Tahoe Concours is forthcoming, we were excited to hear the news, as the pre-war barrel stern designed boats are very popular and always a treat to see in person.
Image Courtesy – Chris-Craft Antique Boat Club
At this time we are not sure if this marque class will be limited to just Chris-Craft designed / manufactured boats, as there’s no question that the Chris-Craft name is synonymous with barrel stern boats in the late 1930’s & early 1940’s. However, there were also a number of other wooden boat manufacturers from the same period that also designed and produced boats with similar barrel stern transoms… And when we received the news on Sunday, the first question that came to mind was – will this marque class include the other manufacturer’s?
So we thought it would be fun to ask our viewers to chime in with your thoughts on the subject.
Question: Do you think the 2014 Tahoe Concours Marque Class should be limited to Chris-Craft Barrelbacks or other manufacturers from the same period, such as Century, Greavette, etc?
We would love to hear what YOU have to say.
Chris-Craft 19′ Barrelback – Aries
1942 Century Seamaid 20′ Triple – Dick & Louise Werner
Fellow Woody Boater Hamster
And once again, in this exclusive BMZ photo (That’s Woody Boater for TMZ) we spotted fellow Woody Boater Hamster leaving the show with all the girls again aboard this elegant Riva… Hamster’s livin the good life! – Texx
Great question on the barrel stern boats. Although CC made by far the greatest number of boats in this style, I don’t think anyone actually attributes the design to them. There are a number of Hacker-designed examples from many years prior to the emergence of the CC BB’s. I think it will be a more interesting and educational marque class if barrel-stern boats from all builders who produced boats in this style are invited. I don’t think there is anything to be lost be opening the class up in this way and perhaps we can become better informed as to what designers and builders pioneered this enduring and distinctive style.
I agree with Paul that all barrel back designs should be included in the Marque Class. As you know, we did that this year for the Algonac show with triple cockpit runabouts. Having all of the different builder’s triples docked together as the marque boats was a wonderful display of the class, but still exhibited the individual design and build uniqueness between the different boats. I think it was also very well received by both the owners and the spectators.
Any more coverage of the gathering of the gar woods coming?
Rabbit – We are hoping to get some additional photos and information in the next few days from Monday’s Gathering of the Gar Woods event, and if so will get it up for our viewers.
There were very few Gar Woods produced with the barrel back, we are the caretakers of one a 1938 22′ Streamliner. We are planing to show Empress at the Tahoe Concours in 2014. Hope to see you all there, it is one hell of a show.
I agree with Paul H. It’s nice to see the different mfg styles. If it’s only CC, the attendance will be less 1.
BTW, what is the class for 2013?
Tommy – GREAT class for 2013 in my view – The Boats of Allen Furth. As many know, he was a prodigious collector of some 75+ boats until his death 20 years ago. He had a huge and amazing variety of boats, and boats emanating from his collection are the “marque” class next year. I believe that 2013 is the 20th. anniversary of his passing, but I am not sure. Personally I thought this was an inspired choice for the class next year. I am looking forward to it.
Texx,
Have to say one of the reasons I check your site so often is the absolutely GREAT banner photos at the top of the home page. They are second to none, and I have saved quite a few just to look at later. Perhaps you already do, but if not a screen saver program of these photos would be nice to have running on my Mac. Keep them coming…
JFunk – Thanks for the compliment on the headers.
Those are courtesy of our leader Matt Smith and his amazing artistic skills. We have lots of fun coming up with new and original images for the headers, which are usually done farm fresh the same day, just like the stories…
I remember a time here on Woody Boater when the header would change weekly, not daily… Back when a heavy traffic day was 500 hits!
Yes, Texx, every year Tahoe seems to outdo itself as a result of a tremendous amount of effort by a large host of dedicated people — all who deserve our thanks. No question that this show is in a class by itself. All those aquaramas in one location was a some sight! And Tiger, which swept the field thru the fabulous work of Dave and Rudy of nw classic boats, is a boat of incredible beauty that pictures can only begin to convey. (Not to forget that your lovely restored riviera was also a fine addition to the show).
YES, ALL barrel-back manufacturers will be included in the 2014 Marque Class at Tahoe. That includes Mercury, which also made at least one barrel-back model.
Wonderful Dave. If we can just get some of those great Canadian boats designed by hacker, that would really add to the show.