Soaking Up Some North Idaho Hospitality – The 7th Annual Resort Boat Shop Show & Shine

Last weekend we were invited to participate in the 7th Annual Resort Boat Shop Show & Shine in Post Falls, Idaho – Next door to beautuful Lake Coeur d’Alene. And once again this year, the nice folks at the Resort Boat Shop / Hagadone Marine Group put on a wonderful spread for everyone who attended, including great food, great refreshments, live music, some tasty classic boats and a perfect opportunity to get together with our friends from the Inland Empire Chapter ACBS.

The Inland Empire Chapter and their dedicated members work very hard throughout the year to promote and expand the antique & classic boating hobby, and are very excited about hosting the 2013 ACBS International Meeting and Show at the Coeur d’Alene Resort.

One of the best parts about spending the day the Resort Boat Shop is having the opportunity to tour through the huge facility and see first hand, what projects Eric O’Brien and his crew are currently working on – and we are never disappointed… This restored Chris-Craft cruiser (shown above and below) is now in the final stages of a multi-year restoration and looks great as she soaks-up in one of two wet test areas on site.

A few beautiful examples of recently completed projects completed by the Resort Boat Shop… These guys get it!

“48 Calibre” An immaculate 1948 Chris-Craft 18′ Deluxe both inside and out – owned by Bill Schueck.

How about a Chris-Craft / Stan Craft hybrid – According to the literature, “Hot Diggity” is a 1930 Chris-Craft hull that was modified with a new hull and decks, and sold as a Stan Craft boat in 1995. Powered by a Chris-Craft 327.

I spotted this very cool Yellow Jacket on display with fins, a curved windshield and a big Mercury 6 outboard…

This is one of those boats that would be a blast to go for a fast ride in, on a calm summer morning, now if I can just find out who owns it and where he lives…

Getting a chance to learn about another rare Post-War Chris-Craft 20′ Custom Runabout for the first time is always fun, this 1946 model Custom “Lizzy” is currently being restored and is owned by Bob & Anne Henshaw. These are great looking boats. In the back ground, Steve & Linda Zwarg’s multi-award winning 1942 Chris-Craft Custom 19′ Barrelback “Killer”.

A very cool (and very large) 1966 30′ Lyman that was listed for sale. Not sure if this twin powered brute is a Lyman Sleeper or a Lyman Cruisette – but I’m the lapstrake guys will set me “Strake”.

One of the boats in the boat shop being preserved was this traditional Chris-Craft Capri, waiting for some fresh varnish.

The Resort Boat Shop also specializes in the design and construction of modern contemporary wooden boats, which are cold molded from cedar, mahogany and teak. “Jefe” (shown below) is a 34′ Coeur d’Alene Custom Design which has been featured in publications such as the Robb Report and Yacht International.

The particular boat recently won a class award at the 2011 ACBS International Boat Show in Geneva Lake last September, and it turns heads where ever it goes for it’s stunning beauty, design and performance.

“Jefe” is powered by Twin 550 HP LS7 Corvette 550 Fuel Injected V-8’s with thru drive exhaust driven by Mercury XR1 drives, capable of top speeds in the 60 to 65 MPH range.

Shop manager Eric O’Brien explained to us that they are currently in the process of completing two more similar Gentleman’s Runabouts, using the same successful design formula as “Jefe” only slightly shorter in overall length. Below is the 29′ Coeur version which now has her new interior and ready for the power plant and running gear to be installed.   Eric explained that each boat is unique, with very subtle changes to it’s design.

The second Gentleman’s Runabout in the shop is this 30′ version of the Coeur design.

This 30 footer also has some unique one-off design elements throughout the boats design, most noticably in the stern area. The brand new 450 HP big block Chevrolet based Mercruiser power plant was there, and is ready to be installed, which will also incorporate a through drive exhaust system to minimize noise levels under power. The amount of engineering, combined knowledge and modern technology that is incorporated into these modern contemporary wooden runabouts is truly amazing.

But the most remarkable part – Is that fact that both these boats are scheduled to be fully completed, water tested and delivered to their new owners by June 15th – period. With a staff of more that 18 full time, qualified people at the Resort Boat Shop, as Eric says “Things come together quickly here, with no compromize in terms of craftsmanship and quality.” This 30 footer will also perform with top speeds in the 60 MPH range.

Another Lyman getting her water test and summerization procedure after winter storage at the boat shop.

Below – From left to right, three Inland Empire Presidents caught in a freindly Presidential Debate on Saturday – Past President B.K. Powell, Immediate Past President Larry O’Leary, and current President Michael Boge. A tip of the Woody Boater Hat to everything these three fellows have accomplished over the last many years, setting the Inland Empire Chapter on a course to success for the future. Nice work guys.

Michael Boge and the Inland Empire Chapter are now working a new and interesting concept for the chapter named the “Ambassador Program” The purpose of this program is to promote the interaction and support of the ACBS Chapters of the Northwest Region and to enable our members to attend other boat shows in our area. Michael commented “Our goal is to encourage our members to attend the Chapter Boat Shows of our Region and to encourage other ACBS Chapters and their members to reciprocate by attending our local sanctioned ACBS boat shows.”

You can read more about the proposed “Ambassador Program” on the Inland Empire Chapter ACBS website and also in the most recent Chapter newsletter (which is a fantastic publication), prepared by Editor and Fellow Woody Boater Wes Yandt by clicking here.

“American Pride” is the theme for this years 10th Annual Classic Boat Festival at Sandpoint, Idaho which is hosted by the Inland Empire Chapter ACBS.  If you are planning to be anywhere near the Pacific Northwest in ealy July, this is a “must attend” event for both classic boat owners and spectators. 

Poster Image Courtesy - Inland Empire Chapter ACBS

Thanks again to The Resort Boat Shop for inviting us to this great event and to the Inland Empire Chapter and their members for making it a fun day for all.

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